Another settled week with no significant rainfall which meant river levels fell steadily as the week progressed and are at their lowest since before winter.
The trees are bursting into leaf and soon the ground vegetation will explode. The swift is the last of our summer migrants to return and are due any day…. This is hands down my favourite time of year: the colours; the dawn chorus; the warmth and the lighter, longer days; it’s all good for the soul!
River North Esk
Things were very quiet across both the North and the South Esk, with Pert on the North Esk seeing the only catches this week. Seven salmon weighing between 8 and 15 lbs were caught in the Lower Weir, Upper Weir and Luther Pools on flies such as the Sunray Shadow and the Munro Killer.
In addition, a 2 lb sea trout was caught in the Blue Stone pool on a Stoat’s Tail fly.
The week ahead (4 – 8 May 2026)
The coming week will start with a sunny Bank Holiday Monday before a cold blast arrives. This will bring a couple of noticeably colder days and even the possibility of a frosty start and snow on the hill tops; Wednesday will be the coldest day of the week. Temperatures will start to climb from Thursday; however, this will also mean a greater chance of rain and wind. Daytime air temperatures are expected to reach highs of 6 – 14 °C (42 -27 °F), with overnight lows of 0 – 6 °C (32 – 42 °F).
North Esk
Pert – 7
Total salmon for the week: 7
Running total for the season: 106
Total sea trout for the week: 1
Running total for the season: 5
If anyone has caught a salmon or sea trout on the River North Esk, River South Esk or the Bervie Water, and would like to share, please get in touch.
Photographs: (top down)
Gallery Beat © Neil Anderson
Gallery Beat © Neil Anderson
Primroses © Ann-Marie MacMaster
Many thanks to the proprietors, ghillies and guests for sharing their photos and catch details.
