Week beginning 1 February 2016
Monday 1st February 2016. And off we go again except it’s a false start as its 4’6” and rising so nothing worth fishing on the Lees. It’s been flood after flood all winter since the end of last season most of them bank toppers and a couple of them well over the water dykes that surround the Lees leaving tons of flotsam and assorted rubbish all over the banks, as well as breaking through the dyke at the back of the wall, I was lucky and missed the worst of it as I was in sunnier climes chasing Bonefish which at the moment looks vastly preferable to chasing Springers. The forecast for the week is grim with front after front coming in. As I write this the river is still rising with 6’0” plus at Peebles and rising, its all down to storm Henry the weather girl tells me. Will there be any Springers down here when it settles? Will I win the Lotto this week? You never know!
Tuesday 2nd February. Much the same as yesterday really, blowing a hoolie and rain about the place. Two Swedish lads that are here thrashed the place to a foam but not a touch was had, no surprise really as it was 5’0” or thereabouts.
Wednesday 3rd February. 3’10” and cleaner, you could see in about a foot and a half but the wind was gone at last. Fished all day, same result. I took the boat over to the far side of the Cauld this afternoon and I have to say that might be the last time I do that, it’s maybe having a two month lie off the oars but I will not take any rocking to sleep tonight, 3’10” is just too big for the Cauld and thats without any wind. I didn’t see so much as a Kelt all day, not a splash and the Temple was the same. The Kingfisher was zooming back and forward so he’s made it through all the flooding which is nice to see, and the Oyster Catchers are back screeching as they fly by.
Thursday 4th February. Well thats the Tweed off and running with 2 at Junction, 1 at Upper Makerstoun and 1 at Upper Floors although the Upper Floors fish isn’t showing on the website yet, maybe Colin’s phones not working or he’s not paid the bill yet, anyway well done them. At the Lees things were running along at much the same pace as the last few days with not a thing seen or touched, we only had the one rod today as the others decided not to fish with the levels being so high, Ray Anderson was the keen one. Ray a Lees regular and breeder of Newcastle’s fastest pigeons gave the Cauld a thrashing morning and afternoon then decided to throw the ball for Kelsae (dug)which was much more fun for both of them. The only life in the river down here was a seal which was heading down from Upper North Wark, it must be somewhere between us as we never saw it. I got the track up to the Glide cleared of the latest flood debris, filled the potholes and set about the moles which are back, you would think they would all have perished in the floods but they haven’t. Rays pals are joining him tomorrow so if there’s a fish anywhere on the Lees no matter if its a 15’0” flood it had better look out. Don’t you just love February!
Friday 5th February 3’2” and 42 degs and carrying a grey colour the lads fished all day but ended with nothing to show for their efforts. Spent the evening at the Ghillies supper at Ednam house and a very enjoyable evening was had.
Saturday 6th February. River rising again and coloured all the rods decided not to try and fish which was the right decision. Total off the river this week was 7 landed with the biggest being a 20lber from Upper Makerstoun which is a cracking size for a springer
Sunday 7th February. Rising yet again with more rain forecast
Photo this week is the breach in the water dyke.
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