PATCHY RETURN FROM THE ESKS
LOTS of fish are being seen but very patchy returns are the story from the Esks over the last two weeks.
I hope that this goes further to prove that the spring run continues its improvement in this the third year of restriction on catches.
This improvement features in the annual reports of Senior Bailiff Nigel McMullan and his assistant Bailiff Hawkins.
Their reports both point out the steady recovery of the spring salmon runs and point to the apparent success of the current catch and release policy.
Further they express concern at the very thin grilse which I have written of over recent times. Incidentally this is a topic concerning all levels of fishery management and all types of remedy are being put forward. They also note with concern the dwindling stocks of Seatrout and hope that this may be just a temporary phase.
On the Lunan and Bervie they suggest that both are being under fished, with fish being observed when water conditions were favourable. Redd counting was almost impossible due to the high water conditions, but good stock of brood fish were observed on all spawning streams, particularly the Mark which is the principal breeding area for the spring component on the North Esk.
They issued a warning by the way of reporting a conviction for breach of the rules early last season which resulted in a fine of 300. This echoes a warning issued by the Fisheries Board reported a few weeks ago.
The Japanese Knotweed on the Bervie continues to be sprayed at regular intervals, however in the early growing period of last spring the river rose and it was impossible to spray at the optimum period and thus the growth was rather too high for a real kill.
It would appear that from their report that they are achieving containment rather than the desirable kill off.
On the subject of seal scaring equipment they are cautiously optimistic and it seems that there may well be a very good possibility for further applications.
In all these excellent reports echo what I already knew, that the rivers are in very good and experienced hands. Very well done gentlemen.
Early reports from Brechin AC's Loch Saugh are very encouraging with good sport being enjoyed and I hear that a large proportion of the fish were returned. As we hear of impending good weather and higher temperatures I have an itch urging me to the Glen of Drumtochty very soon.
Rescobie Loch is also reporting very good sport with some very big fish appearing in early season baskets while Tom Rennie's fishery at Mostonmuir is receiving rave reports with fish rising freely.
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Weather for Brechin
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
