River Tyne 22 July 2016

Kielder release

The release flow from the reservoir increased to 9.3 cumecs at 07.00 this morning, this flow will continue until 07.00 on Monday 25 July when the flow will reduce to 1.3 cumecs. There are no further releases planned for the following week. The releases can be changed without further notice.

Tyne salmon counts

Migratory fish continue to run into the system; over 6,500 upstream counts have been recorded in July. Over 14,500 fish are in the Tynes above Riding Mill.

The Environment Agency has confirmed the total for June was 7,113, arecord count for the month since 1996 (when the counter was commissioned).   

River reports

 Catches reduced dramatically as the heatwave raised water temperature towards 19C. Robert Woodcock lands a cracking 26lb cock salmon at the Waters Meet on Friday last. The fish fought well, coming to the net in about 25 minutes. Some nice salmon and sea trout were reported from the South Tyne on Sunday as the spate eased and cleared.

Following the mid-week thunderstorms, the rivers rose with a lot of sediment in the water, this sediment is still in the water, particularly in the North Tyne. The Kielder release will flow into the Tyne during the small hours. This release coincides with spring tides over 5.0 metres, thus creating ideal running conditions for the silver migrants.

Some fresh fish are carrying fresh water lice; it is probable that such fish briefly rested in the lower river where water temperatures and flows in late May and early June created ideal conditions for the lice.