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North Esk 2023

20190 Views 182 Replies 44 Participants Last post by  westie4566
7
Well 2022 was a bit of a dissapointment.
The start of the season was hardwork due to the 2 massive storms filling the river with trees.
There was plenty fish in the river early on but not easy getting to them.
Then from April onwards we never had any more rain.
The water was as low as i saw it in 1976.
There were plenty fish arriving at the loups right throughout the summer until mid August.
Nearly all salmon with some grilse.
Though nobody was catching anything in the warm water temps.
Seatrout runs seem to be increasing every year since the final nets have been taken off.
Didnt see any monsters this year, unlike last year.
Water was too high throughout November to see any spawning.
We did have a massive flood mid November that was only a 3 feet lower than storm Frank at the loups and record height bellow the westwater and luther.
Hopefully not too much damage to the reds.
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Water looks good today.
It wouldnt surprise me if the odd springer was already sneaking in.
Lets hope theres more water in 2023.

The last 2 pics show how hight the river was.
Probably about 25 feet.
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Water Plant Bedrock Natural landscape Fluvial landforms of streams
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Theres a fish or 2 about and water is good. Weather might be a bit changeable this week.
one caugbt on tbe luther yesterday
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Brilliant Alistair, well done to all, especially John!
well done john onnie wee fish
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Today, the Comrie crew were on a trip to Pert, fishing the Lower Bridges beat. Water at 9/10 inches, 6 inch lower than hoped for, but hopes and spirits were high and the craic was good! On arrival at Luther pool there were fish showing as it seemed a run had come in off the earlier high tide, fish also showing at Bridges and throughout Boat beat we later learned.
Upshot was, one of the lads stood taller than the rest, proudly deflowering his new McKenzie rod...... not just once, but twice....including the first this year off the Luther pool, with 2 cracking fish of around 10 and 5lbs. There were other pulls , which just came to nothing. A great day out, knackered but, we shall be back! 😁
Ps, cheers to the Dennistoun boys who left early and gave us the opperchancity to fish Upper beat, the 5lber was taken from the Lower Weir👍
Gallowgate boys 🤣
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glad yous,e boys got another fish great seeing yous,e again
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Just testing you wee Blue!! Aye the craic was good!!
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Just testing you wee Blue!! Aye the craic was good!!
back up on thursday for another bash 🐟
One yesterday from the Northie. Had hold of one 5 mins before this one, which dropped off and another pull at the fly in the morning.
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One yesterday from the Northie. Had hold of one 5 mins before this one, which dropped off and another pull at the fly in the morning. View attachment 93811
Nice one sir!
One yesterday from the Northie. Had hold of one 5 mins before this one, which dropped off and another pull at the fly in the morning. View attachment 93811
Cracker Bill. Well done mate. It’s been slow going so far this season and I know you have put nearly double the amount of time into this season than even I have. I’m glad we’re finally starting to get rewarded for all our efforts.
Which beat were you on?
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Cracker Bill. Well done mate. It’s been slow going so far this season and I know you have put nearly double the amount of time into this season than even I have. I’m glad we’re finally starting to get rewarded for all our efforts.
Which beat were you on?
Strathcathro Gordon.
Hope you didn't jag awe them fish up there yesterday, those are my pets. :p
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Strathcathro Gordon.
Hope you didn't jag awe them fish up there yesterday, those are my pets. :p
It was strange Bill. All the usual spots seemed devoid of fish. All the action we got were from unlikely places. I see the southie is holding water better. Might get out again tomorrow if I finish work sharp. Back up the Spey Wednesday night for a few days.
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It was strange Bill. All the usual spots seemed devoid of fish. All the action we got were from unlikely places. I see the southie is holding water better. Might get out again tomorrow if I finish work sharp. Back up the Spey Wednesday night for a few days.
Its been holding water as its been getting a wee lift every other day.
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One yesterday from the Northie. Had hold of one 5 mins before this one, which dropped off and another pull at the fly in the morning. View attachment 93811
Wee belter Bill!!
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One of Two I had yesterday. This one was bleeding badly and the plume of blood can be seen in the pic. I't did swim away strongly though, after I took it up into the fast water.
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Its been holding water as its been getting a wee lift every other day.
Classic spring fishing. Snow melt all day, rising river all night, falling river all day. While since we've had that consistently but shows you what brings the fish in .
A pal is on Balmakewan, next week thurs to sat, hows it been fishing ?
Cheers
Well done Allysshrimp, some nice fish there.
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Nice fish right there! Shame about the bleeder. Out of interest do you think a fit springer like that would survive ok?
Nice fish right there! Shame about the bleeder. Out of interest do you think a fit springer like that would survive ok?
🍿🍿
Nice fish right there! Shame about the bleeder. Out of interest do you think a fit springer like that would survive ok?
Depends where bleeding from, if gills no chance. If just blood from hook in mouth or roof then every chance. Remember blood in water plumes up making it look worse than actually is. That said fresh fish are more vulnerable than resident river fish. I think the stresses of osmosisacle physiological transgression increases physical vulnerability. Backend coloured fish appear more robust after becoming accustomed physically to fresh water... Just my view mind..
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