River Tweed River Report Week Ending 7th March 2020 - Tay Salmon Fly

River Tweed River Report Week Ending 7^th March

Well the start stop, start stop season so far continued this week with another rise on Sunday colouring up the river for the start of the week with not much fishing effort done before the middle of the week. The water remained a greeny colour right through until the end of the week before yet another rise today peaking at 4ft 3 at Sprouston and with more rain due Monday night into Tuesday this week is looking more like another stop start one.

The class of fish been caught last week was very could with superb spring salmon up to 18lbs been caught with a good few carrying sea lice. Was nice to see some early spring sea trout appearing with a super 10lber been landed on Lower Birgham. When the rods are getting a chance to fish there seems to be some sport to be had before the next spell of unsettled weather arrives. It has been noted this season that there has been a few fresh Baggots and Kippers (Rawners) been caught, these fish keep you guessing until they reach the net unfortunately been from the previous year they don’t get counted on the catches. Fish seem to be moving up through the river now with fish been reported at Lower Pavilion, Bemersyde, Upper and Lower Mertoun in the last week so well worth having a look in this area if your fancying a cast.

The fishing week finally got off and running on Wednesday when Upper North Wark highly regarded as one of the best high water beats on the Tweed landed 3 Springers on the fly. Mr Richard Farr landed a 10lb fish from the Back Of The Isle on a Black and Yellow tube fly then quickly followed this up with a sea liced 8lber from the Bottom Island on a Willie Gunn Snaelda tube fly. On the same beat in the afternoon Mr Hugh Newton landed an 8lb fish from the Snipe on a Spitting Vomit tube fly. Fishing at the Junction Mr Andy Britton landed a nice fish on the fly and visiting Tay Ghillie Mr Tony Black landed a fine springer from the Junction Pool on a spoon. Keeping it in the family Tony’s brother Philip fishing at Birgham Dub landed a lovely fish and a sea trout on the fly. Mr Christian Marr fishing at Upper Floors had success in the Slates. Bemersyde got off the mark for the season with a cracking fresh fish caught by Mr Mark Hansen on the fly. Mr Christie landed the first of the season from Upper Mertoun while over on the Whiteadder Mr Paul Neate landed his first of the season.

Above Kelso 9 fish were reported, Between Kelso and Coldstream 21 were reported and below Coldstream none were reported.

On the River Till, no fish were reported.

34 Salmon and 4 Sea Trout were landed for the week with the best fish 18lb Salmon caught on the Lower Birgham beat.

Lower Birgham Head Boatman Mr Tom Davis reports “Well after what seemed like false start after alse start with all the floods of the last 3 weeks we were just glad to be able to get back onto the water and fish properly this week. Wednesday we fished a little in the afternoon and were pleased to hear of the success below us, even with nothing happening with us was good to hear of fish being caught and sea liced one at that! But it sure gave us a bit more hope for the Thursday, the day we had been waiting for since the 1st of February! The first fresh fish, and what a cracker it was. A fresh 10lb sea trout caught on a fly tied by the fisher. Then in the afternoon our day went from great to fantastic with 2 salmon and 1 more sea trout landed. The salmon were 18lb and 9lb and the other sea trout was 7lb. What a day!! Unfortunately despite our best efforts Friday and Saturday we never touched a fish. But great to get off the mark and get some fish in the net! Judging by the water over this weekend it might be a slow start to the week but hopefully it clears quickly and we can get back amongst the fish. Tight line. Tom”

On Upper North Wark, we finally got fishing after coloured water at the start of the week had put the fishers off. On Wednesday we landed 3 Springers on the fly with beat ghillie Mr Richard Farr landing 2 and beat regular Mr Hugh Newton landed 1. We had a fresh baggot and a few kelts kept the interest up as the week progressed.

Berwick and District Angling Association reports “If February had been like January and January like February where would we be right now? Into fish. Mother Nature just doesn’t play ball and while the river has been in fishable condition above Allanton Bridge the Blackadder has lived up to its name pumping out muddy water making stretches downstream very dirty, as a result during February most rods have stayed at home. Two rods did get a bit of a temporary thrill when they hooked into above average trout. Weather reports for the next few days look promising, hoping to hear that we have broken the duck soon. Ps Just a few days left to get a season ticket at the discount rate of £140”

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. 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 3ft 9” and falling with the water temperature is 38.

Looking at the availability for this coming week I would recommend Dryburgh Upper, Rutherford and Hendersyde beats should have a chance of some action this week.

The forecast this coming week, A few showers tomorrow before a band of rain spreads east later in the day, some of the rain heavy. It will become windy with freshening south-westerly winds. Early rain on Tuesday will clear east, followed by blustery showers, which are expected to be heavy during the day. Very windy but mild. On Wednesday, very strong winds will push blustery showers in, these wintry on hills. Sunny breaks are expected between showers. For Thursday, there will be some heavy rain with hill snow as a front looks set to move across the region.

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, conditions are looking challenging for the start of the week if not in the pub sinking lines with assorted poly leaders should suffice on most places with Black and Yellow, Junction Shrimp, Temple Shrimp, Willie Gunn Snaelda, and Rogie are all capable to tempting fish on 1.5” – 2” tubes. On the spinning front a big toby should be worth a go.

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:  34 Salmon 4 Sea Trout

Total caught so far this season: 58 Salmon and 7 Sea Trout

As reported on Fishtweed:-

(Biggest Salmon 18lb Lower Birgham)

(Biggest Sea Trout 10lb Lower Birgham)

www.taysalmonfly.co.uk



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