Description Of The Blog

Thank you for visiting our salmon fly blog. In this blog you will find lots of fly pictures, step by step's, and other pictures of fishing related stuff. We have recently launched our official website that can be found at www.taysalmonfly.co.uk or click on the link on the right hand side of the page.

Sunday, 4 October 2020

River Tweed River Report Week Ending 3rd October 2020 - Tay Salmon Fly

River Tweed River Report Week Ending 3rd October  

 

A very good week for catch numbers with the 696 Salmon landed being the best week of the season so far or the downside the vast majority of these were older river fish that came back on the grab towards the end of last week with the water temperature dropping in along with the first proper frost this week. Sport was good and with many days of double figure catches on individual beats there would be many happy anglers. Overnight into Sunday we have had the first decent flood for quite a while with it peaking around 9ft at Sprouston. This should give the river bed a much needed clean and then see if there are any fresh fish waiting to come or just move these old ones further up the river system only time will tell as this week progresses.

 

Dryburgh Upper picked away landing 14 for the week, Mr Siggy Schnech, Mr Phil Houghton, Mr Jeremy Brammell and Mr Maurice McBride all having success on the beat. Mr Mike Graham who is a regular visitor to the Tweed managed to land 14 for his trip. Mr Alex Knox of the fabulous Contented Vine restaurant in Kelso braved the elements on Saturday to land 2 at Cornhill. The Lees had a good week landing 61 Salmon with Mr David Flux, Mr Neil Andrews, Mr Francis Sidoli and Mr Dom Sidoli having success.  Mr Tony Mills fishing at Milne Graden landed his 1st salmon and followed it up quickly with his 2nd salmon both taken under the watchful eye of Head Boatman Mr Kevin Wright. MR John Leighton had a 15lb fish on a Black Frances from the Bottom Pool at West Newbiggin. Norham Castle Syndicate had a good day on Wednesday landing 14 Salmon to 31lbs in weight.

 

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 Birgham Dub where 67 Salmon were landed. Lees 61, Rutherford 54 and Tillmouth 43 also picked away during the week.

696 Salmon and 10 Sea Trout were landed for the week with the best fish 31lb Salmon caught on the Norham Castle Syndicate 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 its quiet at the bottom of the river, most of the fish have moved up, one or two old fish hanging around and the occasional new fish showing. We managed two fish this week, largest 4lb both fresh, both caught by Dave Lorimer



Tiptoe fishing this week, a good rise hopefully get some action this week.

 

 

 

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

Fantastic beat and a brilliant ghillie. 

 

Horncliffe

Very helpful and knowledgeable ghillie.  Helped throughout the day. 

Really enjoyed fishing Horncliffe. Very well looked after and had 2 salmon and lost one. 

 

Pedwell

Plenty of fish, not taking the day I fished!

 

Ladykirk

Lost three fish on beat 6. Exceptional day. 

Caught 2 salmon coloured, small red and black fly

Excellent head boatman, Matthias Viethen.

3 fish, biggest 7lb. Fish from all the beats on small double willie gun and larger black and yellow cone head Francis.

 

Milne Graden

Water level perfect for the fly. Saw and touched more fish than I have for years. My fishing buddy caught a 21Iber, biggest on the river that day.

Both Gillies very friendly easy to work with and their knowledge of the river fly & size, line to use etc is excellent.

A total of six caught. All on fly Red & Black Francis & Shrimp variants. Plenty lost. Top & Middle Beats. 

 

West Learmouth

It was a real pleasure to have such an enthusiastic boatman looking after us for the week. It surprised us just how much he had learnt about the beat, and how it fishes, in such a short space of time. Dean, the young ghillie, was excellent - a very hard worker. We look forward to seeing him again. Six salmon

 

 

Tweedswood

Kevin the Ghillie was excellent. One five pound salmon. 

One five pound salmon

 

Dryburgh Lower

David did a great job keeping his anglers informed and safe

Good knowledge of the pools was demonstrated and they all fished exactly how he said they would. 

Shows good knowledge of the snags in the pools. He has tried to remove the tree stump from the top pool with no success. He probably needs some help with this.

A great day out with very friendly people. Already booked for next year. Thank you

Played 4 fish and didn't managed to get any to the bank.  

Saw quite a few fish in the pools

It is always a pleasure to fish on this fishery David the Gillie is always very helpful in anything you ask of him and is always trying his best for you to catch a fish. 

 

Bemersyde

We really enjoyed the beat and would come back. 

Nice beat and good fly water. 

Ian was super helpful an attentive, caught one salmon on an Ally Shrimp.

Very good head ghillie. Beautiful beat. 

 

 

Fairnilee

Nice and improving facilities and managed with enthusiasm by Mark.

Very pleasant surroundings. Plenty of work and plans underway.

Perfect for us. Mark appreciated our skill level and helped us out accordingly throughout the day.

Best upper Tweed beat, lovely fly water, nicely defined pools. 

I'll definitely be going back soon, caught 2, salmon and a sea trout, on a Stinchar stoat and Sunray respectively

 

Ashiestiel

Excellent fishing experience. 

The fishing hut and surrounding areas were kept in excellent condition, and all the banks were freshly strimmed by David the ghillie, who was very helpful and knowledgeable, also makes a lovely cup of tea.  

All social distancing rules were observed at all times.

We had lunch in a lovely area next to the hut in the beautiful sunshine.

Hooked 2 fish and unfortunately never managed to land them, there were plenty of fish showing, but all in all it was a great day, would definitely recommend it, thanks again David, I will definitely be back 

 

Holylee

Always a pleasure to fish at Holylee.

 

 

 

 

Lower Birgham Head Boatman Mr Tom Davis reports “Well people talk about football being a game of 2 halves. But for us this week the fishing was pretty much like that. We started off catching fish, loosing fish, seeing lots and lots of fish in all the pools. Then a small rise in water on Wednesday and it was like someone turned a switch. The fish were still being caught around us but we just couldn’t get a contact. Had they run up? Had they dropped down? Had the taking fish taken and didn’t want to take again? Who knows, but if we knew all the answers it would get boring... or so they say. But gladly in the pouring rain on Saturday we did manage 3 fish to finish the week with a bit of a flourish, which was greatly received. So 14 salmon landed for the week. Over the weekend we have had a lot of rain and so with the river sitting over 7ft, unless it drops in quickly Monday could be tough on the water. But as the flood comes down we all hope the salmon come up. Wither it be coloured fish from the bottom river or fresh from the sea, we will have to wait and see. Tight lines. Tom”

 

On Upper North Wark, a tough week in low water conditions with the fish we managed to connect with having other ideas! Big water today so hopefully get some action this week. Any enquiries or booking requests please call Martin on 07825334427.

 

Lees Head Boatman Mr Malcolm Campbell reports “A good week with 61 landed, David Flux having a great afternoon getting 8 out of the Temple and a few other connections, the Frances flies red or black were doing the business but of course that's what everyone was using. James Evans also managed a brace no mean feat being somewhat incapacitated. The flood today is a game changer and could do a lot more than shuffle the pack. It is to be hoped that all the fish don't just bugger off upstream. Fishing very unlikely tomorrow and marginal tomorrow below the Teviot. Different tactics from now on, onto sunk lines and tubes.

 

 

 

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 8ft 0” and the water temperature is 46.

 

 

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

 

 

The forecast this coming week, Tomorrow, it will be partly cloudy and mostly dry at first, with scattered showers developing into the afternoon. Tuesday will see variable amount of cloud with the chance of outbreaks of rain throughout the day and night. Wednesday will see sunny spells between patchy cloud and the risk of showers lingering, especially during the morning. Thursday should see a low pressure system move in from the west, but low confidence on exactly where.

 

 

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, Junction Shrimp, Temple Shrimp and Tosh  are all capable to tempting fish on 1 1/2” – 2” tubes. 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:  696 Salmon & 10 Sea Trout

Total caught so far this season: 6982 Salmon and 1087 Sea Trout



As reported on Fishtweed:-

(Biggest Salmon 28lb Tillmouth) (Other Reported Tweedmill 32lb, Norham Castle Syndicate 31lb)

(Biggest Sea Trout 15lb Drygrange)



























 www.taysalmonfly.co.uk




Please come along and like our Facebook Page and join in the discussion and check out our other deadly salmon flies.

For all your Salmon Fishing Flies visit our Tay Salmon Fly Website please click here

If you wish to contact us you can do so by clicking here 



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












Tay Salmon Fly, Salmon Fly, Salmon Flies, Fishing Tackle In Dunkeld, Fishing Tackle In Birnam, River Tay, River Tweed, River Spey, River Spey, Fly Fishing, Atlantic Salmon, Springer, Spring Salmon. Fly Tying, Salmon Fly Tying, Salmon Fishing In Scotland. Where To Fish In Scotland, How To Tie, How Do I Tie, Salmon Fly Dressing, Salmon Fly Dressing, Salmon Fly Pattern, Murthly Salmon Flies, River Tay Salmon Flies, River Tweed Salmon Flies. Foxy Tails, Venairds, Futurefly, Eumer, Murthly Beat 1, Murthly Beat 2, Upper Hendersyde,Tay Salmon Flies,Fishing The Tay, Fish Tay, Fish Tweed, Fish Spey, Fish Dee, Where To Fish For Salmon In Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays In Scotland,Tony Black, Tony Black Salmon Flies, David Ballingall, David Ballingall Salmon Flies, Upper North Wark, Upper North Wark Beat River Tweed, Fishtweed, Fish The Tweed, Tweedbeats,Fishtweed Reports, River Reports,Fishtweed Prospects, Kilt Pin, Brooch, Salmon Fly Kilt Pin, Fly Tying Instruction, Fly Tying Step By Step

No comments: