Saturday 28 February 2009

Rotating a Salmon Pool


I was having a chat the other day with a new fly fisher. During the course of the conversation I mentioned a salmon river I fished where pools were not rotated as was the custom because there were so many fish that the need for conventional etiquette was just not a factor.

He had no idea what I was talking about.
For the benefit of those of you new to the game of salmon fishing here is an explanation of how and why we rotate the pool.

Covering a Salmon Pool

First let’s review how to cover a salmon pool. Assume we are fishing conventional wet flies.

Salmon will lie throughout a pool at different locations and depths, if you know where they are: fish through the area as usual. If you do not know where the fish might be: start at the top of the pool with a short cast, across and down. Lengthen by a foot or two and make the same cast. This is repeated until you have cast as long a line as you are comfortable with.



-
Then, take a couple of steps down stream and start again with a short line working it out a few feet at a time. In this way you can progress through the length of the pool with reasonable confidence that you have shown your fly to any fish in range.

When fishing alone you can take your time and as my Father would say,” paint the pool” with your fly. But, when a pool is being fished by others too, you should “rotate the pool” so that everyone has an equal chance to fish.

Sharing a salmon pool
When sharing a new pool it is wise to observe the other fellows for a few minutes. What you want to know is, where does the pool start and where does it end? Take note of where the anglers enter the stream, where they make their first cast and how far down stream they fish before leaving the river and walking back to try again.


On most rivers with popular and well known pools there are usually a few fellows idling around, waiting their turn and shooting the breeze.
It is normally a collegial bunch with lots of information on how good the fishing was last week, when you were not there.

Don’t be afraid to ask a few questions about customs on the river and at this particular pool. It is better to listen to the chat and figure out, from the clues dropped in conversation or by observation, what tactics and flies are catching fish. Information earned by ten thousand casts is rarely tossed out to a stranger, no matter how annoying or prying their questions may be.

When your turn comes, walk to the bottom of the pool without disturbing other anglers. Enter the river at the appropriate spot with as little disruption as possible and start your cast. You should have watched long enough to see how quickly the average fellow is fishing. That is, whether they are painting the pool or just fishing to a seam or current.

The Rule

Either way the conventional rule is to enter the pool at its upstream limit, take one or two casts then a step down stream. You progress through the pool with this step, cast, step, cast pattern until you reach the end then walk back to await another pass.

It sounds a bit regimented but it is loads of fun. You are covering the pool, meeting other folks with your same interests, hearing some outrageous lies, lots of jokes and usually some very good tips and observations about salmon fishing, the weather and life in general.

I like to work the water above or below a pool a little farther than the usual exit point. It is often productive and one can take their time.

Keep in Mind

Some things to keep in mind when fishing a rotation:
Always respect the other anglers.
If someone has raised a fish be patient while he works over it.
If someone has hooked a fish, reel in so that there is no chance of your lines becoming entangled.
Always offer to assist another angler in the landing of his fish or snapping a photo before the release.
Be generous with flies and advice to new comers but only if asked. Most of all - be courteous.

Labels: , ,

4 Comments:

Blogger Tony said...

How are you Steve? feeling better I hope.
The coarse season is coming to an end later this month over here on the rivers, fortunately that coincides with the rivers then opening for Trout so the fly rods will be out.
Got a lot of new water to fish this year and I'm looking for a new rod thinking of a 9ft 4# to make my angling more exciting any thoughts?
We have had a proper winter this year, deep frosts and a few days of snow . The first signs of spring are in the air though.
I was watching TV last night it was ''extreme angling'' a famous English actor , it was filmed all over Canada , the rivers looked great and the fishing better . It got me thinking about how great it looks over your way and of coarse in turn wondered if you had fished these rivers!! So thought I would just see how you are doing.
All the best from the North West of England ........Tony

3 March 2009 at 23:24  
Blogger Tony said...

Oh yes and hows Random , not seen him on for a while?

3 March 2009 at 23:58  
Blogger Steve Dobson said...

Hi Tony,

Feeling much better, thanks.

I think the 4# is a great choice. I use my five-weight for everything. It adds finesse to your fishing and excitement to your hook-ups. When it is windy or I’m chasing big fish with big flies, I’ll go heavier of course.

I have been fortunate to have lived on both coasts of Canada. Consequently, I have fished a lot of the great rivers. Never fished the Gaspe area of Quebec yet. That is my dream trip for the future. Canada is a huge country with more water than anyone could hope to fish in a lifetime. I’m working on it though.

I had dinner with Random Phrump a week or so ago. He is well and thriving. Life has a way of intruding on ruminating on life and writing about too.

I expect he will reappear in full glory about the same time the crocus and snowdrops do. Opening day for trout is April 1st hereabout.

The winter here has also been proper but I noticed some shoots emerging from the garden this morning. Not long now until Spring.

Cheers,
Steve

4 March 2009 at 22:30  
Blogger Tony said...

4# it is then cheers Steve glad your on the mend .
Tony

5 March 2009 at 01:11  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home