The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Quality catches on Esks
THE N O RT H and SOUTH ESKS opened two weeks ago and, although fish have been reported in limited numbers from many beats, what has been lacking in quantity has certainly been made up for in quality, writes our angling correspondent.
Montrose angler Kevin McIntosh took a 14lb fish at the Kinnaber beat on the North Esk.
Kevin used a guideline triple density Float/Hover/ Intermediate shooting head along with a conehead monkey fly to tempt the spring salmon.
There have also been reports of springers caught at Stracathro, Pert, Gallery, Canterland and at Morphie, the best so far was taken on Monday at Canterland and was estimated on its return at 25lb.
The South Esk has also seen springers taken, albeit in smaller numbers, in particular at the Kinnaird beats.
A nglers are reminded of the mandatory catch and release restrictions in place in Scotland until May 1.
The Esk District Salmon Fishery board also have recommendations in place for all salmon and sea trout to be returned until June 15. Full availability for fishing just now can be seen on www.fishesks.co.uk
FRANDY got off to a great start last Saturday with some excellent catches.
Peter Clark and Peter Dawson (Dalgety Bay) kept 12 fish weighing 23lb; StuartMarshallandMalcolm Millar (Clackmannan) had 12 for 26lb 12oz and released 31; Derek Pozzi (Glenrothes) released 18 and A l Murton (Crook of Devon) released 12.
Jim Donnelly (Tullibody) had two weighing 7lb and released 24; Gary Johnson (Dunfermline) released 12; ColinMcGlone(Dunfermline) released 30 and Jim Baxter (Crossgates) released 24; DerekKnight(Dunfermline) released 28; Gary McLaughlan kept three weighing 6lb; Jim A rmit (Kirkcaldy) released 16; Craig and Chris A rmit (Kirkcaldy) released 44 and RobinVaughan(Dunfermline) kept four for 7lb and released six.
Paul Freathy (A lloa) took five fish weighing 9lb and released three, Ronnie Turnbull (A lva) had three for 6lb and released 25; Steven Turnbull (Elgin) released four; Jimmy Miller (A lva) released 10; A ndy McReary (Glenrothes), four weighing 7lb 8oz and released 11; Fred Padon (Falkirk) released 17; Bill Ramage (A lva) kept two weighing 4lb and released 12;
George Hamilton (Blackford) and Michael Willis (Dunblane) both released four; Robert Westwater (Glasgow), two for 4lb and released 27; Matt Mitchell (Falkirk) kept four weighing 8lb and released 14.
The top taking flies and lures included the A lly McCoist Lure, Cats Whisker, Buzzers, Hot Head Damsel, Nomad, Snatchers and Damsels and the best areas were on the south shore from the Smithscleuch Burn to the Dam Wall.
FORBES OF KINGENNIE has seen the first hatches of flies and a few fish are starting to rise more freely.
The fish are much higher in the water and that may be one of the reasons the Burnside has been fishing so fantastically well.
Over Saturday, Sunday and Monday there was a total of 224 fish caught and released by 26 anglers.
Some of the top rods included Mr Stuart, two for 4lb and 22 released; Mr Robertson 20 released: Mr Barlow 16 released, including one at 7lb; Mr Gauld 14 released, one at 6lb; Mr Gibson 13 released; Mr Costello five released, one at 9lb.
Fish have been falling to a number of methods including buzzers, black nymphs, bloodworms, cormorant, blobs, yellow dancers and humungous.
The Boathouse has been quite dirty over the weekend after heavy rain but the rods that did f ish it were rewarded with some good returns.
Mr Bairner had four for 9lb with 11 returned; Mr West had three for 11lb with a 6lb 11oz rainbow; Mr Henderson released 10 fish, with the best estimated 9lb.
Most of the fish have been on lures due to the water colour but, as it clears, smaller flies will really start to come into their own.
The Bankside, too, has started to pick up with the fish becoming a lot more spread throughout the pond.
The second bay and the north bank still seem to be the favoured spots though.
In the space of two days Dave Simpson had a total of 27 fish, with the best around 8lb and several in the 3 to 4lb range.
A mixture of lures on a fast glass and squirmys under the bung were doing the damage.
Mr Jones had nine on nymphs under the bung including a blue of around 5lb.
The Woodside has been busier in the past week with the water very clear now and the spinner has been good as have worms and, as always, powerbait is doing very well.
There were no monsters out but Mr Main took the biggest of the week with a 3lb 11oz fish taken on the spinner.
The second round of the SA NA bank nationals is on Sunday and there are three spaces left. A nyone interested in putting their name down to have a chance at representing their country should call 01382 350777/ 350213 for more details.
CANMORE AC Forfar season tickets are now available, priced at £40 for adults and £25 for OA Ps and juniors and offering some of the finest trout and pike fishing in A ngus on Forfar Loch and Den of Ogil.
Membership cards are available at A ngus A ngling, Forfar.
Pike fly fishing is now permitted as well as dead baiting all year round. Pike fly fishing will also be possible from the boat which the CanmoreA C let daily to members and guests.
Strathmore A ngling Improvement A ssociation season tickets are also available now for the season, which starts on March 15. These are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for OA Ps and juniors and are available at the usual tackle outlets. They operate large parts of the River Isla and River Dean and maps are available with the tickets.
If any fisheries, clubs or individuals would like their fishery news included in the weekly reports please send it by email to sales@angusangling.co.uk or contact Neil A nderson on 01307 466366 (mobile 07759 022503).