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Post by robmason on May 10, 2023 13:47:27 GMT
Funny old week, dull and drizzly, but the ground soaked up any wet, the rivers didn't move, 5 fish from the Esks, Finavon Castle leading the way with a 9 lb'er. 19 from the Tay with an impressive 20lb'er from Cargill, not a beat I know. The Dee had 24 with a 19lb'er from Craigandinnie top fish. The rivers Ness and Findhorn also had reasonable returns with 14 and 9 respectively. Most beats have rods available next week, so there's not huge numbers of anglers about. I managed 2 fish from Waterside on the Dee week before last. Saw plenty of fish running through but was surprised at the dearth in catches. Only a few of the upper beats scoring. Anyway, it was good to get off the mark!
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burnie
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Post by burnie on May 10, 2023 19:30:20 GMT
Funny old week, dull and drizzly, but the ground soaked up any wet, the rivers didn't move, 5 fish from the Esks, Finavon Castle leading the way with a 9 lb'er. 19 from the Tay with an impressive 20lb'er from Cargill, not a beat I know. The Dee had 24 with a 19lb'er from Craigandinnie top fish. The rivers Ness and Findhorn also had reasonable returns with 14 and 9 respectively. Most beats have rods available next week, so there's not huge numbers of anglers about. I managed 2 fish from Waterside on the Dee week before last. Saw plenty of fish running through but was surprised at the dearth in catches. Only a few of the upper beats scoring. Anyway, it was good to get off the mark! Well done, I'm not quite fit enough for fishing just yet, but hope to be on a river in June, there's a few Sea Trout being caught on most of the rivers on the east side of the country, so planning a bash on the South Esk first as it's my local river then maybe a trip up to the Dee later. Only fished it once and have to try again as it does look a bonnie river.
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Post by lunesman on May 10, 2023 20:22:42 GMT
I usually have a week on the Ballogie Estate beats, in July. Lovely water, and in the main, easy wading..Roll on next year. I hope your recovery has you back fished by June.👍
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burnie
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Post by burnie on May 12, 2023 21:25:21 GMT
A nice bar of silver reported from the South Esk, though not on fishpal, seems the Spring run is slowing down except for the Tweed, but some decent Sea Trout are being recorded.
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burnie
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Post by burnie on May 15, 2023 8:17:51 GMT
Some light rain has happened and more forecast for the week, but the ground is soaking it all up, the rivers look low apart from the Beauly near Inverness, I think I'd be using a single hander today were I fishing.
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Post by lunesman on May 16, 2023 6:32:28 GMT
I see a fish of 37lbs has been caught on the Helmsdale. I bet that was a good scrap.
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burnie
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Post by burnie on May 16, 2023 8:19:23 GMT
Yes I saw the picture, what is this "red belly" ailment they are talking about?
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Post by lunesman on May 16, 2023 9:58:08 GMT
I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable enough to help you, with that question.I think it refers to a reddening of the skin on the underbelly. Maybe someone could enlighten us with an answer
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Post by spaterunner on May 16, 2023 14:21:58 GMT
Yes I saw the picture, what is this "red belly" ailment they are talking about? It is a spotted red rash on the belly of the fish. It's cause is currently unknown. The EA are investigating and have mentioned that they are looking for a pathogen as a potential cause. I do know that red vent syndrome is caused by a parasite although I do not know of any identified link between red belly and red vent. If the 2 however are connected then there is at least a little light at the end of the tunnel since red vent does not seem to prevent the fish from spawning and there doesn't seem to be any transmission to the eggs.
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burnie
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Post by burnie on May 16, 2023 17:57:25 GMT
Thanks, so little to be concerned about and we don't need to notify anyone then?
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Post by spaterunner on May 17, 2023 8:21:31 GMT
Thanks, so little to be concerned about and we don't need to notify anyone then? In England the EA are asking that any fish with red bellies be recorded and that they be notified. The thing is though as the government have pared them down to the bone they have very little resource and very few staff left to report things to. They are also absolutely bloody useless at everything that they attempt to do and then invariably botch up. I don't know what the SEPA requirement is in Scotland. Might be worthwhile checking out.
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burnie
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Post by burnie on May 17, 2023 9:48:15 GMT
I the unlikely situation where I actually catch a Salmon, I'll ask the keeper lol
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burnie
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Post by burnie on May 19, 2023 9:11:12 GMT
Well the rivers are close to bare bones with 3 inches in the Esks just now, not really a surprise no fish reported this week. The Tweed seems to be fishing well, with the Tay and Dee coming up behind, I note a couple of fish reported from the Balmoral beat, I wonder if it's anyone we know?
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Post by lunesman on May 19, 2023 10:39:09 GMT
I have some friends on Stobhall, for our annual 3 days, next week. I think they will struggle. At least I won't miss much.
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burnie
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Post by burnie on May 21, 2023 9:34:46 GMT
That didn't look like a very good week at all, the other Salmon forum has folk complaining about empty rivers, but there's no water so what do they expect? 3 inches in the South Esk is barebones it needs a foot or thereabouts for a Salmon, though the Sea trout can swim through a puddle, surprised none of them were reported, not even from the deeper pools at Finavon? A lot of rivers with a zero for the week, Border Esk, Don and Galloway had 1 each, 4 from the Spey sounds poor but that is rising just now so maybe a lift of fish. 5 each for the Findhorn and Ness before a big jump to 20 from the Dee, 24 from the Tay and what sounds like a decent 40 from the Tweed. Sea trout numbers not bad for May with Autumnal weather, 13 from the Dee sounds ok to me, 5 from the Tweed and 3 from the Spey rounds up the fishpal returns and I have heard of nothing else save one from the Clyde.
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Post by lunesman on May 23, 2023 17:22:23 GMT
My friends on Stobhall did nothing yesterday, but had a nice fresh salmon, of about 8lbs today, and a descent sea trout. Not a lot has been seen. Hope they catch, tomorrow.
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burnie
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Post by burnie on May 24, 2023 8:09:43 GMT
In 1975 we had a drought, first one I remember, then we had another the year after, looks like we are seeing the same now, the Ness, Lochy, Nairn and Border Esk all showing below summer levels with the Tweed at zero, not sure many Salmon flies will see a fish till autumn if this keeps up. Though the Beauly is getting a wee lift it seems, I have a pal who fishes that, I'll ring him later to see how he's doing.
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Post by lunesman on May 24, 2023 20:06:22 GMT
Well, that's my party's trip on Stobhall over. Very poor, 6 rods, all descent anglers, 3 days 1 salmon 1 sea trout. Only about 4 fish seen. Apparently Glyn Freeman has a party on Kercock,not seeing anything. Very sad state of affairs. I think the Tay, like most other rivers,is unfortunately well past its best ☹️
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burnie
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Post by burnie on May 25, 2023 7:13:07 GMT
Hopefully a few grilse will make an appearance soon
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Post by lunesman on May 28, 2023 12:14:09 GMT
Looking at next week's forecast, another dry week. We need some descent rain, and soon. You watch, it'll be another hose pipe ban soon.🤔
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