Where the swallows go, summer follows…
As forecast the second half of last week was very unsettled with plenty of sunny spells, rain showers and that menacing wind that I’m sure we’ll all be glad to see the back of! Despite the uninviting weather, I was delighted to see the first swallows and martins successfully returned from Africa at the end of last week. I have no doubt that ever since they touched down, they have been questioning their life choices – particularly with Monday morning’s frosty start.
River North Esk
Stracathro beat was the place to be if you wanted to catch a salmon this week! A total of five springers were caught there, the largest weighing in at 12 lbs. The sixth and final salmon for the North Esk was a 9 lb springer caught in the Upper Weir Pool on Pert.
In addition to six salmon, the North Esk also saw two sea trout caught. Both were caught on Saturday, one in the Bridges Pool, on Pert beat and the other at Edzell beat.
River South Esk
Things were quiet on the South Esk too with just a single sea trout at Finavon Castle Water.
Kirriemuir Angling Club held their annual casting instruction event on the South Esk on Sunday. Ally Gowans provided instruction on the basic overhead and roll casts as well as the speys, the snaps and the circles. Windy weather meant challenging conditions, but folks made the best of it before heading for lunch in Kirriemuir.
The week ahead (13 – 18 April 2026)
Another week of unsettled weather lies ahead; expect changeable weather for much of the week: sunny spells, rain showers, and at times, windy conditions. Tuesday looks likely to be the nicest day of the week with plenty of sun, no rain and not too windy – until mid to late afternoon! Daytime air temperatures are expected to reach highs of 10 – 14 °C (50 – 57 °F), with overnight lows of 1 – 8 °C (33 – 46 °F).
North Esk
Edzell – 1 sea trout
Stracathro – 5 salmon
Pert – 1 salmon, 1 sea trout
Total salmon for the week: 6
Running total for the season: 60
Total sea trout for the week: 2
Running total for the season: 3
South Esk
Finavon Castle Water – 1 sea trout
Total salmon for the week: 0
Running total for the season: 6
Total sea trout for the week: 1
Running total for the season: 2
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)
Swallow © Hans Veth
Kirriemuir Angling Club instruction session © Ross Watson
Lynn Martin Pool, Edzell, North Esk © Garry MacLennan
Crossmiln Pool, South Esk © Ross Watson
Many thanks to the proprietors, ghillies and guests for sharing their photos and catch details.
