River Tweed River Report Week Ending 31st October 2020 - Tay Salmon Fly

River Tweed River Report Week Ending 31^st October  

 

Not much to write home about this week with the weather gods being so unkind to us. The beats below Kelso struggled on in almost daily fluctuation of water levels, heavy colour and a barrage of leaves before the lovely 50mph gales on Saturday was the final sickener of the week. Storm Aiden adding 5ft of water to the top of the Tweed and with the levels rising again today and a lot of rain forecast into Monday the start of the week is looking very dubious apart from the very upper reaches that may just be about fishable depends how much rain comes. There wasn’t a huge amount of information received this week but one that was, was a very special moment for young Harry Browlow who landed his first salmon from the Hawick AA water on the River Teviot, Harry’s fish weighed 16lbs and was taken on an Ally’s Shrimp conehead fly. Mr Lee Ross landed a fish from the River Till using a Tay Salmon Fly Gledswood Shrimp double.

 On the evening of 31^st October Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that England would be entering a Full Lockdown starting on Thursday 5^th November. What this means for fishing on the English side of the river remains to be announced, but with the no non-essential travel it sounds like people from England should not be travelling to fish. With the recommendation at the moment from Nicola Sturgeon that nobody should be crossing the border in either direction. Make of it what you will/understand. If in doubt please contact your fishing beat of the letting agent you booked through for clarification on their stance on these new restrictions. The Scottish Borders are in Level 2 of the new tier system introduced this week, with the advice that anyone travelling from a higher level should not do so.

 Above Kelso 96 fish were reported, Between Kelso and Coldstream 20 were reported and below Coldstream 20 were reported. With the best fishing being on the Fairnilee and Tillmouth beats where 14 Salmon were landed. Traquiair 13 and Boleside 11 also picked away during the week.

128 Salmon and 8 Sea Trout were landed for the week with the best fish 30lb Salmon caught on the Traquiar and Boleside beats.

 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 another week done and another week closer to the end of the season, but after the recent announcements could that be brought even closer. Nobody knows really, until things are clarified fully this week. Hopefully that comes soon enough. But last week was spent rowing in high water and higher water and strong winds. Very few fish were seen really apart from small patches with lots of activity. It would be great to hear that it was small pods of fresh fish running the river and the start of a big run... it would be great wouldn’t it. But I believe that it was actually some old resident fish jumping showing themselves to us. But in all the doom and disappointment, one of the fish on Thursday was actually fresh, not brown, green, red.... it was actually silver/blue fresh! So that was a great sight to see, even if they are too few and far between. Who knows what this week will bring? We will have to wait to find out if we might be sitting at the fly tying vice more than rowing a boat this November? Tight lines, Tom”

 On Upper North Wark, a week ruined by 3 rises, coloured water, full of leaves and howling wind on Saturday. Brief contacts were made on Wednesday and Friday but none stuck.  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.  Reopening Tuesday 3^rd November. Hours Open 5pm to 8pm last entry 7pm. These hours are due to the current level 2 restrictions in place at the moment.

 

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 3ft 4” and the water temperature is 46.

 

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

 

 The forecast this coming week, tomorrow will be less windy than today albeit still breezy and cool. It is likely to be cloudy at times with showers, these locally heavy. There should also be occasional bright spells. Showers will blow in from the west throughout the day on Tuesday, which could turn wintry on high ground. Remaining mostly cloudy. Wednesday will bring a scattering of showers, but these will clear later. A band of rain will push in from the Atlantic overnight on Wednesday. Once rain has cleared, Thursday will be a dry day, but it will remain mostly cloudy with blustery winds.

 

 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, looking at the weather for this coming week the water levels will be high and likely coloured water at the start of the week then throughout the week it should settle and drop at the week progresses. It could be a case of bring every line with you just incase but a rough guide an Intermediate line Wet Cel 2 with assorted poly leaders should suffice on most beats, Red Frances, Black and Yellow, Cascade, Black and Orange, Junction Shrimp and Snaelda are all capable to tempting fish on 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

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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:  128 Salmon & 8 Sea Trout

Total caught so far this season: 8194 Salmon and 1166 Sea Trout

As reported on Fishtweed:-

(Biggest Salmon 30lb Holylee, Boleside, Traquair) (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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