River Tweed River Report Week Ending 6th October
A settled week water level wise with no real
rise of any note, strong south westerly winds stayed with us for most of the
week making casting a bit of a pain in certain areas when casting into it was
required. Lots of doom and gloom still hovering around the area but until we
get a decent flood or 2 who’s to say that the fish aren’t there to come?? All
we can do it just wait and see. Currently there is a very high percentage of
coloured fish been caught with odd reports of fresher fish been caught.
The numbers of Comorants and Goosanders been
seen the last week or 2 and ridiculous and are a severe issue for all the
smaller fish in the river system, the trout and grayling population has been decimated
in the lower river with regular sightings of 80-120 birds in 1 pool becoming
very common. Will anything be done about it?
Fishing at Dryburgh Upper at the start of the
week, Mr James Cross and Reuben had success in tough low water conditions, Mr
David Carney also had success fishing the Boat Pool. Fishing on the Junction
the Mattioli party managed to charm out some fish with Laura Mattioli having
some success in the Old Bridge. Fishing at the Lees, Neil Andrews and Dom
Sidolli were amongst the successful anglers who managed to land 43 for the
week. More info in Malcolm’s report down the page a bit. Received from
fishpal from last week “3 days fishing 7 fish caught, lost another 7 and 3 at
24lb 27lb and 30lbs Birgham Dub, River Tweed -Well done Brian Anderson.
94 Salmon were reported caught above Kelso, Boleside
with 14, Rutherford 12 had the best of the fishing. 94 Salmon were reported
between Kelso and Coldstream the best of the fishing was at the Lees with 43,
Hendersyde 13 and Sprouston 12. Below Coldstream 94 were reported, Ladykirk and Tillmouth
continue to be the best performing beats with 20 and 33 this week, Milne Graden
sandwiched between these 2 beats managed 13.
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
On the River Till, no fish were reported
311 Salmon and 20 Sea Trout, with the best fish for the week was 22lb Salmon
caught on the Pedwell Beat.
Tweedswood
Head Ghillie Mr Kevin Patterson “10th Oct well I’ve come
to this computer at least half a dozen times in last three months sometimes in
good mood other times if I really write what I think might lose my job and
others with a very heavy feeling of are we letting our salmon the king of fish
slip away without a fight and to be honest that's how I feel at the moment. But then we have an obligation to the anglers that
have paid to come to the Tweed and fish for salmon and are not quite as
informed as they might be and not a really any the wiser unless you are a fully
experienced person that has shared the same journey as a lot and has seen this
glories river slip away quietly. That’s where I am coming from there is a
problem and we need to look into it all its huge and there's 100s of theories
and who’s not doing this and why haven't they tried this and what is ENOUGH the
river is still flowing there are salmon in it and there's still people happy to
come fishing lets work with what we have left at the moment but we must make
the anglers time as magic an experience as possible and hope they catch a
salmon because that's why there here because it’s to selfish to just lock them
into all the politics and theories and lose them as well as they are the life
line for the coming seasons ahead . This coming month Oct on Tweedside is the
pinnacle of the season and let’s try and give it all we can to hopefully see a
turning point and carry on with anglers old and new catching and celebrating
this true King Of fish. We have caught a few this week and have also had some
lost last week was also good but with 59 salmon in the book and counting there
has been worse seasons I am totally looking forward to October and meeting old
and new anglers and at Tweedswood we are in full steam ahead to get that
hundred salmon again well that wasn't as bad as i thought writing this but hope
one day i will see my river full of silver salmon again cheers Kevin ... As a
wee thank you check out www.ffcentre.com use discount code tweedswood10 and get
a few Loop items be it lines rods or clothing but have a look and please use
the Code on me for next few weeks its valued .
Middle Pavilion Head Ghillie Mr Mick Charlton reports “Hi All, Well the mornings are getting colder the leaves are
turning so it must be autumn! As for the famous Tweed Autumn run the jury is
still out on that one!
As for us we had a reasonable September. First salmon of the month were both landed by Mr Rae Borrass one from the Elm Weil and one from the Spit. Next it was Mr Tim Briggs at it again this time one from the Boat Shiel on A Boyo.
The 19th and a howling gale! Still the boys kept fishing (even though I told them they had a screw lose!) And their hard work paid off 2 fish were landed both on Ally shrimps one for Mr Nick Bateman in the Boat Shiel and one for Mr Chris Whittington in the Beech Tree. The following day with the water up and dirty a sea trout for Mr Christophe Cuenot from France, Caught in Megs. Christophe continued his catching streak the following day with one from the Bridge pool, then another from the Elm Weil on a Cascade. The Next fish caught was another sea trout this time for Mr Olivier De victor from the Whirls, the same day a salmon for Mr Houston Mcculloch, from the Beech Tree, And one for Mr John Russell from the Boat Sheil both on the Ally Shrimp. Next to land a fish was Mrs Inge Meyer from Germany Landing a fish from the Spit, on her first visit to the beat.
The last two fish of the month went to that man Tim Briggs this time one from the Whirls and one from the Beech Tree both caught on a Tay Wolf.
Top Rod Trophy I can't see anyone getting close to Mr Tim "Fish Charmer" Briggs!!! With 7 salmon and a couple of sea trout he's a country mile in front of the chasing pack!
Finally we have now reduced the price of the remaining October fishing. If anyone is interested give me a call. Cheers Mick”
As for us we had a reasonable September. First salmon of the month were both landed by Mr Rae Borrass one from the Elm Weil and one from the Spit. Next it was Mr Tim Briggs at it again this time one from the Boat Shiel on A Boyo.
The 19th and a howling gale! Still the boys kept fishing (even though I told them they had a screw lose!) And their hard work paid off 2 fish were landed both on Ally shrimps one for Mr Nick Bateman in the Boat Shiel and one for Mr Chris Whittington in the Beech Tree. The following day with the water up and dirty a sea trout for Mr Christophe Cuenot from France, Caught in Megs. Christophe continued his catching streak the following day with one from the Bridge pool, then another from the Elm Weil on a Cascade. The Next fish caught was another sea trout this time for Mr Olivier De victor from the Whirls, the same day a salmon for Mr Houston Mcculloch, from the Beech Tree, And one for Mr John Russell from the Boat Sheil both on the Ally Shrimp. Next to land a fish was Mrs Inge Meyer from Germany Landing a fish from the Spit, on her first visit to the beat.
The last two fish of the month went to that man Tim Briggs this time one from the Whirls and one from the Beech Tree both caught on a Tay Wolf.
Top Rod Trophy I can't see anyone getting close to Mr Tim "Fish Charmer" Briggs!!! With 7 salmon and a couple of sea trout he's a country mile in front of the chasing pack!
Finally we have now reduced the price of the remaining October fishing. If anyone is interested give me a call. Cheers Mick”
Bemersyde Head Ghillie Mr Ian Farr reports “7 fish this week
all coloured low water not helping need a flood”
Hendersyde Head Boatman Ketch reports “A steady week for a
welcome change. Fished every day without the river rising or colouring up. The
rods had action every day although Thursday and Friday the offers didn't
convert to fish but I suppose you can't expect to land them all. We ended up
with 13 for the week. Mostly salmon again. Not so many small grilse”
On Upper North Wark, Quiet week on the beat with no let
rods on so we took the opportunity to improve some of the access to the fishing
hut. We have dropped our November fishing to £45prpd to enquire give Martin a
call on 07825334427
Lees Head Boatman Mr Malcolm Campbell reports “A good week on the Lees considering the river conditions. 43 landed and a few lost. A couple of fresh ones in the bag and a couple of clean ones the rest coloured. We caught fish on everything from a #10 double on a fast sink tip of 5'-8', a black frances accounted for a good few of them and a large collie dug on a full floater took a few, we also had fish on a #10 fished on a full floater. I wouldn't say there was a run of fish of any kind but there are a few moving up just very few clean/fresh ones. Using the floating line with a Collie/Sunray and getting a take or a few boils gives you such a buzz that it makes up for the lack of numbers, just ask Neil Andrews or Nigel Woodruff. For a full report go to Tweedbeats Lees page and see Malcolm's fishing report”
Ladykirk
Head Ghillie Mr Matthi Viethen reports “Another good week for us with a total
combined catch of 20, with quite a few lost and plenty plucks and pulls.
Ladykirk had 2 Grilse (5 and 6lb) and 7 Salmon (8, 11, 11, 13, 15, 15 and 18lb)
and Lower Ladykirk finished with 2 Grilse (4 and 5lb) and 9 Salmon (9, 10, 10,
10, 12, 12, 15, 15 and 17lb), almost all returned. Even though most fish were a
bit coloured (and some very coloured), there still is a chance of a fresh one”
Dave Cowan secretary of Berwick and District Angling
Association beat on the Whiteadder reports “Nothing to report from the
Whiteadder”
The week ended with the level at Sprouston 3” and the water temperature
is 50.
Looking at the availability for this coming week I would recommend the West
Learmouth, Ladykirk and Horncliffe beats should have a chance of some action
this week. If you fancy the middle river Rutherford and the Dryburgh beats will
be worth a cast.
The
forecast this coming week, On Monday it will be a breezy and
cloudy day with further spells of rain. The rain is expected to become
persistent and often heavy for a time during the day. A front over
Scotland Tuesday and into Wednesday will keep things mostly cloudy, windy, and
bring occasional patches of rain or drizzle. By Wednesday afternoon the front
will lift north, allowing for a bit a sunshine. Staying dry throughout Thursday
but with increasing clouds as a cold front moves in from the west.
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 back to near summer level, but it’s been raining here
today and meant to continue right through the night so may get a rise. The
temperature is hovering between 48-50. Floating lines with poly leaders on the
end should cover most fishing conditions at the moment, maybe pack an
intermediate line just in case it’s required. Dressed flies around a size 8 to
10 should be the order of the day, in the deeper pools it might be worth a try
with little 1/2” or 3/4” copper tubes. I would suggest are Copper Cascade,
Black Frances, Black and Yellow, Kylie Shrimp, Red Frances should bring
success. The river is now fly only until the end of the season on the 30th
November.
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 311
Sea Trout 20
Total caught so far this season: 3836 Salmon and 579 Sea Trout
As reported on Fishtweed:-
(Biggest Salmon 30lb Birgham Dub)
(Biggest Sea Trout 12lb Tillmouth, Birgham Dub & Boathouse and Canny)
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