Week beginning 1 February 2020
Saturday 1st February. It was blowing a full gale this morning with waves coming down the Temple and Cauldstream so the team was sent to the middle and lower parts of the beat. Colin Simpson and Mike here along with Matthias Helde, Magnus and Stellen from Sweden (whose names I’ve spelt wrong no doubt, sorry) 2’7” on the gauge and 46 degrees which is a big difference from last year when we were frozen off. Colin had a seatrout kelt from the Glide and that was all the action for the morning. This afternoon the wind calmed right down to be replaced with cold rain from the north east. It didn’t improve the catches though as we had a pull in the Cauld and a wee pull in the Temple. The first fish of the season came from Lower Floors closely followed by the Junction and Birgham Dub, South Wark and Lower North Wark had 16 kelts between them which is a good sign as I thought they’d all be away with all the high water last month. I like having a Kelt or two about as they can decoy the springs in to hanging about. Some of the gauges rising tonight and gales again for Monday so it’s a rough start for everyone on the river. Jock the ginger dug had a grand day eating as many old smelly kelts as he could find when I wasn’t looking so the odour in my house now has Sally (wife) scowling somewhat.
It’ll be better next week.
©M Campbell 2020