Another..
..Week without a cloud in the sky and not a drop of rain, this made fishing very difficult and those who headed out fished in the early morning or in the evening. Sadly, I have not heard of anything that has been caught from the South Esk last week; keep in mind that a lot of the South Esk is either private or syndicated beats, so a fish or two may well have been caught from one of these beats. The North Esk had a very quiet time last week. Gallery caught 2 sea trout both on a Silver Stoats Tail size 12 at the end of the week in the early evening, Stracathro managed 3 sea trout again the mornings and evenings proved the better time to be out on the river. The grilse have arrived but only in small number thus far with some of the first being caught by Mr J McPhail from Connecticut USA and the other by Mr S Conroy from Cardross, both from Pert on the North Esk
Just a reminder that Pink salmon may start to make an appearance soon.
https://fms.scot/pink-salmon-in-scotland/
Please report any catches of Pink salmon to the Fishery Board.
Note: If any of the angling clubs or anyone else that has anything to report on the North or South Esk please get in touch via email with your catches and stories. The more we can show what is being caught on our rivers paints a good picture.
Thank you.
Week Ahead
The rain at last made an appearance at the weekend and both rivers had a much-needed rise of about 5 inches, not a lot I know but better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. The sea trout that were there have moved on only to be replaced by fresh ones and in good numbers so I am led to believe, also a few more grilse but I think we will need a touch more water for them. Flies for this week, stay on the smaller side with black and silver if the water is low and clear then a fly with a touch of colour if the levels are up and coloured. Also well worth a try are small cone heads in the above colours, the added weight will help get them to fish just that bit quicker plus a margin closer to the fish. Lastly keep those leaders long and tapered, at least 15ft even with single handers, presentation is key to get those flies fishing as soon as possible. Hopefully with more rain forecast for this week we should see an increase in sea trout and grilse, so fingers crossed.
Tight Lines.
North Esk.
Gallery. 2 Sea Trout largest 3lbs.
Pert. 2 Salmon/Grilse largest 7lbs, 8 Sea Trout largest 4lbs.
Stracathro. 3 Sea Trout largest 2lbs.
South Esk.
No Returns
Grand Total: Salmon/Grilse. 2
Sea Trout. 13
Photographs (top to bottom)
South Esk at the Bridge of Dun
Looking across the North Esk from Gallery to Balmakewan.
North Esk, Slateford.
South Esk, Glen Clova.
Lastly I should say thank you to the ghillies and guests who send the photographs to me, with out them the report would not be complete and certainly not as colourful!!
