Salmon battle against the magnificent River Severn
It is one of the most stunning spectacles of autumn – and this week the awesome sight of salmon leaping out of the River Severn has been caught on camera by a county angler.
The fish have been spotted leaping over Castlefields weir in Shrewsbury as they fight to return upstream after a journey across thousands of miles of ocean.
Photographer Dave Biggs captured an image of salmon leaping at the weir when angling enthusiasts gathered there earlier this week to watch the annual phenomenon.
The fish have also been returning to Ashford Carbonell weir on the River Teme near Ludlow. Up to 500 salmon pass through the weir each year to reach spawning grounds at Leintwardine, Brampton Bryan and in the River Onny which runs into the River Teme further upstream.
According to the Shropshire Anglers' Federation, this autumn's salmon run could last for up to two weeks.
Sir John Roberts, the federation's chairman, urged people to go and watch the fish struggle upriver through Shrewsbury.
He said: "Some are smaller, first time returning fish and hellbent as fast as possible on getting to do what nature intended.
"They will get to their place of birth up country and then return to the sea once again, hopefully to return in two or three years, possibly for the last time."
Sir John said the salmon spotted passing through the Shrewsbury stretch of the Severn this week had probably been spawned in Wales in 2009 or 2010.
