A very..

.. quite week on the rivers last, it does happen at this time of year. We cannot complain we have had a very good spring thus far, plenty of water weather has been good a little on the cool side still and hardly any saprolegnia. The lack of saprolegnia is most likely due to the water levels that we have been have enabling the salmon to spread out throughout both the North and South Esk. The salmon have been seen again pushing through the beats on both rivers, does this mean we are going to have a long hot summer? Spring fish have always pushed hard on up the rivers, so better not listen to to many old wives tales! The anglers are saying that the salmon are coming short to the fly, i.e. they are just nipping not hitting with aggression. One fish that always makes an appearance at this time of year are the big brown trout. They are feeding on the smolts as they head down river and are often caught on a salmon fly. Thankfully these days these beautiful fish are returned to the river and not seen as vermin as they once were. One such fish on a North Esk beat has been caught at least 3 or 4 times and it is getting bigger as the years progress. The trout can be identified by the distinctive spots on the gill plates. Speaking of trout, the sea trout are slowly starting to come in and on the South Esk can be seen in small numbers in the pools. Not long and we will be in the middle of the sea trout season, which hopefully means warmer evenings as well? I am sorry that there is not more to report, I can assure you that it is not through lack of effort by anglers and gillies. One minute the salmon are in your pools and the next they vanish to hide out the months until the autumn.

The Week Ahead.

The Start of this week both rivers look to be a perfect height, with a far bit of peat stain more akin to a summer spate. The weather for the coming week looks to be dry and warm and not overly sunny, so perfect conditions for fishing. So, with that in mind the water temperatures should be on the up which means fishing nearer the top of the water. So fast sink tips and heavy flies can take a back seat. As I mentioned above the salmon seem to be coming to the fly short, drop down a fly size or even two and not overdressed either. Never be afraid to try a fly that is on the smaller side, you may well catch more fish?

Note: This is the time of year that we will  see the fungus Saprolegnia make an appearance on the spring salmon. So please try to keep the handling of the salmon down to the absolute minimum.

Tight Lines.

North Esk

Canterland. 2 salmon up to 10lbs

Pert. 7 salmon up to 20lbs, 1 sea trout 2.5lbs.

Edzell. 2 salmon up to 9lbs.

South Esk

No Returns

 Total 11 salmon, 1 sea trout

Grand Total   12

If anyone has caught a salmon or Sea Trout within the North or South Esk and would like to share please get in touch.                                                 

Photographs (top to bottom)

Morphie, North Esk.

Photographs 2,3. JoJo Donaldson playing and his salmon from Edzell, caught on a Monkey.

Bryan at Canterland with a typical North Esk Springer.

A big Brownie from Gallery.

Lastly I should say thank you to the gillies and guests who send the photographs to me, with out them the report would not be complete and certainly not as colourful!!