Fishing Reports

This week so far

See each day's largest fish and individual beat catches on our Latest catches page which is updated each time a ghillie uses our automatic SMS and internet reporting systems.

Last week

(Last updated: Monday 20th May)

FishTweed saw 42 salmon and 8 sea trout reported to Gillieline for the week. Landed in the area from Tweedhill through to Middle Pavilion, Tillmouth and Sprouston had the best of the sport with 8 for the week. Sprouston also reporting the largest at 15lb.

Monday saw 11 fish reported on FishTweed from Tweedhill to Bemersyde, with Tweedhill landing the largest for the day at 12lbs. Horncliffe, Tillmouth and Lower Tindall all had sea trout with Lower Tindall landing a 9 lb sea trout.
Tuesday despite water coming down the system, saw only 6 fish reported from Tillmouth to Bemersyde, with Upper Hendersyde and Bemersyde both reporting the largest at 10lbs. One gillie reports it more like March and May.
Wednesday saw 10 fish reported for the day, with another slight rise in levels. The fish were recorded from Tillmouth to Lower Makerstoun with Lower Birgham recording the largest at 12lbs. Redscar reporting 1 sea trout of 6lbs.
Thursday saw a return to colder weather and only 4 fish were recorded, from Birgham Dub to Middle Pavilion with Middle Pavilion reporting the largest at 10lbs. Tillmouth also recorded a sea trout of 2 lbs.
Friday had 6 fish recorded from Ladykirk to Hendersyde, with Sprouston reporting the largest fish of 15lbs. Rutherford and Lower Tindall also reported sea trout, the largest being 7 lbs.
Saturday had 5 fish recorded from Tweedhill, LadyKirk, Junction and Rutherford, with Ladykirk having 2 fish, all four beats recording fish at 7lbs.

I was taken to task by a couple of folk last week for not reporting the incidence of diseased fish in the river. There are a number of reports coming in now of fish with disease, however at the time last weeks report was written only a couple of beats had told me of its appearance. It is not unusual in the Spring to see disease, however distressing and by now in any normal year, we would usually be seeing fish showing signs of having mended. With the prolonged cold temperatures we have had however the disease is still showing, and we would hope that we see the water temperatures rising soon to enable fish to recover. In these circumstances we listen to the river scientist and therefore I would point readers to what the Tweed Foundation biologist Dr. Campbell has written see this link I also encourage all anglers not be be complacent and to ensure their equipment is clean and disinfected and would suggest following the advice in DEFRA's Keep Disease Out leaflet available at this link

There are fresh fish in the system too, with fish having been reported running the system to the Ettrick and other tributaries. Bemersyde and Middle Pavilion both reported fish last week, Bemersyde's Monday fish having signs of disease and Tuesday's fish being a 10lb fresh fish. Ian also reported seeing half a dozen fresh fish on Friday in the waters. I do hope the temperatures rise soon, but not a lot forecast for this week.

Our marketing Director Anne Woodcock had a group of Ladies out on Bluestone on the Whiteadder on Saturday. A great day was had by all despite the very wet weather. Anne is having various 'Introduction to Fishing' days this year and this group of four ladies had never fished before. Well done Ladies, I hope to see you all on the river again soon. Anne has also organised a ladies charity day with Middle Pavillion's Mick Charlton on Tuesday 30th July - aimed at women who would like to try salmon fishing or improve their casting and river techniques. Tuition from AAPGAI Master Paul Little with all monies raised from the day donated to breast cancer charity Casting For Recovery UK & Ireland

Customer Feedback
Mr Brown, Cambridge. Tillmouth: It is always a pleasure to fish this beat with probably the best set of Boatmen on the Tweed.

Mr Blee, Rutland. Milne Graden. Fishery manager Bob Miller excellent. New Ghillie Ryan is a real asset to the fishery. Ryan is very able and keen - and prepared to row a boat all day in the pouring rain! It is a lovely fishery and the people there make it into a great few days even when I can't catch anything!

Mr Feinberg, New York. Lower Pavillin. Scot's a great ghillie and a good teacher. Shame the fishing was so off.

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

Largest fish competition

In conjunction with Borders Gun Room of St. Boswells, FishTweed are running a competition for the largest salmon caught each month for the whole of season 2013 from the FishTweed beats. Please note that fish will only qualify, if they have been timeously reported, and the beat regularly reports catches to FishTweed. Judges ruling is final.

Have a look at the Your Photos page here at this link

Beat catches reported
(week ending 18th May)
SALMON & GRILSE: Tweedhill 2, Ladykirk 5, Tillmouth 8, West Learmouth 1, Lower Birgham 1, Birgham Dub 3, Sprouston 8, Hendersyde 2, Upper Hendersyde 2, Junction 3, Lower Makerstoun 2, Rutherford 2, Bemersyde 2, Middle Pavilion 1.
Total: 42 Largest: Sprouston 15lbs
SEA TROUT: Horncliffe 1, Tillmouth 2, Rutherford 1, Lower Tindal 3, Redscar 1.
Total: 8 Largest: Lower Tindal 9lbs
TROUT: None reported