A KENDAL fisherman says there has been a decline in big salmon swimming up the River Kent despite 20lb and a 'monster' 36lb fish being caught recently. 

Kieron Banks, who runs Fish On The Banks, teaches people methods of fishing. He said he had been involved in fishing on the River Kent for more than 30 years since he was a child. 

Salmon swim up the river from the sea at all times of the year to spawn but the biggest ones tend to be from January to March.

The River Kent is a spate river, meaning it floods, which is when the salmon swim up. Kieron said the fish can swim right up the River Kent, driven by 'mother nature' to the place they were born. 

The Westmorland Gazette: Kieron said that despite the big fish caught recently, there's been a 'steady decline' in the Kent over the yearsKieron said that despite the big fish caught recently, there's been a 'steady decline' in the Kent over the years (Image: Kieron Banks)

Kieron recently shared a photo of a friend who had caught an estimated 20-25lb fish which he called 'King of the Kent.' The fish was released 'to pass on its extremely important genes.' 

READ MORE: Council awarded £1.7 million to enhance bus services in Cumbria

He said someone else caught a 36lb salmon. Kieron said that he enjoys fishing because of the 'connection with nature' and called the River Kent 'Kendal's jewel' that should be conserved, but only receives attention when it floods.

Despite the salmon caught recently, he also said that there has been a 'steady decline' in big fish over the years. 

The Westmorland Gazette: Salmon swim up the river to where they were born, Kieron saysSalmon swim up the river to where they were born, Kieron says (Image: Kieron Banks)

When asked why, he said: "Pollution is a big factor. We have had a lot of habitat destruction. Overfishing at sea is one of the main reasons. I've figured that out by asking people in the EA. Fish are a brilliant barometer of the health of the river." 

Kieron said individuals fishing on the river are not the reason why the overall stock is in decline, pinning the blame on net trawling at sea.  

He supports catch and release fishing and says that fish can be caught with barbless hooks. 

Wildlife in the river is improving in other ways. Kieron said he was one of the first people to see otters and kingfishers come back to the Kent in the last ten years. This is one of the reasons he feels so connected to nature through spending time on the river bank.