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
OPENING PAGE: RICHARD FAULKS
England & Wales
SINCE my last report the Border Esk has had plenty of water which kept fish running. On the catch front, the figures for the Burnfoot beat to date show 128 salmon, with 75 landed in July. Sea-trout total 99 with 42 for July. Therefore anglers appear to have had some fine sport with areas such as Wilkies, The Roost and Mound featuring in catches. Among the successful were Brian Lee with a 10lb salmon caught in Wilkies and Gary Robinson with two salmon. There was a red-letter day when nine salmon were caught mainly from the Mound and Wilkies. John Murray released a fine 15lb salmon caught in the Roost. In addition to the salmon and sea-trout there was also a fine 3lb wild brown trout caught.
On the Buccleuch Estate waters the Willow Pool produced with Alan Dixon catching a 12lb salmon and in early August Jean Macrae landed an 11lb 8oz salmon on a spinner.
George Macrae landed an excellent 6lb sea-trout, while Neil Parkinson caught a 24lb salmon after a long battle. His fish took a fly. Colin Hudson landed a 4lb grilse while spinning in high water and Tom Davis caught a 5lb grilse on fly. Upstream on the Hollows Beat Neil Partlett caught three sea-trout of 2½lb, plus an 8lb salmon. Murdo Macrae landed a 2lb sea-trout while Lynn Partlett caught a 7lb salmon and a 4lb grilse.
Upstream on the Gilnockie Tower beat, Neil Partlett caught a 9lb salmon in the Tower Pool. George Macrae caught a 7lb sea-trout in the Caul Flatts and a 9lb salmon in the Caul Pool. Kenny Macrield caught a sea-trout and a 14½lb salmon in the Tower Pool. Neil Partlett also caught a 10lb salmon in the Caul Pool while George Macrae landed another sea-trout of 3lb at the Caul Flatts.
On Lower Irvine House John Murray caught a 3½lb sea-trout followed by a magnificent 30lb salmon caught on a spinner in Pete’s Hole. He later caught a 15lb salmon and a 2lb sea-trout from the same pool. Fishing Mid Irvine House John then caught a 17lb salmon on a Flying C in the House Pool. Cyril Gaskell caught an 8lb salmon on a shrimp pattern while fishing the Boat Pool. Eddie Hartley also caught a 2lb sea-trout in the Boat Pool. Russell Graham caught a 10lb salmon on spinner in the House Stream and John Ashworth caught a 12lb salmon on a Stoats Tail tube fished in the tail of Mid Pool.
On the BELAC beats sport was quieter than usual with the persistently high flows giving fish ideal running conditions. Ian Jardine had a good brace of sea-trout on 1st August, while Tommy Callaghan released a grilse and a 3lb sea-trout. Not all catches have been reported.
On Tyneside Anglers Syndicate beat, Jason Brockley caught numerous sea-trout in the 2-4lb range. In addition to this, David Car
