Week beginning 26 October 2020
Monday 26th October. A dry morning but the damage had been done over the weekend. 3’3” and rising with a lot of colour. Andy Mantle and pal Craig turned up for a cast but we couldn’t give them any good news apart from it’ll be better tomorrow, they went off down to the middle of the beat as Craig had some casting practice to do and try out his lines. At this height/colour we don’t have anywhere to fish but looking at the gauges they are all falling or steady so we’ll get on tomorrow. Amazingly South Wark had 3 fish 1 from the Willows and 2 from the Jeffries, more amazingly was Ladykirk getting a fish at this height, that rod needs to buy a lotto ticket this week.
Tuesday 27th October. A damp dreich day with the gauge reading 2’11” and 46 degrees, still carrying a bit of colour but much improved on yesterday. Andy and pal Craig had a day away up at the Nest to get above the height and colour whilst we were joined by Olivier Devictor and Huston McCulloch. We gave the Temple a run through morning and afternoon as it’s the only pool worth fishing at this height, we did see a fish or two at the top of the Temple but it was rather quiet over all. Golden boys were Tillmouth getting 6 today which is a surprise to say the least at this height and colour, they must have some fish down there, perhaps fish that are never going to move and will spawn down there. Some of the gauges rising again tonight so tomorrow not much better I doubt.
Wednesday 28th October. The river was back up again after the heavy showers of yesterday, 3’2” on the gauge and very murky, there was also a stiff wind blowing down and across the river. The Temple is our only high water pool and it meant casting into the wind all day, after much debate none of the rods really fancied it so all left for home. It’s been a rough three days for the lads but this kind of water is always a risk at this time of year. Looks like the gauge is sitting at 2’10” tonight but heavy rain forecast for tomorrow that will f##k things up again.
Thursday 29th October. 2’7” and 46 degrees but much cleaner than we expected. Steady rain falling but no wind. Mike Gregory here for the day as well as Stuart Thornton, it was nice to meet up with Stuart again as its been a few years since his last visit, he wasted no time in getting into action as he had a 20lb old cock from the top of the ledges, sadly that was the only fish of the day. The rain stopped late afternoon and I am waiting for the gauges to update to see what’s going on. Catches were poor across the websites with 15 below Kelso and 27 above the best being a 30lber from Boleside, will it fish tomorrow? I don’t know until gauges update.
Friday 30th October. It wasn’t raining, it wasn’t windy but the river was up 8” and that was enough to screw things up for us. It lifted all the leaves that had settled on the river bed and spread them through the water column resulting in a leaf on the hook every cast. Why would a fish take a fly when there is a myriad of other things going past, and thats what happened nothing took a fly all day. Duncan Brymer was here with his team including son James who had his drone with him and a very clever thing it is, he took some fantastic shots of the beat which I’ll post on instagram when he sends them to me. There was the odd fish showing in the Temple where we spent the morning but I only saw the one fish further down the beat. Catches on the river totalled 5, 2 from the top and 3 from Ladykirk/Tillmouth. Tomorrow is going to be fun as a 50mph wind is forecast followed by heavy rain, there is also rain right through the weekend so the start of next week is looking doubtful. 85 fish for October and as far as I remember all returned.
Saturday 31st October. It was the sort of day you wouldn’t put your wheely bin out as it would be found in the next county, 2’7” and rising full of leaves. Heavy rain and gale force winds from the south by mid morning, I had Tim in the boat in the Lower Temple first thing, we were in the old wooden boat and I feared the oar pins were about to snap off and one or two of the waves threatened to swamp the boat so we headed for shore. We then tried the far bank of the Cauld which wasn’t too bad for a while but it didn’t produce a fish as the wind gained more strength Tim decided that he’d had enough and headed for home. Duncan Brymer with Paul found the only calm spot on the whole river at the top of the Temple wall being sheltered by the wood on the far bank, they also found the only fish below Fairnilee which was an 11lber. Michael Black couldn’t make it today but his influence was with us as there’s always something wrong when he books fishing. All the gauges rising and rain and gales forecast all weekend.
As England goes back into full lockdown on Thursday this will have a major effect on bookings as its essential travel only. Strange times, keep your hands clean and wear a mask, better times are coming.
©M Campbell 2020
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