The salmon run

Not a mention of sheep in this posting, sorry to disappoint!

I had a day or two where the weather was bad and I too was under the weather, on the second day my mothers words were ringing in my ears "wrap yourself up warm and go for a walk, you'll sweat it out" And so, with pockets stuffed full of hankies off I set, dogs in tow and camera too.

I had no idea where I was heading, not far if I had my way as the wind was blowing a hoolly and rain was threatening, could I manage a mad dash and return dry?? Then there was the issue of the dogs, they needed a run but I didn't wish to disturb any stock which would be showing more sense than myself and be tucked into shelter somewhere.

I found myself heading up the burn. The Tarret to be exact, it runs into the Tarset which in due course runs into the North Tyne River. I could see the sheep sheltering on the far side of the water and scuttled by leaving them in peace. The burn was pretty much in spate, fair boiling it was, the roar deafening as I neared the Linn (waterfall).

 

 

 

No doubt about it, there was a lot of water running, peaty brown in colour the water was boiling, the sheer force of it fascinating to watch. Nature and her strength is truly awesome.

I guess the title of this posting might have given the game away somewhat and you're all now waiting with bated breath to see a salmon running across the screen. Be patient....

Indeed the fish were running, all the time I was at the linn I never saw a salmon, although they do come up our burns the sea trout is far more common and every fish that I saw jump was infact a sea trout.

I don't profess to have a huge knowledge about fish even though I was employed for too many years as a call in bailiff - a fancy title for a not so fancy job. Basically I was part of a team that towed an electric net down rivers to catch broodstock fish. I believe I was accepted on the team due to the fact I'm not very tall and as I lead the way through the water deep drowning holes were easily found enabling my team mates to exit the water and remain safe on dry land - it was fun - honest!! The job did enable me to ascertain the difference between salmon and sea trout though, an invaluable aid for a shepherd!!

Anyhow, enough rabbiting and back to fish. I was surprised to see so many jumping, the middle of October fish had been spotted away out bye and I'd presumed that by now(12th Nov) many would have been away up stream. There were many bright looking fish though, a sign they are fresh run, they haven't been sitting around for ever waiting for the burns to fill with water, they have indeed come upstream from the sea quite recently, which is a good sign.

 

The strength of these fish must be phenomenal, they do indeed have a tremendous power as anyone who has handled one will be able to tell you, the muscle and strength in their tails is quite something which gives them the propulsion to jump and swim on against the current.

 

I sat for ages, in shelter I may add which was a huge bonus, the fact I had wellies, leggings and top coat on helped a great deal also as the ground was pretty damp.

 

For all the water was roaring in my ears the splash the fish made was still audible, an odd one hit the stones on the side of the linn making a slithery thudding noise and I wondered whether they were lying concussed in the boiling waters below, for everyone which got up many didn't succeed but they persevered, a determination to reach their spawning grounds drove them on.

 

Failure to rise above the obstacle facing them saw them doing aerial acrobatics as their bodies twisted in a downward spiral into the frothing cauldron below, they would re compose themselves and try, try, try again.

 

 

a route which seemed highly succesful was to tuck into the side as this fish is doing, the water appeared a great deal shallower right at the side and once up it was possibly easier for them to propel themselves forward.

 

This hen fish was succesful in her quest, once over the linn the fish were totally lost in the boiling waters higher up, they would probably swim on frantically until reaching a calmer spot where some would take five before battling on again. It is not surprising to learn that many of these fish don't make it back to sea, not only do they have predators to contend with, mink, otter, heron etc., but just the physical effort involved, the fact they are living off the fat of their backs as they don't eat on their migration and also they are highly susceptible to stress. They will have travelled hundreds of miles to return to their spawning grounds, the waters which they were hatched in, to lay and fertilise eggs to turn around exhausted and drift back towards the coast.

 

I guess I owe my mother a huge thank you, I was suprisingly cold when the light became too poor for taking photographs, my hankies were sodden but I had enjoyed myself, I don't always have the time to waffle about with the camera. I've seen fish jumping for most of my life but can't say I've ever spent a few hours on a wet windy day in their company. As for a long walk to sweat it out? another day mebbes!