River Tweed River Report Week Ending 26th September
A funny
old week that was with the weather at the start of the week coming in from the
south west with a lovely wind then by mid-week swinging to the north bringing
much colder winds and the temperature plummeted and the water temperature
followed suit dropping from 54 to 46 as the week progressed. With the water temperature
dropping the beats that were sitting on a lot of resident fish found they came
back on the take especially Friday and Saturday with the Lees landing 12 and 19
on these days, Middle Mertoun landing 15, Pedwell landing 13 on Saturday. Sadly
as with recent weeks the vast majority of fish caught have been coloured river
fish. There has been the odd fresher fish caught but these do seem very few and
far between at the moment. Next flood maybe who knows! There are numerous reports of redds been seen
on some beats where these are normally “practise redds” at this time of year it
does appear fish seem to be on the gravel a fair bit earlier this season. Watch
where you are wading just in case you are trampling on eggs.
Despite
the absence of Salmon fishing in late March, April and most of May, the total
Spring Salmon rod catch amounted to 1,690 fish, which is slightly less than the
average of 1,746 for records back to 1970. Even in warm, low water conditions
that were not ideal for fishing and low angling effort due to COVID
restrictions, 1,132 Salmon were caught in June compared to an average figure of
278. A gradual trend towards more Salmon returning in this period has been
evident in both the rod catches and data from the Northumberland drift nets
(which now no longer operate) for the last 10 years or so Preliminary analysis
of the data also shows that most of the fish in June were multi sea winter fish
rather than Grilse that only spent a year at sea. Feedback from boatmen and
anglers on the river was that these fish were in good condition, with larger
three sea winter fish becoming more common.
To
reinforce the message that Hen fish should not be killed, RTC have agreed that
restrictions on the killing of Hen fish in the Autumn will be part of the new
angling code.
Above Kelso 156 fish were reported, Between Kelso
and Coldstream 208 were reported and below Coldstream 119 were reported. With
the best fishing being on the Lees where 50 Salmon were landed. Middle Mertoun
42, Hendersyde 34 and Rutherford 30 also picked away during the week.
Fishing at Boleside towards the
end of the week Mr Jonathan Lane landed 4 and Mr Douglas Campbell also had
success. Mr David Norman landed his first of the season at Dryburgh Upper. Mr
Nik Jenkins had fish of 8lbs and 5lbs from the Generals Stream. Mr Andrew Fairly
landed a nice fresh 6lber from Upper Floors on Thursday. Mr Mark Crowther had a
10lber from the Bridge on the Junction beat on Monday. Mr Terry Pitron on his
annual trip to Upper North Wark had to leave with the stories of the ones that
got away, hopefully they stick next time. The Lees beat had a very good week
with 50 salmon landed, there was success for Mr Stephen Clark with a 15lber, Mr
Tim Springham and Mr Ian Cadzow had some good catches at the end of the week.
Pedwell landed 13 salmon on Saturday with Charles
Dring had 3 to his rod .Chris Zawadski and Stewart Scott who are syndicate rods
had 10 between them and lost 7 .all good double figure fish up to 18lb.
483 Salmon and 8 Sea Trout were landed for the week with the best fish 23lb Salmon
caught on the Tillmouth beat.
On the evening on 19th
September the fishing hut on the Lees Beat at Coldstream was broken into and everything stolen. If you are offered any
cheap tackle or have any information please get in touch or call the Police on
101.
The River Tweed Salmon
Fishing Museum opening times are as follows on Weekdays 10am – 4pm and on
Sundays 10am – 1pm.
If you catch a tagged
fish then please take a note of the tag number, this can be made easier by
taking a photo of the tag. To report a tagged fish please contact the Tweed
Foundation on 01896 848 277 or the Head Fishery Officer on 07884 230 045.
Waltham and Dritness
Beat reports after a quiet week, Dave Lorimor
had a good day on Saturday, three salmon/grilse and a sea trout, two fresh and
one coloured, and three others hooked. Well done Dave especially in the. Strong
wind.
Tiptoe fishing this
week, Nothing
of note to report a bit of rain would be handy.
It’s always
good to hear how the fishers enjoy their experiences on the river, please let
us know about your catches and memorable moments of your trip. Below is some
first-hand feedback from anglers last week
Tweedswood Head Ghillie Mr Kevin
Patterson reports “Oh just never seem to
get the chance to update its just all go at moment with the three new croys in
position that's been good to see and it took a lot of work to get it all done
thanks to Jim Wilson contractors for coming along at short notice and going
with the plan using a crane to do a lot of the work instead of heavy machinery
it was a great success and going forward we learnt a few things but overall no
damage to any banks and no intrusive river works to be honest you would have
never known it had been done totally the way forward in building and repairing
areas that a crane suits .
We used underwater concrete as well which we found very good
and the croys a bit white at moment will never move and weather down as time
goes by. Over all a huge success and a great team effort from all the lads and
also the new owner for going with it after only owning the beat 6 weeks was a
very wise investment with the Tweedswood pool and Tappies looking like salmon
pools and both have produced fish which is great. Bringing myself round to the
other part Fish well it’s been interesting things were going along ok fly only
but last 8 days there's a huge swing in no's and also the Spinning's of again
its very evident the amounts that spinning catches on the river as a whole i
would be 30 down as we spun hard as well for the catch record its tricky and
very debateable but no's talk and that's what keeps people interested as soon
as the fish pal no's page starts to slow up the bookings start to ease it’s the
same each year but again if the salmon aren't playing ball as they aren't at
moment you can’t help it on the catches river wide . I've spoken with ghillies
all over the rivers length and the salmon are as last few years getting ready
to spawn redds are getting cut by the sea trout know and its usually 4 weeks
later they start the salmon so all looks on cue for the same pattern as last
three four years early spawning . Is the river changing are the habits of our
salmon also changing its very evident yes the backend has eased of and our
spring and summer fish spawn quicker that's what happens in this cycle we are
going into in coming years .it’s hard to be at the river in perfect conditions
day in day out and seeing lots of salmon but they just jump and not taking the
fly one days ok but going into three days it’s hard going i hope a wee flood
comes along or frost kicks in soon as at least one or two will come back on the
take to just lift things a bit . I always wonder how many fish in the river
have been caught all ready to how many haven't it’s easy to work out but ive
not got the stats this would be quite a few salmon in the river returned but already
have been caught or maybe twice caught so do they remember we will never know
interesting. So the coming weeks are just going to have to be a day out and
hope for a tug but I’m afraid I am in the camp of the salmon have got there
breeding thoughts on and they are very hard to turn out of that going by the
other years but big positive is there's a good breeding stock in place and
that's a very good thing going forward no matter what way it all goes in the
coming years.
Well heres to going into the unknown again Stay Safe
Aye Kevin.”
Lower
Birgham Head Boatman Mr Tom Davis reports “Well usually there’s seems an
obvious explanation to how our week goes. Sometimes a flood both good and bad,
sometimes the bright or overcast days. But just occasionally we get a pleasant
surprise. And last week was one of those. All of those many fish that we had
seen splashing about for weeks all of a sudden decided that last week was the
week to take. We landed 21 salmon and lost plenty more. Most fish had been in
the river for a fair while, but the odd one was freshish. There is a little
rain maybe this week. This could be very welcome, but if it takes all the fish
away from lower down the system maybe there won’t be more to come? Maybe there
will? Who knows for certain? I think we will continue to enjoy the run we are
on and if we get some water will keep our fingers crossed for a fresh run to
come in. Tight lines. Tom”
On Upper North Wark, Quite a frustrating week on the fishing
front with everything we hooked lost, which was a real shame given the water
conditions. Good effort and good company as always with the rods. Any enquiries
or booking requests please call Martin on 07825334427.
Lees Head Boatman Mr
Malcolm Campbell reports “A great week just like
the good old days except the fish are all old and not silver. Lots in the
10-14lb range. All on floaters with sink tips and wee flies like bottle tubes
and micro tubes. The drop in water temps really switched them on the last
couple of days. Getting them in the streamy water. 19 landed on Saturday
alone”
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 5” and the water temperature is 46.
Looking
at the availability for this coming week I would recommend Upper Hendersyde and
Horncliffe beats should have a chance of some action this week.
The
forecast this coming week, A bit warmer tomorrow, but a front
will push in from the west and track eastwards through the morning, bringing a
spell of rain for a time before clearing to sunny spells in the afternoon.
Tuesday will be mainly dry with sunny spells but also fairly cloudy skies at
times. Just a chance of a shower later on. Overnight and into Wednesday, heavy
frontal rain will push in from the west, accompanied by gusty winds, persisting
throughout the day. Thursday will be wet and unsettled with spells of rain,
showers and brisk winds throughout the day.
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 ahead, with the water levels falling towards summer
level a floating line with assorted poly leaders should suffice on most beats,
Micro Frances, Tritton Shrimp, Gledswood Shrimp, Willie Gunn and Ghillie Flies are
all capable to tempting fish on size 8-12 dressed hooks or 1/4” – 1” tubes.
Great time of the season for giving the Sunray Shadow a go to. The river is now
Fly Only until the end of the season
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 24th March to 12th May)
Total
catch last week: 483 Salmon & 8 Sea
Trout
Total
caught so far this season: 6286 Salmon and 1077 Sea Trout
As reported
on Fishtweed:-
(Biggest
Salmon 28lb Tillmouth)
(Biggest
Sea Trout 15lb Drygrange)
www.taysalmonfly.co.uk
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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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