SEASON DRAWS TOWARDS A CLOSE

The 2025 season on the East Ranga has been, by most metrics, a reasonably good one. Whilst numerically below the long term average in terms of catch numbers, it has seen more fish landed than 2024 or 2023 and had high points in so many other ways. 

In fishing terms, probably the most pleasing was the general ’spread’ of fish. To explain - in many seasons there will be 25% of the beats that are pretty tricky fishing with fishers working hard for their action, then 50% of the beats where fishing in nice and reliable but not super prolific, then the remaining 25% where the fish are everywhere and fishing is easy! Well in 2025 the whole river fished nicely, with an expectation of good action wherever fishers were headed that session. Equally the quality of the salmon was again superb. Fat and strong, with many of the grilse up in the 6-7lb range, rather than the smaller 3-5lb range, and a large number of salmon 80cm+ (we will provide a more detailed overview of size variance month by month and over the season as a whole.) Head Guide Gunnar’s team of guides looked after fishers with care, skill and good humour, ensuring hours spent out fishing were hugely enjoyable.

Equally as important, the Aurora Lodge (East Ranga’s fishing lodge) was a relaxing, comfortable and fun operating base from which fishers emerged and returned to between fishing sessions. The completed updating of all the guest en suite bedrooms / bathrooms was appreciated as well as further small adjustments to the main lodge. Our Lodge Managers Marta and Julita led their experienced team well and they excelled with positive guest feedback at a really high level. The phenomenal food, wine, cocktails, evening bar nibbles and so on matched by the smiles and relaxed, attentive service.

So as the autumn is well and truly upon us, and the season all but concluded, we look forward to what 2026 will bring. Hopefully we will retain all the positives from 2025, and build on them further. Great service. Great fishing. Great fun!