At last
We have had some rain, the South Esk had a lift up to 1ft 3″ at Gella Bridge toward the begining of last week and a few top ups, not alot but it is some thing at least. The North Esk had a very small rise, just enough to get some grilse and sea trout though the system. Both rivers are still running a little coloured, peaty not muddy which is no bad thing. Chatting to the ghillies on the rivers, the salmon/grilse and sea trout seem to be pushing through the rivers to head up as far as they can get. So this means that there are should be fish through out both rivers. The catches of sea trout last week have been very good particularly on the North Esk. Pert recorded 24 sea trout up to about 3lbs for thier week mostly caught on Teal blue and Silver, some on a Red Butcher and Purple Shrimp fly. Stracathrco had another wonderful week with 20 sea trout caught over a period of a few evenings, again two tried and trusted flies the Teal Blue and Silver, Dark Mackeral and one caught on a Snake fly, they also managed 2 salmon up to 9lbs. The recent catches of sea trout at Stracathrco mean that 40 sea trout in the month of June is a record for them. Long may it continue. The South Esk have been picking away at the sea trout with fish coming from beats through out this is heard though word of mouth, Inshewan is certainly the top of the pile at the mintue from what I hear, I will update when I hear anything.
Week Ahead.
Well if last week is anything to go by stick to the old tried and trusted patterns for sea trout. Teal Blue and Silver, Dark Mackeral and the staple for sea trout and grilse the Stoats Tail in any one of it’s many variants that you have confidence in. Also hitched flies and mico tubes and anything that will create a wake on the suface to get the fishes attention. I was thinking about some of the older patterns that I once used for salmon in low water untill all the lastest flies came along. One of my favourites was the Jeannie tied on a single, also very good for sea trout.
Jeannie Hairwing Dressing.
Wing, brown squirrel (traditional dressing uses a mallard wing)
Throat, black hackle
Body, black and yellow floss
Rib and tag, silver oval
Tail, golden pheasant
Hook, Lower water single or double
.
North Esk
Kinnaber. 2 Salmon/Grilse up to 5lbs. 8 Sea Trout up to 3lbs.
Gallery. 1 Sea Trout 2lbs.
Pert. 2 Salmon 8lbs, 10lbs. 24 Sea Trout up to 3lbs.
Stracathrco. 2 Salmon up to 9lbs, 20 Sea Trout up to 5lbs
South Esk
Kinnaird Upper. 1 Sea Trout 3lbs
Kinnaird Middle. 1 Salmon/Grilse 4lbs
Finavon Castle Water. 2 Salmon up to 7lbs, 5 Sea Trout largest 2.5lbs
Total
9 Salmon
59 Sea Trout
Photographs (top to bottom)
Canterland, North Esk
Next few, Slateford (Dalhousie Estates) North Esk
Jeannie Hairwing low water salmon fly
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!!
