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One of nature's greatest spectacles is watching salmon
leaping during the autumn as the fish return to their breeding grounds to spawn.
So why not go out and watch this remarkable acrobatic feat for yourselves? 听 | Salmon
leaping - a stunning sight.
Photo - PA Images |
 Watching
fish may not be as popular as bird spotting, but it can make for sensational viewing
especially when the Salmon start to leap as they return to their breeding grounds
in autumn.
Fish tend to be more active in the early morning and evening
so time your visit to make the most of your salmon spotting. Salmon are
easily distinguished by their forked tails, brown-reddish-silver bodies and sleek
shape. The fish start to migrate from the sea upstream from late summer
onwards, eventually reaching its spawning beds after a journey involving leaps
over weirs and falls.  Good
places for salmon watching:
River
Tweed and Glen
Tanar estate (Scotland)
Also
recommended:
Pitlochry
(Scotland), River Spey (Aviemore, Cairngorms), the River Avon (e.g. the Great
Weir, Christchurch), the River Test (lower reaches), and the River Frome.
Top
tips * Timing is crucial if
you want to witness salmon leaping. A sudden wet spell after a dry period can
herald some sensational salmon aerobatics. November is a great time to watch the
fish leaping.
* Fish tend to be more active
in the early morning and evening so time your visit to make the most of your salmon
spotting.
* During the autumn the salmon's body changes as its body turns
redder in colour. * Bridges and weirs make
excellent vantage points for fish watching, especially at the start of your adventure. *
Once you've established what's happening, you can get down closer to the river
for an even better view. Natural features such as leaning branches and half-submerged
trees are good places to watch fish hiding from any predators. *
Keep still and be patient - fish can be very sensitive to your vibrations and
any loud noises. Walk softly if you're moving along a river bank.
* As
ever, wear camouflage colours when watching wildlife to blend into the environment
- avoid bright reds and garish colours! *
Wear polarising sunglasses which prevent the glare from light reflecting off the
water's surface, making it easier to see the fish underwater.
*
Look for subtle movements in the water
Photo
credits Salmon images courtesy and copyright
of PA Images. | 
