A cold..
…Easterly wind made fishing last week a little bit of a challenge, not just for the fish as apparently or so I was told as a boy the salmon do not like the wind up their backside. I think someone was pulling leg? For the angler it was a hard graft as well. It was great to see a few spring salmon caught up at Edzell last week one by Garry Maclennan and the other a 15lber by Findlay Shand, both fell to the irresistible Willie Gunn. Tim Clarke had a red letter when he visited Canterland on the North Esk with two spring salmon one at 15lbs the other at 17lbs, can you guess the fly? A gold bodied Willie Gunn. This fly seems to be working wonders on the North Esk now a tried and tested fly. Again, Stracathro regular Bill Cook had a 7lb springer on the last fishing day of the week, no doubt on a Willie Gunn of some description. As I alluded to last week the size of the spring salmon seems to be on the bigger side, not just on our rivers but throughout Scotland. The arrival of the big spring salmon historically meant the end of the spring run with the smaller fish coming in first. Could the15lb – 20lb spring fish be the smaller fish and bigger ones turning up later, let’s hope so? Either way I think we are having a good spring run on the Esks with many more fish to follow. A word about the South Esk, the spring run on the South Esk usually starts about the end of March beginning of April, so any time soon. As I am sure some of you are aware there is a partial blockage on the weir at Kinnaird on the South Esk. South Esk Estates have this in hand and it will be cleared shortly. Fish are still able to pass the weir so their passage upriver is not impeded. I have visited the site and there is plenty of room for fish to pass. I will keep you all updated.
The Week Ahead.
With rain forecast form the middle of the week for the foreseeable future this will most certainly spice things up a little. Fish a heavier sinking tip to overcome the increase in flow, if the river gets big and dirty fish the margins with a big fly that the fish are able see. If you have come along way plus you are only on for the day, it is definitely worth to try the above. Flies for the week ahead. Well, the Willie Gunn is a must to have in your box, Dee Monkey, Allys Shrimp, Pert Shrimp, Black and Yellow tubes. If the water drops enough pop on a mid-weight sink tip and try a smaller fly, size 12 for example. Give it a go I think you will be surprised.
Tight Lines.
North Esk
Canterland. 2 salmon 15lbs, 17lbs
Pert. 3 salmon up to 16lbs
Stracathro.1 Salmon 7lbs
Edzell. 2 salmon 7lbs,15lbs
South Esk
Nothing to report, as of yet.
Total: Salmon 8
Grand Total 8
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)
Close up of a springer.
Garry MacLennan with a lovely springer from Edzell.
Findlay Shand with his 15lbs springer from Edzell.
Photos 4 & 5 Tim Clarke with two cracking springers from Canterland.
Findlay Shand returns a spring salmon at Edzell.
Garry MacLennan does the same at Edzell.
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!!
