River Tweed River Report Week Ending 16th May 2020 - Tay Salmon Fly

River Tweed River Report Week Ending 16^th May

On Wednesday 13^th May a very unique situation arose on the River Tweed which has never happened since the very first of the River Tweed Acts in 1807. The announcing from the Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the Sunday evening that England was relaxing their Covid 19 restrictions and fishing was allowed from the Wednesday. This meant that the fishing beats that were situated on the English side of the border could start fishing again while the beats of the Scottish bank were still under Nicola Sturgeon’s extended lockdown period and could not reopen. With some short term changes to letting conditions and health and safety implications most beats held off and are starting to fish with lets from this coming Monday 18^th May.

After such a long layoff and a long period of low water one would have expected some pretty decent catches to be made when the fishing started especially on the lower river around the tidal beats. This coming week could be very interesting what’s caught with the beats having lets on.

Between Kelso and Coldstream 19 were reported and below Coldstream 73 were reported.

On the River Till, 1 Sea Trout was reported.

92 Salmon and 3 Sea Trout were landed for the week with the best fish 15lb Salmon caught on the Tillmouth & Horncliffe beats.

Waltham and Dritness Beat which is a private syndicate beat below Horncliffe village had a great start on Wednesday landing 14 Springers. I have been informed by the gentlemen who run the syndicate that this is a record catch in one day from the beat, well done to all involved. The beat finished with 19 springers for the 4 days fishing with the fish ranging from 8lbs to 22lbs mostly fresh and sea liced. The successful rods were, Mr Tony Wood 5 (fish), Mr Dave Lorimer 4, Mr Mike Wood 3, Mr Jack Weightman 3, Mr Ron Martin 2, Mr Frank Bell 1 and Mr David Inkster 1.

West Learmouth Ghillie Mr Dean Cockburn got the beats season off and running and finished the week with 7. Horncliffe had a great start landing 23 fish, while on Saturday 1 rod landed 15 fish at Tillmouth. Pedwell got off and running for the season with a 9lber on Friday before landing 5 on Saturday.

As I write today (17^th) there are rumars going about that fishing in Scotland might be allowed this coming week, we will just need to wait and see what is said as and when.

The week ended with the level at Sprouston 1” and falling with the water temperature is 46.

Lower Birgham Head Boatman Mr Tom Davis reports “Well what a unique week this turned out to be in my life as a ghillie/boatman. We have gone from a total uk wide travel ban due to Corona virus, which resulted in all fishing stopped. To a split decision between England and Scotland on opening up access of movement. Opening up the option of fishing becoming now do able. But only on the English side of the river. We are very fortunate that at lower birgham do have one bank in England and the other bank in Scotland. So we had a foot in both camps, whichever was going to open first... we were lucky enough to find some fish last week and was pleasantly surprised how fresh they were. Apart from one older fish they were either liced or lice just off them. So even at -3 on the gauge they are still able to travel pretty rapidly up the river. It seemed like a different world going back after so long, gone we’re the intermediate heads and fast sinking tips, tungsten coneheads and heavy leaders. It was onto light weight summer fishing, smaller rod, lighter lines, delicate fly presentation (some dodgy casts though, casting arm was out of practice) and small flies or tubes. But great to see the rod bend and the fish in the system.

We have a totally new experience in our whole social distancing and Corvid aware rules going back after nearly 9 weeks. We have all the recommended safety and protective gear, cleaner, hand sanitizer etc etc . And strict guidelines that hopefully mean that we can all enjoy some time on the river. Hopefully we can find some more of these fish that are running and try and get back to a new normality, whatever it will be.

Fingers crossed and tight lines and most importantly hope everyone stays safe. Tom”

On Upper North Wark we are still closed due to the lockdown. I have however put our spring 2021 availability on fishpal for those who can’t make it this year to get an early look and chance to book. Bookings and Enquiries can be made by calling Martin on 07825334427

Looking at the availability for this coming week I would recommend Lower Birgham beat should have a chance of some action this week.

The forecast this coming week, Tomorrow will be cloudy as another frontal system moves over bringing largely cloudy conditions through the day, with patchy light rain or drizzle at times. A brisk south-westerly wind. A largely cloudy and wet day for Tuesday with outbreaks of rain spreading in from the south-west. These should start to ease overnight. Wednesday will then see a dry and fine day with periods of sunshine and it should turn warm. Thursday will start quite bright but then cloud will increase from the west with a risk of showers in the afternoon.

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 nearly at summer level so a floating line with assorted poly leaders should suffice on most beats with Aurora Cascade, Posh Tosh, Gledswood Shrimp and Ghillie Flies are all capable to tempting fish on size 8-12 dressed hooks. On the spinning front, the flying c and 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 (This figure is a rough guide and does not include fish caught during the Lockdown period 24^th March to 12^th May)

Total catch last week:  92 Salmon 3 Sea Trout

Total caught so far this season: 230 Salmon and 15 Sea Trout

As reported on Fishtweed:-

(Biggest Salmon 20lb Junction)

(Biggest Sea Trout 10lb Lower Birgham)

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To book or enquire about fishing on the Upper North Wark beat on the River Tweed please give Martin a call on 07825 334427












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