Four Seasons in One Hour
Last week saw all weathers, often in quick succession – from the glorious warm, sunny day that was Tuesday, to the rain and wind that blew in and out repeatedly, eventually culminating in Storm Dave on Saturday night. Still, the clocks have gone forward, the days are longer, and it feels like we’ve collectively exhaled and begun to awaken. Chiffchaffs, with their distinctive song, are now in full voice, ospreys are arriving, and we are days away from sand martins returning to reclaim their nesting burrows on riverbanks. What better place to take it all in, than on the river!
Gallery was the place to be on the North Esk last week, with 5 catches reported of springers weighing between 7 and 12 lbs from Stobbs Pool, Gallery Pool and Cobbleheugh Pool. Edzell also manged an 8 lb springer from the Ash Tree Pool bringing the total reported catches for the North Esk to 6 for last week.
Three of the fish at Gallery were caught on a Willie Gunn Franc N Snaelda. This fly was the creation of Mr Sean Stanton, Ghillie on the Ballogie beat on the River Dee and is a cross between the Frances and the Snaelda. It has proved effective in early spring since its first use on the River Brora decades ago. Other flies that brought success this week were the Hex Conehead Red Francis and the Monkey Conehead tube fly.
Over on the South Esk things were quiet with just the one 8 lb springer, reported to be in great condition, caught in Haughs Pool, on Finavon Castle Water.
The week ahead (6th – 11th April 2026)
With Storm Dave now passed, high pressure begins to build from the south with the first half of the coming week is forecast to be dry and settled. Although Tuesday will be the sunniest day of the week, the warmest day will be Wednesday when we could see highs of 17 degrees. On Thursday low pressure moves down from the north-west, bringing showers and lower temperatures. Friday will be cloudy but dry and on Saturday, although we’ll see more showers moving through, we’ll also see temperatures increase again. Daytime air temperatures are expected to reach highs of 9 – 17 °C (48 – 60 °F), with overnight lows of 2 – 8 °C (35 – 46 °F).
Saprolegnia
This is typically the time of year when we start to see Saprolegnia on spring salmon. Saprolegnia is a naturally occurring fungus which initially presents as circular or crescent shaped lesions on the skin and gills. When fish are handled the mucous layer on the fish is damaged, providing opportunity for infection, therefore where possible fish should be unhooked without handling. Best practice catch and release advice can be found here: https://fms.scot/catch-and-release/
North Esk
Gallery – 5
Edzell – 1
Total salmon for the week: 6
Running total for the season: 54
Total sea trout for the week: 0
Running total for the season: 1
South Esk
Finavon – 1
Total salmon for the week: 1
Running total for the season: 6
Total sea trout for the week: 0
Running total for the season: 1
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)
Springer; Cobbleheugh Pool, Gallery © Stuart McKenzie
10 lb springer; Stobbs Pool, Gallery © Nick Howell
Hatton Pool, Gallery Beat © Neil Anderson
12 lb springer; Gallery Pool © Jason Walls
7 lb springer; Stobbs Pool, Gallery © Jason Walls
Looking downstream from the Chapelton pool, Edzell Beat
Many thanks to the proprietors, ghillies and guests for sharing their photos and catch details.
