Week beginning 11 March 2013
Monday 11th March. Looked out of the bedroom window and thought I’d rather go back to bed than be out on the river but duty calls. The ground was white over with a vicious wind blowing from the north east which made the snow sting the face, first job fire on in the hut and kettle on top of it. 1’8” and 34 degs so up 4” and down 6 degs from Saturday, rods arrived had a coffee got the rods put up did the draw and set off, Ian Merrell was first into the Cauld and was the lucky boy getting a liced 8lb fish in the first 10 minutes and that was his luck for the day. We had a large Seatrout Kelt from the temple on a Toby which was very well mended. The wind chill was the main factor of the day causing the rod rings to freeze up by 3.00pm onwards, the lads who had been fishing the bottom of the beat arrived back with no tales to tell for their efforts but at least got themselves warmed up by the roaring fire in the hut. Tuesday 12th Another cold day but less windso feeling a bit warmer, One wee Springer at 6lbs from the back of the wall and another lost in Learmouth stream but only four off the river today so still not much about at the moment. Another sign of Spring on the way was a small flock of Golden Plover flying about the beat last saw them in September on their way south and if this weather doesn’t change they’ll be thinking about going back south again. Rivers dropped back to 1’4” today which is a 4” drop over night quite a bit at this level 36 degs and clean, back on to intermediate lines. Wednesday 13th A sunny start and a 7lb Springer from the Cauld on a black and yellow conehead along with a very skinny Kelt, looking at the websites there were a few more fish about today and it’s about time too. We had quite a heavy snow shower this afternoon and the weather forecast is saying-7 tonight so thats not going to help the water temperatures which was 36 degs this morning and squeaky clean. On the wildlife front it would be easier to mention when I don’t see the Otters than when I do as we had them with us all day, lovely to see them.
Thursday 14th Well the wind has finally turned into the west but it’s still cold, 1’4” and 36 degs still. Neil Pratt was a lucky lad today on his first trip to the Lees and a one day trip at that he gets a cracking 13lb fish from the Cauld on a wee aluminium tube which was straight off the tide and covered in lice ( if you’re not a fisher that must sound horrible being covered in lice) We also had a lucky lady fisher today Hilary Drury also had a nice fresh fish which was 8lbs from the Bags on a Toby, it’s nice to get one somewhere else than the Cauld, Hilary’s hubby Steve is still smarting as Hilary also had one at Tillmouth on Monday and he has yet to score. They are both fishing with me tomorrow so who’s betting on Steve levelling the score. Friday 15th A nice enough day out west wind but still cool, still at 1’4” 38 degs and clean fished it hard all day but not a touch, a few Kelts splashing about in the tail of the Cauld and a couple of Springers but not a sniff off any of them. The Swans were fighting all day, Lapwings displaying and Otters all over the place as usual. Checking the river levels tonight I see it’s up about 1 foot at Hawick and a wee bit in the Ettrick so we will have about another 4 inch here tomorrow which will help giving us more water to fish. Saturday 16th River up to 1’9”but still clean 40 degs, ended the day with 6 Salmon Kelts we did see a couple of Springers but couldn’t tempt them. North east wind this morning which turned to south west this afternoon but was still cold. The two young Otters turned up again right outside the hut and gave us a cheery wave. Highlight of the day was getting home in time to see the last 20 minutes of the England v Wales game, it made my week. Forecast for next week is not so good with much colder weather coming back and snow Tuesday/Wednesday it really needs to warm up soon As I need to prick out my onions and Sally (wife) does not want/like all the windowsills in the house covered with onion seedlings in pots, plus there are no flies for the Sandmartins if they arrive on time.
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