After the prolonged drought of September ,large numbers of salmon built up in lower Esk and Liddle for about 6 miles above the tide. These fish began to colour up a little ,but were continually topped up wish silver fresh incomers on each slight rise in water, Eventually good waters came and salmon travelled hard and fast through the catchment, for a time providing sport right up into and beyond the middle reaches. Fishery manager Iain Bell said that around the middle of the month, a good run of brand new salmon with sandybacks and silver flanks, travelled up river almost as far as Langholm, 12 or so hours before the flood actually occurred. he has seen fish (usually grilse) get a head start like this before, but some were actually double figure salmon which struggled through on their bellies. On one pool near Langholm he counted 16 such fish jostling in the head of the stream, He said it was almost like looking at summer sea trout, in the gin clear low water.
Most reports are still being collated as the season closed, but some snippets so far are;-
Martin Coulthard from Cumbria hooked 3 fresh salmon in quick succession at Irvine House, but only landed one, from the low water in Boat Pool. an 8 1/2 lb cock fish. Following on Rob Donald, landed 3 out of 3 at 15lbs, 12lbs and 8lbs after the impending rain finally lifted the water, one to Cascade shrimp fly and the others on spinner.
Star of the month must be 11 year old Harry Smith,from the Midlands who landed his first ever salmon of 14lbs from low Irvine House, Fossil Beds on spinner. Steve Stranks, had to wait a few years longer for his first, but was delighted with a 16lb fresh salmon from Caul pool, Tower Beat.
Up from Wales, Chris Gannon landed a 7lb 2oz cock fish from Gogee, Langholm, Peter Longstaff a 19lb fish from Canonbie and Richard Taylor of Yorkshire caught an 11 lb cock fish on Tasmanian Devil from Shortsholm .
Gerry McCullagh persevered in a low water full of fish, eventually tempting a 14 1/2 lb salmon from Tower Pool on shrimp fly. Fishing with Gerry, Kieren Laidon landed his first ever salmon, a grilse of 6lbs on black flying C'
Iain Blackett had a good day on Low Liddle with a brace of 6lb and 8lb from Ha Pool and The Inch, one of the numerous reports of catches will follow next month.
As the month drew to a close, large numbers of fish , both fresh and coloured were showing in most pools, yet mysteriously for the most part they simply refused to take anything cast to them. Perhaps they had more important urges on their mind.
Would all those who have fished on an Esk and Liddle Fishery permit please forward their catch return slips to Iain Bell, Fishery Office , Buccleuch Sporting, Langholm DG13 0ND as soon as possible please
