Salmon fishing can be tricky, even in reasonable conditions, so what on earth do you do when the water is low and clear? Jonathon Muir, Head of Communications at the Atlantic Salmon Trust and former Sportfish Marketing Executive, has a few pointers for low water salmon fishing to help you catch this summer.
Low water and warm temperatures have defined the salmon fishing season so far, not just here in the UK but also further afield. The weather may be beyond our control, but there are some tactics we can try to make the most of the difficult hand we have been dealt.
How To Fish For Salmon In Low Water
Low Water Salmon Fishing at a Glance:
✓ Fish early morning or late evening
✓ Use smaller flies
✓ Keep wading to a minimum
✓ Approach pools quietly
✓ Lengthen your leader
✓ Fish shallower lies
✓ Cover water carefully
CONSIDER A CHANGE OF SCHEDULE
It’s easy to fall into the traditional fishing schedule of 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm, separated by an hour’s lunch break. With typical temperatures and a bit of cloud cover there’s nothing wrong with this approach. However, when faced with bright sun, high water temperatures and low water, a change of schedule can make a big difference to your chances.
In consecutive recent seasons, my May week on the River Spey was the victim of wall-to-wall sunshine and low water conditions. A couple of fish were lost but no salmon graced the net despite our best efforts. However, I think back to a different trip when I landed three salmon for my three days’ fishing in similarly tough conditions. I managed a fish each day, all of them deciding to grab my fly between the hours of 9pm and 10pm, in pools that had been covered by all manner of methods during the middle of the day.
This won’t come as a surprise to many of you reading, but if you find yourself stuck in the old routine, perhaps it’s time to re-think the structure of your fishing day. As long as your beat allows it, consider fishing from just after sunrise to late morning, take a siesta (after all, we’ve got the weather for it!) and then fish from late afternoon until dark.
It’s tempting to thrash the pools all day in the hope of encountering a taking fish, but you will almost certainly find far more activity in these two key periods. Conserve your energy and consider resting pools during the day. If the prospect of an early start and late finish fills you with dread, choose just one of these sessions. I prefer the evening session as conditions are always improving as you fish, with temperatures and light levels both falling. Compare this to the morning session which can quickly turn into a race against the rising sun.
STEALTH TACTICS FOR LOW WATER SALMON FISHING
Why is it that we’re accustomed to approaching a chalkstream with extreme stealth, yet many of us stride and splash into a salmon pool without a second thought? In adverse conditions it doesn’t hurt to enter the pool nice and quietly. This goes for casting too, try to keep splashing to a minimum.
Consider your salmon fishing tackle - put the Double-Spey and Snap-T back in the drawer and try to limit yourself to a Single-Spey or Snake Roll. Sound travels easily underwater and minimising disturbance on the water’s surface can only help your cause.
LOOK FOR STREAMY WATER
Whenever temperatures increase, I always look for faster, better oxygenated water. You’ll most likely see resident fish rolling around in the slacker, deeper pools, but fresh taking fish can often be found in these more inconspicuous spots.
Start a few yards higher up than you normally would in the neck of the pool, looking for small glides and holding spots mixed in with the white water. You may be surprised which seemingly innocuous spots may hold a taking fish.
Similarly, at the tail of the pool, allow your fly to fish a little further down than you normally would. Fish will sometimes lie right on the cusp where the water starts to speed up and run out from the pool. Now is also a great time to explore areas between pools that may not otherwise fish in higher water.
Just because the pool has no name, and no one has caught a fish there for several decades doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a go! Think like a fish and look for small pockets of water that may provide some respite from the sun.
LOW WATER SALMON TACKLE & FLY CHOICE – THINK ‘SLIM’ & 'LIGHT'
Accepted wisdom dictates that we should drop down our fly size in low water and this is certainly a good rule of thumb. As well as overall size, I would also add ‘think slim’. Choose salmon fly patterns that are sparsely dressed, with swept-back hackles and slim tails. With reduced speed and flow in the river, fishing a skinny pattern will still enable some enticing action to be imparted into the fly.
If you’re lucky enough to have a bit of cloud cover, it’s well worth trying a hitch or skated Sunray Shadow, experimenting with different retrieve speeds. Smaller flies are a good starting point, but it’s always worth covering the likely looking lies with a big Sunray before moving onto the next pool.
I also like to use a Rapala-knot in these conditions rather than the usual double-turle, which I think helps to create a little more movement in the fly. I’m not sure how much of a difference it truly makes, but confidence in your approach counts for a lot in salmon fishing!
You may find this video on summer salmon fishing tactics, from Sportfish Partner Lucinda Ewin, a useful resource!
Grilse will often lie in really shallow water particularly at the tail of a pool or right at the neck. In such shallow water a single hook fly is often best as it will not fish so deep and snag the bottom - fish in a taking mood will chase and take flies fished just sub-surface. Flies should be lightly dressed - good patterns include the silver stoat, blue charm, small Ally’s shrimps and cascades.
In extreme low water traditional trout wet flies will work and I have caught fish on mallard and claret, kate mclaren and soldier palmers down to size 14. I often fish a dropper and will probably use a 10’ 7 weight fly rod on medium to small rivers - this outfit will give the delicacy needed but still have enough power to land decent sized summer fish quickly.
To fish a large river well you will need a double-handed rod - my preference will be for a 9 weight 13’ to 14’ model, matched with a lightweight large arbor reel. There are now a range of line styles to consider to fish with a double-handed rod - my preference would be for a floating spey line, a spey line with a clear intermediate tip or a shooting head. Shooting heads now have quite sophisticated tapers so you will get the delicate presentation and distance you need.
Discover the Latest Salmon Gear
YOU’VE CAUGHT A FISH, WHAT NOW?
You managed the impossible, you’ve landed a salmon even though the conditions were against you. What next?
- Once water temperatures rise to beyond 20C, good fish handling becomes vitally important. If there’s one rule to remember, don’t take the fish out of the water!
- Once netted, allow the fish to recover for a minute or two before removing the hook and carefully releasing the fish.
- No one will bemoan you for lifting the fish briefly above the water for a quick photo but taking a fish up on to dry land is a big no-no.
- Use your common sense, deal with your fish in the shallows and send it on its way with minimal fuss - future salmon will thank you for it!
During periods of prolonged low water and higher water temperatures, always follow local fishery guidance and practise careful catch and release where appropriate to help protect salmon stocks for future generations.
Common Mistakes When Fishing Low Water
- Fishing too quickly
- Wading too far
- Using flies that are too large
- Casting over fish repeatedly
- Fishing through the hottest part of the day
Five top tips for success with summer salmon
- Look for fast moving shallow water at the tail or neck of a pool - ideally with shade during the day.
- Make a point of being on the river at dawn and dusk - the time when fish will be most active.
- Fish with as long a leader as you can comfortably cast and use a dropper with a small fly.
- Try to wade very carefully or not at all - you could easily end up wading in water you should have been fishing in.
- If the water is low and clear, reduce your fly size accordingly, you will be surprised how small you can go.
Low Water Salmon Fishing FAQs
Why is salmon fishing harder in low water?
Salmon fishing is often harder in low water because fish can become more cautious, especially when rivers are clear, warm and bright. Lower flows also reduce cover and oxygen levels, so salmon may hold in smaller pockets of water and be less willing to move far for a fly.
What are the best flies for low water salmon fishing?
Smaller, slimmer salmon flies are usually best in low water. Lightly dressed patterns such as Silver Stoats, Blue Charms, small Ally’s Shrimps and Cascades can be very effective, while a skated or hitched Sunray Shadow is also worth trying when conditions allow.
What time of day is best for summer salmon fishing?
Early morning and late evening are often the best times to fish for summer salmon in low water. Lower light levels, cooler temperatures and less disturbance can all help improve your chances, especially when bright sunshine makes daytime fishing difficult.
Where do salmon lie in low water?
In low water, salmon often hold in faster, more oxygenated areas such as the necks and tails of pools, shallow streamy glides, broken water and small pockets close to shade. It is worth exploring less obvious lies between named pools too.
Should I use a floating line in low water?
A floating line is often a good choice for low water salmon fishing, especially when paired with a long leader and smaller flies. On larger rivers, a floating Spey line, a clear intermediate tip or a shooting head can all help achieve delicate presentation at distance.
How should I approach a salmon pool in clear water?
Approach quietly, avoid unnecessary wading and keep false casting or splashy casts to a minimum. In clear low water, salmon can be easily disturbed, so fish the water carefully before stepping into it and cover likely lies with as little commotion as possible.
If you've any top tips of your own, or wish to ask a question, please leave your comments below - it’s great to share & chat! You can also share with all your friends via our social sharing buttons.
