Sunshine
…ruled the roost last week so did low water; this does not make for very good fishing conditions although it does though make it lovely to be outside by the river. The fishing week was cut short by one day on the North Esk by a pollution incident on Friday, when farm pollution entered the Black Burn which in turn entered the North Esk near the Luther Burn. SEPA are investigating the incident, however they have assured the Fishery Board that it was not toxic, that the pollution was contained by Saturday, and that fishing can resume. As you can imagine not that many fish were caught last week, not of lack trying I can assure you! Pert had six fish in total the largest an 8lbs Salmon from the Boat Pool. The South Esk was very quiet again with only two Sea Trout caught, one at Kinnaird Upper and the other at Finavon Castle Water. I was lucky enough to be asked to fish at Inshewan; with very low water and bright sunshine it was lucky they have lots of shade. The few fish that did come to the fly were coming short, apparently this has been happening quite a lot, although why this happens I am not sure? On a very postive note sea trout and grilse have been seen coming into the North Esk at the beginning of this week. What we all need now is some rain to give both rivers a good clean and freshen up.
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
With low water on the cards so are long leaders and small flies with the odd nymph thrown in. The nymph comes into its own in those hard to reach pools, what I mean by that is ones that are deep and narrow. Try some tungsten nymphs on jig hooks these help you from getting stuck on the bottom. Keep the pattern simple, one on the dropper and the heavier on the point. Small black or darker cloued flies work well in clear water, so if you have a favourite use that. We will do a lot more nymphs later on in the year. There might be a small possibility of rain at the start of next week, we will all have to keep our fingers crossed, and remember to bring your trout rods to the river, if the salmon and sea trout are slow at least you can have a cast.
Tight Lines.
North Esk.
Pert. 4 Salmon largest 8lbs, 2 Sea Trout 2.5lbs
Total. 4 Salmon, 2 Sea Trout
South Esk
Kinnaird Upper. 1 Sea Trout 3lbs
Finavon Castle Water. 1 Sea Trout 2lbs
Total. 2 Sea Trout
Grand Total. Salmon 4 Sea Trout 4
Photographs (top to bottom)
White Water going into the South Esk.
Sheilhill Brigde, South Esk.
South Esk, Inshewan.
Looking Down into Castle Hill Inshewan, South Esk.
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!!
