Cocks Vs Hens

[The Pot]

Is it just me or does it seem that there is a lot more hen fish than cock fish these days?

I remember when cock fish vastly out numbered hens but seems to be the opposite now

Any thoughts?

[earnfisher]

On the bit of river we fish we usualy get more hens at the start of the season which changes to cocks through the season.
My own throughts are that the cocks are more ready to take as the season goes on but who knows.
Bob

[Deleted]

In the 70's and early 80's, I always seemed to catch clean and fresh Hen Fish in February to April.

Now it is Kelts! And the well-mended Cock fish do put up a pretty fair scrap before being put back.

tb

[craig]

My mate was saying the same thing to me today about the Don. He has caught more hen fish this year than cock fish.

[Deleted]

Yep - I am guessing/estimating it is around a ratio of 70-30 hens to cocks caught in the spring but goes to about 40 hens to 60 hens to cocks caught in the autumn.

Anyone got a better idea/proof?

tb

[guidduglucy]

Last year in August we had 235 fish and only 5 or maybe it was 6 cocks, September wasn't much better, This year Summer/Autumn it's still far more hens than cocks so far, not as much as last year though. As far as the spring goes I would struggle to tell a cock from a hen until maybe mid April and I've seen a lot of fish! When we used to kill some Springers they were always hens with wee egg sacs in them

[Mon The Flee]

Aye defo seen a lot more hens than cocks these days on the river.


down to killing only cocks these days???

[lochmor]

Sept 27, 2012 18:41:12 GMT @salmonnut said:

Seems that on certain rivers theres more cocks fishing than there are getting caught.
Certainly on the Leven anyway. ;D

Cracker ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Deleted]

Sept 27, 2012 17:36:50 GMT guidduglucy said:

Last year in August we had 235 fish and only 5 or maybe it was 6 cocks, September wasn't much better, This year Summer/Autumn it's still far more hens than cocks so far, not as much as last year though. As far as the spring goes I would struggle to tell a cock from a hen until maybe mid April and I've seen a lot of fish! When we used to kill some Springers they were always hens with wee egg sacs in them

Malcolm,

That is an amazing stat for last August/September. Makes you wonder where and when the fish start to pair off? I had always understood/assumed that they did so once they started entering the river system hence the percived wisdom of "if you catch a Hen/Cock, get back on the water quick and try for its mate!" Maybe that happens further up a river.

Your stats show something else must be occuring - unless you have stumbled on a special fly/lure that female salmon clearly find attractive to go for?

Was there a trend to what they were caught on last August?

Re the Spring fish, I have not had any real issues telling Male/Female apart (don't catch them often enough!. But it can be tricky with fish of less than 10-12lbs I guess. Ones that are 2SW fish. Usually I look at the overall size of the head as being the biggest clue.

I do find, however, tend to find that female Kelts can be more silvery than cock fish that have spawned. Anyone else find that to be the case?


tb

[guidduglucy]

No magic fly/spinner caught on both, keeping records again this back end so will let you know how it goes. Today 4 fish 3 hens one cock. bloody windy and coloured water. On the kelts we seldom see any cock kelts if any, perhaps one or two in a Spring. Aye on some fish there's a difference in the head. It becomes more pronounced as the Spring goes on or the longer the fish has been in the river of course. Should be a better day tomorrow as water clears but we need to lose a foot to get to decent height

[Deleted]

Malcolm,

Will be v interested to hear results of what fish were caught on this back end if you get time to do some stats etc.

I caught a Cock Kelt last year on the Tay. Would have been over 20lb if fresh. Better fight than a fresh one! Thoroughy deserved his chance to spawn again so good luck to him.

It's often hard luck on rods at this time of year but that's Tweed fishing for you. It can be a bit chancy with the quick rises etc. I am now quite relaxed about it as watching river gauges meant my Blood Pressure was rising faster than the water!

I think Beats should post of some form of "Hard Lines, Better Luck Next Time" Certificate to those paying but not able to fish. Probably not my best idea, though, all things considered.

[guidduglucy]

170 for September 95 returned , 150 on fly and 20 on Spinner mostly x raps, 102 hens and 68 cocks. Water brown this morning and big for us maybe try this afternoon