Not sure..
.. where to start? The week started off just like any other, then Storm Babet rolled in, and all hell broke loose. Up until the evening of the 18th the fishing for the start of the week looked promising. Finavon Castle Water had a lovely 20lb salmon and I am sure that more big autumn fish would have come off the rivers had not the storm arrived. Gallery managed a few fish with one lovely silver hen caught by Andrew Waters. At Pert Mr T McLeary from Perthsire had the biggest fish at 26lbs. On both the North and South Esk the water levels reached a height of about 6 meters. I am not going to repeat what has already been said in the press over the last few days. The individual beats on both rivers did not fare well, some worse off than others. The amount of in river damage or the changes that have happened has yet to be assessed as the water levels are still high; all will be revealed as the levels drop. One thing that we can see is the amount of gravel that has moved: this can be from Rottal, down to Kinnaird on the South Esk and from Auchmull to Kinnaber on the North Esk. Work is already under way on the rivers clearing up fishing huts, banksides, and anything else that can be done now. As we have not got into winter yet, the major works will no doubt be saved for the start of next year. Looking historically back at when most of the big floods and storms come in it seems to be the end of the year, let’s hope that this holds true. Fingers crossed for a cold dry winter.
23rd-28th
What an end to the fishing season! Not all the beats were fishing last week due to flood damage and access issues, plus the only fishable days being Tuesday, Wednesday and the Thursday before rain stopped play. Both rivers came up again to about 6ft and thankfully there it stopped. As far as I am aware only two beats fished last week, Gallery and Pert on the North Esk, the South Esk with no one out. Still, those that did cast a line on the three days last week managed a fish or two. Gallery with 6 salmon up to 13lbs and 8 sea trout to 4lbs. Just up the river at Pert they managed 15 salmon up to 15lbs and 1 sea trout.
It is very difficult to get around the catchment now with various roads still closed and some very badly damaged bridges so give yourself some extra time. Once the rivers have settled and hopefully cleared somewhat head up to the head waters on both rivers and look for spawning salmon. When you think what these wonderful fish have been through and how far they have travelled it is truly a remarkable spectacle. Watch from a distance if you are lucky enough to spot some.
North Esk
Gallery. 12 salmon to 16 lbs, 8 sea trout to 4lbs
Pert. 28 salmon to 26lbs, 2 sea trout 3lbs
South Esk.
Finavon Castle Water. 6 salmon to 20lbs, 2 sea trout to 3lbs.
Inshewan. 4 salmon to 10lbs, 2 sea trout to 3lbs.
Total: Salmon 50 Sea Trout 14
Grand Total 64
Photographs (top to bottom)
The Drive down to Inshewan.
Andrew Waters, with a silver salmon at 9lbs, Gallery North Esk
Andrew Waters with a 16lbs salmon on a Red Francis, Gallery.
Mark Waters 12lbs salmon, Gallery.
Mark Elder releasing his 12lb salmon, Gallery.
John Walters with a 12lb salmon from Gallery.
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!!
