The fish.
.are playing hard ball at the moment, running the rivers after dark and sulking in deep pools and pots during the day, not very conducive to catching a fish. On Wednesday 28th June a lot of salmon and sea trout were seen running both rivers. This could well have coincided with the high tides on the Tuesday evening then again on the Wednesday morning. There has been no rain to speak of just the odd shower here and there, lucky sea trout and grisle do not need a huge amount of water to run the rivers. There has been talk on the South Esk that levels have not been seen to be so low since the mid 1970’s and the water abstraction continues! On the plus side the rain is here and as I look out of my window it has been raining heavily since early this morning long may it continue, well not too long. The only two beats to catch any salmon/grilse last week where Kinnaber and Canterland who had 3 each with the biggest at 8lbs. Pert had a good week with 18 sea trout all caught on micro tubes. On the South Esk Kinnaird had 5 sea trout with the biggest at 5lbs. Finavon Castle Water had a quiter week than last with 2 sea trout, a little further up river at Inshewan who had 3 sea trout for their week.
There have been very few grilse caught just now, they have been seen but not in the numbers that one would expect at this time of year. Hopefully the rain that is falling now will change that. Also, the sea trout have changed their ways a little. The sea trout season used to be May and June and possibly into the first week in July now it has moved a month forward, why who only knows but I am sure as anglers we all have our theories. Two more points of interest. Firstly, not many pink salmon have been seen and none have been caught yet, not the big influx that we were all thinking it would. I might well be back peddling next week! Secondly, several gill nets have been intercepted on the EDSFB coastal area due to the monitoring and work of the bailiff and board.
Just a reminder that Pink salmon may start to make an appearance soon.
https://fms.scot/pink-salmon-in-scotland/
Please report any catches of Pink salmon to the Fishery Board.
Note: If any of the angling clubs or anyone else that has anything to report on the North or South Esk please get in touch via email with your catches and stories. The more we can show what is being caught on our rivers paints a good picture.
Thank you.
Week Ahead
It is not easy catching fish now. One thing that will catch fish, it’s not a new fancy fly or a new wonder technique but good old-fashioned patience and perseverance with some stealth and reconnaissance thrown in. That’s it I need not write anything else? but I will. Singled handed rods floating lines with long leaders, small flies, and micro tubes in any colour as long as it is black with a touch of silver. Hitching works very well at this time of year, it makes little difference to the colour of the hitch as long as one gets a lovely “V” across those glassy glides. I can think of nowhere where one would need a double hander on either of the Esk’s at the moment given the water levels, so if you can leave it at home. Try and keep false casting down to a minimum, no point thrashing about in low water you will only put the fish down. Remember Low water means floating lines, long leaders, small flies and stealth. Above all else enjoy your time on our beautiful rivers.
Tight Lines.
North Esk.
Kinnaber. 3 salmon to 7lbs.
Canterland. 3 salmon to 8lbs.
Gallery. 2 sea trout to 3lbs.
Pert. 18 sea trout to 6lbs.
South Esk.
Kinnaird Lower. 2 sea trout to 5lbs.
Kinnarid Middle. 1 sea trout 3lbs.
Kinnnaird Upper. 2 sea trout to 3lbs.
Finavon Castle Water. 2 sea trout to 3lbs.
Inshewan. 3 sea trout to 3lbs.
Grand Total: Salmon 6 Sea Trout 30
Photographs (top to bottom)
South Esk at Cortachy 1 & 2.
North Esk at Stracathro.
Keep an eye open for pink salmon.
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!!
