End of the season
LATEST REPORT
Sun 25th October 2020
Well, thanks to everyone that’s come along and supported Tweedswood, fished very hard, put up with different things ie Covid. It’s been hard but you all have made it work and have made no fuss at all. We have just ploughed along. With the autumnal colours in top flight and the leaves doing all they can to drive us crazy, it’s good to think that as the next week drifts into November that we have had our fun.
Tweedswood can’t complain as it’s been tough going some days and easy others but the one thing that is very evident is there is no fresh back end salmon again. They have been replaced by a strange mix of large and small, very coloured salmon since mid-August. Not one fresh out of our catches which is so strange. The early spring fish, then a summer run, followed by a bit interesting mixed fishing in July where fresh salmon were evident along with flamingos, swans, crocodiles and every other type of floating swimming aid; camping barbeques and picnickers - July was crazy. One day there were over 60 folks swimming in the Bridge pool, so that was interesting to say the least but salmon were evidently in good no.s and a few grilse as well. August was poor, September woke up and we found the recipe in October. Any colour, any size but right on the bottom with a down stream mend, they couldn't get enough of it and we did very well - 101 fly caught salmon up till tonight.
Going forward, next week’s going to be tough as the river’s up and there’s heavy rain most days in the head waters. Leaves are killing the fun a bit but we will crack on as fully booked next week, then slip into November. It’s game over for November and do we really need to hammer away at the salmon any longer? We know what we are catching and we know that they need all the energy to spawn and give us the chance to keep going in future years. Lots of fish are spawning and we will start catching kelts this coming week. They arrived on time 18th Oct top of Boiler stream and have got straight on to it. Some will be finished so kelts will be very evident going into November. Hope this rise sets them on their way, if going any further river spawning fish seem to be the new norm but they are well spread out up the system.
Some beats are calling it a day and, to be honest, its fair play to them. I have mixed feelings: the chance is still there but, like other Novembers, the Tweed closes itself and some will still venture out for a final cast. My advice is wait to get the leaves out the way, a settled water and fair height and a last day of the season but that’s it.
My rods are cleaned, lines away, I am not wanting any more. It’s been a fun season and the new owner has had a great start and a lot of it goes down to his investment. He’s put in letting me construct the three new Tweedswood croys. What a difference! It’s only the start: we have huge plans in the coming season and the hut will be totally refurbished plus the area around the lodge - full make over and another huge investment in river works at the Boiler. It’s a great credit to a new owner to go full scale but what we’ve achieved in such a short time, 5 months, is unreal. We’re starting the full field and entrance landscape next week, there's so much going to be happening.
Thank you all and see you all in 2021.
Well here’s to going into the unknown again. Stay Safe.
Aye, Kevin