Our Best Week So Far!
Water levels fluctuated throughout the week however I am pleased to report that 32 salmon were caught across the North and the South Esk and as such this was the best week of the season for reported catches this season. Fish were caught all the way from Edzell beat downstream. There were several tales about ‘the one that got away’ suggesting that more fish are present in both the North and South Esk, providing encouraging signs for the coming weeks. Now that fish are established in both rivers, rewards are likely for those anglers prepared to fish patiently and thoroughly.
The river is alive with bird life just now, with many migrants such as sand martin, chiff chaff and willow warbler having now returned for the breeding season. Keep an ear to the ground for the cuckoo; I’ve had reports they were recorded in Argyll some weeks ago but haven’t heard any in Angus yet.
River North Esk
Starting at the top of the river and working our way down: Edzell beat recorded three catches: a 9 lb springer was caught on a Gold Bodied Willie Gunn from the Whitewater Pool; a 6 lb springer was caught on Friday and an 8 lb salmon was caught on Saturday in the top beat, on a black and yellow samurai. Five springers were caught on Stracathro beat, and a further five were caught on Inglismaldie beat. On Pert beat, 11 salmon were caught weighing between 7 and 13 lbs on flies including the Puppy Dog, the Willie Gunn and the Fire Monkey. Two 10 lb springers were caught on Gallery beat this week: one on Wednesday in Cobbleheugh Pool on a monkey variant and the other was caught on Friday in Minister’s Pool on a Willie Gunn tube fly.
Of note was a brown trout weighing approx. 8 lbs that was caught on Craigo Beat this week. A few of these large trout have been caught at this time of year. We think they migrate from the upper river each year to feed down to the estuary, before making their way back to the headwaters to spawn.
River South Esk
Over on Inshewan beat the Dee Monkey fly was clearly ‘fly of the week’ with a total of 6 salmon caught, weighing between 6 and 14 lbs. Finavon Castle Water beat reported one sea trout for the week.
The week ahead (20 – 25 April 2026)
This week starts off with an area of high pressure sitting to the north of Scotland and as such the only day we’re likely to see rain is Monday. The weather will gradually improve as the week progresses, going from cloudy on Tuesday and Wednesday, to warmer air temperatures on Thursday before dry, settled and warm conditions dominate on Friday and Saturday. Daytime air temperatures are expected to reach highs of 11 – 15 °C (51 – 59 °F), with overnight lows of 2 – 4 °C (35 – 39 °F).
North Esk
Edzell – 3
Stracathro – 5
Inglesmaldie – 5
Pert – 11
Gallery – 2
Total salmon for the week: 26
Running total for the season: 86
Total sea trout for the week: 0
Running total for the season: 3
South Esk
Inshewan – 6 salmon
Finavon Castle Water – 1 sea trout
Total salmon for the week: 6
Running total for the season: 12
Total sea trout for the week: 1
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)
Fisherman at Gallery Beat © Neil Anderson (main photo)
8 lb salmon caught on Edzell beat © Louis Kirkwood
8 lb salmon caught on Edzell beat © Garry MacLennan
The Black and Yellow Samurai fly © Garry Maclennan
Salmon caught on Stracathro beat
Salmon caught on Inglismaldie beat © E Beattie
10 lb salmon from the Cobbleheugh Pool on Gallery beat © I Mitchell
Salmon caught on Inshewan Beat © Wayne Saunt
The Redbraes Pool © Ross Watson
Many thanks to the proprietors, ghillies and guests for sharing their photos and catch details.
