River Tweed River Report Week Ending 10th October 2020 - Tay Salmon Fly

River Tweed River Report Week Ending 10^th October  

 

With the previous weekends flood reaching 9ft on the Sprouston gauge this week was filled with hope that some fresher fish would appear in the system given that was the biggest flood we have had for quite some time. What did the week bring as the flood tailed off? Well it would seem more questions than answers. The huge number of old river fish that have been lying down the bottom river for months going by reports there still seems to be lots jumping about even after that flood. The fish that were sitting below Kelso seem to have headed for the upper river going by the increase in catches towards the end of the week. From the information and photographs received this week, I have only seen 2 fresh silver fish in all of the photos, very disappointing after such a good flood. What’s left for the remainder of the season is anyone’s guess but would seem likely the bulk of the fish will be the older river fish heading for the spawning grounds. The start of the week was badly affected by the colour from the previous days flood, followed by a rise from the Leader on the Monday the colour took a few days to get back into a colour where fishing was done in hope rather than giving it a go. One notable thing recently is the amount of large 20lb+ heavily coloured fish been caught. This week I have reports of 28lb at Fairnilee, 27lb & 25lb at Tweedswood, 25lb at Rutherford, 25lb at Junction and 24lb at Upper North Wark. I have no doubt there will have been more than that, I did hear a whisper of a 35lber up the river but I have not seen any confirmation at the time of writing.

 

Coronavirus rules have changed in the Scottish Borders with a 6pm closing time for indoor venues and those with outdoor facilities can continue until 10pm (I think!!) If you have any concerns about an upcoming trip it would be best to contact your hotel ect before travelling to make sure of the restrictions that could affect your trip. These current restrictions mean that the fabulous Contented Vine Restaurant is also closed until these restrictions are lifted, which will be a huge disappointment to many visitors to the Tweed.

 

Mr Donald Anderson landed his first salmon, a 6.5lber from the Lower Caberstoun beat. The Nutwood Pool on Cardrona produced fish of 14lbs and 12lbs. Dryburgh Upper had a bit of action this week with Mr Rae Borras and Mr Andrew Robertson landing fish at the start of the week, with Rae catching on a wee Willie Gunn Snaelda. Mr Nigel Houldsworth landed 3 on the middle river. Fishing at Rutherford Mr Phil Baldasera landed his 1^st Tweed salmon and a mighty one at that weighing 25lbs, Mr Steve Robbins landed a 17lber and Mr John Savage landed a superb fresh 15lber from the Corseheugh. Mr Iain Wilson of the Borders Gunroom in St Boswells landed 2 at Makerstoun. On the Lees Mr Jonathan Reddin had success on Saturday using a wee Black and Yellow bottle Tube, he landed four fish 20lbs, 15lbs, 13lbs and 10lbs. Mr Luke Cummings landed a fresh fish and Mt Stewart Callighan landed his 1^st ever salmon, a 4lber from the Temple Pool and followed it up with fish of 10lbs and 6lbs the following day. Mr Jamie Lee fishing at Boathouse and Canny in very high water managed to land a nice fish. As far as fishing trips go this one just had by Father and Daughter team Mr Daniel and the fabulous Ms Amelia Busk has got to be up there with some great ones. To get the trip started fishing on the Upper North Wark beat after a brief contact in the Snipe in the morning, Amelia landed a superb 24lb fish from the Back Of The Isle on a Red Frances. The Following day on Tweedswood Daniel landed fish of 27lbs, 25lbs and 15lb while Amelia landed another fish at 12lbs. On the final day of the trip Amelia was in on the action again landing an 8lber from the Battery Pool at Dryburgh Upper. Absolutely brilliant trip guys well done. Also on Upper North Wark Mr Alan Triffitt landed his first fly caught fish from the beat on a Burgundy Frances from the Snipe.

 

Above Kelso 165 fish were reported, Between Kelso and Coldstream 87 were reported and below Coldstream 52 were reported. With the best fishing being on the Bolesdie where 27 Salmon were landed. Lees 24, Junction 18 and Tweedswood 15 also picked away during the week.

320 Salmon and 20 Sea Trout were landed for the week with the best fish 28lb Salmon caught on the Fairnilee beat.

 

 

On the evening on 19^th 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.

 

Lower Birgham Head Boatman Mr Tom Davis reports “Well the end of a slightly odd week. We started off with the tail end of the 9ft flood, would it move fish about? Would fresh ones come in? Would our resident fish all go upstream? Well the answer to all the questions is yes. Yes, a lot of fish moved up to the spawning grounds up the top end of the river. Yes, a lot of our resident fish moved from us. And yes, some fresh fish were caught on the back of the flood. Unfortunately these fish were a little very few and far between and what we mostly ended up with was a few of the lower down river fish with us. We made contact with very few fish throughout this week and apart from a couple of pulls on Saturday the only fish we made contact with was the 4 we landed for the week. A big surprise after so much water and we will be hoping that there will be a temperature change like the other week to stir up the ones that are there and maybe a bit of a long shot but that the fresh fish caught this week were the start of something good!! But who knows. The fish catches were certainly spread throughout the system and reports of a lot of fish seen up the top. We will wait to see what this week will give us, maybe it will cool down maybe the fish will be on the take, maybe the percentage of fresh fish increase. There only one way to tell, turn up, fish hard and keep your fingers crossed. Tight lines, stay safe. Tom.”

 

On Upper North Wark, a week with high hopes became a week with a lot of rowing for little reward. Fish are jumping about in the Snipe regularly. Two landed and one lost for the week, Ms Amelia Busk landed a superb 24lber from the Back of the Isle and Mr Alan Triffitt landed one in the Snipe. Any enquiries or booking requests please call Martin on 07825334427.

 

Lees Head Boatman Mr Malcolm Campbell reports “A good week at the Lees considering the water levels at the start of the week. Two rods caught their first ever salmon, William Woodhouse had 2 from the Temple at 6lb and 9lb he also lost one around the high teens after a great fight which had William realising just what a big fish feels like. Stuart Callagan also caught his first fish which had him smiling, he was also the best dressed rod on Tweed this week. We started the week on inch and a half tubes and ended on inch tubes or dressed trebles/ doubles in the slower pools. For full report go to Malcolms fishing reports on the Lees page on Tweedbeats, for photos and clips, some really good ones follow tweedbeats on Instagram”

 

 

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.

 

 

The week ended with the level at Sprouston 1ft 6” and the water temperature is 44.

 

 

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

 

 

The forecast this coming week, a wet day with bands of rain, sometimes heavy. Through the morning and afternoon. Towards the evening rain should start to ease, clearing overnight. Tuesday should be largely dry and with some sunshine, although a few brief showers may creep in from the northeast. A chilly night will follow under mostly clear skies. Dry and sunny on Wednesday, allowing it be a little warmer than previous days. Similar weather is expected on Thursday with sunny spells, although there is a slight risk of a few brief 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 throughout the week a floating line or intermediate line with assorted poly leaders should suffice on most beats, Red Frances, Burgundy Frances, Black Frances, Purple Frances and Snaelda are all capable to tempting fish on 1/2” – 1” 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

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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:  320 Salmon & 20 Sea Trout

Total caught so far this season: 7302 Salmon and 1107 Sea Trout

As reported on Fishtweed:-

(Biggest Salmon 28lb Tillmouth & Horncliffe) (Tweedmill 32lb, Norham Castle Syndicate 31lb)

(Biggest Sea Trout 15lb Drygrange)

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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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