I made another trip yesterday to see the salmon jumping the weir just below the bridge at Hexham. Although the river had been higher over the previous few days there were still plenty of fish jumping and dozens of people on the bridge cheering them on. Most activity seemed to be in one spot to the north side of the river. I think the number of fish jumping was less than two weeks ago but their success rate in clearing the weir was probably higher, although most leaps were still unsuccessful.
Some of the fish looked to be a bit beaten up. I don't know whether this is from injury from previous jumps or otter or seal attacks or something else.
Some fish looked pretty exhausted and having made it over the lower level of the weir didn't have the energy to get up to the upper level. Let's hope they make it safely up in the end.
It is just over a year since I first saw the salmon jumping up Hexham weir on the River Tyne. There has been very little rain in recent weeks so the river level has been very low and the fish have struggled to get upstream. A release of water from Kielder Water over the past few days has raised the river a little so the fish are having a go, although it still isn't easy for them.
It is fun when two or three jump together. It seems that they all have a go together and then things quieten down for a few minutes before they have another go.
The different colours of the fish are amazing. Last year I posted this link to the Atlantic Salmon Trust showing the significance of the colours but it is worth doing so again. I think some of the silver fish are probably sea trout but Phil will put me right.
Construction of a fish pass alongside the weir is nearing completion. It will make life easier for the fish but may diminish the spectacle so if you are nearby be sure to see it while you can.
Yesterday was the first time I have seen this spectacle. The fish were farther out than earlier in the week but still an amazing sight. Their colours were extraordinary and ranged from silver to pink to orange to dark. Most of the leaps we saw were unsuccessful but they tried again and again.
If they made it up the first stage of the weir there was still the challenge of the second step. Several were stranded in between as there wasn't enough water to make it easy for the larger fish to swim up the second stage and many eventually fell back to start all over again.
