The Fishing – Salmon
The salmon season opens on 1st April and continues until 31st October. In general fish are present on the opening day on the lower beats such as Canonbie and Lower Liddel. These early arrivals are usually MSW fish weighing into teens of pounds. Given good water levels stocks continue to increase throughout the summer months. Late July usually sees the arrival of grilse, and given favourable conditions continue until they merge with the main autumn runs from late August onwards. Both rivers produce fish weighing into the teens of pounds and twenty pounders plus are taken every season.
June and July now sees the arrival of the summer run, multi sea winter fish, mixed with grilse will run in numbers given favourable conditions. Over the past 5 seasons the summer salmon fishing has seen a resurgence. The autumn fishing has , along with most rivers, see a reduction in numbers of returning fish, but the chance of a large fish remains, the river will now be full of fish and there’s always a chance.
The Fishing – Sea Trout
The sea trout season commences 1st April and runs until 31st August with good conditions, fish in the 4 – 7lb class are usually present at the start of the season. Peak
months are June and July The average weight of the main runs is usually 1.5 to 2.5lbs with a few larger fish up to 10lbs. In the interest of conservation all fish over 3lb MUST BE RETURNED.
Byelaws
Rod fishery byelaws for the Border Esk:
- Mandatory catch and release of all salmon;
- A limit of 4 sea trout per season per angler on the Border Esk;
- Requirement to return all female sea trout caught on or after 10th September up to and including 30th September.
The Beats
There are three beats available for your fishing trip. The Canonbie Beat, Langholm Beat and the Lower Liddle Beat.
Click on each Fishing Beat to see a larger version.
River Levels
If you would like to check river levels before your trip levels for Canonbie can be checked here and levels for Langholm here.
Tackle Advice
A Seven-weight rod is ideal for sea trout on the Esk and Liddel. This will also do for salmon on the Liddel but a 12 or 13 footer can have its advantages in higher water. On the Esk, 12 ft or 13 ft rod will do in low-water and a 14 or 15 footer is best when it’s high. You should note the water height – there is a white marker on Canonbie Bridge (painted on the downstream side of the pillar nearest the playing field). If the water is on or above the mark at 9 AM, you can spin or worm. Providing the water is not carrying too much colour the fly can be very successful.
Popular spinners are black, black and yellow, red flying Cs with a silver or gold blade 10/15g, Rapala ( one hook only), Mepps and Zebra Tobies, though one or two still use a floating Devon minnow.
Those Fly fishing for sea trout tend to rely on the Thomson’s Terror, small Stoats Tails and other small drab flies during the day and flies such as Teal, Blue and Silver, Silver Stoats tail, Dark Mackerel, Butcher, and Peter Ross, size 16/8 single or double dependent upon conditions.
Flies for salmon are usually size 12/8 double or single, Cascades, Ally’s Shrimp, Stoat Tails and Pot-bellied pigs, but don’t be afraid to fish smaller sizes.
Locals and members will always be on hand to offer advice.
Wading
Studded chest waders, although not essential, are the preferred choice of most anglers. A wading stick can also be very useful. Anglers are strongly advised to wear an automatic life jacket.
Click here to see the Border Esk water level
