Week beginning 4 November 2013
Monday 4th November. Nice calm start, touch of frost. 2’9” and 40 degs a bit bigger than I would of liked but that’s what it is. Got the draw done and everyone sorted out. 3 fish for the morning but saw a few running up the middle of the river; Nigel had a wee tangle with a tree in the Ledges and decided that a shooting head wasn’t for him. We were all on wet 4 type lines and 1 ½” tubes. The afternoon was much the same with another 4 coming to the net, but brightened up by the Kingfisher, some Golden plover, a big skein of geese and a flock of Whooper Swans just on darkening, again we saw a number of fish running so hopefully tomorrow they will have settled in and we will get in amongst them.
Tuesday 5th A frosty start blue skies, 2’3” and 38 degs, thought we would bag up today but I was wrong, not that I’m complaining at 7 for the day. The 7 fish were well spread round the beat from the Temple to the Annay the best being 16lbs. Nigel got the hang of his new line, and Tudor needs to re sit his Boy Scout knot badge as he lost his brand new wading stick in the Glide which he only bought yesterday. We didn’t see many fish round the beat today but I see that Tillmouth had 14 below us and it’s a wee bit on the big side for them I would of thought, so that gives me a bit of hope for tomorrow. Kelsae (dug) was giving Lucy a hand with a rat hunt this morning and made a lovely 60 yard retrieve with a full grown rat for me ( Lucy must have killed it first) Now thats going to be a good dog the rat was near as big as her, mind I wasn’t too keen about taking out her mouth.
Wednesday 6th The Lord be praised Tudor found his wading stick so he’s as happy as a humming bird in a rose; he also caught a couple of fish. James Evans was top banana getting 6 and a Seatrout from the Temple this morning then 1 from the Cauld this afternoon. But no one was a pleased as Nigel Woodruffe who had a 17lb cock from the Cauld first cast followed by an 11lb tide licer. We ended the day with 19 which is more like it, the gauge was showing 2’2” this morning and 40 degs nice clean water, it went up 2” this afternoon and seemed to put the fish off in the Temple and to make them a bit picky down in the Annay as Perry had 11 pulls and only landed 2 which is a bit on the clumsy side. Neil Andrews finally got a good cast out in the Middle stream and had a nice 14lber which gave a great scrap in the strong current. Francis who normally leads the pack went back for dinner with his tail between his legs only getting two for the day from the Temple but he’s on the Cauld first shift tomorrow so I’m sure he’ll soon even the score. Three of the team away tonight and a new three tomorrow so they will be as keen as a dog Ferret who’s just smelt a Jill on heat after seeing the scores. That’s 19 for the day which puts us on 602 for the season.
Thursday 7th Now then regular readers of this slaver will know now much I like the wind, well all I can say is there were no midges about the Lees today, it blew a bloody hoolie this morning, I was on the Babyhouse first thing and got blown into the far bank, the Bags looked like the north sea with waves rolling upstream, and it would be a fair comment to say I had a rather unpleasant morning and not so much as a pull. 2’3” on the gauge and 40 degs. James on the Glide was having trouble matching his line to the rod, his dad Maurice discovered a leak in his waders or has developed a bladder problem needing some medical attention. Steve pulled 3 out of the Temple and Francis struggled to get just the 1 from the Cauld. James Evans ex Welsh rugby cheerleader still telling everyone about his success yesterday had a couple from Learmouth. Francis never one to take a beating strolled down to the Back of the wall this afternoon his favourite pool and lifted the score by another 5. Steve wiped Francis’s eye by getting 3 from the Cauld, James fresh from the Irish open Guinness drinking competition where he came second had a 2lber from the Babyhouse (what I hear!) yes it’s true a fish from the Babyhouse. Anyway we ended the day with 16 the best being 14lbs and it’s looking OK for tomorrow if that wind will lie down. Fishing the Annay this afternoon Nigel Houldsworth had 5 fish on and managed to shake all 5 off joining Perry on the duffers list as he had 11 pulls yesterday and only landed 2
Friday 8th A much better morning, calm mild bit of sunshine. 2’1” and 40 degs nice and clean, I was on the Cauld with John and we both said we’re going to bag up this morning, but the fishy gods were not with us as we didn’t get a pull till we reached the 3rd Croy and second run down we saw a fish, backed up 5 yards, covered it hooked it, then lost it at the bank. Maurice Hensky got his first ever Salmon a silver 13lb hen from the Temple, and not to be outdone son James had 3. The lunchtime score was 8 so looking good for the afternoon, James Evans after much argument about line choice had 2 from the Temple one of them liced, Francis had one from the Middle Stream and John Coxton finally got one to stay on getting a 6lber from Learmouth. Days total was 14 the best being 16lbs. I didn’t see many fish today so 16 was a good score, the Cauld was very quiet yielding only a wee 3lb Seatrout for the day, the busiest thing in the Cauld was the Otter which stalked John half the morning. So looking good for tomorrow, nice and clean with no wind we should really clean up but that’s only if the fish are there and want to play. There has to be the biggest fall of Acorns and Beech mast I’ve seen in years and the Pigeons, Pheasants and Squirrels are making the most of it, I’ve hardly seen a Squirrel all year as they have been heavily trapped over the road in the Hirsel but I’ll have to get at these ones before they settle in.
Saturday 9th A nice day on the river no wind, I hate the wind, I bloody well hate the wind! 1’1” 40 degs and squeaky clean. 15 for the day some clean’ish best 14lbs. Not seeing many fish today but highlight of the day was another fish from the Babyhouse, opposite the Babyhouse itself. All the rods had a fish today so everyone happy, some more than others as is always the case but that’s fishing. Dominic Sidoli landed a fresh 5lber from the Back of the wall and left it on the gravel behind him only to discover that a big rat was munching on it, ate its eye and half its cheek. The Dipper made an appearance today always nice to see it. Anyway that’s another week over 78 for the week I think with 54 returned, which is very good for November, bit of rain late Sunday which might have an effect on fishing operations on Monday Tuesday. The team have all retired to the Besom Inn in Coldstream to take part in the end of week drinking competition; I of course am above all that sort of thing and want to keep myself fresh for Kirk in the morning. Photos this week are of people playing and landing fish, well what else would you want to see?
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