It has..

..been a quiet week, and the next few weeks are set to be the same, more on that later. A little rain on the Sunday evening put some water into both the North and South Esks, 4 inches at most. Still, better than nothing. Most of the fish were caught at the beginning of the week, with the river dropping and the barometer rising, which is never a good sign for fishing, but lovely to be on the river none the less. The salmon have tended to be the larger side with 15lbs fish coming off Morphie and Pert, then 12lbs from Kinnaber, 13lbs from Gallery and a 10lbs from Stracathro. Fish of the week must go to Dan Loftus who was fishing at Canterland and landed a wonderful sea trout at 7lbs caught on that old favourite, a Silver Stoats Tail. The sea trout fishing has slowed down which is to be expected at this time of year as shortly they will have other things on their minds. Again, very quiet over on the South Esk with some sea trout from Kinnaird and 3 salmon from Finavon Castle Water.

Week Ahead

A tough week ahead with the weather more like July and August. High temperatures and low water is going to make things a little tricky. Full floaters, long leaders and small flies are the order of the day. Flies to try would be the usual low water goodies such as Stoats Tails, Black Francis Cone Heads, Sunrays, Collie Dogs and not forgetting hitched flies. By the looks of things, the best time to fish will be the start of the day and again in the evening. Fish heavier, i.e. stronger leader, get the fish in quick and release slow to make sure it is fully recovered. Next week it looks like there is a break in the weather with some rain on the cards.

Tight Lines.

North Esk.

Kinnaber. 2 salmon/grilse to 12bs.

Morphie. 5 salmon/grilse to 15lbs.

Canterland. 9 salmon/grilse to 9bs, 4 sea trout 7lbs.

Gallery. 6 salmon/grilse 13lbs, 1 sea trout 3lbs.

Pert. 4 salmon/grilse to 15lbs, 1 sea trout 2.5lbs

Stracathro. 4 salmon/grilse to 10lbs, 1 sea trout 2lbs.

South Esk.

Kinnnaird Middle.  4 sea trout 3lbs.

Kinnaird Upper. 2 sea trout to 4lbs.

Finavon Castle Water. 3 grilse to 4lbs.

 Total:  Salmon/Grilse 33                                                  Sea Trout  13

                    Grand Total 46                                                               

Photographs (top to bottom)

Kinnaird Lower South Esk.

7lbs salmon from Gallery North Esk.

3lbs sea trout from Gallery North Esk.

A beauitful salmon from Balmakewan North Esk.

Jeff Pearce with a Canterland salmon.

Dan Loftus with a big sea trout from Canterland.

Fishing at Kinnaird Soth 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!!