The river Fowey is a true Moorland river, rising near Brown Willy, the highest point in Cornwall.

It flows for 30 miles to the sea at Fowey and is little influenced by agricultural or industrial activity.

Characteristically gin clear, it provides a real challenge to the fly fisherman.

2008 catch at Wainsford 67 salmon best 22lbs Both Fishery records and, we hope, evidence that the Hatchery is working! 114 sea trout best 9lbs 8oz Lowest catch but given the huge summer river, perhaps not surprising. Good number of larger fish. The fish counter at Lostwithiel, operated by the Environment Agency showed that 5500-6000 sea trout and close to two thousand salmon ran the river in the twelve months to December 2008. The salmon run in particular was pleasing to see especially bearing in mind that the run had reduced to little over 500 fish just ten years ago and after all, the river is only about 20 miles long!

The hatchery has obviously played its part, indeed we are expecting much larger returns to “kick in” in 2009. It is not the whole story however and a large amount of habitat improvement across the Catchment coupled with restraint on the part of the rods has played its part. Up until the last few years, the summer grilse run had virtually disappeared but we now see good numbers of salmon (three times the 10yr average) arriving from July onwards. These fish are pretty much left alone in favour of the sea trout. This situation appears to have improved dramatically with the present efforts to close the legal Irish Drift net fishery and we have noticed a significant rise in the size of average salmon.

Circle Hooks

It is important to note that the limited bait fishing allowed at Wainsford should in future, be with “circle” hooks at least as far as inexperienced fishermen are concerned. Those who move the bait constantly do not gut hook fish and we have discovered that deep hooked “circle” hooks are difficult if not impossible to remove. For those of you who have not seen them, these hooks have a concealed point that makes it unlikely to gut-hook a fish. It is however ESSENTIAL to tighten slowly and withdraw the hook before it turns and engages in the jaw. In these days of voluntary catch and release, plus of course, the legal requirement to return all gravid fish, it is up to us all to protect fish wherever possible.

The hooks were developed by sea long-liners who dread the gut-hooked fish, as it has to be removed from the line whilst the boat moves forward at speed.

For those of you who cannot source circle hooks, a small free supply will be available at Wainsford.

With the spread of parasite problems throughout Northern Europe, we are particularly keen to protect the river Fowey from danger. IF YOU HAVE FISHED ABROAD within one month of coming on holiday here, please advise Paul Eliot in advance. We will arrange for your waders and nets to be sterilised on arrival, free of charge.

Orri Vigfusson, Chairman of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund, returns the last rod caught salmon of the 20th Century, caught at Wainsford on 15th Dec 1999 > SEA TROUT > SALMON > The River at Wainsford > The Lakes at Wainsford

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