Spring Salmon on the Fly

My first fly fishing outing of the year and I hit the jackpot and catch a February springer. To make it extra special the salmon was the first I've caught on one of my own tied flies.

[@brianevans8330]

God bless you Brother.. You so deserved that beautiful springer.. Everyone who watches you're channel will be so pleased.. What a start.!!! 🙏🙏

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, I think it gives us all a little bit more hope for the year ahead. That fish was a gift from the universe no doubt about it. I lay in bed that night and got to thinking of the probability of me turning up on that river at that time and making that exact cast and actually encountering a fish and I found myself literally shaking my head in disbelief.

[@robertcross6834]

I'm a believer in, "keep it secret, keep it safe.

[@davidolphert6053]

Brilliant!! Delighted for you Sir!! First springer and on your own fly, in Feb!! Magic!!

[@abakerslife]

I can barely believe my luck.

[@chriswright2135]

Absolutely over the moon for you Rob, thoroughly deserved with all the hard work you put in !🍺🍺🍺🥃🥃🍾

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, that was a gift from the universe I reckon.

[@SeánWoodsFishing]

Fantastic result! First springer and even more sweet on your own tied fly! What a start to the year 👍

[@abakerslife]

Couldn't have asked for more really.

[@nairnfly]

Outstanding i loved " thats not a kelt its a springer" superb can only imagine how you must have felt. Great achievement for your first springer and in February, not something i have ever managed to achieve, really well done !!!

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, I can barely believe my good luck. I never in a million years would have played a fish like that had I known. When it's you day it's your day I suppose. How are things looking north of the border so far?

[@Camerahide]

Congratulations! well done! A fresh run springer on your own fly! doesn’t come any better than that!

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, everything came together nicely that day.

[@50Squirrel]

Couldn’t be happier for you! There’s nothing like catching a fish on your own fly… post spawn salmon or not!

[@abakerslife]

Thankyou, I can understand the allure of the fly tying rabbit hole. I'm being cautious to not fall down it though because I can see what an obsession it could become. I'm looking forward to March 15th and the opening of the trout season to get out there and test out some of my creations.

[@rewdboy222]

Congrats Rob, that was a beautiful Salmon! Great start to 2024! Hopefully see you on the river!

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, hopefully a sign of good times for all this year.

[@user-vf8bj2mq4v]

Great job, I followed the videos last season and saw all the effort that you put in , glad you are justly rewarded, nice one👍

[@abakerslife]

Thank you kindly, much appreciated

[@sc-flyfishing]

Absolutely brilliant!! Well done and tight lines for the rest of the season!

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks and same to you

[@billofbarmuckity]

Fantastic well done Rob, followed all of your videos this topped the lot, chuffed for you mate !

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, much appreciated

[@davenixonuk]

Belting fish......very well done!...that part of the river does hold them up nicely with a reasonable amount of water in the system. Heading up next week for a chuck.

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, tight lines there is certainly plenty of water in the system just now.

[@alexdayes2986]

Awesome stuff, well done, another great video, looked nice scenery where you caught it, lovely pool 👍

[@abakerslife]

Thank you, right place right time for once.

[@kevinelley7835]

Congratulations lovely fish and a great start to the season well done

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, hope it is the sign of a good year to come for us all.

[@frankmcphillips6413]

well done i'm thrilled for you , you've done what most of us dream about ,thanks for the content.

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, the stars aligned that day.

[@gplphillips]

Congratulations on the Springer! I had my first ever Salmon, a Springer, from the Tyne three years ago…it’s a special feeling 🎣 I won’t get my first trip up there until April unfortunately, but can’t wait to get back. Interesting comments on the Barrio lines. I have completely moved over to the Barrio Small Stream lines for chasing Trout on the Upper Kennet, so maybe I’ll give the Salmon lines a try too.

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, I think April is a fine month to be heading to the Tyne. I'm not planning to start fishing there too early myself, though a Tyne springer is the next target.

[@billymccullough2624]

A Belter Rob!!!Well done you're becoming a legend.!!!!🐟🐟⭐

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, I'm just a jammy git mate- for once in the right place at the right time!

[@andytobin3598]

Well done.keep up d good work.Enjoy all your videos and love all d food u do make😊😊

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@bentebbutt8316]

Awesome 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 February springer! Can’t wait to get out after seeing that!

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, I think seeing early fish gives us all that little bit more hope for the year to come. Tight lines

[@stoatstail1]

Well done Rob, really pleased for you

[@abakerslife]

Thank you kindly

[@jjames2162]

Congratulations!! Love the channel. Keep it coming

[@abakerslife]

Thank you! Will do!

[@MrNialllynch]

Ach I’m so pleased for you Rob. That’s wonderful- might even be the first Springer caught in England! Fish in February - seriously impressive. I’m laughing at all the Safaris you did last year and then on your first day out this year - Bang!! I’m just having a beer and toasting your good health. My first day out is next Saturday and can’t wait. Well done mate

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, I can scarcely believe my luck. Hopefully it's the sign of a decent year to come.

[@foski72]

Well done Rob seeing you catch one so early gives hope to all that it’s going to be a better season.. hoping the Tyne continues to fine down so I can get on Hagg Bank this weekend!!

[@abakerslife]

I do hope it's a sign of things to come. Weather just isn't playing ball for the Tyne, I thought it might fish today till it rose again last night.

[@macdesigner]

Great early fish, well done! ... Much deserved and on your own fly. Nice looking water too ... 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, clearly it was my lucky day. Tight lines for the year ahead.

[@macdesigner]

Thank you @@abakerslife ... and then same to you, tight lines and tight threads for the 2024 Season.

[@brianramsay6866]

Well done Rob 👍 Tight lines for 2024🎣

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks and same to you

[@paulmckearney4945]

Well done you. Many congratulations. Think I will wait for the warmer days, but with this mild weather maybe I should have a,go on my local River Lune. Used to me some huge springers running that river. I saw them splashing about, not on the end of my line. Biggest salmon I've ever seen was one August on the Ribble. I reckon it was 50lb plus. It was down a steep bank and impossible to fish for from my side of the river. It was a warm day and it was right at the surface thrashing about so I got a,good look at it. That was in this century.

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, on the very last day of my first season I got a couple of good looks at a fish on the Tyne that could easily have been a 40 so you never know one day someone might hook a leviathan yet.

[@robertdoesfishing]

Brilliant sir, lovely clean fish. Well done 👏 🎣

[@abakerslife]

Thank you kindly

[@Hardlinesangling]

Brilliant start to the year Rob. I'm out on Saturday so fingers crossed it's a good sign of the season to come.

[@abakerslife]

Thank you kindly, I hope so too. Let me know if you start seeing fish up your way.

[@Hardlinesangling]

@abakerslife a couple caught off the Oich on the ness system. Someone i was fishing with saw a seal in the Beauly but no fish yet.

[@craigbottomley9572]

Superb. A beautiful specimen . 😊

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@philippendlebury4518]

That's a lovely fish mate. Well done. Absolute beauty that fish. Brilliant!

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, I can scarcely believe it

[@philippendlebury4518]

Deserved mate.

[@jerryglover5435]

Dude that’s frikin awesome mate. No such thing that you were lucky - you fished the high tide on a falling river, selected the right fly for the river colour and made the right fly, fished it deep and slow - you made that happen. Believe it ! - you SO deserved it. Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity. Top Angling dude. See you on the banks sometime

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, who would believe it the stars still had to align!

[@ianblewett3118]

Absolutely Excellent. Many congratulations.

[@abakerslife]

Thankyou kindly.

[@jamesbowman4605]

Well done, pal and well handled , good luck & God bless for 2024 👍

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, tight lines for what is hopefully a good year.

[@magnetchi]

Waow, awesome congrats to the springer 👍👊

[@abakerslife]

Thankyou, I can't bloody believe it really.

[@alexpeters1080]

That was a great vid. Congratulations! I live in North Yorkshire and my local river has a good early run. Sadly the Yorkshire season doesnt start till April 6th. Catching early springers on the fly iis as good as it gets.

[@colinmurray6197]

Congratulations and very well done. No springer frustrations this year 😂

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, yep pressure is off

[@TaylorMadeFlyFish]

You certainly deserved a February fish! Well done!

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, my luck was in that day.

[@tomjones7593]

Really well done ! In a lifetime I've never had one before May/June; just as well you didn't know it was fresh or you'd have panicked ! Beautiful fish. I'm up to R Teith in a fortnight-maybe I should be in Northumberland

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, you are absolutely right, if I had known I never would have played it that hard. When your luck is in it's in. Good luck up there, they've had one off the Teith already I think.

[@jamesstephen7640]

Well done to catch a Springer so early in the season is a rare thing a nice surprise for you here's to the next one

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, I'm very grateful for that start to the season

[@georgeboyne3123]

Fantastic well done. Sometimes a springer does fight much harder than a kelt. Lesson learned but aren't we all still learning something 😊

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, my good friend likes to say that to "learn everything about fishing takes a lifetime plus three weeks."

[@bruinocanfish2370]

Brilliant Rob well done

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@brianpeutherer2666]

Brilliant Rob. Congratulations on your spring fish. A beauty. I really must get out and have a go, but no free weekend time at the moment, I'm afraid. Too busy trying to get a house ready to sell. Glad to see you've tied a few flies. Hurts more when the trees take them though! Looking forward to more of your videos.

[@abakerslife]

Cheers Brian- I can't believe my luck really. I'm one for one at the moment so might just call it quits for the year and dedicate my time to something more productive.

[@brianpeutherer2666]

Well that's me 0 for 1. Trip out this afternoon, but a cold wind blowing up the river. Fished Felton even though I know the fish won't be up there yet. Good to blow away some casting cobwebs. Very rusty! You been out much?

[@abakerslife]

The fish might be there you never know. I've had one more day out on the Tyne last Sunday but other than that I've been biding my time. Monday is my usual fishing day so will be out tomorrow, probably on the Tweed.@@brianpeutherer2666

[@brianpeutherer2666]

Tight lines for the Tweed! Look forward to seeing it if you make a video.

[@paulhoughland8505]

Well done, beautiful fish

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@elliotgowland8695]

Nice one Rob, Dave I the shop told me you'd caught one and it's great you've whacked it straight on KZbin. Well done fella.

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, thought it might go down well at this time of year.

[@dermotrothwell6078]

Brilliant well done man and on your own fly as well 👌🍻

[@abakerslife]

Thank you kindly

[@thedoggedangler]

Excellent and well done! Catching a fish on your own creation is very special as a first or otherwise IMO! Well done on your first Springer, good to get that first one of the season! You may want to look at a 12-13ft Mackenzie or Loop rod paired with the Rio Gamechanger Skagit for early Spring work & big heavy flies.

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, I think I have resisted the urge to look at more rods. I decided to get a Rio switch chucker line for my Oracle and it's amazing for launching the big lumps.

[@jpsflyfishing]

Awesome, congrats on your fish 🙂

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, hopefully a sign that 24 will be good for all of us.

[@geordieroyalmorphs]

well done my friend over the moon for you.Hope to see you when the trout season starts

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, I will be about on the Coquet no doubt.

[@Frank47900]

Well done & congratulations 🙌🏻

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@PaulConnor100]

Well done! That's a nice springer the first one was definitely a eel lol! 😂

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, poor bugger wasn't looking it's best.

[@garykeany5521]

Congratulations. Well done.

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, man thanks

[@user-jy8fg3ol2v]

Well done, a very rare sight nowadays brilliant to see.

[@abakerslife]

Thank you, cheers

[@delagreenpicti2022]

Well earned catch 🐟 Great video from a like minded angler You captured the classic/dreaded Kelt take in this .

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks. I can't help but feeling sad for kelts after reading Salar the Salmon by Henry Williamson

[@steviewalk]

Brilliant...absolutely brilliant!!!

[@abakerslife]

Nice one, cheers!

[@davidwaite815]

Congratulations Rob👍

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, who would have thunk it. A fish first day out?!

[@neilandrew961]

Congratulations sir stunning fish you deserve that one

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, every dog has his day! Tight lines for the year ahead.

[@oldmechanicguy4436]

Well done, everything from now on is a bonus

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, very true.

[@kanecol2401]

Well done and on your own fly 😊

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, it was very satisfying.

[@fraser661]

Well done man 👍 Topper of a fish

[@abakerslife]

Thank you kindly!

[@angusmoodie1026]

When you hooked that springer I couldnt help laugh as I was singing the exact same song when I was out yesterday just as I hooked one hahaha

[@abakerslife]

It might be an invocation to the salmon- keep singing it when you're on the river!

[@abakerslife]

Did it stick?

[@PeaksFlyFishing]

Great catch, well done!

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, really enjoy it when you do the podcasts btw especially the winter grayling ones during the closed season.

[@davidcrabb3967]

Great stuff , well done

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks!

[@RichardWoodhouse-kp6zb]

Well done, a February springer and on fly is a real prise as at that time of the year they are so few and far between. As you also found out, the fight from a fish in cold water is not as explosive as say one caught later on. They tend just to use their weight and strength to keep down in the water. Also it maybe that fish was tired having only just run into the pool. But it doesn’t matter it is still a February fish, welcome to the club. One final comment, I am glad to see you now have a decent net. It makes the whole netting process so much easier and less likely to end in disaster.

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, to tell you the truth it's not that the fish didn't want to fight it just didn't get the chance. I was sure it was a kelt and just horsed it in. It tried to run when it got near me and pulled the rod tip down into the water but I had tightened the drag fully and it thought again. Luckily I was fishing 18lb maxima and the hook stayed straight. I never would have played it like that in a million years had I known. My luck was in that day no doubt about it.

[@crestonlaager3216]

Greetings from the U.S! A February Springer, that's worth it for the year my friend. Like us steelheaders in North America, we suffer for our art, lol. Congratulations again.

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks and reciprocal greetings from the UK. I've heard that the pursuit of steelhead is a similarly masochistic pastime like salmon fishing. Tight lines for the year ahead.

[@samvalentine4740]

Fabulous pal 👍

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@AndrewMcGall]

Brilliant, well done!! 🎣😄👏👍

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, for once in my life I was in the right place at the right time!

[@noelrafferty8698]

well done lovely springer Robbie the salmon slayer

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, every dog has his day!

[@FraserCheyne]

I'm going out tomorrow west of Scotland you've inspired me and I've got a ticket

[@abakerslife]

NIce one, tight lines

[@nmb5689]

Get in!!! Well done!!!

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, I can barely believe it.

[@salmonfishing3964]

Hi great fish crome so nice once again enjoying your videos I spey fish alot in nova Scotia Canada for Atlantic salmon are season starts in June again I noticed you have to make a long cast what we do over hear is stand back beyond front of pool fish shorter line and increase line length as needed work the pool from front to back taking two steps at a time that way you Cover all water works great thanks for another great video tightlines

[@abakerslife]

Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the pointers. That would be how I approach a pool too though I tend to edit that from the videos to prevent them being hours and hours long! Good luck for June.

[@alanroberts8280]

Well done ,cant wait to get on river ,for the trout nowadays but i remember big brass tubes with sinking lines in a fibreglass rod, hard and dangerous work ha ha 😂

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, I'm itching to get out after the trout myself.

[@scottconnelly4410]

Brilliant mate,, chuffed for ya Bro,, absolute Gleamer of a salmon.!! 🤙👌🤙

[@abakerslife]

Nice one, cheers!

[@MrGreegor69]

Fantastic. I want to start fishing the Tyne as can get down & fish a Sunday. Need more info of where to fish etc.

[@abakerslife]

My advice would be to get in touch with the head bailiff of the Northumberland Angler's Federation. They have plenty of water if you want to fish regularly. There are plenty of day tickets available but they can get expensive.

[@ShadyRiver-xu7kc]

So good, well earned👍

[@abakerslife]

Thank you kindly

[@salmonpartners]

Well done!

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@paulsmith4321]

Beauty. Well done 👍

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks!

[@danthemancheffo]

Well done been watching your trials and tribulations lately on KZbin delighted for you, that fish didn't scrap much a hard runner I'd say probably tired 😅 all the best

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, to tell you the truth it's not that the fish didn't want to fight it just didn't get the chance. I was sure it was a kelt and just horsed it in. It tried to run when it got near me and pulled the rod tip down into the water but I had tightened the drag fully and it thought again. Luckily I was fishing 18lb maxima and the hook stayed straight. I never would have played it like that in a million years had I known. My luck was in that day no doubt about it.

[@danthemancheffo]

@@abakerslife happy days, that maxima is powerful stuff it never fails, you can relax and enjoy the rest of the season now pressure is off, as the saying goes every dog has there day

[@kennethmorton2626]

brilliant mate.

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@steveharrison4176]

nice one mate ,ive managed two feb fish in 47 years thats how rare they are ! best of luck

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@marcocapozzella]

Well in Rob you put the hours and miles in mate so well deserved.

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, pressure is off now!

[@derrickcooper6104]

Well done Rob

[@abakerslife]

Thankyou kindly

[@moldfinger]

absolutely belting Rob, God Save the Salmon

[@abakerslife]

Too right, cheers!

[@andrewcrawford5278]

Well done sir, you’ll remember that cracking fish forever

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, it was the day the stars aligned.

[@treetrollerstreetrollersbi4944]

Lovely fish 🐟 well in

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@MrDonz92]

Well done lad, great effort

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, every dog has his day eventually

[@simonfrench3280]

Well done mate 👍

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, many thanks.

[@Luggiefrank]

Fantastic stuff, hopefully my new Bario line brings the same results 😂

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, Fingers crossed!

[@Angling-Ayrshire]

Well done 👏👏

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@ibana8449]

RJC Fly rods in Wales, I have a 13'6 DH 9/10 for the Tyne, it is gorgeous. Well done with the Kelt, they are the top of their gene pool, the survivors. I intend this year to fish Bombers on a single handed #7 weight in low water conditions. Have a look at RJC. Edit - And a Springer Rob ! well done !!

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, good luck with the bombers would be interested to know if it works. My low water plan is to experiment with upstream nymph presentations.

[@andrewmyers2052]

Excellent well done 👍👌👊

[@abakerslife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@AJOURNEYINTOSTOCKS]

Well done 👍

[@abakerslife]

Mant thanks

[@dereksmith5150]

Well done Rob you deserve it.

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, sheer good fortune mate.

[@CF_Fishing]

Wow brilliant. I've not been out yet.

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, get out there!

[@mlfishing842]

Not watched it yet but happy for you mate! Been trying myself with no luck

[@abakerslife]

Cheers fair play to you for being out so early.

[@FeversMcGraw]

magical

[@cheshireflyfishing511]

Nice one Rob

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@est9662]

Nice work m8!!

[@abakerslife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Nice catch

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks

[@user-ls5ml7fm1k]

You fished the whiteadder at Allanton bridge, you should try from Hutton bridge up and down all the way to clarabad, nice water to fish

[@user-ls5ml7fm1k]

There’s loads of room to park your van at clarabad

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, I fished at Clarabad last spring, nice water but I had no luck that day. I like the farmer even though he fleeces you for a pound!

[@user-ls5ml7fm1k]

Yeah old robin he’s some boy, followed all your videos, well done on the springer makes it all worthwhile