River Tweed River Report Week Ending 25th August
With the good catches at the end of the
previous week hopes were quite high that the fish would continue to run into
this week. A weather front moved across the area on Sunday which brought a
dirty wee rise mostly out of the Teviot peaking at 1ft 7 on the Sprouston
gauge, some additional water came down from the upper river. This water did
seem to affect the fishing at the start of the week with the deck been shuffled
and fish moving on while they had the chance. Overall it would appear that the
fish in the bottom beats did not move far, while the fish below Kelso appeared
to have moved on based on some reports of very quiet fishing when there was a
few fish in the same pools the previous week.
The catch this week was pretty similar to last
weeks, with only 5 salmon the difference, it it wasn’t for the rise at the
start of the week this may have been much higher and as normally comes with
unsettled water quite a few lost fish and pulls not sticking were noticeably a
lot more over Monday to Wednesday.
Middle Pavilion had 5 for the week, with 4 of
these coming on Thursday. A Russian angler visiting Scotland for the first time
landed a nice fish from the Whirls, while on Thursday Mr Gareth Bailey, less
than 1hr into his first ever days salmon fishing landed his 1st
fish. Well done Sir, hopefully the first of many.
Dryburgh Upper landed 5 Salmon and 2 Sea Trout
for the week with Mr Ginger Cuthbert landing a fish from the Boat Pool and an
old sea trout from the Battery Wall. Mr Frazer Thomson landed a grilse from the
Hotel Pool.
Mr Douglas Aitken fishing on Norham Castle
Syndicate water, had a quick evening cast on Saturday night and hooked 6,
landing 3 to 15lbs.
Fishing on the Lees, Mr Alex Faber landed 2 on
the fly including a stunning 16lb sea liced fish.
After any fishing trip on the Tweed it’s always
worth a trip to Kelso to enjoy a superb meal with great atmosphere in the
fabulous Contented Vine restaurant. I would highly recommend it as a must visit
during your trip. Call 01573 224777 to reserve your table
69 were reported caught above Kelso, 52 fish
were reported between Kelso and Coldstream and 91 reported below Coldstream.
On the River Till, no fish were reported
235 Salmon and 44 Sea Trout, with the best fish for the week was 23lb Salmon
caught on the Tweedswood Beat.
Hendersyde Head Boatman Ketch reports “The rods
this week had a little bit of reward for their efforts with 4 grilse and a
couple of sea trout landed plus as many fish lost. The water held its colour
for a day or so after the wee lift at the start of the week but was nice to
catch these smaller grilse on lighter tackle”
On
Upper North Wark, We were greeted with 10” of water on the gauge on Monday
morning and a wee bit brown but well worth a cast. Saw a few fish in the Snipe
and Dub pools but alas only 1 tug on the fly for the day. The water level
dropped back to 3” by Tuesday morning then fell away from there. Nice to see
the odd fish about but really needing a proper lift asap.
Lees Head Boatman Mr Malcolm Campbell reports “A better week on the Lees with the odd fresh fish about. The best been a liced 16lber. The water temperature dropping has helped a lot”
Milne Graden Head Boatman Mr Kevin Wright reports “The fish
are not stopping with us, the ones we are catching are more coloured than fresh”
Ladykirk Head Ghillie Mr Matthi Viethen reports “Not a bad
week for us considering the unsettled conditions at the beginning of the week
which resulted in endless plucks and pulls and a fair amount of fish lost.
Still finished with 19, of which 10 were caught on Friday alone. Of the 19
fish, 13 were fit looking Grilse up to 6lb, and the 6 salmon were 8lb, 10lb,
11lb, and 2 at 12lb and best for the week at 14lb. All fresh apart from 2
Grilse and 2 Salmon”
Norham Castle Syndicate Ghillie Mr Barry Clapham reports “1
Salmon on Friday for Mr Neil Truelove, 1 Salmon for Mr Mike Heaps on Saturday
and 3 Salmon for Mr Douglas Aitken who must be top rod on the river. Beat
lightly fished. Tight lines”
Horncliffe Head Ghillie Mr Tony Averill reports “Not a bad
start to the week with 4 fish on Monday, kept on picking up the odd fish most
days ended up with 8 fish landed and 7 lost...one of the lost fish was 20lb+
pulled out at the net. Some availability this week I'm looking for 10 fish this
week to give Horncliffe 50 for the month so come on guys book some days and
help me reach this goal”
Dave Cowan secretary of Berwick and District Angling
Association beat on the Whiteadder reports “Nothing to report from the
Whiteadder this week. River very much in need of rain to bring the fish up from
the estuary.”
The week ended with the level at Sprouston 4” and the water temperature
is 58.
Looking at the availability for this coming week I would recommend the
Upper North Wark (If the rise today comes to something) Tillmouth, Ladykirk,
and Horncliffe beats should have a chance of some action this week. With the
water been up last week and a potential rise today there should be a push of
fish up into the middle river with the Dryburgh Beats and Rutherford worth a
cast.
The
forecast this coming week, Tuesday will be mainly dry with
sunny spells but some cloud too. A moderate south-westerly wind. Overnight,
cloud will thicken to bring some spells of rain. Early cloud and rain will soon
clear on Wednesday to leave a largely fine day with spells of sunshine. Feeling
cooler. Dry and cool on Thursday but cloudy initially, although some sunny
spells are expected later.
As always I would like to thank all those who provide me with the
information to make this report, it is very much appreciated. If you have any
information or photo’s you would like included please get in touch with Martin
on 07825334427 or info@taysalmonfly.co.uk
With water levels still on the low side despite the small rises of the
past few weeks the water temperature has finally started to cool down and back
to about normal for the time of year. Floating lines with poly leaders on the
end should cover most fishing conditions at the moment. Dressed flies around a
size 10 to 12 should be the order of the day, this could all change if the rain
forecast gives us a rise. I would
suggest are Copper Cascade, Stenton Shrimp, Gledswood Shrimp, Kylie Shrimp,
Frances and Sunray Shadow should bring success. If you like to give the spinner
a go, Rapala or Toby should bring results.
As always come prepared and always listen to the advice of your boatman
or ghillie. If you’re needing to top up your fly box ahead of your trip please
check out www.taysalmonfly.co.uk
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Season So Far catches
Total catch last week: Salmon 223
Sea Trout 44
Total caught so far this season: 1920 Salmon and 398 Sea Trout
As reported on Fishtweed:-
(Biggest Salmon 23lb Tweedswood)
(Biggest Sea Trout 12lb Tillmouth & Birgham Dub)
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