Week beginning 25 October 2021
Monday 25th October. A mild day with a bit of a wind from the south west, 2’6” rising to 2’9” by lunchtime, 48 degrees and a bit murky. Team Andrews here for the week so we wish them luck and they are going to need it looking at the forecast. The usual Monday morning chaos getting rods, lines, flies, waders etc sorted out then it was onto the water. I saw a couple of fish all day but with a rise going on and the height/ murky conditions I didn’t expect to see much, still it was good practice for the lads and Sarah getting the arms working and those casts sorted out . Rain forecast for tomorrow along with a stiff wind. 13 reported on the websites all above us apart from a flukey one at Tillmouth.
Tuesday 26th October. A very mild day for late October with a strengthening south westerly as the day went on. 2’1” and 48 degrees with a beery hint, the team fished hard all morning but not a pull was to be had, I saw a couple of fish head and tail in the temple but that was all. This afternoon Richard Maude-Roxby was on the Slap and Cauld, nothing in the Slap so a quick line and fly ( orange and yellow conehead) chance for the Cauld and he ended up with a couple of fish the best being a 16lb hen, both were coloured fish but very welcome and good encouragement for the rest of the team. The forecast is grim with very heavy rain forecast for next two days, we should get tomorrow in but that will be week over after that if forecast right.
Wednesday 27th October. An incredibly mild even warm day, the water temp has jumped back up to 54 degrees when it should be in the low 40’s. 2’0” with a touch of beer but sadly rising, there was 4 feet plus at Hawick on the Teviot. I took Edward into the cauld this morning and slowly fished it from top to bottom and near the bottom croy a fish grabbed the fly, unfortunately Edward grabbed the reel in all the excitement and there was only going to be one result, we said cheerio to the fish. Dermot was in learmouth with Paul whilst Sarah and Richard tackled the iron gate and glide, no more pulls or action was had. After lunch the river was up 5 inch and the wind had picked up as well, I took Stuart to the top of the temple but it was soon obvious that it was a lost cause, in the time it took me to row up the river had gone up another 5 inch and it was a leaf every other cast, I said to Stuart one more leaf and we’re off, next cast a leaf so it was back to the bottom which I have to say was a lot easier than rowing up. There are all sorts of weather warnings out and talk of biblical rain overnight and tomorrow, a possibility of 5 inch over the catchment which will wipe out the rest of the week.
Thursday 28th October. Heavy rain and all gauges rising, 9 foot at Peebles 7 foot at Hawick tonight and rising, no fishing today and for the rest of this week down here as more heavy rain tomorrow. This will take what’s left of the fish up and away to the top of the river and I’d imagine start pushing the early kelts back down. Not a lot more to say but hope everyone who is affected by the flooding is safe and not too much damage done to huts, boats etc.
Friday 29th October. A wet morning with the Lees gauge not showing anything as it was around 6 feet under, I should think it was 10 feet maybe a wee bit more but falling. A field of bales floated past this afternoon but most of the flotsam seems to be gone and there is not a twig let alone a tree washed up on our side which is a shame as I get to fill my log shed. Tonight the gauges are rising again and its a wet weekend so I can’t see us fishing on Monday.
Saturday 30th October. Another wet day and a rising river, all top gauges rising again and more rain forecast for tomorrow and Monday, it’ll be marginal fishing next week at best if there are any fish left.
©M Campbell 2021
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