Here Comes the Sun
Last week delivered our first taste of settled and sunny weather this year, with temperatures gradually increasing before they peaked on Friday. There was little in the way of rainfall, meaning that river levels were stable this week.
I’m pleased to report that right on cue, I heard my first cuckoo last Wednesday at the top of the South Esk (and then didn’t stop hearing him for the rest of the day)! I also spotted my first osprey of the year that same day, near the bottom of the River South Esk. Martins and swallows continue to return to their breeding grounds; with only the swifts left to make their arrival which is typically the first half of May.
River North Esk
Two 12 lb springers were caught at Stracathro last week: the first in Lower Junction Pool on a Cohns Sunray, the second in the Upper Dam Pool on a Green Highlander. On Pert beat nine salmon were recorded this week ranging between 6 and 15 lbs from across the beat, on flies including the pert shrimp, the Willie Gunn, the silver stoat and the ever-reliable monkey. In addition, a sea trout was caught in Dovecote Pool on Wednesday weighing 2 lb. A springer was caught on Canterland beat, taking the total reported salmon catches for the North Esk to 12 for last week.
River South Esk
A welcome run of fish continued to move up the River South Esk and through the Inshewan Beat, where three springers between and 8 and 12 lbs were caught. One 12 lb sea‑liced fish was caught from the Lushet Pool on a Kinermony 5 mm Lesonen tube fly, the other two salmon were caught in the Bothy Pool.
The week ahead (27th April – 2 May 2026)
Although the high pressure that moved in last week is still with us, it won’t seem like it on Monday when showers will roll in throughout the day. Tuesday will be cloudy with sunny spells before a couple of sunny days on Wednesday and Thursday. The end of the fishing week will see the return of rain showers. Daytime air temperatures are expected to reach highs of 13 -16 °C (55 – 60 °F), with overnight lows of 3 – 7 °C (37 -44 °F).
North Esk
Stracathro – 2
Pert – 9
Canterland – 1
Total salmon for the week: 12
Running total for the season: 99
Total sea trout for the week: 1
Running total for the season: 4
South Esk
Inshewan – 3
Total salmon for the week: 3
Running total for the season: 15
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)
12 lb salmon – Bothy Pool, Inshewan Beat © Martin Timmins
8 lb salmon – Bothy Pool, Inshewan Beat © Martin Timmins
12 lb salmon Lushet Pool, Inshewan Beat © John Mitchell
Gallery Beat © Neil Anderson
Many thanks to the proprietors, ghillies and guests for sharing their photos and catch details.
