A good week.
.at last with good numbers of sea trout being caught, again I am sure that more have been caught on the private, club waters and the syndicate beats on both rivers. The week started well with slight lift in river levels on both the North and South Esk though it was enough for the sea trout and the odd grilse to start moving. Even though the sun was not as bright last week anglers still headed out in the mornings and evenings and this proved to be an astute move. Pert N.E had a good week with a good number of sea trout caught with the largest at 6lbs which is a very good sea trout indeed. At Gallery N.E had 5 sea trout again all caught in the late evening, Balmakewan N.E opposite had 7 sea trout yet again all evening fish. Strangely only one grilse came off the North Esk last week, I should think they will need a little more water in the river to get them running in earnest. On the South Esk the beats that have put in their returns have been picking away, the sea trout that were caught all seemed to be of similar size. Also, I have been informed that for everyone landed a number have been lost. Again only 1 grilse was caught on the South Esk and that was at Inshewan on a fly made from material off Aldi pencil case! One observation that has been made on both rivers is the number of sea trout that have returned this year, the size also seems to be slightly larger. I can confirm both statements above as I have seen the large shoals in the South and North Esk, all of this is very good news when all we hear at that moment is doom and gloom. One fish that has yet to be caught on the Esk’s is a pink salmon a few have been spotted and that is about it
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
We seem to be back into a normal Scottish summer, rain, and sun with plenty of fly life about all this adds to prefect fishing conditions. As I have already mentioned there is an abundance of sea trout in both rivers though they are proving very hard to catch! There are a few grilse about, and I am sure they will appear shortly. Keep with the floating lines and maybe a short sink tip if the conditions allow. As ever with this time of year small flies and long leaders rule the roost, you will get an idea of the short of flies and size (12-14) in the photograph opposite small black ones seem to be just the ticket. Stock up on sunrays and collie dogs these two are must haves for summer fishing. If you are lucky enough to come across one of the large shoals of sea trout, put the rod down and just observe, then go to the river not before at least 10.30pm.
Tight Lines.
North Esk.
Kinnaber. 2 salmon to 9lbs, 1 sea trout 3lbs.
Canterland. 2 sea trout to 3lbs.
Balmakewan. 7 sea trout to 4lbs.
Gallery. 5 sea trout to 3lbs.
Pert. 2 salmon to 10lbs, 2 grilse to 5lbs, 19 sea trout to 6lbs.
Stracathro. 2 sea trout to 2lbs
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South Esk.
Kinnaird Upper. 1 sea trout 3lbs.
Kinnarid Middle. 1 sea trout 3lbs.
Kinnnaird Lower. 2 sea trout to 4lbs.
Finavon Castle Water. 1 grilse 6lbs, 9 sea trout to 3lbs.
Inshewan. 1 grilse 4lbs, 5 sea trout largest 3lbs.
Grand Total: Salmon 5, Grilse 4, Sea Trout 54
Photographs (top to bottom)
Sea trout from the North Esk.
A shoal of an estimated 150 sea trout on the South Esk.
Sea trout flies tied by John Mitchell.
Keep an eye open for pink salmon.
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!!
