A tough..

..week on both the North and South Esk with Monday being to only very good fishing day. High dirty water stopped play pretty much for the rest of the week clearing up a touch by the weekend. We are at the time of year when the weather is not quite sure what it is up to, but I think we can all agree we would be happy to see the back of the rain for a while? A lot of the beats on the North and South Esk have suffered this year, not so much in the water levels but more run off from  the spring sowing. It is a vicious circle; farmers need to sow and grow their crops to earn a living and let’s not forget to feed us. The runoff, quite literally is slit run off that clouds our rivers in times of heavy rain. We have had an abnormal amount of rain over the winter, the ground is saturated great for water tables and wetting the hills and keeping rivers topped up, a nightmare for farmers trying to get on land. On a normal year none of the above would be a problem. Edzell has had a week with 4 springers, this beat is showing consistency and real promise. Stracathro had 3 springers for their week with Pat Webster landing a lovely 20lb springer.  John White who was fishing at Balmakewan was put onto a fish from a Gallery angler on the opposite bank. The springer was caught from a spot that you would not expect to find one. One last cast and the fish was on!

The Week Ahead.

Sadly, I feel this week is going to be pretty much a carbon copy of last week, with heavy rain forecast for today (Tuesday) and on the Wednesday. Still take your chance and if the water is dropping and clearing there is every chance of a springer. With high and not so clear water in mind sink tips density depending on where you are, flies anything you fancy as long as it has some colour and flash about. Go up a size as well.

Note: This is the time of year that we will start to see the fungus Saprolegnia make an appearance on the spring salmon. So please try to keep the handling of the salmon down to the absolute minimum.

Tight Lines.

North Esk

Balmakewan. 1 salmon 8lbs.

Pert. 4 salmon up to 16lbs.

Stracathro. 3 salmon up to 20lbs.

Edzell. 4 salmon up to 12lbs.

South Esk

       Grand Total   12

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)

North Esk up Glen Esk.

Garry MacLennan with his springer from Edzell caught on a Thunder and Lightning tube.

Another springer from Edzell.

John White with his springer from Balmakewan.

Colin Liddell at Stracathro.

Pat Webster playing a springer at Stracathro, which was sadly lost.

Pat Webster with one that did not get away, 20lbs springer at Stracathro.

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!!