River Tweed
River Report Week Ending 6th March
With
February being pretty much a wash out for the latter weeks there was not much
to report from the river during those weeks. Conditions settling in last week
and it felt like it was opening week all over again with everyone finally
getting a chance to fish instead of watching mucky water flow past. There are
still lost of Covid Restrictions in place so many of the beats are just been
fishing by the Ghillies or Local Rods. Under the current restrictions nobody out
with local should be travelling to the Tweed to fish! There seems to be one or
two fish about with a good percentage having been sea liced which is quite encouraging.
Quite amazingly the river is so clear that the gravel looks brand new it’s
shiney so the fish will have no problem at all seeing fly or lure, that could
all change by the middle of the week going by the forecast.
Fishing
at Makerstoun Mr Iain Wilson fishing in the Lairds Cast landed a 9lber, on
Friday Mr Neil Jones had a superb afternoon landing 4 springer’s to 10lb on
fly. Mr Alan Morrison had success on Upper Floors. Mr Steve Robbins and Mr
Jonathan Reddin both landed lovely fresh fish from Lower Floors. With the
Fabulous Contented Vine still closed due to restrictions Mr Alex Knox is
managing some time on the river with success, he landed a 6lb Sea Trout from
the Snipe on Upper North Wark and a springer from Birgham Dub. Fishing at the Lees, Boatman Mr Paul Hume landed
3 on the fly, Mrs Sally Campbell had a good afternoon landing 2 from the Temple
and on Saturday Mr Colin Tait landed a long tailed licer from the Ledges on an
original Ghillie salmon fly from Tay Salmon Fly. Fishing at Lower North Wark Mr
Callum Simpson landed a nice fish from the Wall on a Gledswood Shrimp Conehead
from Tay Salmon Fly. Other successes that I know about are Ghillie/Boatman
caught, Martin Ritchie landed a 7lber in the Dub Pool at Upper North Wark. Mr
Richard Farr landed a 14lber from the Mill Stream and an 8lber from the Island
at Rutherford. Mr Grant Gibson landed 2 cracking fish from Middle Mertoun on
Wednesday.
Above Kelso 16 fish were reported, Between Kelso and
Coldstream 34 were reported and below Coldstream 0 were reported. With the best
fishing being quite well spread out with three beats having landed 6 Springer’s
for the week, Junction, Hendersyde and the Lees. The Makerstoun and Floors
beats also had 6 each between their Upper and Lower beats.
49 Salmon and 4 Sea Trout were landed for the week with the best fish 18lb Salmon
caught on the Hendersyde beat.
The River Tweed Commission officially published its
2020 Annual Report on the 1st March at its AGM. Despite the challenges
imposed by the COVID-19 restrictions the 2020 Tweed salmon rod catch of 9,614
was the highest since 2013 (14,853) and a significant increase on the 2018 and
2019 catches (5,644 and 6,382 respectively). The total salmon catch was 10,352
with 738 caught by the nets. The release rate of rod caught salmon during the
2020 season was 89%, the highest release rate on record. The notable increase
in the importance of the summer months continued during 2020 with 49% of the
catch being taken in June, July and August. The Sea-trout rod catch of 1,880
was down on 2019 (2,176) but well up on 2018 (817). It was the 9th best
recorded total since 1970 though the reduced fishing effort in May will have
had an effect on the total. 492 Sea-trout were caught in the nets.
Floy tagging is in
place again this season with one main difference from last year which is each
beat as their own unique colour of tag. This will help identify some of the
fish when seen passing through the cameras on the fish passes upstream. The
results from last year’s tagging were quite interesting albeit on a small scale
due to covid restrictions not allowing fishing during the bulk of the spring
months. Hopes are that a larger sample of tagged fish can be managed this
season and hopefully can provide an interesting update to the movement of these
fish. I will include last season’s results in the next report.
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 “Week of the 1st March. Well it seems strange that over a month into the
start of the season our first report....but unless you’ve all wanted to know
about floods, dirty water and washed up debris. There wasn’t much more to
report on. So back to the week in hand. Our first proper fishable day of the
year (1st march) and our first fish! 7lb sea liced salmon. Black and yellow
tube (as if you’d use anything else early spring.). Another contact was made
with something, it pulled 3 times off the reel, enough for us to get our hopes
up that the fly choice was correct, line picked correctly, cast was on the
money and the thought of landing a super fresh Atlantic salmon.... but whilst
all this was going through our minds with the fish on for only 2 seconds, know
where did we anticipate it was going to let go! And it did, just like that. But
luckily we did get another chance on the Saturday. A nice fish of about 9lb
from the cauld stream. Because of the restrictions on travel and meeting other
households due to COVID we are open on a very restricted basis, which allows
local rods to book. So whilst it’s really unfortunate for our previous let rods
who can’t make it up to fish their weeks it does open up relatively rare
chances to get to fish certain weeks. Last Weeks settled and dropping water
suited pretty much most beats on the river and was great to see a lot of the
beats getting on the score board and recording fish. All the fish I’ve seen in
pictures are super fresh and a lot with lice on or lice just off. So the fish
are running, which means every time down a pool there’s a fresh chance of
connecting. Fingers crossed the fish continue and the water stays settled.
Tight lines all and we will see what this next week brings.
On Upper North Wark, The beat is currently closed to the
public until there is a change in the restrictions. We have been having a wee
go ourselves and managed a nice springer about 7lbs from the Dub pool on
Tuesday, along with a couple of nice fresh Sea Trout we have a good few days
before the water levels started to tail off towards the end of the week. Any
enquiries or booking requests please call Martin on 07825334427.
Lees Head Boatman Mr
Malcolm Campbell reports “A good week on the
Lees considering the effort put in due to Covid regs, with 6 fish landed all brand
new and fresh as paint, Paul Hume leading the charge with 3, Sally Campbell on
2 and Colin Tait 1. The heights are starting to suit us now and we can cover
most of the pools as no boats allowed at the moment unless you are from the
same household. We have also seen some other fish on the move which is encouraging.
Sadly the good news couldn't last as some bad weather is coming for the middle
of next week which could put an end to things.”
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 4” and the water temperature is 40.
At this
stage in the report I would normally have my suggested beats to book for the
week ahead, however with all the Covid Restrictions in place and each beat
using their own guidelines I will refrain from suggestions until the river is
opened back up for fishing a bit more normally.
The
forecast this coming week, Tomorrow, areas of rain will linger
for a time, beginning to ease in the afternoon. Staying largely overcast, with
just the odd brighter spell later in the afternoon. Tuesday will start
largely dry and overcast, with the odd shower in places. Blustery rain will
push in from the west through the evening and overnight. The rain will clear
early on Wednesday, but it will be followed by showers that could turn to sleet
and snow over the hills and mountains. Thursday will bring further blustery
rain, turning to sleet and snow on high ground.
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 could fluctuate around the middle of the week. It could be a case
of bring every line with you just incase but a rough guide a floating line or
intermediate line with assorted poly leaders should suffice on most beats,
Black & Yellow, Tosh, Willie Gunn, Monkey and Posh Tosh are all capable to
tempting fish on 1” -1½” tubes.
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: 50 Salmon & 4 Sea
Trout
Total
caught so far this season: 59 Salmon and 7 Sea Trout
As
reported on Fishtweed:-
(Biggest
Salmon 18lb Hendersyde)
(Biggest
Sea Trout 6lb Upper North Wark)
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
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