Week beginning 19 March 2018
Monday 19th March. Another cold day with a North east wind blowing across the river. 2’6” and 36 degrees but at least we were fishing for the first time in 3 weeks. James Henderson was the top rod today getting a Seatrout Kelt which was determined to get caught having several goes at the toby behind the boat before getting hooked, (yes we do spin in big water). I didn’t see a splash all day but at 36 degrees I don’t really expect to see anything. There were 5 fish reported off the river today which is an improvement on none so it’s all looking up. This weather of course is doing nothing for my carbon footprint as the wee paraffin heater in the polytunnel is burning day and night to protect my wee seedlings.
Tuesday 20th March. Well the sun came out for the first time this month and it was a lovely day. Paul and Dean McAlister were with us today again and Dean was almost lucky hooking a fish in the Glide this afternoon but sadly it didn’t stay on, Mum and Dad McAlister who were fishing at Upper Hendersyde were much luckier with Mum getting two and dad getting a 20lb tide liced cock, they are both fishing the Lees tomorrow so lets hope they bring some of that luck with them. 2’6” and 38 degrees this morning and nice and clean. 5 fish reported off the river today the nearest being at Upper North wark.
Wednesday 21st March. A cold blustery wind blowing today, the Lees gauge showing 2’4” and a balmy 40 degrees water temp. Only two rods on today and they fished hard as they had done at Hendersyde yesterday, sadly they weren’t as lucky today but we did at least see a fish in the Cauld this morning. Only 3 fish reported across the websites today which is poor to say the least as the river heights must be suiting some of the beats upstream to a tee, the best fish was another 20lber from Hendersyde this time. I asked Bob Jewels at Upper Hendersyde if it might be their fish from yesterday dropping back after being released but he tells me that today’s fish was liced, yesterdays fish had no lice, so two 20lbers in two days thats a good reason to book a day or two on the river.
Thursday 22nd March. A very blowy day from the west combined with a rising river made for difficult fishing. Colin Hewitt and Jim were joined by Nick and they gave it as best they could but really they were beaten before they started. The Junction had a couple and Sprouston had one that was the total off the river today. With rain coming in tonight fishing looks unlikely tomorrow, it just never ends, the river has been just too big or frozen for almost all of March, so its roll on April and lets get some warmer weather and lower levels.
Friday 23rd March. It was a tad blowy again today and I’m getting really fed up with all the big water and bloody wind. Neil Andrews and Mark Orton joined us today and we gave it a go, Neil hooked and lost a couple of trout and that was it. South Wark opposite had a Springer further upstream and Junction were the golden boys getting 5 today. The river is rising yet again tonight and will likely be brown/coloured tomorrow, it never ends. Anyway the company was good if not the fishing.
Saturday 24th March. 3’0” and dirty so the rods wisely decided not to even attempt fishing, ironically it been a lovely calm sunny day unlike the last three weeks. Its still March and the cheery weather girl tells me the winter is going to return next Tuesday so next week is going to be unsettled yet again. It’ll come right one day.
© M Campbell 2018
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