Springers..
Are well spread out in both the North and South Esk, so there are plenty of chances to come across the odd springer or two. Inshewan on the South Esk got off the mark with a 8lb salmon caught by John Mitchell from the Bothy pool on a Posh Cascade size 12, always fish smaller than you think on the South Esk. Fish a big fly and you will clear the pool, I kid you not. Over on the the North Esk at Balmakewan 17-year-old Angus Stewart had a lovely springer at 18lbs on the Monday, a great way to start the week. Canterland had 4 springers for their week, half the beat lost a few days due to heavy rain and field run off from spring tilling. So, the party headed up to Arnhall and managed a 8lb springer. Gary Chambers was fishing at Stracathro on Saturday, we all know the saying right place right time? 7lbs, 8lbs and a 21lber to top it off, all caught on a Copper Gunn Shrimp. Also, John Wood had a 15lber from Stracathro. Pert had a very good week with 17 springers. Again, great to see Edzell catching a few springers, this is a very pretty beat and well worth a cast. Yet again I have heard nothing from above the Loups on the North Esk, I feel one is not too far away.
The Week Ahead.
With spring salmon throughout both the North and South Esk now there is aways a very good chance of a springer or two. More rain forecast for the coming week to top up the rivers, this should bring in more salmon. Now the evenings are getting longer so are our fishing days, more hours on the water especially at the magical time in the evenings. The salmon love to start to move at this time of day and if the sun (if there is any) has been on the water this could be your chance. Keep an eye on the water temperatures at this time of year as it can move a far bit during the day, adjust your depth and fly size accordingly. Do not fish to fast through a pool take your time, small steps between casts. Even have several casts from the same spot, upstream mend, downstream mend, keep that fly moving and give it some life.
Tight Lines.
North Esk
Canterland. 4 salmon 9lbs.
Balmakewan. 1 salmon 18lbs.
Pert. 17 salmon up to 16lbs.
Stracathro. 5 salmon up to 21lbs.
Edzell. 2 salmon up to 12lbs.
Arnhall. 1 salmon 8lbs.
South Esk
Inshewan. 1 salmon 8lbs.
Grand Total 31
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)
A springer from Canterland with a keen on looker.
Angus Stwart with his 18lb springer from BAlmakewan.
Gary Chambers at Stracathro with one of his back to back springers .
A long reach to net a springer at Canterland.
Lawrence Bilham with his 8lb springer from Canterland.
The first springer from Inshewan.
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!!
