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
There was much more rain than was forecast, and the river rose at least two feet overnight on the 30th of March. The last day of the month saw the river big and dirty. Nonetheless, a few running fish were spotted on the 2 lower beats. The morning of the 1st of April began with some drizzle, but the river had dropped a few inches and cleared overnight. With the air temperature around 14C the water soon warmed up and fish started to appear in Willows and the Boat Pool on Milton Beat, which is by far the best beat at Finavon when the River is big.
An early morning fish of 10lbs with sea lice was reported from Haughs just below the Aqueduct and then later in the day another one from Frank’s Stream was caught by Andrew Lorimer. Conditions by the end of the day were nigh on perfect and, with black clouds lingering over the head of the catchment, there is little prospect of the level dropping drastically overnight. Provided there is not another spate I expect conditions to be ideal for a good turnout of our syndicate members tomorrow (2nd of April).
We now have caught ten beautiful spring salmon up to the 1st of April, and we have seen many more. This demonstrates a simple but oft forgotten truth wehich is that if the conditions are good (and the fish present!) you will catch a few. Talking to Colin Gibb at Inshewan the other day we agreed that there is already a good head of spring salmon in the pools of the two beats – Finavon and Inshewan – and, if the water levels remain good, there is every prospect of a productive April Month.
I heard today that Upper Kinnaird fished well at the end of March, so the run of spring fish is now benefitting the main lower and middle river beats.
TA 1/4/2011
Postscript. I walked the dogs down to the Red Brae at 7am and it was obvious that there had been some rain supplemented by snowmelt overnight. The result was a ‘clean’ spate (ie not muddy). We had 4 rods on the whole of FCW all day, but, apart from 3 or 4 kelts and a good number of running fish seen, there was nothing to show for their efforts. Milton Beat was the place with the best chance of a fish, but, alas, nothing. The river should drop away nicely over the rest of the weekend leaving Monday and Tuesday as days with a good chance of fish.
TA 1700 on 2/4/2011