All the latest news from our local experts. The only monthly record of catches and news from the major fisheries of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
England & Wales
THE Burnfoot beat below Longtown has produced a few spring salmon and sea-trout. Malcolm Johnson caught a fresh run fish in Wilkies on fly. He also caught grayling to 2lb. Grayling are present in numbers.
The late Kevin Winters caught a 4lb grayling on Tyneside Anglers Syndicate beat at Longwood around six years ago and they also figured regularly in catches on the River Lyne at Westlinton over a decade ago.
The Border Esk had a flush of water in mid-May with a few rods out on the Esk and Liddel Angling Club waters. With the river peaking at two foot anglers caught lots of smolts and parr which is an encouraging sign for the river. A few rods had hold of fish but lost them. Reports indicate that there were a few sea-trout in the beats on the lower river.
On the Buccleuch Estates fishing at the Willow Pool, David Cairns caught a superb 8lb sea-trout on fly.
Upstream on the Mid Irvine House beat, John Ashworth landed a 10lb salmon caught on fly in the Mid Pool.
Buccleuch Estates head bailiff Peter Kinstrey told me that the river was down to summer low making daytime fishing difficult. Even so, given cloud cover and a breeze there is always hope. Night fishing is likely to produce some sport. At present there is not much about, but that could quickly change and by the time this report is read, sport should be well underway throughout the Esk system.
Martin Coulthard fished a private beat below Canonbie and caught a fresh run salmon estimated at 10 lb and covered in sea-lice.
PROSPECTS
As I write, the Esk is running at 4in on the Canonbie Gauge and is in need of a good spate to get sea-trout and salmon running.
Recommended sea-trout flies for the Esk catchment include Silver Stoats Tail, Border Belle, Teal, Blue and Silver, Thompson’s Terror, Black Pennell, Butcher, Peter Ross and Invicta. Smaller flies often out-fish larger offerings in low water conditions with sizes 14-16 worth a try. On a falling water a size 10 or even an 8 should take sea-trout.
BLAGDON Lake: Since the recent injection of stock fish the fishing has improved somewhat. Until last week’s fish went in there were only odd fish being caught by boats and the bank guys were struggling, especially as the cool north-easterly or north-westerly winds meant that Green Lawn and Rainbow Point were difficult to fish.
But now, there are plenty of fish to be caught in Butcombe – especially along the footpath side, and Peg’s Point is full of fish. This is especially good for the bank anglers. Rainbow Point, Holt Bay and Green Lawn also have plenty of fish that
