The River Dart is one of the most famous salmon rivers in the South West Peninsular of England. Only professional Fishermen, using nets may fish the tidal reaches of the river. Fish taken from the river find their way to the tables of the rich and famous all over the country. Omar Sharif is reputed to have said that smoked salmon from the River Dart was the best in the world.

The young salmon are spawned and spend the first few months of their lives up in the rivulets and streams that form the tributaries of the Dart. Here they are preyed upon by a large number of creatures and a great percentage never leave their native river. Those that survive, however, start to make their way down river and out to sea and begin their long journey to feeding grounds off the Greenland coast. Here they grow rapidly, increasing in weight by about 100% in the first year, after a period of time, varying on one to five years, return again to the river of their birth.

There are salmon moving up the Dart for breeding throughout the year. The two main runs however, occur in early spring and mid to late summer. The older and consequently larger fish tend to come in the spring run,when fish averaging around 11lb are caught. The record size in recent years is just over 50lb. In the late summer the smaller, younger fish return. These fish weigh on average about 5lb, and are called locally 'harvestmen' indicative of the time of the run.

The fish cannot be taken on rod and line in the estuary of the river, one has to go to the edges of Dartmoor before fly fishing becomes effective. The lower reaches of the river supports fifteen licensed seine-netting boats, two of which come from Dittisham. These boats shoot a net, which is about 100 yards long, from the shore in a semi-circle returning again to the shore, the net is then hauled in by the three or four man crew. This method of fishing is centuries old and in many cases the licences have been in the same families for generations.

Having discovered this beautiful part of Devon, what better way to see it the area than on foot. Whether it be a quiet evening stroll around the village, or a purposeful walk taking in the bracing air that can be found on the higher ground to the south and west, there is always plenty to see.

The parish of Dittisham covers an area approximately three miles by three miles, the western limit of its boundary is Hemborough Post ('Sportsmans Arms'), and then stretches from the Old Mill Valley on the south side to Mill Creek and the Cornworthy boundary in the north. As well as many signed public footpaths, there are several bye-roads and green lanes which can be used either to see the local scenery, or for the more energetic who want to go further afield to explore such places as Dartmouth, Blackawton and Cornworthy - or even across the river to Paignton.

In many cases you will find that the footpaths cross farmland where some fields are likely to be stocked, so please 'keep to the path' and close all gates behind you.