Week beginning 23 February 2015
Monday 23rd February Well the wind certainly caught up with us today, it blew a hoolie all day from the south west turning to the south, but Rory McLaren is not the sort of rod where a wee breeze would stop him and he was into the Tail of the Cauld quicker than a pork chop gets chucked out of a synagogue, before long he was in to our biggest fish of the season so far a lovely 13lb tidelicer. The other members of the team didn’t fare so well and never had a thing apart from rosy cheeks with the wind chill. 2’2” and rising slowly, 38degs but clean. Rory’s fish makes it a hat trick for the McLaren family with Dad and the two sons all getting a Springer, good going when you consider the beat total is 4! It was so windy today I didn’t see any fish moving if they were there, I wouldn’t have noticed a splash from a paving slab it was so choppy. Jerry has yet to score and it’ll be an interesting chat over a pint when the other three are wearing their 2015 sweatshirts and Jerry’s not, your turn tomorrow Jerry. More wind forecast for tomorrow and you all know how much I love the wind.
Tuesday 24th February Well I had the boat unlocked and the oars at the ready to get Jerry over the Cauld for a cast then the wind blew, and boy did it blow again along with colour coming in so Jerry waded the tail and hurled his Toby into the maelstrom but all for nothing. Quentin had foolishly opted to wade the Ledges but after half an hour he was back at the hut feeling seasick with all the waves up there, that was enough for team McLaren and they pulled stumps and headed for home. John Okell and Tony are made of sterner stuff and stuck it out till lunchtime, the fact that Tony spent the morning snoozing in the car at the Glide meant he kind of missed all the wind and rain, he was really just holding out till lunchtime to cook the venison burgers which I have to say are delicious. John gave it best from the Back of the wall to the Duddo and after lunch headed for home as well, he has three days and I’m sure the wind will die down and it’ll be better tomorrow! 2’7” and 38degs, colour getting worse with wave action as well. No fish reported on either website which doesn’t surprise me. I did chalk up another three Moles so not a hopeless day.
Wednesday 25th February It’s just like buses, none for ages then two come along at once and that was the same today, we had two fresh Seatrout one from the Cauld and one from the Back of the Wall, both 3lbs. 2’3” and 37degs this morning with a tinge of colour but there was no wind in fact flat calm and blue skies my kind of day. As far as Salmon go we never saw a thing all day, Junction managed three and Lower Floors one, so not much about yet, only one Mole today as well so its time to move the traps further down. John Okell found out that his Neoprene waders had a leak in the groin; either that or he has a bladder problem Aqua/Stormsure will cure both. Tony was on fine form with his venison burgers again at lunchtime and this morning we caught every fish in the world on our grand tour round the world. A wee rise at the top of the Ettrick tonight and a band of rain moving through so hopefully it’ll not drop much as the lower the better for me.
Thursday 26th February Two dramas today on the Lees, first one was a visit from a Seal again, it went through the Slap and up the Temple as far as Carham, it must of had a fright up there as it came back down ½ hour later and looked like it had a rocket up its arse the speed it was going and hopefully it will stay gone. The other drama was John Okell decided to have a swim in the Glide this morning, he slipped on the stone dirt fell backwards used his rod to recover his feet then fell forwards for a complete immersion losing his rod at the same time which disappeared downstream. After hearing the tale and trying not to laugh too much Paul and myself headed to the scene to try and recover the rod as the river was rising fast and it would never be found later. He’s a lucky lucky boy as walking up beside Duddo I spotted the cork sticking out of the water, Bryan Jewels and Fred Roberts were in the Cornhill boat so they managed to hold the boat in the torrent and recover the rod, so all’s well that ends well, could have been so different (wear a lifejacket) get the waistcoat type and you soon put it on automatically as all your kit is in the pockets, they cost about £200 but what price do you value your life? Drowning really spoils your days fishing. It won’t fish tomorrow, maybe Saturday but there is a lump of rain coming for Sat/Sun so prospects are not looking good. We had a Kelt today.
Friday 27th February River very coloured so not fishing and myself off to Lake District for a wedding.
Saturday 28th February I know why there are so many lakes over there it never stops raining, I went for a two week holiday there about 35 years ago in the summer and it rained every day, I was there this weekend and it was still raining! No fish caught on the Lees today it was still a bit on the big side. That’s February over and done with, the worst month of the year. March is a much better prospect, it gets warmer, lighter and hopefully more fish about. The Sandmartins will be here around the 20th and they make you think summers round the corner.
Photos this week are the Seal surfing the Cauld, it’s the black bit in the wave, and the Seal swimming up the Temple, might get a photo of a fish this week.
©M Campbell 2015
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