River Tweed River Report Week Ending 25th February 2018 - Tay Salmon Fly

River Tweed River Report Week Ending 25th February

The season so far been largely unsettled with unsuitable water heights and clarity, but last week when we finally got a few days of reasonable conditions the catches did improve albeit modestly.

Above Kelso the Floors beats landed 3 for the week and Lower Mertoun reported 1, while below Kelso, the Junction had a better week with 6 springer’s landed. Mr Peter Hopper landed his 1^st Salmon along with Mr Allan Halfacre and Mr Bill Shields who also had success over the 2^nd half of the week when conditions settled after Monday’s rise. Other success that I heard about was Mr Alex Knox of the fabulous Contented Vine restaurant in Kelso and Mr James Armstrong landing nice fish on Thursday and Friday.

On Wednesday, Mr Mick Slinger landed a lovely 7lb Springer from Upper Hendersyde while on Upper North Wark Mr Colin Hewitt landed the beats 1^st springer of the season.

On Friday Mr John McGregor landed 2 cracking springer’s weighing 11lb and 14lb from the Willows Pool under the guidance of Head Boatman Mr Richard Farr.

Hendersyde Head Boatman Ketch reports “Well after a frustrating start with unsettled river we finally got off the mark on Thursday with a cracking 18lber followed on Friday with 2 more nice fish. Black and Yellow variants doing the business”

On Upper North Wark, we got off the mark with a lovely springer landed in the Snipe by Mr Colin Hewitt on an Eternal Optimist 1.25” copper tube fly, Colin also had a 3lb fresh Sea Trout on the same day. On Saturday Mr John Dewar spinning a toby landed a cracking fresh Sea Trout of 4lbs from the Dub. A few other Kelts were landed during the week. On Monday we greeted some of the Highet family and friends to the beat, none of which had experienced a day’s salmon fishing before. After the customary drams we set about the fishing and all picked it up really quickly and an enjoyable time was had, just a pity about the rising river. We hope to see you all again with better conditions and replenished dram supplies. I would like to pass on our congratulations to regular fisher Mr Jamie McCulloch and his lovely Fiancée Ellece on the birth of their 1^st child.

Lees Head Boatman Mr Malcolm Campbell reports “A slightly better week in that we caught a springer and that the levels are dropping in which will suit us. Of course the best result was the score at Murrayfield”

24 Salmon and 6 Sea Trout, with the best fish for the week was 18lb Salmon caught on the Hendersyde Beat.

The week ended with the level at Sprouston 1ft 6” and the water temperature is 37.

Looking at the availability for this coming week I would recommend Lower Makerstoun, Upper Hendersyde, Upper North Wark and West Learmouth should all have a chance of a springer this week.

The forecast this coming week, It will stay cold through the coming week, feeling increasingly so as a bitterly cold easterly wind strengthens. There will be scattered snow showers at times, and the snow showers could become heavier and more widespread at times, especially around Wednesday.

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

Most beats will be fishing various sinking density lines with poly leaders on the end at the time of year it has to be a Black and Yellow and if that fails a Yellow and Black! Copper tubes around 1.5” should be the order of the day, some anglers are choosing to fish more with Aluminium tubes and using the fly line to get down. Pattern’s I would suggest are Black and Yellow (Tosh), Posh Tosh, Gledswood Shrimp and Spring Ghillie should bring success. A wee personal favourite of mine is the Black and Yellow Samurai Shrimp at this time of year. If you like to give the spinner a go, the Salmo Toby, Devon Minnow fished nice and slow 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 24 Sea Trout 6

Total caught so far this season: 61 Salmon and 9 Sea Trout

As reported on Fishtweed:-

(Biggest Salmon 19lb Junction)

(Biggest Sea Trout 9lb Lower Birgham)

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