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The
Salmon
The river Eden is what you would term a major salmon river. This
is based on the number of runs of salmon that occur on annual basis.
The Eden was always noted as a spring salmon river until the salmon
disease Ulcerative Dermal Necrosis (UDN) hit the spring running
component of Eden’s stock in the mid nineteen sixties. Since
that time the spring salmon has not recovered and it is now protected
under the spring salmon byelaws introduced in 1998 by the government.
However, during the past 25 years the Eden has produced prolific
summer and autumn runs and in the mid 90’s the river was the
top salmon river in England. Today the river still has spring summer
and autumn runs but the autumn is by far the best time to fish for
them.
Where to fish
Salmon can be caught throughout the CAA waters and no area should
be ignored for another. Water levels usually dictate where you fish
and it is best to ask locals where they are fishing at any given
height of water.
How to fish
All methods are used on the CAA waters with fly becoming more and
more popular.
Spinning 
Usual spinning baits include the Devon Minnow usually in yellow
belly and brown and gold livery. They are fished across and round
using the flow to turn the bait as it comes across the stream.
The Flying Condom is by far the most popular bait and this is fished
across and quickly reeled back. All colours weights and sizes are
used.
Some anglers still prefer large spoons and others will fish small
quill minnows during low water conditions in summer.
Tackle
A large spinning rod between 9 and 11 foot is ideal, both fixed
spool and multipliers are equally represented.
Fly 
Fly-fishing is carried out throughout the year with heavy sinking
lines and large flies such as Waddingtons and heavy copper tube
flies in the spring months. These are usually fished on a No2 Wetcel
or equivalent. In summer smaller flies down to micro sizes will
take fish dressed either on small tubes or small trebles. In autumn
the flies get larger again with patterns such as Ally’s Shrimp
variants and stoats tails taking many fish, these are usually fished
on floating or sink-tip lines.
Tackle
A double-handed rod between 14 and 16 foot is necessary when the
river is high, but small, even single-handed rods are used in summer.
Bait
Shrimping and worming is carried out when permitted (see CAA rules
and EA licence) they can be presented either below a float, trotted
on the bottom, free-lined or ledgered.
Tackle
Spinning rods are usually used for bait fishing methods but specialist
rods and carp/pike rods can give the angler an added advantage with
presentation and bite detection.
Anglers must always comply with rules of CAA and as such all tagged
salmon must be returned to the river unharmed and no gaffs are allowed.
The national salmon bylaws have a number of restrictions on salmon
angling and these must be studied in detail before fishing in CAA
waters.
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