While…

..the fishing has slowed down a little, so therefore is has been fairly quiet on the rivers last week, it is not through lack of fish rather than the fish have just switched off for now at least. Both rivers the water levels are getting low. There are plenty of fish in both rivers, though grilse has been very poor on the South Esk and very good run in the North Esk. Both the salmon and sea trout are well on the to colouring up the former still has the odd fresh fish coming in.  Some good salmon to have caught from the North Esk, Gallery 17lbs, Balmakewan 14lbs, Stracathro 16lbs. It is the time of year that the big salmon start to appear, most likely to have come into the rivers as a spring salmon then just bidding their time as when to move upriver. I am sure that will be see a lot more of the bigger fish being caught in the coming weeks particularly the males. Over on the South Esk the beats have been slow picking away. Belen and Carlos Soto from Spain put the hours and effort in at Inshewan and had 3 salmon and 4 sea trout. Kinnaird Middle had a salmon and 8 sea trout and by all accounts a few fish were seen heading upriver. Finavon Castle Water again had a steady week with 4 salmon and a brace of sea trout. I know these are not catch figures that will set the world alight, but it does show that there are fish about.

The Week Ahead.

A very much cooler week with the wind coming out of the North then a wind change toward the weekend and back to normal for the time of year. There is rain forecast, whether or not it comes to much remains to be seen? It is the time of year to dust off and dig out the red flies from your fly boxes, why the salmon like a red fly at this time of year is anyone’s guess but it works! As does a copper body. One of my favourite flies for this time of year is a Red Allys Shrimp with copper body, have a few in your box in various sizes of doubles and a few smaller tubes. One also can still fish the hitch, Sunrays and Collie Dogs through the tails of the pools especially if you can see fish moving. Carry a variety of tips with as the water temperature can change quickly at this time of year with cooler nights becoming the norm. Up your leader strength, salmon are not leader shy play the fish hard and get them back into the water ASAP, especially at this time of year. Do not forget to use BARBLESS HOOKS or DE BARB, makes the release so much easier.

Tight Lines.

North Esk

Kinnaber.  1 salmon 10lbs.

Canterland. 1 salmon 8lbs.

Gallery. 2  salmon to 17lbs.

Balmakewan. 9 salmon 14lbs, 4 sea trout 3lbs.

Pert. 16 salmon 20lbs, 2 sea trout to 3lbs.

Stracathro. 7 salmon to 16lbs, 1 sea trout 2lbs.

Total: 37 salmon, 8 sea trout

South Esk.

Kinnaird Lower & Pow Month. 1 sea trout 2lbs.

Kinnaird Middle. 1 salmon 7 lbs, 8 sea trout to 2lbs.

Finavon Castle Water. 4 salmon 10lbs, 2 to sea trout 3 lbs.

Inshewan. 3 salmon to 7lbs, 4 sea trout to 4lbs.

Total: 8 salmon, 15 sea trout.

 Total 45 Salmon , 15 Sea Trout.

GRAND TOTAL 68. 

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)

Gallery, North Esk.

Belen Soto from Spain, with a salmon at Inshewan, South Esk.

Sea trout in the net at Inshewan, South Esk.

Colin Dinmond at Gallery, North Esk.

Salmon in the Net at Gallery, North Esk.

A salmon from Balmakewan, North Esk.

Kenny Johnston at Balmakewan, North Esk.

Tony Caffrey at Balmakewan, North Esk.

Mike Young at Balmakewan, North Esk.

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!!