Sunny spells, showers and lower-than-average temperatures (for the time of year) were finally replaced with the kind of weather some of us hope for during the summer months. High pressure moved in and brought some long overdue settled weather and warmer temperatures. River levels have steadily dropped over the last fortnight and as such, fishing conditions have been poor.
The sunny weather has brought the butterflies out en masse! I’ve been trying to get close enough to identify them – or even better, to get a photo. This last week I’ve seen Meadow Browns, Green Veined-Whites, Common Blues (see photo) and Speckled Woods (see photo) – to name a few.
River North Esk
Two salmon, weighing 7.5 lbs and 9 lbs, were caught at the top of the catchment, at Invermark on 29 June.
The third and final salmon reported for the North Esk was an 8 lb fish, caught on 4 July in the Dam Pool on Stracathro Beat. In addition, six sea trout were also caught, weighing between 2 and 4.5 lbs, from the Dam Pool and the Junction Pool.
Downstream at Gallery Beat, a further six sea trout were caught.
River South Esk
Sea trout catches have been reported on both Inshewan and Cortachy Beats. Nine sea trout were caught on Cortachy Beat and four were caught on Inshewan, weighing up to 2.5 lbs. A good number of sea trout have been observed hiding in the shade at Finavon Castle Water.
The week ahead (13 – 18 July 2026)
Summer has most definitely arrived and this week we’ll see temperatures gradually climbing as the week progresses. The east coast won’t get as hot as the west coast however with no rain forecast this week, our river levels will continue to drop. Daytime air temperatures are expected to reach highs of 19 – 22 °C (66 – 71 °F), with overnight lows of 8 – 11 °C (46 – 51 °F).
As water temperatures rise, anglers are encouraged to consider fishing early in the morning or later in the evening, and if the water temperature rises above 18 °C (64 °F), consider stopping fishing to help protect salmon and sea trout stocks. Salmon are a cold-water fish and they become stressed in high water temperatures, which can make them susceptible to diseases such as the white fungus, Saprolegnia.
SEPA produce weekly water scarcity reports between May and September and as of Thursday 9 July, SEPA have raised the Angus Esks to ‘Alert’. You can read more here: https://beta.sepa.scot/water-scarcity/previous-reports/09-july-2026/
North Esk
Invermark – 2 salmon
Stracathro – 1 salmon & 6 sea trout
Gallery – 6 sea trout
Total salmon for the fortnight: 3
Running total for the season: 137
Total grilse for the fortnight: 0
Running total for the season: 1
Total sea trout for the fortnight: 12
Running total for the season: 28
South Esk
Cortachy – 9 sea trout
Inshewan – 4 sea trout
Total salmon for the fortnight: 0
Running total for the season: 27
Total grilse for the fortnight: 0
Running total for the season: 2
Total sea trout for the fortnight: 13
Running total for the season: 34
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)
Kinnaber Beat, River North Esk © Andy Simpson (main photo)
Common Blue © Ann-Marie MacMaster
Speckled Wood © Ann-Marie MacMaster
Inshewan Beat, River South Esk © John Mitchell
Invermark salmon ladder © Garry McLennan
Loch Lee © Garry McLennan
Many thanks to the proprietors, ghillies and guests for sharing their photos and catch details.
