Hard Going
With very little water on the horizon it was hard going on the Esks last week, temperatures still on the cool side and low water all added to make the fishing tricky. None the less a few fish where caught last week with Ewan Maclachlan managing to prize one out of the gorge at The Burn, no easy task at the best of times. A good stiff leader, strong nerve and hold on tight. One other fish came off the North Esk at Stracathro and one off the South Esk at Finavon Castle water.
Saprolegnia
With the low water North Esk 1-3 inches and the South Esk 2-3 inches, the arrival of the white fungus called Saprolegnia on the Esk make unpleasant viewing for all and not very pleasant for the poor fish either. High concentrations of fish all jostling for position makes matters worse. Even handling the fish when caught can take of the slim from the fish and let the fungus in, so your fish handling skills need to be top draw and if at all possaible keep the fish in the water and net. There is very little that we can do apart from handle with care and pray from more water.
The Week Ahead.
With no heavy forecast for this week and a rise in temperature it is time to get the lighter rods out. Long leaders and small flies will work best, stealth is your friend and try not to wade to deep! If fishing in the middle of the day fish the shaded areas along the bank and deep pots. Get up early to fish first light then fish late into the evenings and hopefully you will be rewarded.
Neil Anderson
North Esk
Stracathro 1 Salmon 8lbs
The Burn 1 Salmon 9lbs
South Esk
Finavon Castle 1 Salmon
Total 3 Salmon
Photographs (top to bottom)
Ewan Maclachlan with his 9lbs salmon from The Burn on the North Esk
Footage of salmon on the Noth Esk taken 25th April.
Lastly I should say thank you to the ghillies and guests who send the photographs to me, with out them the report would not be complete and certainly not as colourful!!
