Archive for the ‘Sea Trout’ Category

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We are Ready to Welcome in the Summer and Autumn Salmon and Grilse

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

These bulletin blogs represent news about Finavon and the South Esk, and my views as a riparian owner. They are not the views of any other organisation, nor are they designed to promote the interests of any individual or organisation other than Finavon Castle Water and factors affecting the fishery.  Tony Andrews

It is great to see sea trout in the river in better numbers than for some years. Cortachy, about 6 miles upstream of Finavon, has been catching lots of sea trout, and every one of them of course passed through Finavon’s pools. But high water has meant that the big shoals have moved upriver. At Inshewan (3 miles upriver) Colin Gibb tells me that there are also good numbers of fish, both salmon and sea trout.

We are now awaiting the arrival of the grilse, hoping that the nets don’t take too many of them before good numbers can get upriver. We are still catching the odd salmon and, with a mid July total of 33 salmon and 64 sea trout we are ready to welcome in the summer and autumn salmon and grilse.

We were told by the BBC that this was going to be a long hot summer. So far it has  been a cool rather damp one. If the water continues to flow at a good level into August and September we can expect to see good numbers of fish. Here’s hoping!

Deep Wading Upper Boat Pool

Deep Wading Upper Boat Pool

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The Most Encouraging Signs of an Improving Sea Trout Run for Five Years

Sunday, June 14th, 2009

These bulletin blogs represent news about Finavon and the South Esk, and my views as a riparian owner. They are not the views of any other organisation, nor are they designed to promote the interests of any individual or organisation other than Finavon Castle Water and factors affecting the fishery.  Tony Andrews

The last week has seen the most encouraging signs of an improving sea trout run for five years. The quality and numbers of sea trout already in the river is as good as we would have expected ten years ago.

It will be  interesting to see if the numbers continue to increase into July, or whether they fade out as they have in recent seasons. Sea trout are now present in good numbers in Indies, the Boat Pool, Haughs and Volcano. If the shoals continue to build up as they are now we can expect some good sport in late June and July.

There are still plenty of salmon running  after last week’s spate and, although we only caught two, there are fresh fish in all the main pools.

Yesterday I caught a 5lbs sea trout in Harry’s Bar. It was unusual in that it took in the middle of the day, but this was an aggressive fresh cock fish in prime condition, obviously having enjoyed excellent feeding at sea. It took a size 16 silver double blue charm.

When wading across the tail of Indies, I disturbed a shoal of about a dozen sea trout which then swam up into the main dub of the pool; a sure sign that fish are beginning to hold up in the main pools.

The most exciting fishing of all in my opinion is now just starting. You begin to fish at dusk, not knowing whether it will be a fresh -run sea trout of three pounds that will take your fly and give you a hair-raising struggle before you net it, or whether it will be a salmon, perhaps a twelve pound fresh fish which quietly takes your fly as the light is fading. Playing a fish like that into the dusk is a real ‘Finavon experience’! It happens three or four times a year, and always surprises the fisherman concerned.

7lb Sea Trout from Craigo Stream Pool (Returned)

7lb Sea Trout from Craigo Stream Pool (Returned)

There are still some days available in July if you like fishing at night  …well, at this time of year it doesn’t get fully dark.

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Last Week Saw 10 Salmon and 2 Sea Trout Caught at Finavon

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

These bulletin blogs represent news about Finavon and the South Esk, and my views as a riparian owner. They are not the views of any other organisation, nor are they designed to promote the interests of any individual or organisation other than Finavon Castle Water and factors affecting the fishery.  Tony Andrews

Last week saw 10 salmon and 2 sea trout caught at Finavon. As is normal before the end of May, Milton Beat fished best, but fish were seen and caught on all four beats. The sea trout were in exceptionally good condition, and we had three salmon over 10lbs.

As I write this bulletin on the 24th of May, the river is running down after a long period of high water. Restrictions on killing sea trout and salmon end on the 31st of May, but we will be asking our rods to continue returning fish until the end of June. This is because of the widespread concern about spring salmon stocks and the continuing low numbers of sea trout.

Prospects for the coming week, beginning on 25th May are good, and it will be interesting to see if the sea trout continue to show in Finavon’s pools. If we get more water we should also see more late-running spring salmon.

Beeches Pool from the Aqueduct - Milton Beat

Beeches Pool from the Aqueduct - Milton Beat

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