Fishing with Ford and Cliff
My very first salmon in 1986. It weighed in at 10 lbs (5KG). Caught in the Howgate pool on Elibank beat of the river Tweed, just outside Galashiels. If I remember correctly the fly used was a "Gary Dog". The catch was skilfully netted by my old mate Cliff Renney (soon to be pictured)
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The 5 lb Salmon October 1999 |
My very first salmon in 1986 |
The 6lb Salmon October 1999 |
Also pictured above are pictures of last years successes. The one on the left weighed in at 5 lbs (2.5Kg). The one on the right was 6 lbs (3 Kg) . Both were caught ay the same spot as my first salmon but the fly this time was an "Aly's Shrimp". I have found this to be the most successful fly ever. I only managed two days out last year and caught 2 salmon each time. I can't see me using any other fly again.
The fishing at Elibank is let to a syndicate. My good friend Cliff Renney is one of the members and is kind enough to invite me along as his guest whenever he can. Cliff is always at hand to land the fish as he did with the three above.
Salmon fishing can be an extremely expensive pastime. Consequently the "good" beats are only available to the rich and famous. However, many angling associations have access to the lesser beats on the upper Tweed and lease their fishing out on a day ticket basis. If the conditions are right a good days fishing can be had on an upper Tweed beat for less than £50.
Syndicate membership is another way of obtaining some reasonable fishing. A "one day a week" membership can be had for about £150 a year on some of the upper Tweed beats. The fishing is usually outside peak season and therefore not very productive but good fishing can still be had if the conditions are right. Late summer spates can bring some of the Autumn run fish in early. Of course there is always a good chance of a summer Grilse on any of the beats.
My Salmon fishing gear consists of a 15 foot McHardy's of Carlisle carbon fibre rod. A 4 " Shakespeare reel and a No. 10 intermediate line. I find that the intermediate line serves me for most conditions and I only change to the sinking line when the water is exceptionally high.
I always have a good selection of flies with me ranging from size 12 doubles and trebles to 2 inch tube flies. I have a selection of patterns but tend to stick to "Comet", "Gary dog", "Willie Gun", "General Practitioner" and of course, my new favourite the "Aly's shrimp".
All the flies you see here are tied by the authors own fair hand
| Aly's shrimp and Gary Dog |
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Me and my son Pete, when he was 4. He caught a "whopper" that day |
The year 2000 has been a rotten year for fishing. Cliff and me had only one fruitless outing, much to our disgust. A combination of family / work commitments, and weather. Next year should be better though. We both look forward to April 2001.
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The great Border angler - Cliff Renney |
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Well 2001 has been and gone with no fish. It's now the end of September 2002. There is virtually no water in the river and consequently NO FISH. Lets hope it rains.
The Beat - "Elibank"
Elibank is one of the Upper Tweed beats. Situated downstream of Walkerburn and just upstream of Peel, it is best fished October and November. Late summer rains can bring a run of fish in in late August, early September but its' not normally worth fishing until the end of September.
(for a bigger image click of the images below)
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Lower Island Pool: This is the furthest downstream pool of "Elibank". Fishes best in low water conditions. This is cliffs favourite pool, it's a bit of a hike down from the hut though |
| "Rough Haugh":
Next pool up and runs between Lower and upper island pools. Fishes best in high water conditions. The bank is extremely steep for the most part sp you have to be a bit careful if it's wet or windy. |
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Upper Island pool:
Fishes well in all but low water conditions |
| Boat Pool:
There used to be a boat here, but that's long gone. It is un-fishable without a boat due to the high banks. One visitor did fish it this year. It is fishable if you wade down close to the bank but there is no way out until you reach the end. Heaven help you if you actually catch a fish here. |
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Bridge Pool:
Remains of old Peebles railway line form a croy here and fish tend to rest in this pool. Fishes well at 1 foot but better at 2 or 3 feet. |
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Bridge Pool looking upstream |
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The hut at upper Island. This where the one that got away stories are swapped. It also doubles as a parliamentary debate room. The government of the day should take note of what's said in here. |
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The "Howgate" My favourite pool. Fishes well at about 1 foot or lower |
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2002 Season pictures
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| First day out of 2002 |
Peter's first fish (8oz trout), caught on "Howgate" with a March Brown (14) |
Blair Thompson, great angler and Elibank "Oracle". Once caught 8 fish in one day. What Blair didn't know about salmon fishing wasn't worth knowing |
2003 Season
Fishing has been dire in the upper tweed up until Wednesday 24th September. Rain at last. The river level was at 3" this morning and some fish were caught at Ashistiel the beat below the one I fish. Hopes are high for this afternoon. Yesterday 41 fish ! were taken at Tillmouth on the lower tweed. Fish must moving in in vast numbers Watch this space....
Well I got one last Thursday. Hooked at the usual spot, between the stones on "Howgate". Bit of a kipper so I put it back unharmed. When I say "kipper" I mean it had been in the river for quite some time and had turned red. This is known as an un-seasonal fish and should therefore always be returned. There was still no water. Hoping for rain this week. Tillmouth topped their previous record with 45 fish last Thursday.
2003 ended with no more fish for me, hardly any water. The beat only had about b7 fish in total
2004 Season
26th September 2004
The start of the salmon season was dulled somewhat with the unfortunate passing away, in April, of Blair Thompson. His wisdom and friendship will be sorely missed by all.
Well the season certainly started with a bang. I hooked no fewer than 6, yes 6!!!!, fish in the Howgate. I lost 2 at the last moment but landed 4. Two were quite fresh too. Blair would have been impressed.
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2 fish at about 7 lbs a piece, not bad going eh? |
The following Thursday wasn't so good with a bright day and falling water level it didn't look good. I think there was only one fish caught the whole day, caught by Keith Orr. Prospects are better for next weeks fishing.
30th November 2004 - End of Season
I had a further 3 days out in November but with no success. Other anglers faired little better. I think the last fish caught was on the 13th of November.
The river was absolutely packed with fish, some monsters amongst them. It has been a record season for The Tweed with rod catches topping a twenty year high.
Ah well, there's always next year.
2005 season
2nd September- First day out
Well the first day out was a waste of time. River at only 2 inches and no promise of rain. There was hardly enough flow to swing the fly round in Howgate. Fingers crossed for next week and perhaps a bit of rain.
1st week in October - 3rd day out
Managed to catch a 10lb (est.) salmon in the bridge pool, just at the bottom end. Fly was the usual Aly's shrimp. As the fish was a bit on the red side I returned it unharmed.
End of season:
Nothing else caught. My leave did not coincide with the best water levels. Ah well there always next year
2006 season
Well 2006 is here. Pete and I nipped up to Easterhouse Byres Trout fishery on 5th April for a few casts but caught nothing due mainly to the atrocious weather that day.
It's a small 2 acre pond stocked with Rainbow trout up to 4lb. Day tickets cost from £6 to £15 and available from Border Angling in the High Street, Galashiels. There is also a course fishing loch above the trout fishery, if you like that sort of thing.
The figures form last seasons fishing at Elibank are below. The house rods out-fished the syndicate rods in 2005. We must redress the balance in 2006. Lunch times will have to be cut :-))
Success at last. A nice brace of sea trout about 6lbs a piece.
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2007 Season - A complete blank
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