Salmon Atlantic
name: Salmon Atlantic
other names: N/A
The Atlantic salmon, 'the leaper', has been called the king of fish, due primarily to their spectacular ability to clear seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Their large body is long and hydrodynamic and can measure up to 150 cm in length and weigh up to 39 kg. Adults are usually silvery grey colours with some black spots but become more reddish with purple spots in the breeding season, and males develop a hooked lower jaw for fighting.
Historically the Atlantic salmon could be found throughout the North Atlantic in a range spreading from Quebec to Connecticut in the west and from the Arctic Circle to Portugal in the east. In the last 30 years however, the salmon population has suffered a devastating decline with catches falling by more than 80 percent. Today many populations are teetering on the brink of extinction or have already been lost, and it is believed that Atlantic salmon numbers are only reasonably healthy in four countries; Norway, Ireland, Iceland, Alaska and Scotland. Across the UK, populations in nearly 50 percent of salmon rivers are at risk and over 30 percent are endangered. Atlantic salmon spend most of their lives in the ocean returning to coastal rivers to spawn. They are found in freshwater only during their spawning runs, after engaging in extensive and complex migrations throughout their range, relying on their acute sense of homing for navigation. In coastal rivers they are primarily found in deep runs and pools, seldom in fast water or riffles.
At sea their diet consists of squid, shrimp and small fish such as herring or cod. After one or more years the salmon return to their birthplace in order to spawn, and do not eat during this phase of their life cycle.
The Atlantic is the second largest of all salmon; it is capable of attaining weights to 80 pounds, over a period of eight years. The largest known fish caught by an angler is the world record, which weighed 79 pounds 2 ounces from Norway’s Tana River in 1928. The average specimens today are 20 pounds or less. Landlocked Atlantic salmon do not grow to such ultimate sizes, although they are capable of growing from 30 to 40 pounds. Adult Atlantic salmon spend most of their lives at sea where they roam vast distances in small groups in search of food. At sea their diet consists of squid, shrimp and small fish such as herring or cod. After one or more years the salmon return to their birthplace in order to spawn, and do not eat during this phase of their life cycle. It appears that an olfactory sense (sense of smell) enables the salmon to identify their exact natal location and they are able to leap vertical distances of up to an amazing 12 feet in their endeavour to return there.
For salmon fly fishing, double handed rods of 13ft. to15ft are the norm on big rivers and on Spate Rivers when in flood. Single-handed rods 9 1/2ft. to 11ft. are suitable. At least two matching fly lines will be required, a floating line and an intermediate or sinking tip line. Contact us and one of our guides will help with your tackle selection dependant on your fishing location.
