These bulletin blogs represent news about Finavon and the South Esk, and my views as a riparian owner. While I may digress at times to write about other places, these 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
There have been some lovely salmon caught at Finavon this season; fish in prime condition returning from the mercurial ocean, where some feed well and some starve. Our early spring fish in the South Esk have arrived with us in good fettle. To date FCW has caught and returned 10 MSW salmon, the biggest at 17lbs caught by John Wood. Steven Moir had a sea liced 8lbs fish on Saturday in a day of difficult conditions with water levels constantly changing in both directions. I caught two fish, one in Melgund as the pool broadens out, fishing off the north bank and the other, before the high water arrived on Friday morning, well down Tyndals Pool, fishing from the north bank. Both fish were in splendid condition.
This photo shows the head of Melgund Pool (Indies Beat) from the South bank. In low water temperatures this pool is always a good bet for a spring salmon. It is a genuine holding pool with stream, depth and a long and lingering tail to enjoy in high water. It is also a superb sea trout pool, best fished from the north bank.
I gather that the Kinnaird beats are now showing a total return, including the 22 caught and tagged by Marine Scotland scientists, of over 70 salmon, while Cortachy and Downie Park, Inshewan and Finavon catches total over 35 salmon. If you add in the fish reported by Kintrockat, Careston and the Kirriemuir Angling Club, perhaps totalling 20 fish, we can estimate that the total seasonal catch to date for the river is between 120 and 130 salmon. That is about average for the beginning of May, remembering that the current 5 year average 16/2 to 31/5 for C&DP, Inshewan & FCW is 52 salmon.
The River is still at a good height, but not really conducive to fish settling into the pools. There is still a daily snow melt that lifts the river in the middle of the day. The effect of that is to keep the salmon moving, high-tailing it to the glens. A period of more settled conditions wouldn’t be amiss.
Late evening report: Graham Ritchie had a fish of 10lbs from Haughs (Bogardo Beat) and Stuart Cameron a 12lbs fish from Melgund (Indies Beat). Photos to follow.
TA 6/5/13