Spate · Granite · Cornwall

River Camel

River Camel venue image
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The Camel is Cornwall's signature salmon and sea-trout river, draining Bodmin Moor's granite headwaters down through Camelford and Bodmin to the estuary at Padstow.

Species

A good day — worth the effort

Low and clear — careful approach country. Small and bright, long leader, careful approach.

Dropping slowly. Water warm, about 15°C. Fining down.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Warm — slow
15°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Conditions
●Live gauge
Level
0.22 m
Water temp
14.6°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Clearing
Air temp
15°C
Wind
W 20 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1013 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
5.8 mm
Light rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

Hatch timeline · todayPeak at 1pm

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 12 active hatches hour by hour with Pro.

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Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalModerate confidence

Backed by regional invertebrate surveys; no sampling on this exact reach yet.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Good conditions based on river hydrology and migration patterns.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Sea trout runRun
1
2
2
2
2
1
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Large StoneflyHatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Beats & Access · 1
Check the current rules, permits and access before travelling.
Wadebridge & District AA — visitor accessWadebridge & District Angling Association
Atlantic salmonSea trout (peal)Wild brown troutFly (preferred)Spin (subject to byelaws)
Wadebridge controls ten miles of the Camel and one mile of the Allen. Day and weekly tickets for non-members are sold only between 1 May and 30 September; the autumn run, when the heaviest salmon and sea trout move, is reserved for members and temporary members. Salmon to twenty pounds have been recorded here, sea trout to eight. Methods follow current EA south-west byelaws — salmon catch-and-release is mandatory.
Day ticket £15 (1 May – 30 September only). 1 October – 15 December: £50 temporary membership only — no day tickets in autumn. EA rod licence with migratory endorsement required for salmon/sea trout. All salmon must be released (mandatory C&R on the Camel). Single barbless hooks for salmon.
Arrange access →
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • EA SW byelaws apply
  • Mandatory C&R for salmon
  • Camel Fisheries Association controls most water; check current permit conditions.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

The Camel is Cornwall's signature salmon and sea-trout river, draining Bodmin Moor's granite headwaters down through Camelford and Bodmin to the estuary at Padstow. Spate-driven granite water — quick to rise, quick to clear, with strong autumn salmon runs and superb summer sea-trout (peal). The Camel Fisheries Association manages most of the freshwater main-river fishing through season tickets and limited day permits. Wild brown trout in the upper reaches, sea trout dominate from June.

  • Granite
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 April → 15 December
  • Sea trout1 April → 30 September
  • Trout15 March → 30 September
Other water nearby · 5
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