River Tweed River Report Week Ending 19th September
Sadly we have to start
this week’s report with the news that 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.
Apologies work
commitments last week meant that I struggled for time to get the river report
written, I have included the successful anglers from last week in to this one.
Overall it was a pretty decent week despite the south westerly wind blowing
steady all week making conditions a bit tricky for those fishing on the North
side of the river. 426 Salmon and 12 Sea Trout were reported. Tillmouth 40,
Ladykirk 28 and Horncliffe 26 also had some good sport over the week. The
largest fish was a 28lber caught on the Tillmouth Beat. Above Kelso 105 Fish
were reported, Kelso to Coldstream 142 and Below Coldstream 179.
Back to this week now
and what a difference a week makes with the weather changing to bright sunshine
with highs reaching into the mid 20’s and with the water level dropping quite
quickly fishing conditions were far from ideal and as to be expected the catch
numbers really fell this week. The vast majority of fish caught appear to be
older river fish with reports of odd fresh fish being seen in the bottom end of
the river. The river is now Fly Only until the end of the season.
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.
Above Kelso 75 fish were reported, Between Kelso and
Coldstream 49 were reported and below Coldstream 54 were reported. With the
best fishing being at Rutherford where 19 Salmon were landed. Ladykird 17 also
picked away for the week.
Waltham and Dritness
Beat reports The river levels were a little
better this week, although it’s getting late for us at the bottom of the river,
still one or two fish about, we caught three this week largest 6lb, Jack
Weightman and Dave Lorimer (2). Jack also had a lovely fresh fish the
week before.
Tiptoe fishing this
week, Mike
Blee who has been visiting Tiptoe with his wife Sue for 15 years returned week
7th September. On 11th September he
caught a 13lb Salmon on a spinner in the Pump House Pool (No. 11) at 2pm I
met him and he was lamenting about the 2 beautiful sea trout that teased him
yesterday by escaping! I wished him a good afternoon and tried to console him
by saying that at least he had seen some fish
and to enjoy his afternoon. At 5.24 an email landed to say ... “Landed a
salmon this afternoon, 32 inches long, about 13 lbs. returned” “Phew” I
thought! Mike said “I was at the Pumphouse and had to find somewhere where I
could see the bottom before sliding down into the river! Once I got in, I
couldn't get back out! So I had to turn round and take a photo in the net, in
pouring rain and in a hurry to return it, having measured it and maintain it in
good condition!”
So that is today’s fishing tale. During the week he lost a double Figure sea trout. On Saturday 12th September Mike Smith caught a 3lb
sea trout in the Mile Marker Pool.
Fishing at Bemersyde Julian Blades landed a coloured
fish out of the Boatpool and lost another. On Tuesday three fish were landed,
the biggest of which was 15lb for Peter Abraham out of the Cromweil Pool on a
no. 8 Ally’s Shrimp. Jocelyn Adams had two fish: one in Sangstairs at 7lb and a
12lber out of the Dish. Two out of the three fish were tagged and all were
returned to the water. There was also a 15lber for James Benbow out of the Dish
on Saturday. Mr Jonathan Reddin continued his success at Rutherford with the
Black and Yellow Bottle Tube doing the trick. Fishing at Upper Hendersyde Mr
Jonathan Hufford landed a lovely 13lber on the fly from the Upper Winter Cast
Pool. Mr
Alex Knox of the fabulous Contented Vine restaurant in Kelso continued to pick
away landing a nice fish from Little Davy on the Sprouston beat. Fishing
at Upper North Wark Mr Brian Parker landed a fresh 5lber from the Dub on a
Black and Orange Tube Fly while on the same day Mr David James landed a 7lber
from the Snipe Pool on a Black and Yellow Tube. Mr Scott Upton on his first
ever days salmon fishing made the perfect start by landing a 6lber from the
Snipe on a Flying C. Fishing on the Lees Mr Paul Collingson landed a fish in
the Slap on a silver micro tube. Mr Craig Scorer also had success in the Slap.
Mr Steve Jenkinson using a Black and Yellow Bottle Tube had success in the Cauldstream
as did Mr Jeremy Gould. Aussie buoyed by the one day cricket series victory over
England prevails at Milne Graden, Mr Gregory Taylor from Sydney landed 2 on a
Willie Gunn Bottle Tube on Friday. On the
Pedwell beat Mr Richard Chambers who caught our 100th fish was presented with a
bottle of whisky. A very good achievement from all our rods .considering Pedwell
only fishes four days a week
193 Salmon and 9 Sea Trout were landed for the week with the best fish 18lb Salmon
caught on the Rutherford beat.
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
Tweedhill
Two Red
Letter Day - 5 fish.
Brian
Palmar will always put in the best place to catch a fish. 8 fish all on the fly
using small tubes.
Pedwell
Peter Lee
goes the extra mile to ensure his roads are extremely well looked after. His
knowledge, skill and expertise very much valued by us who have fished this beat
for many years. He wants fishers to catch and does everything he can to ensure
this happens.
Andrew
caught 8 and I caught 5 during our 3 daydream fishing. Some on spinner and some
on the fly. Best days we have had for many years.
Peter Lee
is an excellent ghillie, nothing is too much trouble. Helpful with all aspects
of fishing. Highly recommended.
LadyKirk
Great
day, friendly, helpful ghillies. I will be back. 6 fish on the fly.
Mark
Warren was the perfect Ghille. Knowledgeable and full of good advice. Will
return it was that good. Good at teaching new casting techniques.
Hendersyde
Another
wonderful time at Hendersyde. John and Nigel were marvellous with my son who
came salmon fishing for his first time.
Tweedswood
Everything
about the day was good except catching fish!
Tweedswood
is an excellent beat to fish. A day at Tweedswood is always a day on the river
well spent. One contacted but did not stick!
Lower
Pavilion
Had
another Great day with Scott, no fish caught but still a great day trying
The
Ghillie's advice was really helpful to boost my confidence as the days before
were unsuccessful catching any fish. Would 100% book this beat again. One sea
trout.
Upper
Makerstoun
Super
place indeed will be returning.
Dryburgh
Upper
Brian
very helpful and Knowledgeable. 9lb salmon on a small shrimp tube.
Bemersyde
Fantastic
beat, best I've fished so far. Two fish lost.
Fairnilee
Mark the
ghillie is always very welcoming, friendly and gives good advice, a lovely beat
to fish, very well looked after, easy access to excellent variable pools,
certainly the best of the upper beats. 2 salmon.
Bemersyde Head Ghillie Mr Ian
Farr reports “After the weekend rain Monday started with one foot of
beer-coloured water. Fish moved up with the rise but were hard to catch; we
landed one (Julian Blades with a coloured fish out of the Boatpool) and lost
another. On Tuesday the water was one foot deep but a better colour and we
landed three fish, the biggest of which was 15lb for Peter Abraham out of the
Cromweil Pool on a no. 8 Ally’s Shrimp. Jocelyn Adams had two fish: one in
Sangstairs at 7lb and a 12lber out of the Dish. Two out of the three fish were
tagged and all were returned to the water. Also pictured is a 15lber for James
Benbow out of the Dish on Saturday.”
Lower
Birgham Head Boatman Mr Tom Davis reports “W/E 12th Sept well
another good week was had at lower birgham this week. Not as many as the week
before but still fish landed every day this week. It’s always tough after such
an incredible week like 2 weeks ago. Up goes expectations, we always expect to
see more, touch more and land bigger. It’s in our makeup as fishers to always
be positive. But while the river dropped the signs of plenty of fish in the
river increased. Sometime seeing a huge number of fish in nearly all the pools.
Jumping here, splashing there, big and small ones of all colours and shapes.
There were some reports of fresh fish further down but these were a little few
and far between throughout the system, but maybe if we have another chunk of
rain we will be able to gauge what and how many are still in the sea ready to
run. But we’re always grateful for the fantastic times we have had and look
forward and optimistically to the next batch of fish to come. A slightly
unsettled weather forecast looking ahead but who know how much or even if the
rain will come? One thing for certain Is the full range of flies will be swam
next week trying to find the killer pattern, different size or even trying a
sinking line. The full repertoire was used last week searching for the winning
formula.... another fun week of experimentation ahead. Tight lines. Tom”
“W/E 19th Sept Well a frustrating week with us.... weather nice,
tick, keen rods, tick. River not in flood, tick. Fish in the beat, tick tick
tick. Fish that want to take..... no tick. Well we did manage to get 2 early on
in the week but apart from a couple more brief contacts that was about all we
could manage this week. But not a blank week and a week fished with the hope
that at any minute the fish could decide to take and we would have a bonanza! I
know it’s a little farfetched but one or two a day maybe. Maybe a little rain
this week would help to stir things up a bit, maybe we are getting closer to
hard frosts and get aggressive, may be the fish could just have a change of
heart and satisfy our desire for them to be caught, safely get a picture and
allow on their journey up river. Fingers crossed any one of these might happen
and we can be reporting on more and hopefully bigger and fresher fish. But
until next weekend we won’t know what next week has in store for us... fingers
crossed. Tight lines Tom”
On Upper North Wark, Hard going the last couple of weeks
with stiff south westerly’s followed for a week of bright sunshine and low
water not ideal! Mr David James and Mr Brian Parker done very well a week past
Monday landing a fish each from the Snipe and Dub in very windy conditions both
on the fly. Mr Scott Upton landed his 1st salmon from the Snipe Pool
on Monday there. Any enquiries or booking requests please call Martin on
07825334427.
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 7” and the water temperature is 54.
Looking
at the availability for this coming week I would recommend Lower Birgham, Milne
Graden and Pedwell beats should have a chance of some action this week.
The
forecast this coming week, another fine day with any early low
cloud or mist breaking to leave periods of sunshine. Rather warm for most.
On Tuesday, a weather front looks to push in from the northwest, bringing cloud
and showers as it continues moving south-eastwards. Wednesday will be cloudy to
start with showers or spells of rain. It will be cooler. Clearing late.
Thursday will be rather chilly with bright spells and showers.
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,
Copper Cascade, Tritton Shrimp, Gledswood Shrimp, Willie Gunn and Ghillie Flies
are all capable to tempting fish on size 8-12 dressed hooks or 1/2” – 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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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: 193 Salmon & 9 Sea
Trout
Total
caught so far this season: 5803 Salmon and 1069 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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