April started well, a wee bit cold for early Sea Trout perhaps, but a very nice running water for Salmon . 'So what' I hear you say.- Perhaps the Esk & Liddle are not well known for Springers and very few rods put much effort in. Those that did were pleasantly surprised !
Fishing at the 'Damfoot' on Low Liddle Beat, Barry Irving landed a fresh salmon of 8 1/2 lbs. John Walters was reported to have also landed a 9lb Springer from Schelly Hole on Canonbie beat. A day later David Mckinnel was at Mill Pool, Canonbie on a good water. He hooked and lost a good fish, then subsequently landed another , A Spring salmon of 9lbs on black & red Flying C'. During his time on the pool, David said there were more fish showing forward, bouncing through the neck of the pool like a fresh run going through and he obviously hit it just right . There were reports of a similar pod of Salmon going through Potholm Bridge at Langholm later in the week. All the above fish were of course returned, but the memory of a Spring Salmon is still a very nice prize indeed.
Sea trout, were seen here and there as the water dropped in toward the latter half of the month. A small pod of 4 pounders held up on the tail of Dead Neuk, Canonbie and just toward the the month end some bigger sea trout to 6 lbs appeared up on Tower Beat at the Crooked Pool. These sea trout came in a couple of days too late for Gary Frazer from Northumberland, who was none the less delighted with a brace of Brown trout to 1lb caught and returned to Tower on Invicta / March Brown singles , I think.
As April turned to May, word came in of some more sea trout caught further down stream near Longtown. Just as this report was being submitted , Cumbria's Jackie Allan was put into a state of shock. Fishing Willow & Cauldron as a guest , he was delighted to inform us of having just landed a big 18lb Spring Salmon, which was returned to fight another day.
Anyone needing advice on fishing the area is welcome to contact Iain Bell (His last Springer was off Damfoot on the Liddle also ), at Esk & Liddle fishery Office 013873 81951 or 80202. www.elfisheries.co.uk
As the next good tides come and temperatures improve, we should see one or two more Sea trout sliding into the pools in advance of the main summer runs. There are already reports of sea trout, being in the Solway. One apparently lifted out of the water by a migrant Osprey !
Spring has sprung , albeit a little late , the trees are green again and flies are hatching. Given another rise in water , early season prospects are encouraging.
