History of Salmon Fishing in Stoke Gabriel

Published 15:06 on 6 Feb 2020

It was standing room only in the village hall for Nick Baker's talk History of Salmon Fishing in Stoke Gabriel. Nick, raised in the village, returned from his home in Cornwall to tell us about Stoke Gabriel's rich history. Salmon fishing which continued until 2015, was central to village life and the local economy. Nick provided a fascinating insight into the lifecycle of the salmon and how they return over two thousand miles from the North Atlantic to find the exact river and location of their birth. Nick also discussed some of the reasons for the decline in the number of salmon returning each year to the Dart, which ultimately led to the collapse of the fishery. It was not all natural history though, Nick regaled us with tales of the fishermen and their exploits on and off the water. In the audience were many who grew up when salmon fishing was the life blood of the village who were keen to share their experiences. For those who missed the talk you can read more in Nick's book "A Rural Legacy Lost". We're hoping to have a repeat talk in spring. Let us know if you are keen to attend.

Last updated 14:15 on 20 June 2023