Spring update with this weeks report
We have had a challenging spring, significantly impacted by drought conditions, yet marked by some successes here and there.
The season began promisingly with Angus Griffiths landing the first fish on February 4th from the Bank pool, with the gauge at 6″. By March 10th, a total of 6 salmon had been recorded, marking the best start since 1995, despite the already prevalent lack of water.
Water levels fluctuated significantly throughout the early season. After Angus’s initial catch, the water dropped until a brief rise to minus 6″ on March 3rd. This rise allowed Rick Verbeeten to catch two salmon, one from Gardners and another from the neck of the Morail. The water receded again until March 10th, when it briefly rose to 2ft 3″, enabling John Ritchie, Scott Maclean, and Finlay to each catch a salmon from the Morail.
Following this, a period of no water ensued until a small rise on March 29th. Mark Arkwright managed to catch a 7lb salmon from Gardners with the gauge at three inches.
The first tenants arrived on March 30th to a gauge reading of 3ft, but this quickly dropped to 0″ by the morning. Host Olly Alston successfully caught two salmon from the Morail that day. Despite the river dropping to minus 9″ by the end of the week, Jason Ellis and Angus Nicoll each added a salmon to the count from the Washerwoman and the neck of the Morail, respectively.
Another dry spell followed until a small rise to minus 7″ on April 29th. Stuart Lodge unfortunately lost a good salmon in the neck of the Morail, but persevered and caught an 8lb salmon from Charlies on April 30th.
The river then drops to a record low until this week when the Emslie party arrived. Ed Hitchman kicked off their week with his first-ever salmon, weighing about 10lb, from Contractors, with the gauge at minus 10″.
The following day saw a good rise in the river to 1ft 6″. Charlotte Emslie caught a 15lb salmon from the Morail, and her husband Jamie added two more to the book at 13lb and 7lb, also from the Morail.
On Wednesday, with 6″ on the gauge, three more salmon were recorded. Ed Grissell caught his first ever fish from Contractors, followed by another from Charlies before lunch. Charlotte Emslie also had a successful hour, landing an 18lb salmon from the neck of the Morail.
Thursday brought a rising river, reaching 1ft 10″, but the water was dirty, resulting in a blank day. However, on Friday, with the river at 1ft 3″, Edd Hitchman saved the day from another blank by catching an 8lb salmon at 11:20 pm.
Today, Jamie Emslie landed a 10lber from Field at 8am.
