Week beginning 18 November 2013
Monday 18th November 1’5” and 42 degs squeaky clean, the Baker party turned up or duty (no they don’t make bread) 3 fish was all we could manage which is a bit disappointing after last week but that’s fishing. There were plenty fish showing in the Glide and we had one and lost another this morning, one with a very black face (see photo) Mike Firth fished the Glide in the afternoon cast his fly over the border but couldn’t get a pull. So better luck tomorrow.
Tuesday 19th Enjoyed watching my laddie on telly last night. Anyway 1’7” and 38 degs sunny frosty start, fished it hard enough for a return of 4 fish 1@16lb the rest under 6lbs, didn’t see many today, it’s gone very quiet and I now remember why I don’t like the Bags in November, the sun never gets there and the frost never leaves the ground, I was there this afternoon didn’t see a fish or touch one just got bloody cold, it’s a cold dull soulless place in late November and I don’t think I’ll go back there.
Wednesday 20th The winds gone into the north and the fish have buggered off (there must be a poem there somewhere). 1’5” and 38 degs clean with a lot of leaves in it. We fished all the main spots but it wasn’t until the afternoon when Roger Baker had a 9lber from the Slap and that was the only pull for the day, (just shows the old dog for the hard road). There were very few fish showing today, the only splash in the Cauld was an Otter who made sitting in the cold north wind a bit more bearable and at least he was catching something. A pair of Dippers down at the Duddo, Whooper swans whooping their way past, some Golden Plover still here, Dab chicks sneaking up the edges(where are they all summer?) The odd Goosander zooming past, pheasants coming over the river to feed on all the Beech mast and Acorns that are covering the floor. So there’s a lot going on just not on the fishing front.
Thursday 21st What a bloody awful morning, it blew a hoolie from the north with showers mix in, it was as cold a day as I’ve out in since March. 2’0” on the gauge and 40 degs but the river had a grey colour to it which I never like, it was full of road washings and rising to boot. Roger Baker had a 2lb cock fish from the Cauld first thing which had the milt running out of it, not a great sight to see. That reinforces my hatred of fishing in late November it’s about time they closed the river on or about the 20th November, certainly below Kelso, very very rarely does it fish well right up to the last days. I only saw one fish today, it looks like they have all gone, I might be wrong and we’ll find out tomorrow but they are long days sat in out of sorts water trying to catch a fresh fish among what’s left of the autumn run in a gale of wind. (Moan moan moan).
Friday 22nd A lovely frosty sunny start and calm, 2’2” and 38 degs bit more colour than I’d like, the junior team were fishing today and just as well as Steven Morgan caught the only fish of the day on his first cast while wading the tail of the Cauld a 9lb hen which was returned. The only other catch was a Seatrout Kelt for Mike Firth from the Iron Gate Point, we did see 3 or 4 in the Glide and a few in the Temple but I still reckon they have gone! Lucy and Kelsae (dugs) spent the morning digging up rats which kept them busy for most of the morning and me entertained as well I have to say, hardly good gundog training mind. Should really be closing the doors tomorrow night but we still have a week to go, so let’s hope that there’s still one or two to come.
Saturday 23rd Bit overcast but calm and mild enough but there must have been a frost upriver as the temp has dropped to 36 degs. Saw a few more fish today and we caught a few more, ending the day with 7 the best being 20lbs from the Glide for Steven Lowesby. Only one of the fish was keepable a 6lb hen from the Slap. We are back onto intermediate lines and today’s flee was a aluminium bottle tube and with the weather set the same for next week I should think we’ll be using the same sort of kit. Well we’re heading towards the last week of the season but as they say it’s not over till the fat lady sings, but she’s busy clearing her throat as I write. I’ll be much happier this time next week and a bit pissed I should think as I’ll be off to the annual Ghillies bun fight at Kelso. Photos this week are of Steven Lowesby playing and returning fish, and that Black headed salmon.
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