Week beginning 18 February 2019
Monday 18th February. It blew a hoolie today as the cheery weather girl forecast; this made trying to get a fly across the pools a bit of a challenge to say the least, rowing a boat was no fun either. 1’6” and 42 degrees and nice and clean. Team Harper gave it a go but were beaten by the wind and by mid afternoon retired for a dram and stories of better days.
Tuesday 19th February. A much better day with the wind dropping to a manageable 15mph rather than 45mph. Clancy who was champing at the bit yesterday got going today in fine style getting not one but two springers and almost had a third, this achievement is made even greater by the fact that they are the first two he’s ever caught. He’s caught the far bank, the bottom, various croys, the boat, wrapped the line round the rod tip and had me watching the build up to every cast with prudent care, but today he caught fish and he was like a dog with two tails (I think that’s the saying). 2 licers at 7lb for Clancy, 1 at 12lb for Terry Harper and 1 at 12lbs for Richard Harrison plus 8 kelts between them. There were 8 fish reported off the river today and we had 4 of them, it’s easy when you have the fish with you. There is a bit of rain on the forecast which I’m not too happy about but we’ll just have to take what comes.
Wednesday 20th February. This morning it appeared that Team Harper had celebrated their big day in style last night as no one was very keen to leave the hut, the fact that it was blowing a bloody gale again didn’t help and the prospect of trying to chuck a fly into it required more coffee first. Graeme Whitty was first off the blocks trying the far bank of the Cauld where at least he had the wind in his favour, Richard and Paul went down to the Iron gate and Glide area but were soon back as the wind was swirling around and making casting almost impossible. The gauges were rising at the top end and there was 2’0” at Hawick this started to show itself at the Lees mid afternoon by which time everyone had had enough and headed to the pub. Lower North Wark had 3 fish from the Willows just round the corner from us showing that they hadn’t moved very far overnight. This lift of water might change things, I hope not as its very nice having some February fish on the beat. The gauges are showing it rising at the top end again tonight so there will be some colour to it tomorrow. Less wind would be great as its starting to get everyone down.
Thursday 21st February. Very mild today, almost warm. 2’10” 46 degrees but dirty. The team could have chucked a toby or two off the bank but decided that a good bleather in the hut followed by a walk for the more energetic was in order. The never ending wind picked up again at lunchtime which kept the midges away. River is dropping and will be fishable for us tomorrow it would be good to get us into double figures for the week. I’m off to give a talk tonight at the women’s institute, they wanted the best man for the job but he was busy so they’ve got me instead.
Friday 22nd February. A very warm day for February and the gauge reading 2’3” with a wee bit of colour. This was Team Harpers last day until April so the lads gave it a go in the morning then headed off at lunchtime. They have had a good trip getting 8 fish and it might have been more if the wind had not blown so much on some days and the river had stayed low. The forecast is looking fairly settled for the next week so things could improve going forward. Puppy Jock has now discovered that he can get into the hen house and I now know the reason why I’m not getting any eggs and why Jock lies and farts all night.
Saturday 23rd February. Another lovely warm day which is all very nice until you see butterflies and bumble bees going about and you know that this warm spell is going to end sometime and there is nothing for them to feed on, I suppose its all happened before and everything survives. Anyway the fishing. 1’10” on the gauge and 44 degrees nice and clean. Young Harvey Bird (10yo) was with us today and went home smiling as he caught 3 kelts, a fish is a fish when you are 10. Sean Mcgarry was on the Lees for the first time and had a few pulls and dropped something in the Cauld, Colin Simpson had a kelt from Learmouth stream. The height will be about perfect for us next week and there are a few kelts about to decoy any springers in so we are very hopeful. As ever see instagram or tweedbeats on face book for latest photos and clips.
©M Campbell 2019
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