Week beginning 5 February 2018
Monday 5th February. 2’5” and 36 degrees meaning it only dropped one inch over the weekend and it was cold, bloody cold. Howard Watson with us today for the first time and Lees regular Harry Birkbeck. We fished the beat from the top down as far as the Glide. The only action was in Learmouth this morning where Howard had a hold of a very obvious kelt which shook off before we landed it. The Kelso area was the place to be again with Junction getting 4 today, Lower Floors one, Upper Hendersyde one, Sprouston one and Birgham Dub two, so they are getting a wee bit closer to the Lees. The day started badly for Howard, however, as when in the boat at Learmouth he was sooking at his pipe and decided to give it a tap out, whilst shaking it to empty the bowl he threw it in the river never to be seen again. Only saw the one Cormorant and one Goosander today, they seem to have disappeared at the moment, I’ve every faith they’ll be back.
Tuesday 6th February. I thought it was cold yesterday but it was even colder today and snowing this morning. River height was 2’2” and 36 degrees. Howard fished hopefully all day but it was all in vain as we never had a pull all day. I decided that enough is enough and have ordered a pair of neoprene waders; I just can’t stand the cold anymore. 3 fish reported off the river today, Birgham Dub being the closest to us again.
Wednesday 7th February. Hard frost this morning but it was sunny. River height at the Lees 2’1” and a nippy 32 degrees. No rods this morning so we set about clearing the flood rubbish left on the bankside from last months 13’0” flood. One brave soul turned up this afternoon for a cast so Paul gave him a run through the cauld but no fish if they were there wanting to pull the fly. 3 fish reported off the river today, 1 at Birgham Dub and 2 at Lower Makerstoun. It’s still early for us down here and the fish are following the normal trend of zipping up to Kelso, it’s baffling as they have no need to run 30 or so miles from the sea as they are not going to spawn until late October. A few more Cormorants about today. Full team on for the rest of the week so we’ll get them spread round the beat and see if anyone is at home.
Thursday 8th February. It was a nice day out on the river today, the Lees gauge was showing 1’11 34 degrees and squeaky clean so it would be a numbers game today. It was a numbers game and the number was nought. We had a full team out who have all fished the Lees before but all their years experience made no difference. We did see a fish though and a good fish at that, in the back of the wall about half way down our side of middle a fish of around 15lbs head and tailed right in front of Ray Anderson and myself. Ray was tying on another fly and by the time he got it into the river he reckoned the fish would be at Kelso. The scores were poor with only two fish reported 1 at Junction a belter at 19lbs and 1 from Lower Floors. The Otter made his first appearance this season floating past the hut this afternoon. Looking at the gauges tonight most are rising so the colour will not be so good tomorrow but that won’t put tomorrows team off in fact they’ll relish the challenge.
Friday 9th February. A wet cold morning followed by a dry sunny cold afternoon. 2’5” and 34 degrees (The more observant of you will have noticed the river has gone up 6”overnight). The lads fished there way round the beat with all the skill they could muster but not a pull was had from anything. There were two fish caught today 1 from Junction and 1 from Lower Floors. Rain forecast tomorrow so that’ll be nice sat there in the rain all day on a cold Saturday.
Saturday 10th February. Much milder today but the river had a wee touch of road washings in it. This made no difference to the fishing as we still caught nothing. Two rods didn’t fancy it as they didn’t turn up; another left at lunchtime, Ray is made of sterner stuff and stuck it out eventually giving up as he developed a leak in the arse area which forced him out the river and off home. Forecast looks wet overnight so fishing could be affected on Monday. Even the big dog otter was struggling to catch a fish today as he floated past the hut this morning. I’m sure things will soon pick up as it’s usually the end of Feb before we start to find fish about the Lees as long as the river behaves. Team Harper here next week so I’ll put a stone of weight on and have to get my liver checked.
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