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The water at Lazonby offers anglers the chance to fish a stretch of the very productive River Eden. A beautiful river, the Eden was once famed for its spring run. During the 1960s UDN devastated the spring fish.
However, the river is on the mend and big spring fish are again present in good numbers. This season alone has seen two fish over 30lb caught and released. Given water, the summer salmon fishing can be productive but it is the autumn when the largest numbers of fish enter the system. The river is quite large lower down, so a 15ft double-handed rod would be ideal. Successful flies include Willie Gunn, Stoat’s Tail and Ally’s Shrimp.
The sea trout enter the river in June and provide good sport during the evening, many regular anglers often find themselves attached to a surprise salmon during a night’s fishing. Try a Teal, a Blue and Silver, a Black Pennell or a Terry’s Terror.
The trout and grayling fishing is considered by many to be some of the best in the north of England. In particular the Eden holds a large head of wild brown trout. The evening ‘bustard fishing’ can produce some memorable, dry fly sedge action.
The grayling fishing is excellent with fish up to 3lb with a good number in the 2lb class. Despite the size of the river lower down, a 9ft 5-wt is ideal – make sure you carry a range of tippet strengths!
Be prepared to step up the breaking strain in the evening as the river holds some large trout. Try spiders, including the Snipe and Purple and Hare’s Lug and Plover. Don’t forget the dry flies, including Para Dun and Klinkhammer, and have a sedge pattern handy for the evening!
Location: Lazonby, Cumbria.
Directions: On request.
Season: Grayling, June to March; sea trout and trout, March 15th to the end of September; salmon, January 15th to October 14th.
Contact: Howard Oliver.
Position: River keeper.
Tel: 01768 898229.
Tuition/guiding available: Glynn Freeman, APGAI.
Tel: 01697 351752.
Web: www.cumbriaflyfishing.co.uk .
