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Spinning for Salmon By Gary Webster
In his sequel to 'Spin Fishing for Sea Trout' Gary Webster explains in detail the techniques he has developed in spinning for salmon.
Like many salmon anglers I spin occasionally with little enthusiasm, invariably with a very sore back, when the river is out off sorts. In return I catch the occasional fish and and give immense benefit to tackle shop owners selling grossly over priced Rapalas. Now I know why I do so badly.
It shames me to admit that for all of the time, effort and thought I put into fly fishing, when spinning I usually whack a Rap or Toby on my line and chuck it out with little thought given to where, how or why I am fishing other than that I have paid for the fishing and I might as well try something.
Gary Webster has written a book about spinning that is a gold mine of information, tips about kit, set ups and techniques learned from fishing all over the UK, Scandinavia and North America. He makes spinning an art and a science. In reading Webster's book I have learned more about spinning in a few hours than I have gleaned in the rest of my life! Did you know you could fish a spinner as a static bait? Well you can.
There's illuminating information about water colour, temperature, water speed, depth, best colours for spinners, types of lures, fluttering, spinning, ripping, drifting lures, stuff I never dreamed you could do. He even describes how to make effective lures from things like spoon handles and tin can lids which is bad news for tackle dealers.
The theories behind the techniques for fishing lures are explained in detail and I have to say I found a lot of information of interest to me as a fly fisher. Made me think that I am not doing enough to get my fly into the 'strike zone' by fishing at the right depth and speed.
I can't say Spinning For Salmon is a ripping yarn, it's more fact based rather than anecdotal, but a must read it most certainly is. If you I retain just 10% of the information provided in this book I am sure you will catch more fish when the water is out of order for the fly and where spinning is allowed in good water but the fly is doing nowt it might be worth trying a technique from Webster's book.
Gary Webster has surprised me with this book. I do believe I have much more respect for spinning now than I had before. Buy it, read it, keep it as a well thumbed reference book.
