Week beginning 5 November 2018
Monday 5th November. No fireworks on the Lees today with the river running at 2’5” and very beery/murky, 46 degrees flat calm and mild. Stuart Andrew and the team were keen to get on and at them so once the rods were up and the draw done we were at them. We fished all morning and didn’t see or touch a fish which was no surprise given the conditions. This afternoon there were some fish showing in the lower Temple and all very close to our bank, but despite Edwards best efforts he didn’t get a pull. Down at the Iron Gate Stuart had a hold of something very small which by the sounds of it was a brownie or maybe a wee seatrout. I’m sure it’ll be better tomorrow as it drops and clears.
Tuesday 6th November.1’11” and 46 degrees with a beery tinge, a flat calm morning and warm, I only saw one fish all morning and that was in the Slap. This afternoon Richard caught the only fish of the day at the Iron Gate point which tipped the scales at 3lbs soaking wet. The catches on the river were very disappointing given that the conditions upriver would be near perfect for most beats. This afternoon a stiff south east wind picked up and those of you who have fished the Lees will know that a south east wind is a bugger.
Wednesday 7th November. The south east wind was still blowing up the river making casting a problem unless you were using a snap “T” which I have to say most of the rods have now mastered. Dermot was the lucky lad this morning getting a 5lb fresh seatrout from Learmouth stream on a black and yellow tube; he returned the fish which was very noble of him. None of the rods reported seeing any fish this morning apart from Edward who was with Paul in the Cauld where they saw 2 or 3 wee grilse moving through. We were joined today for lunch by Rodger Baker and wife Pat, Rodger used to take this week for many years but handed it over to the younger team, but he still likes to pop in and make sure they are all behaving. The river is in perfect order at the moment apart from the wind and you’d expect the catches to reflect this but the fish are just not there, there is the odd report of the very odd fish coming in and 2 were caught at Middle Mertoun last week, both over 10lbs and both brand new, amazing in that low water that they’d ran straight through. The Eurasian Crane is still skulking about and the Cormorant numbers are on the increase although they just seem to mostly fly past at altitude heading to the middle river. There is a wee rise at the top of the Ettrick tonight which won’t do any harm but Friday’s rain looks a bit more serious so Saturday could be a washout. 1’3” and 46 degrees at the Lees this morning. See instagram for seatrout photo.
Thursday 8th November. A perfect November morning and perfect river conditions, 1’7” and 46 degrees squeaky clean. Richard was on the Slap/Cauld and had a wee pull in the Slap that was his only action for the day but he has persevered with his double handed casting and is now shooting the line across the river like a laser. Edward left at lunchtime but he has been replaced by the young guns of Stephen and Phillip Morgan so it’ll be a numbers game from now on. Stuart who never stops smiling and never loses his enthusiasm fished away all day but failed to find any fish. This afternoon the clouds returned along with a light south east wind dropping the temperature. I have never been at the Lees in November (and I’ve been there a while) with such perfect conditions and not seen a fish all day. Maybe tomorrow.
Friday 9th November. It was always going to be a difficult day with a rising river and a stiff south east wind which was blowing leaves into the river. Stuart fished the Cauld all morning and never had a touch, Philip and Stephen Morgan had the same result from Learmouth down to Duddo. I didn’t see a fish all day and wasn’t surprised really with the water conditions. Only one fish reported off the river and that was from Traquair. All sorts of weather warnings out for tonight mostly for the west but the rain is going to spread eastwards overnight so I’m not expecting to fish tomorrow.
Saturday 10th November. It was a lovely mild almost warm November day with not a puff of wind, what leaves that are left on the trees were really looking good, almost glowing. Anyway that’s enough arty stuff. The river was rising fairly fast this morning and jumped a foot in no time bringing in colour and leaves. This made the decision for Stuart, Stephen and Phillip all the easier to head for home. It has not been the best of weeks catch wise but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and were well looked after at the Collingwood Arms in Cornhill. The forecast for next week looks ok until Wednesday but that could all change, it is going to be mild all week. As ever see instagram or Tweedbeats on face book for latest photos and clips.
©M Campbell 2018
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