Not..
..Much in the way of rain appeared last week, not enough to make any difference at least. What did make a difference, on the 13th there was a big spring tide, this would have certainly brought more springers into the river systems. Still nothing to report from the South Esk, though it does tend to start catching a little bit later. There will most definitely be a number of springers in the river, so I feel one is not too far away. The North Esk is still having a very good spring with salmon coming off the lower to middle beats. Mind you one still must put the graft in to connect with a springer. If you think of the rod pressure on the North Esk when compared to one of the bigger rivers, it punches well above its weight. It is also good to see some of the upper beats (ie below the Loups) catching fish, above the Loups will be sometime in mid-April before the fish appear Arnhall- South N.Esk is off the mark with their first springer. Edzell N.Esk has had a very good start with, with 4 spring salmon. Guess the fly, so far as I am aware all have been caught with a gold bodied Willie Gunn. Stracathro N.Esk had 2 springers last week with a regular party from Finland lead by Jouni Rauha. They broke the mould by catch their two springers on a Cascade and a Black Sheep. Jason Walls was fishing at Gallery N.Esk last week and had two wonderful springers to his own rod. Just down river from Gallery Gavin Parker was fishing at Canterland and caught a springer on, yes you guessed right a Willie Gunn. At this rate there will be a run-on Willie Gunn flies, I better stock up!
The Week Ahead.
With both rivers on the rise at the time of writing this is very good news, so hopefully more springers to enter our rivers and perfect conditions for the week and weekend ahead as the rivers drop off. The usual use of sink tips etc to fit in with the river levels on the day you are fishing. Keep changing the depth and speed according to the pools etc. Flies for the week, it seems to be anything Willie Gunn. Or break the mold like our guests from Finland with a Cascade, Black Sheep, Banana Fly. If you put the right size of fly at the right depth on it’s nose you will, well hopefully catch a springer.
Tight Lines.
North Esk
Canterland. 1 salmon 8lbs
Gallery. 2 salmon up to 16lbs.
Balmakewan. 1 salmon 8lbs.
Pert. 4 salmon up to 12lbs
Stracathro. 2 salmon up to 8lbs.
Edzell. 2 salmon up to 12lbs.
Arnhall South. 1 salmon.
South Esk
Nothing to report, as of yet.
Total: Salmon 13
Grand Total 13
If anyone has caught a salmon or Sea Trout within the North or South Esk and would like to share please get in touch.
Photographs (top to bottom)
Choosing flies at Inshewan.
Jouni Rauha from Finland with a springer from Stracathro.
Also from Finland Martin Honkanen with a springer from Stracathro.
Close up of a springer.
Photos 5 & 6 Jason Walls with two rofrom Gallery.
Gavin Parker with a Canterland springer, caught on the good old Willie Gunn.
The effort pays off at Balmakewan.
James Fairly with a springer from Edzell.
A happy Nick with his springer fromEdzell, again on a Gold body Willie Gunn.
Lastly I should say thank you to the gillies and guests who send the photographs to me, with out them the report would not be complete and certainly not as colourful!!
