In pursuit of a large slab of silver
We do not need to venture abroad to land a leviathan; some British rivers carry the genetics for double-figure sea-trout
We do not need to venture abroad to land a leviathan, says Steffan Jones
Akin to salmon, there are rivers across the world with a pedigree for producing big sea-trout. Southern Argentina comes instantly to mind with the leviathans of the Rio Grande, for example, where seatrout of more than 30lb are caught most seasons. Historically, the Baltic produced the largest sea-trout in the world, with records indicating fish in excess of 40lb. Whereas these are largely confined to the history books, there are still a few rivers that flow into the Baltic that produce fish of more than 20lb.
However, we do not need to look enviously at such faraway pastures in order to pursue a specimen seatrout because we do have revered rivers that carry big fish genetics right on our doorstep.
Let’s begin by exploring what constitutes a big sea-trout, because this is highly relative. For example, most of the Solway rivers tend to produce fish in the 2lb to 8lb range, which are fantastic sea-trout, but rarely produce fish above this weight. Is an 8lb seatrout a big sea-trout? Absolutely. However, I believe most would see that fish of a lifetime and ultimate target to be a specimen of, or above, 10lb – that almost mythical double-figure fish.
Anglers can spend a lifetime in pursuit of such a piscatorial unicorn. Failure can emerge from targeting a river that does not carry the genetics of such fish, or from the tactics deployed to target them.
So where must you go to maximise your chances of catching that sea-trout of a lifetime in the UK? Rivers in the North-east of England definitely carry big fish genetics and a reliable historic pedigree on which to begin your journey. From the Yorkshire Esk up through the Wear, Tynes and even the Coquet, there’s a plethora of avenues to explore where you can be assured that you’re covering big sea-trout. Slightly
farther North still you will stumble onto the Till, which is a tributary of the Tweed and a fantastic little river with consistency in terms of big sea-trout.
Beyond this region, you have a scattering of rivers across England and Wales that have consistently produced double-figure sea-trout over the years. The Ribble is a good river to explore, albeit with limited access to water due to syndicates and club waiting lists that, in the majority, do not offer day ticket access.
Venture over the Border and two principal rivers emerge on the big fish front. One being the Towy and the other being the Dovey. These have always been revered as big fish rivers and, to this day, will produce multiple double-figure sea-trout each season. Both rivers also have good access to water, which make them welcoming places to begin your search. Whilst not having the pedigree of these rivers, other options include the Teifi, Neath, Ogmore and the Rheidol.
TARGETING BIG FISH
Beyond a list of rivers to target, most rivers will produce the occasional big fish, albeit infrequently. It then comes down to the intricacies of how to target such fish. How to give yourself the best chance possible of hooking one of these specimens as there are definitely considerations to take account of to maximise your chances.
A big sea-trout can turn up anywhere within a chosen river or even within a chosen pool. However, there are traits or habits that big sea-trout exhibit that can be taken into consideration and used to your advantage when pursuing them.
Any sea-trout river worth mentioning will have runs into the thousands. These will be sea-trout of all sizes, with the majority being the ‘school’ or juvenile fish, reducing in numbers as you progress through the age classes. As such, given a run in the thousands a river system as a whole – or a given length within a river system – cannot afford individual lies to such a mass. Sea-trout look for an easy freshwater existence. The fat reserves they return to freshwater with must sustain them until they are ready to spawn. Depending on invertebrate life within the individual river, smaller sea-trout (usually those under 3lb) will feed actively in freshwater,
Most rivers will produce the occasional big fish, albeit infrequently
contrary to popular belief. Not only do they feed, they digest. They must do so because essentially their size does not permit them to remain in a state of fasting for such an extended period. Furthermore, they may have just been in saltwater for two to three months at most, so their freshwater habits and memories are still very much ingrained. These smaller fish, which are the predominant run size, tend to hold en masse in areas that allow an easy yet safe freshwater existence – essentially large holding pools that provide depth, cover and escape from powerful, energy-depleting currents. In contrast, however, big sea-trout, as a rule, do not feed because there is no necessity for them to do so. They do, however, follow certain habits that can be exploited, allowing them to be fooled into taking.
Whereas the smaller sea-trout hold en masse, the larger sea-trout hold court. They can command respect within a pool and can dictate their location and presence within it. These fish get individual lies. They will bully other fish out of the prime holding positions, only giving way to a hierarchical fish – that is, a bigger, more aggressive seatrout or salmon.
This offers the first clue as to where to begin targeting such fish. They can have definitive lies, much the same as a salmon can. Rocky outcrops, underwater obstructions, large boulders, depressions or pots in the riverbed – all of these can form a home for a large sea-trout.
However, if a sea-trout is a resident within a pool for a length of time then it may well have two lies: one in daylight and one at night. This rather reflects their habits and behaviour at sea, where the night-time was, as a rule, the prolific feeding period. Hence why they become more active as the light begins to fade and also more approachable and prone to take. They may have remained largely dormant during the daytime but fed ravenously at night.
Transfer this routine into the freshwater environment: whilst they are not feeding, they still exhibit the same habits. Lying dormant in the daytime but as the light begins to fade (almost as a feeding gong) the fish slowly change position to a hunting or interception point. This move usually entails dropping out of a deep water lie onto a shallower and far more approachable lie from an angler’s perspective. This would have essentially formed an ambush point for the sea-trout. A position where it still has a modicum of safety and buffer from the strong current but one from which it can easily move to intercept a food item.
Upon arriving at its night-time lie the fish may find it occupied. If so, the fish will be aggressive, clearing the lie of other occupants. This aggression can be capitalised on, as the fish is more likely to take a snatch at the fly at this time. However, do not venture in too early, as you should not risk spooking the fish during the transition between lies, which may send it back to its daytime lie for greater safety. As a rule of thumb, do not venture into the water until at least an hour after sunset and, even then, start by fishing the fast, riffly water – some larger sea-trout will move into the neck of the pool at dusk to check whether sufficient water exists to continue their journey upstream, so this is not a place to overlook, specifically at dusk.
The same scenario occurs when daybreak approaches and the fish return to
their daytime lair. They will again clear the lie of any intruders as they transition back, but are not as easy to target in such a location due to the depth, and so on. They may, however, be intercepted during their journey back, as the transition from one spot to the other is not immediate.
These scenarios present two opportunities when large sea-trout lower their guard. Daytime fishing in a falling flood presents a similar mindset. Here the sea-trout will often be migrating from pool to pool, with no long-term set lie. As such, there is an opportunity to tempt them at such vulnerable stages. The same can be said for those that remain within a given pool during a flood or falling flood, as they would have been displaced from their main chosen lie.
There is no doubt that a fresh-run seatrout is easier to tempt than one that has been present in freshwater for perhaps weeks. On their return their saltwater feeding memory is still raw. As such, this mindset can be capitalised on before full fasting ensues.
As a rule, big fish are the first to return to freshwater as they have the largest fat reserves to sustain a state of fasting for the longest period. On most rivers you will be targeting fish of 4lb plus when fishing in April to June, for example. This then, of course, becomes a key time to target a specimen, because you know if a reaction is achieved then it should be a decent fish.
Conversely, those sea-trout that have been in the system for a long time turn aggressive the closer you get to their spawning time. They can switch back on later in the season, with September usually being a prime example of this. These timings can vary between rivers, so seek local knowledge to ascertain such variations.
The plus side of big sea-trout is that they are actually the easiest sea-trout to hook once they have been induced to take. There is usually a lot more time between the take, the turn and the rejection versus that of their younger, more agile brethren. As opposed to salmon, my advice would always be to strike as soon as you feel a pluck – sometimes the lightest of plucks can be the largest of fish.
There are no particular fly patterns that can be used to target large sea-trout specifically. The fly choice will depend on prevailing conditions and light levels, the key considerations to success on that front.
Moreover, there are tackle considerations that should not be overlooked. First of all, make sure the rod has enough backbone to control a large sea-trout. Secondly, a heavy drag on your reel is not essential but a smooth drag is. Thirdly, never ever fish a leader strength of under 12lb (0.32mm or so) at night. The fish are not leader shy and fishing lighter will lead to disaster, especially if that fish of a lifetime is intercepted.
Steffan Jones’s Sea Trout Tips, Tricks & Tribulations offers further insight into the habits of sea-trout and how to target them. To purchase a copy of the book, email: book@sea-trout.co.uk