Well…

…the rain arrived on Wednesday and lifted both rivers to about 8 inches, not a lot but enough to awaken the fish to make them take a fly or two. Hopefully the rain will have also managed to take a few more fish up to the spawning areas on both the rivers. Gallery on the North Esk was the top beat last week with 20 salmon, 5 of which were 20lbs and over, 3 at 20lbs, 1 to 22lbs and finally a 25lbs salmon all caught by the Wickes and Sandiground party. A few more big fish, Kinnaber 1 at 24lbs and Canterland and one at 18lbs. These are the ones that are being caught, I am sure there will be a few more big fish in both rivers. News from the beats above the Loups on the North Esk is that the river has been very low, so therefore has been on the quiet side. The rain which appeared on Wednesday shifted a lot of weed much to everyone’s relief and fish have started to be caught in good numbers.  The South Esk again sadly had a quiet week with only 5 salmon caught that I know of? One must remember that the South Esk has a lot of private and syndicate water, and they wish to keep the catches to themselves which is completely understandable. So, with that in mind I am sure the South Esk will have caught its fair share last week. Also, which I was reminded of a while ago is that the South Esk is primarily a sea trout river with a run of salmon, so before we all start jumping to conclusions about the lack of salmon keep that in the back of your mind.

The Week Ahead.

At the time of writing the rain is thundering down and long may it continue, gently and steadily would be a good idea! Cast your minds back to this time last year and both rivers were in a serious flood with storm Babet doing her worst, consequently most beats on both rivers closed for the rest of the season. With hopefully a sensible rise in the river levels the fish will be able to head upriver. Now that we have had water a slow sink tip is at that will be needed, with a good red fly on the end. Red Allys Shrimp with a copper body, Red Francis, Curry’s Red Shrimp to name but a few will all be worth a swim. The key is the red, it drives the salmon potty at this time of year! Be very careful when handling fish at this time of year and use strong tackle to play the fish hard and return as soon as possible.

Tight Lines.

North Esk

Kinnaber. 8 salmon to 24lbs.

Morphie. 5 salmon to 10lbs.

Canterland. 11 salmon to 18lbs.

Gallery. 20 salmon to 25lbs, 2 sea trout to 2lbs.

Stracathro. 7 salmon to 8lbs, 2 sea trout to 3lbs.

Total:  51salmon, 4 sea trout.

South Esk

Kinnaird Middle. 1 sea trout 2lbs.

Finavon Castle Water. 3 salmon to 9lbs, 1 sea trout 2lbs.

Inshewan. 2 salmon to 9lbs.

Total. 5 salmon, 1 sea trout.

 Total 56 Salmon, 5 sea trout

GRAND TOTAL 61 . 

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)

Aurora Borealis.

Photographs 2,3,4. The Wickes and Sandiground party with some of their big salmon.

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!!