Week beginning 11 March 2019
Monday 11th March. A nice enough start to the day with a bit of sunshine but a rather cool wind. Only two rods on today which is just as well with the gauge showing 3’0” and 42 degrees and a wee bit of colour. Duncan Jack on the Lees for the first time went into the Cauld with the fly whilst Quentin McLaren tackled the Temple with a silver toby (yes we do spin in big water).The score for the morning was a Carrion Crow which made a mistake and drifted over us, I forgot I had a rather heavy load of AAA in but it certainly fettled the crow. This afternoon we swapped places and Duncan had a salmon kelt from the Temple and Quentin had two wee brown trout out of the Cauld. 3’0” is a big water for us in the spring with not too many fish about they take a bit of finding, sadly it could be a lot bigger tomorrow as there is a flood warning out for the Scottish Borders tonight.
Tuesday 12th March. River rising quickly peaking just under 7’0” on the Lees gauge. Storm Gareth is on his way over tonight bringing gales and more rain so no fishing tomorrow or Thursday I should think, in fact any fishing this week will depend on how much more rain we get out of Gareth. Got the greenhouse cleared out and disinfected this afternoon so the garden now smells of Jeyes fluid.
Wednesday 13th March. A repeat of yesterday really, just under the 7’0” mark and very dirty, it would have been a lovely day if the wind hadn’t been blowing everything around the place. Took a walk round the beat to see how much rubbish has been washed up but its fairly clean also had a Goosander count.
Thursday 14th March. It’s a bit like that film Groundhog Day where the same things happen every day. The river was sitting at 4’0” this morning and rising again and would make 6’0” by this afternoon along with all the associated colour. The forecast is for more wind and rain with a weather warning for snow this weekend mostly on Saturday. One Kelt to show for our efforts this week and I can’t seeing that changing by Saturday.
Friday 15th March. Much the same as yesterday, highlight of the day was the Gold Cup where I managed a 2nd place with Anibail fly at 25/1 so made some money.
Saturday 16th March. Never mind the fishing, what a game of rugby, England were kicking us up and down the pitch until second half when Scotland made the biggest comeback ever only to be left with a draw, better than a loss but I kind of feel we lost. Anyway 4’0” and rising again that and snow with a biting east wind did not make for a pleasant morning. I’m sure it’ll be better next week.
©M Campbell 2019