Happy Days Salmon Fishing (Lambley-South Tyne-England)

I remember like it was yesterday when I caught my first salmon from the Lambley beat on the South Tyne over a decade ago. Ever since, I have been visiting the beat annually with clients & friends. So, it became a traditional hosted trip for me in October. There was a break for a few years due to COVID-19 circumstances. In the last few years, we have kept the tradition alive.

Whether you are an experienced salmon angler or have never checked that species off your bucket list, you can join me for some Happy days of salmon fishing on one of the best rivers flowing through the breathtaking countryside of North England.

Fishing methods: Fly Fishing & Spinning.

Fish species: Salmon & Sea trout

Max 5 rods per trip.

Fishing:

• Six full days of fishing at Lambley.
• 10-day Rod License for salmon fishing in the UK.
• Stanislav Mankov will be the group’s host and guide.

Accommodation:

• Seven nights accommodation in the Kingfisher`s Cottage.
• Four double rooms. Ideal for couples and close friends.

Transport:

• From Newcastle airport and back and at all times.

Chef & Food:

• Six breakfasts (Monday-Saturday)
• Six Lunches (4 picnic-style, 2 BBQ)
• Four Dinners with house wine/beer (3 Pub evenings not included: First, middle and last nights)

Not Included:

Flight tickets to and from your location to Newcastle International Airport.

3 Pub evenings on the first, middle and last nights.

Fishing tackle: rods, reels, and lines (a complete set-up can be rented for 50£ per day).

Flies. We have a good range of well-proven patterns to offer you.

Itinerary:

• Day 1:

Guests are arriving in the UK, and I will pick them up with the rented van.

Taking the guests to the accommodation. Checking in.

We will then have an upcoming dinner at a local Pub.

• Days 2 to 7

Six Full Happy Days Salmon Fishing at the Lambley beat.

• Day 8

Checking out from the accommodation and Returning on our way back.

The South Tyne runs through the beautiful land of Lambley Farm, which has its own private salmon, sea trout and trout fishing beat. The fishing is a double bank about one and a half miles long, stretching from Lambley Viaduct to a couple hundred yards below the A689 road bridge. The South Tyne here at around 500ft is perhaps the last of the “lowland” beats as upstream the river climbs steeply over 1,300ft in just 20 miles to its source at Tynehead. Perhaps this is why the Lambley pools become well stocked with running salmon and sea trout, which often rest in the big pools ready for the last dash up the ever-steepening and shrinking river.

The South Tyne is a “spate river” which means it rises and falls quickly depending on the rainfall on the high Pennine hills some 20 miles south. A flood in the morning can mean ideal conditions by the afternoon!

Salmon build up in the pools from July onwards, and a wet summer can offer terrific sport for salmon, but the big numbers usually arrive in autumn when even complete beginners have a good chance of catching. Many first-time salmon have been caught at Lambley!

Located on Lambley Country Estate near Haltwhistle on the southern fringe of Northumberland National Park, our self-catering holiday cottages are beautifully positioned to allow you to enjoy rural Northumberland. Midway between Carlisle and Hexham, our location also provides an opportunity to visit the Lake District in Cumbria.

Rods and Lines

The river should be fished with a 7- to 9-wt switch or double-handed rods from 11- 13 ft long. A floating line or shooting head is often excellent, combined with a poly leader or tip with a different sinking rate according to the water level. I consider this essential, so please prepare yourself with at least three different tips/polyleaders- intermediate, medium, and fast-sinking. Tippet is relatively short and varies from 0,28 mm to 0,35 mm.

Best Flies that have worked out for us during the last decade.
Allies Shrimp, Sunray Shadow, Irish Shrimp, Calvin Shrimps, Cascade, Willie Gun, Stoyan`s Shrimp variations, Stokoe`s Shrimp, MFF Fire Tiger Zonker, Silver/Gold/Copper Stoat Tail. All those flies and some of their Claret variations work great.

Tactic and Strategy
We have most of the fish caught on the swing in higher water levels. Stripping fast, rolly polling or hitching the fly is worth a try on low water levels and warmer summer days.  Normal water conditions are about 9 inches to 1 ft 2 inches. When the water was lower, we had takes and caught salmon in the fastest part of the current or deeper holes. When it is high, over a foot and a half, the fish certainly goes on the sides, and you have to expect the take right where you have been staying on the bank when low water conditions. The take is usually very gentle, and striking is not recommended.

Side Effects:
Catching a salmon can lead to serious addiction. You might try it only once, and then you can never return. You will want to catch more, tie more flies, buy more materials and more equipment, and visit more places worldwide… it will never end. The risk is all yours!