FISHING REPORT SPRING 2023
Not unexpectedly upstream salmon counts were very low in the first quarter of 2023. A combination of high flows and low water temperatures did not offer ideal migratory conditions. There is a decreasing number of early Atlantic salmon in general and the Tyne is no exception, however the Tyne still offers a chance of a Springer, generally from March onwards.
Anglers did not report any catches of salmon in February, March did produce a few beautiful fish. There are reports of some 14 salmon been caught to date, with 8 salmon reported from beats upstream of the fish counter. Please note that not all catches are reported.
The Riding Mill fish counter data supports the perception of an initial paucity of fish, thankfully this is now changing. With rising river temperatures and lower flows fish are responding, April counts to the 17th are 21 upstream counts, mostly salmon giving 32 upstream counts for the year to date. April can record a few hundred upstream counts followed by a significant increase in migratory activity in May.
River temperature at Bywell on the 17h April was 10.9C which is good for migration. Water quality condition is excellent following the high flows.
The Environment Agency are planning to carry out works on the fish counter at Riding Mill the week beginning 22nd May. Northumbria Water will start raising the radial gates on Monday 22nd May and will lower them during the afternoon of Friday 26th May.
A fish rescue will be carried out once the gates are raised and any trapped will be moved upstream of the gates, each morning a fish rescue will be carried out.
Outside of normal working hours the bypass channel will be opened to flood the channel, providing fish passage during low flows, fish movements across the counter during late May are usually during the hours of darkness.
