“When It’s Springtime in Alaska (It’s Forty Below)”!
Theres no denying it’s spring but the weather seems to have missed the memo! Not only did Wednesday evening mark the coldest night of the week, but it also saw the lowest May temperature recorded in the UK in the last five years! There was little in the way of rainfall last week meaning that river levels continue to fall to their lowest since before winter began.
Despite the air temperatures, I am delighted to report that the swifts have returned, and our skies are complete once more! I’ve been watching swallows gathering nesting material from muddy puddles whilst blackbirds, song thrushes and robins tirelessly gather food for their constantly hungry chicks. Bluebells are reaching their peak whilst cherry blossom trees are losing their blossom in the breeze in a ‘sakura fubuki’, the Japanese phrase for ‘cherry blossom blizzard’.
River North Esk
Three springers were caught on the North Esk last week. Two were caught on Pert Beat weighing 14 lbs and 10 lbs, from Blue Stone Pool and Upper Weir pool respectively. A third springer weighing 9 lbs, was caught on Stracathro Beat on a Sunray Shadow fly.
River South Esk
Two salmon were caught on the South Esk last week: the first one, weighing ~16 lbs and reported to be in fantastic condition, was caught in Downie Stream Pool on Cortachy Beat, on a size 8 Cascade double. The second springer, weighing 7 lbs was caught in Indies Pool on Finavon Castle Water (see photo).
The week ahead (11 – 16 May 2026)
A north westerly will bring us an undeniably chilly week. As the week progresses the rain showers will increase in their intensity with widespread downpours expected on Wednesday, and maybe even some hail thrown in for good measure! The end of the week looks uncertain but is likely to remain unsettled. Temperatures are well below average for the time of year; daytime air temperatures are expected to reach highs of just 10 – 14 °C (50 – 57 °F), with overnight lows of 4 – 6 °C (39 – 42 °F).
North Esk
Stracathro – 1
Pert – 2
Total salmon for the week: 3
Running total for the season: 109
Total sea trout for the week: 0
Running total for the season: 5
South Esk
Finavon Castle Water – 1
Cortachy – 1
Total salmon for the week: 2
Running total for the season: 17
Total sea trout for the week: 0
Running total for the season: 3
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)
7 lb salmon from Indies Pool on Finavon Castle Water © Ian MacMaster
Bluebells and greater stitchwart © Ann-Marie MacMaster
Castle Hill Pool on Inshewan Beat © Ann-Marie MacMaster
Lushet Pool on Inshewan Beat © Ann-Marie MacMaster
Crab apple tree © Ann-Marie MacMaster
Many thanks to the proprietors, ghillies and guests for sharing their photos and catch details.
