River Tweed River Report Week Ending 11th May 2019 - Tay Salmon Fly

River Tweed River Report Week Ending 11th May

A much more settled week with a small rise towards the end of the week which seemed to keep the fish moving through the system with many of the fish been caught still sea liced. The last week weeks have been a bit more like it with a more consistent catch with 100 last week and 118 reported this week which makes this week one of the best so far this season. The water level remains just above summer level and still on the cool side for the time of year which is helping keep the fish travelling slower through the lower beats with some good individual days been had on some beats, Lower Birgham with 4 on Thursday and Hendersyde 5 on Friday with the fish stopping long enough to get a good go at them. There were some reasonable sized fish caught this week with Birgham Dub 18lb, 15lb, Dryburgh Lower 15lb, Boleside 15lb and Ladykirk 14lb and 12lb fish been reported. The catches are still been split quite evenly over the river even with the levels been more suitable for the lower to bottom river, more detailed report of the split in catches is below.

Above Kelso 31 fish were reported, 7 were landed on the Makerstoun beats with Mr Olly Foster landed 2 and Mr Iain Wilson from the brilliant Borders Gunroom in St Boswells landed 2 in 2 casts on Saturday, another angler landed 2 on a Sunray Shadow. Boleside picked away during the week landed 5 fish with Mr Scott Connelly having success on Saturday. Upper Floors picked away and landed 6 for the week. Mr Stuart Norris landed Rutherfords only fish of the week on Saturday from the Slap Pool on a Black Flying C.

Between Kelso and Coldstream 35 fish were reported with Hendersyde 10, Lower Birgham 8 having the better of the fishing. Fishing at the Lees Mr Colin Hewitt and Mr John McLeod landed lovely fresh springer’s from the Slap on the fly.

Below Coldstream had a better week with 41 reported. Ladykirk had a good week landing 9 fish with Mr Calum Raine landed 2 on Monday, Mr John McCann continuing his fine run with two 10lb fish on Wednesday, 4 trips on a trot John has managed to land fish. On Friday Mr Craig Cockburn landed a lovely 14lb fish. Tillmouth had their best week of the season so far landing 19 salmon. Fishing on Waltham and Dritness syndicate water Mr Dave Lorimer landed a 5lber, Mr Martin Inkster landed a 12lber, Mr Mike Dodd landed a 13lber on Tuesday while on Friday Mr Ron Martin landed an 8lber. On Saturday 5 fish were hook but sadly only 2 landed. On Monday Mr David Foreman of he must visit Foremans Butchers in Norham landed a lovely fish from West Newbigging on a size 16 gold head nymph.

On the River Till, no fish were reported.

118 Salmon and 8 Sea Trout, with the best fish for the week was 18lb Salmon caught on the Birgham Dub beat.

Middle Pavilion Head Ghillie Steven Charlton reports “Ah long week with a really cold patch, Two fish for Mr Graham Thomas both from the Boatshiel on a black Flying C was our only catches this week with a couple of other pulls here and there, A little rise in water yesterday will leave us waiting to see what next week brings!”

Lower Birgham Head Boatman Mr Tom Davis reports “A slow start to the week, but that little rise of water on Wednesday afternoon changed the week. A fish on Wednesday afternoon and then 4 on Thursday and touched other fish. 3 were sea liced and a couple of first salmon for George Matten and David Harris. 2 on Friday and 1 Saturday and lost a few. So a great week of 8 salmon and a sea trout. They were all on a mix of big stuff, Small tubes and size 14’s! We hope for some water, and keep the fish swimming the river.”

Hendersyde Head Boatman Ketch reports” we had a steady week with fish caught most days, a mixture of old fish and liced. The horrible upstream wind was the only thing to put a downer on the fishing making casting a bit of a challenge at times but we managed to end the week with 10 salmon. An osprey paid us a visit too which is always a great sight”

On Upper North Wark, water conditions remain on the low side for the beat. Mr Donald Muir fishing in the Snipe Pool on Tuesday lost a lovely fresh fish at the boat when the hook snapped ARGH!

Ladykirk Head Ghillie Mr Matthi Viethen reports “9 Salmon landed this week, with 5 Salmon in double figures up to 14lb, and a few lost, including 1 cracker in the high teens.

Another good week for us with top quality, hard fighting bars of silver, mainly liced and all on fly. Notable catches this week: - 2 Salmon for day rod Calum Raine on Monday.

- 2 Salmon of 10lb for syndicate rod John McCann, being successful for the 4th week

-13lb Salmon for day rod on Friday

- Biggest for the week, 14lb for syndicate rod Craig Cockburn on Friday

These 9 Salmon were not all Springers anymore though, as Summer salmon have also started to show up”

Berwick and District Angling Association Secretary Dave Cowan reports “The rise in water to over a foot above summer level proved to be a godsend to the Whiteadder leading to a total of 4 fish banked at the back end of the week. Alistair Huskie, editor of online fishing magazine "Spinfish", banked a nice 9lb salmon on Thursday from beat 1 and a further fish of 8lb came from the bottom beat 5 at Clarabad. BDAA President Alan Spence banked a nice fish on Friday for 7lb also from beat 1. Local Angler Joe Clark had a great day on Saturday when he lost a good fish on Beat 2 then went on to bank a cracking sea liced fish of 10lb in the same pool. The rise in water lifted fish from the lower river so prospects should be god for next week”

Hawick Angling Club reports “Acreknowe and Williestruther were both stocked this week. The weather has improved slightly which resulted in some better catches. Buzzers continue to account for most of the fish taken, although dry fly has been fishing better this week. An Otter has appeared this past week so anglers should be careful if they see it. The Osprey is also making regular appearances over the Lochs. Williestruther has picked up following the stocking. Power bait is still taking the majority of fish. Barnes Loch continues to be lightly fished but has been fishing reasonably well. With the improvement in the weather more fish have been seen rising. Tickets can be purchased from the usual outlets. Tight Lines”

We are blessed in this area to have some superb local fishing tackle shops that are well worth a visit the superb well stocked Borders Gunroom in St Boswells and Fin and Game in Kelso I would recommend for a rummage round which and find out from the local staff what’s currently doing the damage on the river and lochs.

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.

The stunning Saddler Cottage, located within the grounds of Tillmouth Park in now under new ownership. Suitable for fishers and families this lovely cottage is very handily placed for fishing the Lower and Bottom Tweed beats. If you would like more information please check out the link https://www.crabtreeandcrabtree.com/properties/saddler-cottage/

The week ended with the level at Sprouston 6” and the water temperature is 49.

Looking at the availability for this coming week I would recommend the Boleside, Upper Hendersyde, Tillmouth, Ladykirk beats should have a chance of some action this week.

The forecast this coming week, Tomorrow will remain dry and settled with some lengthy periods of sunshine. Some wispy high cloud around too, which may turn the sunshine hazy. A warmer day with winds remaining light too. High pressure will sit over the North Sea and UK from Tuesday through mid-week, keeping things fine, dry, warm. There will be plenty of sun, but it may be hazy at times with spells of high cloud. Some mist or fog patches are likely overnight as well. From Thursday, winds will begin to shift easterly, bringing in some cooler air, although it should stay mostly dry.

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

Look at what to bring for the week aheads fishing, Floating lines with assorted poly leaders should suffice on most places with Gledswood Shrimp, Pot Belly Pig, Underghillie and Cascade are all capable to tempting that springer on half inch to inch or dressed flies in size 8 and 10. On the spinning front the Black and Gold Rapala, 18-20gm tobies 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: 118 Salmon 8 Sea Trout

Total caught so far this season: 731 Salmon and 74 Sea Trout

As reported on Fishtweed:-

(Biggest Salmon 18lb Upper Hendersyde & Tillmouth & Birgham Dub)

(Biggest Sea Trout 8lb Milne Graden)

www.taysalmonfly.co.uk



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