It is a great..

time of year to be on the river, just to sit and watch the river go by rod resting up against a tree waiting for the sun to go off the water, then when the time is right start fishing. The fishing slowed down a little last week, I think that this can be said for most of the east coast rivers. The grilse are still coming in but again not in the numbers that they should be, there are though some big summer salmon swimming about. Pert had three such salmon last week 21lbs, 17lbs and 15lbs plus a 9lbs sea trout! Canterland also had a good summer salmon at 14lbs. Still at Canterland Mr M Addison caught a grilse that had been fairly mauled by a seal, I find it amazing that they still push on with the injuries the sustain. The sea trout fishing has slowed down now, one would expect that at this time of year. They should be heading up to their spawning water shortly as they spawn somewhat earlier than the salmon. A very quiet week on the South Esk with only 2 grilse and a sea trout from Kinnaird Middle. Inshewan lost a fair few fish last week with one fish being a very small grilse estimated at 3/4lbs. Now there is a small possibility that it could have been an escapee from Denmark, but without the fish it is hard to tell. Salmon have in the past been caught on the Esks of this size, scale samples were taken and it was a fish from Denmark. So if you see anymore lets us know. 

Week Ahead

With showers forecast the rivers might, I say might, get a small lift in water, the air temperature is a lovely 20c on average and 12c at night which should give good fishing going forward. Both rivers are looking very peaty now as they do in midsummer. So, with that in mind flies to try would be anything with orange and reds. Allys Shrimp, Thunder and Lightning, Stinchar Stoat, Curry’s Shrimp, or a General Practitioner. Floating lines with slower sink tips or intermediate. As with most Atlantic salmon rivers we encourage catch and release. You as the angler have a duty of care towards the fish you catch and release. So please use heavier leaders, barbless hooks and play the fish quickly to reduce the stress and handle with care.

Tight Lines.

North Esk.

Kinnaber. 9 salmon/grilse to 7lbs, 2 sea trout to 3lbs.

Morphie. 1 salmon 9lbs

Canterland. 9 salmon/grilse to 14lbs, 1 sea trout 3lbs

Gallery. 2 salmon/grilse to 5lbs, 3 sea trout to 3lbs

Balmakewan. 8 grilse to 4.5lbs, 1 sea trout to 3.5lbs

Pert.  8 salmon/grilse to 21lbs, 2 sea trout 9lbs

Stracathro.  2 grilse 4lbs, 3 sea trout 4lbs.

South Esk.

Kinnnaird Middle. 1 grilse 5lbs, 1 sea trout 5lbs.

 Total:  Salmon/Grilse 33                                                  Sea Trout  13

                   Grand Total 46                                                                

Photographs (top to bottom)

Canterland North Esk.

Mr M Addison with a grilse from Canterland.

A summer salmon from Gallery North Esk.

Sea trout from Gallery.

Gallery North Esk.

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!!