Week beginning 29 August 2022
Monday 29th August. An overcast start with the gauge at 0” and 63f, the weed was still about but perhaps not as bad. We went straight to Learmouth and with the wee single Andrew soon had a 6lb hen hooked and returned, Nick had a run through and lost a fish whilst Andrew had another pull. This evening Andrew went out to get some air taking his rod with him and had 2 fish 1 from the Annay at 3lb which was almost clean and 1 from Cornhill bend at 7lb. Top guys today were Ladykirk getting 12 which is almost what some beats have had this season.
Tuesday 30th August. Another overcast day with a north east wind bringing a damp air off the coast. Michael Black here for the rest of the week, they have wisely decided to only fish two rods at a time to give each other some space. I tried the Cauld with Michael from the boat which took a bit of launching as it was high and dry, we only had 10 casts then gave up due to weed, it was then down to Duddo where Michael had a wee cock grilse on a #12 Ally shrimp, John Marshall lost a fish in the tail of the glide, after lunch the lads decided not to bother with the afternoon. I popped out with the dogs at 7.30pm and also took a rod for a walk to Duddo where I lost a fish had a boil at the skimmer and another pull. Better numbers being caught at Ladykirk and Tillmouth today.
Wednesday 30th August. Well thats another month away into history, it’s into autumn now also and a slight hint of heavy rain on Sunday maybe, I’ll believe it when it happens. 0” on the gauge and 58f today so a bit cooler, there was still plenty weed about and Ronald Gardner gave up in Learmouth due to the weed which was being blown out of the margins and into the stream to cover his fly. Michael tried the Cauld with a full floater and a very small copper tube this resulted in a 6lb seatrout which hadn’t tasted salt water for a while, he also had another pull. The sun came out from behind the cloud at lunchtime and you could immediately see the weed lifting, which was enough to send the lads home.
Thursday 1st September. We start on a sad note today as Pud Murray passed away last night, Pud who was a bit of a legend on Tweedside was never afraid to voice his opinion and I enjoyed his almost daily one liner comments on any photo that was posted online, he could take it back just as much as he gave it out though. One of my favourites was when Mick Charlton who was Ghillie at Middle Pavilion at the time was bemoaning how a certain beat above him had posted a springer on the website in early spring and Mick was yet to see a fish on his beat, Pud’s reply was “they haven’t worked their way down to you yet” I still laugh at that one. Another sad note was I was at the funeral of David Wilkie Wilkinson who worked with the Tweed bailiffs for many years helping to protect our precious salmon.
There were 3 caught at the Lees today, 2 from Learmouth and 1 from the Duddo, I don’t know if they were clean but I have my doubts. Tillmouth and Ladykirk are picking away nicely now with both of them having 8 apiece, mind you that will work out at less than a fish per rod. The cheery weathergirl is biging up the rain for the weekend but I’m not holding my breath.
Friday 2nd September. River up about 3 or 4 inch thanks to freshet, it was also more or less unfishable with weed/algae covering the fly and hanging off the line, Michael and Jonathon soon gave up and will return tomorrow.
Saturday 3rd September. A cloudy start but a stiff east wind blowing which was surprisingly mild warm even. Michael was in the Cauld (what’s left of it) and to our pleasant surprise he had a wee grilse on a size 12 Gledswood shrimp, Sandy Lang was down in Learmouth and landed 2 losing another 3 and had a good few other pulls. The weed was much better today as in there was far less even with the wind blowing. None of the fish were fresh or clean but they were fish. SEPA have issued a flood warning, we’ll see.
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©M Campbell 2022
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