It has…

… been and interesting couple of weeks. There was a fair bit of rain the South Esk came up a fraction to about 6 inches, the North Esk hardly came up at all. One would think that this would have brought in a few more grilse and summer salmon into the South Esk, from what I hear this was not the case. Finavon Castle Water and Inshewan since the beginning of June have had one grilse between them and that was caught at Inshewan last week! They should both be up in the double figures by now for summer salmon and grilse, is it just a cycle or should we be a little worried or possibly the South Esk is not has heavily fished as the North Esk, and it is not over fished! John Mitchell did lose a good salmon at Inshewan after a 10 minute battle the hook came loose! Fishing reports are not always full of good news. The sea trout are most definitely in the South Esk and in good numbers though they are slowing down now and starting to change into their river livery. The North has had a couple of good weeks and some good sizable fish being caught, the biggest coming from Balmakewan at 17lb caught while Mike Young was giving some youngsters a casting lesson, that’s one way to get them hooked! Still at Balmakewan, Brazilian guest Marcelo had his very first salmon, lets hope it is one of many. The bottom of the North Esk has had a good couple of weeks with Kinnaber catching 16 the largest at 11lbs, and Morphie catching 11 to 14lbs. By all accounts there are plenty of fish in the lower river, and more sneaking in on the tides. Moving up to the top beats on the North Esk, above the Loups a few salmon and sea trout have been caught on the estate beats. I have sure this will increase over the coming weeks with guests going for a cast in the evening after a day at the grouse.  The rivers could do with a little water, mainly to clear away all the green weed that is building up on the rocks and to get the fish up to the upper beats, as far as the South Esk is concerned hopefully to bring in a few more salmon and grilse. Let’s hope that the South Esk picks up a few salmon in the coming weeks.

The Week Ahead.

Small flies rule the roost now, in particular little black ones, Hauger’s Stoats Tails and anything else that is black, on long leaders floating lines or maybe a hover/intermediate tip. Sunrays and hitches across the glides and tails of glassie pools can produce devastating visual results. This is also the time of year to try a nymph for a salmon or a sea trout. The nymph about a size 12 to 14 on a strong barbless hook and a tungsten bead to get to the bottom of the river quicky. Basically, you are euro nymphing for salmon. Here is an article on Fish Pal with Canterland gillie Stuart Paton about nymphing for salmon. https://blog.fishpal.com/2023/08/15/nymphing-for-salmon-2/

If days are warm and the sun is going to be about first thing, beat it and get on the river at first light. Then again in the evening, as the days are shortening this should not be to much of a problem as would have been in June.

Tight Lines.

North Esk

Kinnaber. 16 grilse/salmon to 11lbs.

Morphie. 11 grilse/salmon to 14lbs.

Canterland. 14 grilse/salmon to 7lbs.

Gallery. 5 grilse/salmon to 13lbs, 1 seatrout 2lbs.

Balmakewan. 13 grilse/salmon 17lbs.

Pert. 15 grilse/salmon to 15lbs, 7 sea trout to 3lbs.

Stracathro. 6 grilse/salmon to 12lbs, 7 sea trout to 3lbs.

Edzell. 1 grilse 4lbs.

Total: 81 grilse/salmon, 8 sea trout

South Esk

Kinnaird Middle. 1 sea trout to 3lbs.

Inshewan. 1 grilse 4lbs, 8 sea trout 4lbs.

Total: 1 grilse, 9 sea trout.

 Total  Salmon/Grilse 82, Sea Trout 9

GRAND TOTAL 99. 

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)

White Water confluence with the South Esk.

Brazilian guest Marcelo at Balmakewan with his very first salmon.

Rob Campbell at Balmakewan.

Mike Young at Balmakewan with a 17lber.

John Mitchell onto a salmon at Inshewan, which was unfortunately lost.

A sea trout from Inshewan starting to colour up.

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!!