Peat..

..turned the rivers quite dark at the being of the week after heavy rains up in the glens; as the week progressed both rivers cleared a little. It is the time of year for peaty water though if to dark it will put the fish off a little. There are some big salmon swimming about in both rivers especially in the middle of the North Esk. Last Monday a Balmakewan angler had a salmon on for at least an hour: it was only seen a few times when the fish broke the surface, then the salmon found a sunken tree and decided not to move. Anglers from the opposite bank at Pert were watching the whole episode; one of them went in to see if he could move the salmon from its hidey hole, alas to no avail the line went slack, and heads were held in hands. The salmon was put at an estimated 30lbs plus. Pert had 3 big salmon at 25lbs, 21lbs and 17lbs and Balmakewan had one at 21lbs. Canterland had a good week last with 10 salmon up to 14lbs. One of their pools has changed significantly since the big floods last winter that they have yet to catch a fish out of it this year, there is still time yet.  Fairly quiet over on the South Esk; the dark peaty water put the fish down for a day or two. Still the odd sea trout being caught still on the larger side which I feel is good news as these fish will be repeat spawners. A river that we should hear more about is the Bervie; a lovely clean salmon of 5lbs was caught by a member of the Laurencekirk Angling Club, hopefully more to come.

Week Ahead

With no rain forecast for this coming week, or very little at least the rivers will be dropping and becoming clearer. Also, the evenings are getting cooler so the water will take a little long to warm up. So, start the day with slow sink to an intermediate tip, a slightly large fly in the morning (depending on when you are starting). Fly choice I do like the Irish shrimp patterns, some with a little purple mixed in, I find personally that purple works well in peaty water. Flies with red and copper such as a Red Allys shrimp with a copper body are also great flies for peaty water. Try not to fish with tackle that is too light, we owe it to the fish to return them as quicky as possible.

Tight Lines.

North Esk.

Kinnaber. 3 salmon/grilse to 7lbs.

Canterland. 10 salmon/grilse to 14lbs, 1 sea trout 3lbs.

Gallery. 6 salmon/grilse 7lbs, 2 sea trout to 3lbs.

Pert.  22 salmon/grilse to 25lbs, 7 sea trout 3lbs.

Stracathro. 3 salmon/grilse to 9lb.

South Esk.

Kinnaird Lower & Pow Mouth. 1 sea trout 3lbs

Kinnnaird Middle.  3 sea trout 4lbs.

Kinnaird Upper. 2 salmon/grilse to 8lbs

Finavon Castle Water. 3 salmon/grilse to 9lbs.

Inshewan. 3 grilse to 4.5lbs, 2 sea trout 6lbs.

River Bervie.

LaurenceKirk Angling Club. 1 salmon 5lbs.

 Total:  Salmon/Grilse 53                                                  Sea Trout  16

                    Grand Total 69                                                                

Photographs (top to bottom)

Stracathro North Esk.

7lbs salmon from Gallery North Esk.

3lbs sea trout from Gallery North Esk.

A beauitful salmon from Balmakewan North Esk.

River Bervie, a 5lbs salmon being retured.

Stracathro 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!!