SALMON & SEA TROUT on the BORDER ESK & LIDDLE

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The Esk and Liddle, were traditionally famed for their huge Sea Trout runs. As on many rivers these runs are now less prolific, making summer and autumn Salmon the main quarry species. The swift-flowing waters of the Esk and Liddle originate in the foothills of the Southern Uplands, tumbling their way through green hills redolent with the turbulent history of these beautiful Border lands. Our fishings here open on 1st April and continue until 31st October inclusive.

Bookings can be made using the Contact Form or online through Fish Border Esk.

Further detailed information can be found currently on the Ettrick and Liddle Fishery website.

Border Esk

The Border Esk flows through the 'Muckle Toon' of Langholm and on down through the picturesque Eskdale Valley to Canonbie where it converges with the River Liddle. Gathering strength from the many upland burns which flow into its fresh, clean waters, the river is home to an abundance of parr and fry, both contributing to the impressive runs of fish. Its swift running waters make it a rewarding and satisfying spot for fly-fishing. Its tumbling stone-strewn path is perfect for a wide range of fishing from racing runs and tantalising pockets of deep water to slow moving pools overhung by sandstone cliffs. The Salmon season begins at the beginning of April with late July heralding the arrival of the summer run which continues as it moves into autumn and on to the end of October when the season closes. The Sea Trout season also commences on 1st April with an expectation of fish in the 4-7 lb class and closes at the end of September. With a gradual increase in numbers, it is hoped that during the main run, the average weight will be 1-2 lbs, sometimes up to 10 lbs.

A choice of several beats is available on the Border Esk:

Langholm - About 4 miles mixed, single and double bank fishing with 28 named pools.
Irvine House Lower - 1280 m, mainly double bank fishing, including Copper Stone and Fossil Beds.
Irvine House Middle - 941 m, mainly double bank fishing, including Carrot Beds and Boat Pool.
Gilnockie Tower - 1234 m, double bank fishing, including Tower Pool and Caul' Pool.
Hollows - 823 m, double bank fishing including Shortsholm, Brig and Chapel Pools.
Canonbie - 4 miles, double bank fishing, 17 named pools.
Willow Pool - 795 m, single bank fishing at the junction of the Esk and Little Waters.
Cauldron - 1189 m, single bank fishing, including Cauldron Pool and Barr Stream.

River Liddle

The Liddle beats, the Lower Liddle and Newcastleton, provide some excellent fishing off the beaten track and worm fishing is allowed on both beats. Salmon have been known to run straight through to Newcastleton as early as May although late July usually heralds the arrival of the summer run and, if conditions remain suitable, will continue until they merge with the main autumn runs around mid September, generally increasing during the second half of the season. Fish of 10-20 lbs weight are often taken during this time.

Both the Salmon and Sea Trout seasons begin on 1st April and continue until 31st October. Given good running conditions, fish in the 4-7 lb class are usually present on the opening day. A gradual increase in Sea Trout numbers continues until early August, or even later in some seasons, when the average weight in the main runs is usually 1-2 lbs rising to 10 lbs. Excellent sport by all accounts.

River Report

July 2009

The Sea Trout run continues in good numbers, providing some good sport on the night cast.

Fishing on the reserved beats, Tower and Hollows, Diane Owen, Paul Stephenson, Joe Hazelden, I Hewartson and T Jones all managed to catch a number of school sized 1 - 2.5lb Seat Trout, some in difficult circumstances when dissoved oxygen levels were low resulting in lethargic fish reluctant to take.

On the mid and low Irvine House beats, Paul Straffor landed a 2.5lb Sea Trout on Silver Stoat, M Savage used like fly to land one slightly smaller, as did T Jones with the exception that he caught a brace to 4.25lb.

Mick Norner caught 4 sea Trout to 3.50lb using light tackle worm. Peter Graham landed a Sea Trout on Mepp, but after hooking and losing another 3, had to settle for the one in the bag. Craig carson landed a brace of Sea Trout to 2lb at Petes Hole whilst Ian Steelesettled for a 10lb Salmon.

At Willow and Cauldron beats, some bigger Salmon appeared, with Jonathon massey landing one of the 12.5lb on F/C, Ray Hudson 11lb on a Dunkeld single and veteran fisher Charlie Stephens also reported to have had a good fish. Some good Sea Trout were caught too, Payl Hurst landed a brace on spinner to 2lb, B Gilby had a 2lb on work, David Laidler enjoyed 3 in the day to 2lb on fly and then followed up with 4 Sea Trout to 2.25lb towards the end of the month. Gordon mason landed a fresh school sea Trout on spinner.

The number of school sized 1.25 - 2lb Sea Trout have increased this year, similar to the type of fish we used to get, although there are still bigger specimens to be had.

On Tower and Hollows beats, Ian Pugh, T Whitcher and T Jones all had school Sea trout using silver stoat variants, Ian Hewartson likewise. Hugh Berridge landed 4 Sea Trout to 2lb in a day on mepp, followed by another 3 the largest of which was 3.25lb. Making skilful use of the spinner, Mr Coonstant caught 4 to 2lb. Michael Craven of Yorkshire also fished mepp to land 3 Sea Trout and a Brownie. Retired head river watcherIrvine Wylie, now swell into his eighties caught a 11.25lb Salmon from Caul Pool on F/C. he also sends his best wishes to all those he used to see on the river.

Sport on the permit beats of Canonbie, Low Liddle and Langholm were also encouraging. Jackie Allan had a brace of Sea Trout to 2.50lb from Moat. Colin Rutherford a 2lb from Liddle at Black Kist on Black Pennel. Steve White a brace to 1.75lb on neddle fly at the Dubh. Michael Currie a 1.5lb Sea Trout on T/B/Silver and Ross Currie 1 a little larger.

James Feehan of Newcastleton was delighted with his capture of a 15lb Salmon from Low Liddle at Harelaw. Further up Liddle, Tommy Newton caught 3 Sea Trout on rapala and several lost more, in a day session during which he said the pool just came alive with a big run of fish.

Back at Canonbie, St.John Soulsby had a similar frenzy at the wires, hooking 6 in a short space of time and landing 3 of them. Fishery Manager Iain Bell was thankfull for the efforts of fishers with collecting Sea Trout scale samples, which are passed the 100 mark now, but keep them coming. One or two rods have omitted to complete details such as location of catches. This information is vital, to establish which tributaries are or are not their home of origin.

At a meeting of Solway Sea Trout Group, next years steps with Celtic Sea Trout project will hopefully include the deeper Marine part of the equation as well as the estuary work which has already started. A big flood at the end of the month with good tides will hopefully see some more grilse bouncing into the beats.

Report by Iain Bell, Esk & Liddle Fishery, Buccleuch Sporting

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