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Post by speyghillie on Nov 5, 2008 12:59:37 GMT
Just a thread to capture some of the moments of the 2008 season. Feel free to share as you may. I caught my first fish of the year on the Dee at Craigendinnie. Having never fished the river before I was invited by Salmo through his Salmon fishers Club for a day and was joined by Robbie. George Murray was a great craic and we had a lovely stretch of water to fish. April and May saw evidence of some large fish and during the season, we had 9 around or just over the 20lb mark. With over 50 fish for May the Springer’s had certainly arrived in numbers and most Spey beats were catching regularly. The Sea-Trout numbers for our beat were higher than normal, as I encouraged the guest to fish for them a little harder, however overall numbers continue to drop and I'd like to see a 100% release rate for a couple of years. At my first Ghillies meeting 3 years ago, I questioned the current policy of keeping 2 per day as in effect that allows 100% kill but was assured that the board were content with that policy, which I found most strange. With the majority of Sea-Trout being caught on the association waters of Grantown and beyond, in my view, we have to amend this policy if the stocks are ever to recover. There is now a Moray Firth Sea-trout project so we'll hopefully see what comes of that - lets hope it's not another job for the boys! Digressing sorry - Summer saw continued sport and the river level remained good, however like the past few years, the Grilse didn't arrive in numbers until August. Wimbledon fortnight had historically seen the arrival of the Grilse with numbers peaking in mid-July but now we are certainly a month behind. Although not a good choice of terminology, the river was infested with grilse in August, with many beats having record catches. These fish were generally in great condition, many around the 5-6lb mark. Without question, one of the main incentives for me in becoming a Ghillie was the opportunity of fishing on a private beat on what I thought was the finest River in Britain. Due to the kindness of my guests I get the opportunity of fishing a couple of evenings during the week when for various reasons they don’t return. I finished the year with 43 Salmon/Grilse and 8 Sea-Trout and was fortunate enough to release the lot. In my view and considering my occupation, it’s the very least I could do. When you choose the occupation of Ghillie, you lose out on a few of what some consider as the finer things in life. I have to say though that as far as my life is concerned, I am more than happy.....
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tweedsider
Active Member
Quietness is best
Posts: 993
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Post by tweedsider on Nov 5, 2008 14:06:43 GMT
Mine was a slow start with the first springer taken on 28th April, had been a bit miffed before that as several fish had been taken from the beat but none had shown any interest in my offerings. An interesting outing was the two days on the South Esk with only salmonking managing a fish from this beautiful river. Spate followed rain, followed spate on the Border rivers bringing in fresh fish all the time. One thing I noticed was that there was a larger class of fish in July and early August prior to there being many grilse about. In fact did not catch any of the poor conditioned , "skinny grilse" as were present last year. Most of my fishing took place on Tweed and tributaries other than two early October days as a guest on the Teith. Some of my fishing was curtailed on the Tweed itself due to a mild physical problem, now fixed when I simply could not endure long periods of standing and casting. Three fish for the party of five on Saturday, one was mine and thirty on Monday when alas only three fell to my offering. The season ended with a total of 43 salmon, the best 15lb approx, and grilse and 15 seatrout the best around 7lb. Of these 4 were taken for my own use, 2 to a proprietor and the remainder returned. Only in the latter part of the season were any coloured fish encountered and I would say at least 75% of the fish caught had been only a few days in fresh water. All were fly caught, and all on the same pattern in various guises. Well there is still a week or so to go on Tweed so might try for another 2 to make the 60 for migratory fish.
Tweedsider
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Post by tweed ghillie on Nov 5, 2008 19:08:14 GMT
Absolute pants, is the answer to your question (roll on next year)
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conwyrod
Advisory Board
Autumn on the Conwy
Posts: 4,659
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Post by conwyrod on Nov 5, 2008 19:19:31 GMT
Too quickly, like the salmon running up the Conwy and Welsh Dee this season. Can't complain though, had a great few days on Tweed in the spring, including my first ever February fish. And some good laughs on the forum!!
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Post by neptune on Nov 5, 2008 20:55:41 GMT
due to work & the wife working most nights & weekends my time fishing was limited this year, most nights i just managed an hour or so after work with the occasional weekend total for the year was 5 salmon the best around 5lb. 4 on a silver stoats & 1 on a stoats tail i had far too many brownies as they were really attracted to the small silver stoats tail i bought a new set of rod holders this season so hopefully next season i will get out before work & straight after & leave the rod on the car all day
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Post by robmason on Nov 5, 2008 20:56:39 GMT
I had a good season with a few firsts. A first Spey fish of around 10lbs in early March from Tulchan (sshh!) A couple of sea trout at night from the Teign in June. With plenty of rain in the summer it should have been bonanza time , but I spent the best part of it in South of France and working. Oh well can't win them all! I did manage, wait for it....my first Devonshire salmon. A cute little grilse from the Teign, and on my birthday too! Later, in August I went over to the East Lyn in North Devon and had a chunky grilse from there, my first trip to the river. I also had a few more sea trout, but they where caught with the spinner, and really the sea trout fishing was a big dissappointment. I was supposed to be on a sea trout "course" on the Tamar with Ifftyd Griffiths (? sp) but it was completely washed off. Enjoyed another day on the Dorset Frome courtesy of Exerod, but no fish caught, just a few pesky pike, and I lost mine at the net September saw me back on the Alness and in good conditions I caught 2 in 3 days, but to be honest with the numbers running through it should have been more. Is the season over? Hopefully not. I shall try and get a day or two onh the Yealm and possibly the Camel or Fowey. Tight lines for 2009!
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Post by shedhed on Nov 5, 2008 21:01:53 GMT
i bought a new set of rod holders this season so hopefully next season i will get out before work & straight after & leave the rod on the car all day Blimmin 'eck! That's one safe neighbourhood you must work in ;D
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Post by neptune on Nov 5, 2008 21:04:12 GMT
car is in locked compound all day its just work mates that i have to worry about nicking the rod
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Post by shedhed on Nov 5, 2008 21:14:23 GMT
Aha! not so crazy after all.
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Post by G Ritchie on Nov 5, 2008 21:54:20 GMT
I finished well below average for the season, in fact my worst season numberwise since the mid 1990's if you discount the drought year of 2003. I didnt put in the same amount of hours this season though for various reasons. Saying that numbers are not really important, the main thing is I enjoyed my days out, fished a number of new beats and met a few more people, including a number on this forum. The Spey fished really well on the days I managed there and has had a superb season overall. The Deveron as always was a bit hit or miss, had a couple of reasonable days and was unlucky with the conditions on others. The middle and lower river has fished reasonably well for salmon although grilse numbers were poor. The upper river didnt fish quite as well and the sea trout numbers on the river were extremely poor. The Dee was a disapointment this season, very poor in the spring for the second season in a row and the lower river was very poor at the back end. A reasonable number of fish run through the lower beats in August but it slowly died a death after that with no real head of resident fish to slow down the later runners. The Don also had a very dissapointing season.
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martyg
Active Member
Posts: 96
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Post by martyg on Nov 6, 2008 17:49:57 GMT
Absolute pants, is the answer to your question (roll on next year) What about Monteviot Mel has it been any good i would of thought all the water may have been good for you?
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Post by Roobarb on Nov 6, 2008 18:03:40 GMT
I managed to snatch mediocrity (11 salmon) from the jaws of what should have been one of my best seasons ever. After a slow start and a blank week in the far north I picked up a few from the Frome but then they started falling off. Worse than that two broke me, something that had only happened once before in my salmon fishing. Then the rains set in. That spelt an end to my Frome season with the river up and down, but mostly up and over the banks. Sea trout runs appeared reasonable but again the fishing was spoilt by the high water. On the Exe I couldn’t hit it right, either washed off or a day too late. The runs up to where I fish were good but they seemed to be in a hurry once they left the middle river and you had to be there on the right day. In August all around me fish were coming out but I only found one. I even gave up for about a month Two days of three fish towards the season end saved things somewhat. There were certainly more fish about in the southwest this year and some folk did very well indeed, next year it will be my turn… Andy
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Post by tweed ghillie on Nov 6, 2008 18:58:11 GMT
Yes martyg its been a good one up here with loads of double figure sea trout through the summer months and a goodly amount of salmon, most were small grilsey type fish with a few double figure thrown in for good measure. Evan today we had a 4pnd sea trout as fresh as paint. Hows the coqiet and north northumberland been doin, I heard there were some good catches on tyne.
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martyg
Active Member
Posts: 96
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Post by martyg on Nov 6, 2008 19:46:20 GMT
The Coquets been very patchy Mel although i had some good days the water height was too much the big flood in september totaly changed the river in some places it looks like a different river some good some bad. young john gave up in july you know whats he,s like ;DWe will probs see you some time in june.Heres to low water
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Post by sinkingtip on Nov 9, 2008 23:03:39 GMT
"It was the best of times - it was the worst of times" ........ A very poor season on Tay. Three Dee trips without a connection. One Spey trip (thanks Jock) with a connection. A reasonable salmon season on the South Esk but, unfortunately, a dearth yet again of sea trout. Fished a couple of new beats / rivers and made what I hope will be some long term friendships. 27 salmon and 19 seatrout. Roll on '09. "My name is Ismael" ..........
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Post by salmonscotty16lb on Nov 9, 2008 23:31:10 GMT
my first ever springer then didnt quite have the time i ended on 3 normaly average more but time on bank was well down. not been out since august and didnt fish may,june and july. cant complain when you dont put effort in
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Post by sinkingtip on Nov 9, 2008 23:36:52 GMT
Scotty. Maybe get an early season Tay cast organised for a few of the lads - you would be made more than welcome if you have the time. best regards STip
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Post by salmonscotty16lb on Nov 9, 2008 23:46:17 GMT
sounds good starting a new job on monday so hopefully more fisher friendly holidays ;D ps the i have used the white wing i tied for you will need to knock up a new one
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Post by salmonking on Nov 10, 2008 17:43:38 GMT
As i think my season is over and i don't expect to be out again this year.....
Started off with my first fish on the 3rd of April,on the Dee at lower blackhall,one of three highlights,the second being an est 18 lbs springer returned on the 15th April on the whiteadder,the third was my biggest sea trout so far at another est,12lbs returned on the lees beat on Tweed,on the 6th July.
I ended up with 63 salmon/grilse and 16 sea trout, my best year to date,with 4 fish retained.
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Post by carrowmore on Nov 10, 2008 21:57:47 GMT
Three fish for the season. A few days in County Mayo in May produced a 9lb Springer from Lough Beltra ( lost another on The River Newport ) . Had a first day on The Eden at Lazonby later that month and blanked , but what a place to blank. Another day at Sprouston on The Tweed in July was a blank ( my pal had a grilse and two sea trout that day ). A week on that little piece of Heaven that is the River Lochy in September produced one coloured fish in low water conditions. First time on The Lochy for me and I hope not the last. Then a day on The Annan in October produced a fish of 7lbs.
Highlight was the Beltra Springer , played from a boat with the sound of the cuckoo in the background. In't salmon fishing brilliant !!
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