River Tweed River Report Week Ending 29th September
After the rises at the end of the previous week
conditions were looking not too bad on Monday morning, although the lifts had
dropped quite quickly as seems to be the trend these days conditions were favourable
for fish been caught and the 1st half of the week didn’t disappoint with
reasonable catches made over the 3 days. Another small rise on Thursday seemed
to put the fish down for some reason and the end of the week the catches never
really picked back up. Conditions over the week were reasonable with some
ground frost on Friday morning, the annoying strong south west wind made
casting tricking for those beats on the north bank and affected the chances of
catching in some areas.
Noticeably this week the size of fish caught on
a daily basis was quite high with 4 days the biggest fish recorded at over
20lbs. Birgham Dub landed the biggest fish of the season so far on Wednesday
with a 30lber a day after having a 27lber on Tuesday. Tillmouth had fish of
21lb and 20lbs to.
Dryburgh Upper landed 5 for the week with the
Hall Party picking up a few fish. Mr Irvine Hall, Mr Paul Bradbury and Mr Mark
Crookes all landed fish from the Bridge Pool. On Middle Pavilion there was
success in the Spit for Mrs Ings Meyer. Mr Jonathan Lane landed a 16lb fish at
Boleside. Mr Ian Black had some success fishing at the Lees. Mr Philip Black
had a good day on Saturday landing 3 fish. From last week I received an email
from Mr Gary Stephenson, who landed a 20lb fish from the Gullet Pool on
Dryburgh Lower.
118 Salmon were reported caught above Kelso, Boleside
with 16, Tweedswood 14, Rutherford 14 and the Dryburgh beats with 13 had the
best of the fishing. 128 Salmon were reported between Kelso and Coldstream the
best of the fishing was at the Lees with 28 landed, Birgham Dub 25 and
Hendersyde 20. Below Coldstream 114 were
reported, Ladykirk and Tillmouth continue to be the best performing beats with
22 and 48 this week, Milne Graden sandwiched between these 2 beats managed 19.
On the River Till, no fish were reported
402 Salmon and 31 Sea Trout, with the best fish for the week was 30lb Salmon
caught on the Birgham Dub Beat.
Hendersyde Head Boatman Ketch reports “A bit more action at
the start of the week, some good sized fish and not so many of the small grilse
we've been catching the past few weeks. The river was a bit unsettled with the
odd small lift, just enough to put the fish off a bit but we managed to land 20
salmon and 3 sea trout.”
Lower Birgham Head Boatman Mr Tom Davis reports “A tough week
where a few fish were hooked and lost. But landed a few and it did include 2
fresh fish, one grilse with the sea love just off it and another very fresh
12lber. The fish we have been seeing jumping though have all had quite a bit of
colour about them.
On Upper North Wark, the week started with 6” on the
gauge and we managed a nice 7lb fish from the Dub caught on a Black Frances by
Mr Richard Farr. On Tuesday with 2” on the gauge Mr Gary Derrick had a bit of
sport landed 1 salmon from the Dub and a grilse from the Snipe along with
another couple of brief encounters using a Red Frances. Unfortunately Gary didn’t
add to the tally on Wednesday losing a good fish after a 5 minute battle. A
small rise on Thursday put the fish down and increasing south west winds made
conditions challenging for the rods. We
have dropped our November fishing to £45prpd to enquire give Martin a call on
07825334427
Lees Head Boatman Mr Malcolm Campbell reports “Not a bad week on the Lees with 28 fish landed and many more pulls and fish lost. The wind was a pain some days making casting a challenge. We did get one or two cleaner fish but nothing that was fresh. # 8 and #10 doubles doing most of the catching but we did have a few looking at a Sunray/Collie dug. It was a strange week for fish sightings some days I hardly saw a fish then next plenty showing. It's not like there are plenty running.”
Horncliffe
Head Ghillie Mr Tony Averill reports “We did it, congratulations to Mr
Robbie Brenner for catching the 100th fish of the season. We've had a mixed
week 9 fish landed to 13lb with a mixed bag of coloured and clean fish, with
another 8 fish lost. Conditions were difficult with the strong winds. There are
still fish to be caught. I have some availability for this week and looking at
the river levels any fresh coming in are going to be hanging around down here,
it's at 8" this morning as the week goes on things will be getting better
for us....”
Dave Cowan secretary of Berwick and District Angling
Association beat on the Whiteadder reports “Nothing to report from the
Whiteadder apart from a small grilse. Still very much in need of some rain to
get the fish moving up from the tide.”
The week ended with the level at Sprouston 5” and the water temperature
is 50.
Looking at the availability for this coming week I would recommend the Lower
Birgham, Ladykirk and Horncliffe beats should have a chance of some action this
week. If you fancy the middle river Rutherford and the Dryburgh beats will be worth
a cast.
The
forecast this coming week, Tuesday will be a largely dry day
with some sunny spells, but it will be a windy day. It should remain dry
overnight. Wednesday should also be dry but there will be the chance of some
patchy drizzle or light rain moving in from the west for a time. Dry on Wednesday
night. Thursday should be dry at first but rain is likely to move through later
in the day.
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
With water levels back to near summer level and still no real sign of a
flood on the horizon, the temperature is hovering between 48-50. Floating lines
with poly leaders on the end should cover most fishing conditions at the
moment, maybe pack an intermediate line just in case it’s required. Dressed
flies around a size 8 to 10 should be the order of the day, in the deeper pools
it might be worth a try with little 1/2” or 3/4” copper tubes. I would suggest are
Copper Cascade, Black Frances, Black and Yellow, Kylie Shrimp, Red Frances should
bring success. The river is now fly only until the end of the season on the 30th
November.
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
Total catch last week: Salmon 402
Sea Trout 31
Total caught so far this season: 3325 Salmon and 559 Sea Trout
As reported on Fishtweed:-
(Biggest Salmon 30lb Birgham Dub)
(Biggest Sea Trout 12lb Tillmouth, Birgham Dub & Boathouse and Canny)
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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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