The four beats of Ladykirk, Sprouston, Upper Hendersyde & Tweedswood all reporting the largest at 15lb.

Monday had 12 fish reported on FishTweed from Tweedhill to Ravenswood, and Bluestone on the Whiteadder with Sprouston landing the largest for the day at 15lbs. Ford and Redscar reporting 1 sea trout each on the Till, the largest of which was 7lbs from Ford beat.

Tuesday 9 were reported from Tweedhill to Tweedswood, with Tweedswood reporting the largest at 15lbs.

Wednesday saw just 3 fish reported for the day from Tweedhill to Upper Hendersyde with Upper Hendersyde reporting the largest at 10lbs. Redscar reporting 3 sea trout, the largest of which was 3lbs.

Thursday saw 6 fish recorded, with beats from Ladykirk to Boleside mostly recording single fish for the day and the beats of Tillmouth, Sprouston and Dryburgh North all reporting the largest at 10lbs.

Friday had 7 fish recorded from Ladykirk to Lower Pavilion, with Ladykirk and Upper Hendersyde each reporting fish of 15lbs.

Saturday had 8 fish recorded from Tweedhill to Boleside, with 1 from Bluestone. The largest fish of the day were 12lbs fish reported from Upper Hendersyde and Boleside. Horncliffe reported 2 sea trout, largest of which was albs.

It was another strange week with no two days the same, just the annoying wind was constant, although it swung round from different directions, it made life difficult (which this year seems to be becoming the norm!)

As the forecast is for more colder, changeable, weather again this week, we may just be in for a bit more of the same with fish being elusive. Those fish that were there seemed reluctant to take, however with an 11lb fresh fish being taken from Tweedhill by Peter Craig on the Boat pool on the 6th and George Scholes catching a 12lb Fresh Springer on 11th May from the Meeting Pool Boleside, as well as others reported in between, the fish are obviously spread throughout the system.

Hawick Angling Club Latest Report - The weather has improved slightly with the resultant improvement in catches. Some very nice Rainbows, up to 3lbs, have been taken on Acreknowe. With the cooler water lures have been the main choice, but over the past few days fish have been rising more freely with buzzers and dry flies starting to take fish. Wulliestruther Loch has produced some good catches, mostly on worm. After a slow start Barnes and Akermoor lochs should start to fish better,but with these lochs being higher up it will probably be a week or two before fish are on the surface. The Angling club would be very interested to hear of any Brown trout caught on any of their rivers. Scale samples would also be appreciated, with the information being sent to the secretary.

Feedback from anglers this week

Horncliffe:- Description of fishery: Exceptional

Other comments: lovely days fishing, very good Ghillie, His Knowledge of beats was great, nothing to much trouble, Eric the Ghillie sorted my Spey casting out. would recommend a days fishing on this beat to everyone. 4 of us will be back in June.

Tweedhill:- Description of fishery: Very good

As always a very enjoyable day, Brian Palmer gave good advice and help all day

Ghillie customer service: Exceptional

Ghillie knowledge/advice: Exceptional

Bluestone:- Description of fishery: Very good

Ghillie customer service: Very good

Ghillie knowledge/advice: Very good

Other comments: We had a very good week on Andrews fishery, I caught a fresh sea liced salmon on the Monday of 10lbs and my companion for the week caught one of about 6lbs on the Saturday before we left. It's just a shame we don't live closer, would fish more often. Even though the water was low, plenty of fish were running. Anyone that wants good fishing at a reasonable cost should certainly give it a go and Andrew is a fine host.

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

Largest fish competition

In conjunction with Borders Gun Room of St. Boswells, FishTweed are running a competition for the largest salmon caught each month for the whole of season 2013 from the FishTweed beats. Please note that fish will only qualify, if they have been timeously reported, and the beat regularly reports catches to FishTweed. Judges ruling is final.

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

introduction to the life of this fascinating mollusc. He asked me to write the Foreword to his book, which I quote below because the context of the Freshwater Mussel FWM (Margaritifera Margaritifera) is perhaps more relevant today than it was then, largely because of increasing public awareness of its ecological importance.

Fred Woodward worked at the Kelvingrove Gallery in Glasgow in a team of distinguished natural historians and biologists. In that capacity he became a member of the European Invertebrates Survey and of the Bern Invertebrates Specialist Group, among other influential roles, including fellowship of the Linnaean Society. I remember Fred talking about the importance of the freshwater mussel and its relationship with juvenile salmonids, especially Atlantic salmon parr. At that time he was drafting the guidelines for the EU's Habitat Directorate, which ultimately led to EU legislation to protect the FWM.

Why are freshwater mussels (FWM) important?

My own interest in Margaritifera Margaritifera stemmed from living on the banks of the River South Esk in Angus, which was famous for the quality of its FWM pearls. In the 1980s it was still legal to collect pearls by opening up the shell of the living mollusc, invariably killing it in the process, and occasionally finding a pearl inside. South Esk FWM pearls were highly sought after, so much so that the late Queen Mother was given a necklace of a selection of the purest irridescent and graded pearls.

Quite often we would find heaps of opened shells beside the river, with dead mussels rotting and stinking in the summer warmth. It was obvious to me, even before I met Fred Woodward, that the plundering of the river's stocks of FWM could not continue if they were not going to become extinct.

Hence, when Fred asked me to write the foreword for his book, this is what I wrote:

"The freshwater mussel is a biological indicator of the health of our rivers. It is also the prized quarry of pearl fishermen, and in Scotland there is a common right to fish for them. There are few such privileges given to the ordinary person, above the rights of the riparian owner, and it is significant, as public access to Scotland's wilderness areas is now a major political issue, that we now know that this practice is no longer sustainable, if the Scottish pearl mussel is to survive.

Traditionally the pearl fisher killed every mussel in the search for the elusive and valuable pearl. It is this, in the context of the longevity and slow growth of Margaritifera Margaritifera, which made it obvious to Scotland's small group of professional pearl fishers that they needed to devise a method which did not involve killing the mussel. This they succeeded in doing by developing tongs which prise open the shell-halves sufficiently to allow inspection and removal of a pearl from the mussel's mantle without harming it. Unfortunately, it was impossible to communicate this method to the much larger number of amateur pearl fishermen, and it therefore became necessary to introduce legislation in 1989 to protect the animal by making it illegal to kill them, or interfere with them in any way.

Fred Woodward is the champion of Margaritifera Margaritifera. His interest in its natural history, its exploitation by man since pre-Roman times, its global context and the politics needed to ensure its survival, are the subject of this book. His main concern is for the mollusc's wellbeing, and yet he manages to introduce an elegaic sympathy for the Scottish group of professional pearl fishers, Bill Abernethy, Peter Goodwin and the McCormack family. It is well worth reading Peter Goodwin's book, 'The River and the Road - Journal of a Freshwater Pearl-Fisher' (Hale 1985 ISBN 0 7090 2341 3) which describes the lives of pearl fishers, an activity which sadly but understandably no longer exists.

The 1992 Rio conference on the global environment highlighted the issue of biodiversity, and it is therefore important that each threatened species has its champions. Fred Woodward's commitment is much more important than championing the cause of a single species however, because his holistic approach has much in common with the Scottish biologist and philosopher, Patrick Geddes, in the way he invites us to think globally and act locally. Margaritifera Margaritifera is more than yet another threatened species or biological indicator; ultimately it is a measure of our commitment to sustaining our environment."

Since 1993 the EU has introduced Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to protect fragile species such as the FWM. Because of the mollusc's relationship with juvenile salmon, which are hosts to the FWM's larval parasite (Glochidia), it is the relationship between the two species which has become the target of EU conservation efforts. In salmon rivers where the freshwater mussel still exists, SAC status is predicated on the wellbeing of both species in that particular ecosystem - the freshwater catchment.

TA on 6/5/2013

and 4 sea trout reported to Gillieline for the week. Landed in the area from Tweedhill through to Bemersyde, Junction had the best of the sport with 16 for the week. The largest reported was a 16lb fish from The Boathouse. Lower Tindall had a 7lb sea trout on Tuesday which was the largest of the week.

Monday had 13 fish reported on FishTweed from Ladykirk to Junction with Ladykirk landing the largest for the day at 11lbs. Junction landed 7 of the 13so had the best of the sport.

Tuesday 16 were reported from Tweedhill to Bemersyde, with The Boathouse reporting a lovely fresh 16lbs fish. Lower Tindall had a albs sea trout on the Till.

Wednesday saw 12 reported for the day from Tweddhill to Bemersyde with Tillmouth's 11lb fish being the largest reported for the day.

Thursday saw 7 fish recorded, with beats from Ladykirk to Junction mostly recording single fish for the day and the boathouse having the larges again at 11lbs.

Friday had 9 fish recorded from Pedwell to Rutherford, with Pedwell reporting a 15lb fish.

Saturday only 4 fish were recorded from Tweedhill to West Learmouth. The largest fish of the day was Ladykirk's 11lb fish.

It was good to see the fish having taken advantage of the tides to come in and to travel the river, with fish being reported off Tweedhill at the bottom of the river up to Bemersyde in the middle reaches. Middle Pavilion also reporting a sea trout on Saturday, the only beat above Coldstream to report anything to FishTweed.

Well done to all the anglers who braved the very varied elements last week, it was another week which was not easy with the conditions. To think last year at this time we had high temperatures and were walking around with single layers on complaining about the algae on the river bed being slippy, this year, we are all done up with various layers to keep the biting cold at bay.

Feedback from anglers this week

Milne Graden:-

Ghillie customer service: Very good

Ghillie knowledge/advice: Very good

"Ryan, the ghillie is a young man of only 19,however his knowledge, enthusiasm, and work rate is to be admired. The beat should be applauded for employing a young ghillie, thus keeping the river tradition going. Too many beats take the easy option of hiring a semi retired or previously retired person."

Hendersyde

Ghillie customer service: Very good

Ghillie knowledge/advice: Exceptional

"If fish size was recorded by length and condition, differences based on gillie perception could be reduced."

Also an extract from Mick Charlton at Middle Pavilion's report:- to read the whole report go to this link and select the Middle Pavilion report.

"On the plus side I spotted more fish moving about in the last week of the month, with any luck this is fish finally starting to move away from Kelso and will give the rest of us a chance to catch a few!

Spring seems to have arrived at last, the grass and trees a greening up at last, and the water temp is slowly rising,last week saw some reasonable hatches of march browns and some trout rising to them

a good sight to see after such a long cold spell."

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

Largest fish competition

In conjunction with Borders Gun Room of St. Boswells, FishTweed are running a competition for the largest salmon caught each month for the whole of season 2013 from the FishTweed beats. Please note that fish will only qualify, if they have been timeously reported, and the beat regularly reports catches to FishTweed. Judges ruling is final.

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

through to Fairnilee, with Lower Tindal on Till. Junction had the best of the sport with 26 for the week, with Hendersyde close behind reporting 25. The largest reported was a massive 34lb fish from Junction. Lower Tindall had a fish on Tuesday which was good to see.

Monday had 39 fish reported on FishTweed from Tillmouth to Middle Pavilion with Birgham Dub and Hendersyde sharing the spoils for the largest for the day at 15lbs. Birgham Dub had the best sport with 9 for the day. 5 sea trout were also reported the largest being 9lbs from Redscar on the Till.

Tuesday 34 were reported from Upper North Wark to Fairnilee, with Birgham Dub and Sprouston both reporting 14lbs fish. Lower Tindall also reported 1 from the Till.

Wednesday saw 22 reported for the day from Lower Birgham to Bemersyde, with Hendersyde's 19lb fish being the largest reported for the day. 3 sea trout were reported from Upper Hendersyde and Upper Makerstoun.

Thursday saw 38 fish recorded, Hendersyde having another good day with 6, largest reported came from Upper North Wark and Rutherford who both reported fish of 15lbs. 2 sea trout were recorded at Tweedhill.

Friday had 22 fish recorded from Ladykirk to Boleside, with 5 beats (Birgham Dub, Sprouston, Hendersyde, Upper Makerstoun and Bemersyde) all reporting the heaviest fish at 10lbs.

Saturday showed 21 fish recorded from Milne Graden to Boleside. The largest fish of the day as well as the season so far was taken at Junction at 34lbs. The 104cm cock fish was caught by Ian Bailey on a flying c, Ian initially thought the fish was about 25lbs, but when it was actually weighed it came in at 34lbs. Well done Ian, Ian's party who had a week fishing at Carham and Junction included Mr. Bailey's sister and her husband who both landed their first ever fish so congratulations also to them.

Well done to all the anglers who braved the very varied elements last week, it was not an easy week by any stretch of the imagination as our filming party discovered when they were out and about on various beats last week. Having hoped to be filming lots of nice green shoots coming up in the background of the beats, the trees are still in denial of spring, so we will be back at a later date. Our thanks to the beat owners and gillies for their warm welcome and attention.

Feedback from anglers this week

"Despite no fish landed, the fishery is very attractive with plenty of wildlife seen and the Tillmouth boatmen made the three days very enjoyable. With the staff and facilities we thought it good value for money, just right!"

Lower Birgham "Encouraged to fish despite poor conditions - other ghillies would have told you not to bother - well done Tom & Brian for their efforts in trying to get me a fish. I will come back if single rods are available."

"I will definitely be using this beat in the future and would recommend Tweedswood to anyone asking about fishing on the tweed"

Peeblesshire Trout FA "Every aspect of the day's fishing was positive except the weather. A very cold wind kept the fish down. There was a short mayfly hatch but no visible response from the fish. "

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

Largest fish competition

In conjunction with Borders Gun Room of St. Boswells, FishTweed are running a competition for the largest salmon caught each month for the whole of season 2013 from the FishTweed beats. Please note that fish will only qualify, if they have been timeously reported, and the beat regularly reports catches to FishTweed. Judges ruling is final.

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

the week. Landed in the area from Upper North Wark through to Lower Pavilion, with Bluestone being the only beat reporting on Friday as the Whiteaddder had been little affected. Sprouston had the best of the sport with 8 for the week and the largest reported was a 14lb fish from Hendersyde opposite them. Bluestone had fish on Friday and Saturday which was good to see.

Monday saw the river unfishable through the howling wind and rise in water and as such no fish were reported. Water temperatures rose to the upper 40C mark last week and whilst warmer than it has been, it didn't feel it.

Tuesday was little better as we saw all four seasons in a day, and only 2 were reported from Upper North Wark and Junction, with Upper North Wark's fish the larger of the two at 8lb. Lower Birgham also reported a sea trout to 8lbs.

Wednesday saw 9 reported for the day from Lower Birgham to Tweedswood, with Hendersyde's 14lb fish taking the honours for the day and the week. 4 sea trout were reported from Upper North Wark, Lower Birgham, Sprouston and Junction.

Thursday saw an enormous flood come down both the main stem, the Ettrick and Teviot, which meant another blank day.

Friday saw 2 fish recorded from Bluestone on Whiteadder, the only beat to report as the Whiteadder was unaffected by the rain which had come from the West, good spring day, but the flood of yesterday still had the river too big and too brown. Larger of the two was 9lbs. As Andrew Lee wrote in his beat report: "Good day at BlueStone. Two lovely and very special first fish for two anglers, this morning Paul Rayner from Newcastle landed his first salmon, using a size 10 Ally from the Hut Pool, and this afternoon Halvor Engebretsen from Norway landed his first fish in Scotland from the Swan's Nest using a size 12 Junction Shrimp. Lovely sunny warm day for once, and an enjoyable day for all anglers especially Paul & Halvor.

Saturday with the river fining down, 24 fish were reported from Upper North Wark through to Lower Pavilion on the Tweed and Bluestone again on the Whiteadder. The largest of the day being from Hendersyde at 13lbs and Sprouston having the best of the day landing 6, closely followed by Hendersyde and Junction with 4 each. There were also 5 sea trout reported from Ladykirk through to Junction who landed the largest at 10lbs.

Well done to all the anglers who braved the elements last week, it was not an easy week by any stretch of the imagination. Good to see the swallows back and the hedges turning green, spring is very definitely on its way, though there may be a slight hic-cup on Friday and Saturday night with frosts forecast, so if you've anything in the garden that may need covered, don't take the protection away yet.

Feedback from anglers this week

"River was coloured and high. Gillie assisted with a casting lesson, in a safe area. I have not cast a salmon fly rod in 20 years, so used the bad conditions to practice my casting for next outing."

"We enjoyed the day and to catch a nice spring fish was a bonus."

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

Largest fish competition

In conjunction with Borders Gun Room of St. Boswells, FishTweed are running a competition for the largest salmon caught each month for the whole of season 2013 from the FishTweed beats. Please note that fish will only qualify, if they have been timeously reported, and the beat regularly reports catches to FishTweed. Judges ruling is final.

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

the best of the sport this week with 16 for the week and the largest reported was a 17lb fish from Junction. Good to see beats getting off the mark for 2013 with a variety of beats scoring for the first time both in the lower river and the tributaries.

The promised change in the wind direction just didn't seem to happen at all last week, with the easterly occasionally shifting to a Southeasterly, but in the main staying from the Easterly direction. Water temperatures were up around the low to mid 40'sC for most of the week and whilst warmer than it has been, it certainly didn't feel like it in the bitter wind.

Spring must have sprung though as the first swallows were reported and the Ospreys have laid their first egg at the Tweed Valley Osprey watch site.

Monday had 21 fish recorded on FishTweed, from Milne Graden to Rutherford and Bluestone on Whiteadder and Upper Tindel on Till both recording fish too. Junction had the largest fish reported at 17lbs, which turned out to be the biggest of the week.

Tuesday had 15 reported from Milne Graden to Dryburgh North. Sprouston recording the largest of the day at 15lbs.

Wednesday saw 19 reported for the day from Tillmouth to Dryburgh North, with Tillmouth having the largest at 12lbs and Sprouston recording 6 for the day.

Thursday 15 fish were recorded from Ladykirk to Junction with Tillmouth's 16lb fish being the largest for the day.

Friday saw 14 fish recorded from Pedwell through to Dryburgh North, with Tillmouth recording the largest of 14lbs.

Saturday 14 fish were reported from Tweedhill through to Upper Hendersyde. Milne Graden's 15lb fish being the largest of the day. It's good to see fish getting above Kelso and the tributaries starting to report. There were 4 sea trout reported for the week, 1 being from Lower Birgham one from Lower Tindal and two from Upper Tindal.

Feedback from anglers this week

Ghillie customer service: Exceptional;

and

Exceptionally pleasant, well informed and expert team. Really some of the best I've fished with.

Other comments:

Brilliant day thanks entirely to Tam's hard work, perseverance and patience.

and

A really terrific day.

Booking facility: Very good;

Really is very well set up website, that is easy to use and works!

Value for money: Exceptional;

and

Really very good indeed, with excellent ghillies

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

Largest fish competition

In conjunction with Borders Gun Room of St. Boswells, FishTweed are running a competition for the largest salmon caught each month for the whole of season 2013 from the FishTweed beats. Please note that fish will only qualify, if they have been timeously reported, and the beat regularly reports catches to FishTweed. Judges ruling is final.

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

week with 15 for the week, an excellant result for this 2 rod beat. The largest reported was a 22lbs fish from Sprouston on Saturday. Good to see beats getting off the mark for 2013 with a variety of beats scoring for the first time.

A slight rise in the levels from Tuesday onwards and a drop in the wind for a couple of days made a difference, although it wasn't long before the Easterly winds were back with us. Water temperatures were up around the high 30'sC for most of the week and whilst warmer than it has been, it still needs a little rise yet having only reached the dizzy heights of 40C on a couple of occasions last week.

Monday had 9 fish recorded on FishTweed, from Milne Graden to Tweedswood, with Milne Graden and Sprouston sharing the largest fish reported at 12lbs. Despite being April 1st there was still a touch of frost and a cold east breeze.

Tuesday had 15 reported from Tillmouth to Drygrange. There was a slight rise in water with the snow melt and rain we have had, so good to see some fish moving up. Lower Birgham and Junction reported the largest fish of the day with 16lbs being the top weight.

Wednesday saw 14 reported for the day from Tillmouth to Junction, with Sprouston having the largest at 16lbs.

Thursday 16 fish were recorded from Ladykirk to Junction with Upper Hendersyde's 14lb fish being the largest for the day.

Friday saw 24 fish recorded, I think the first time we've broken the 20's for some time. They were taken from Ladykirk through to Junction, with Milne Graden recording the largest of 20lbs. Good to see fresh fish coming in with the tides.

Saturday 14 fish were reported from West Learmouth through to Dryburgh North. Sprouston's 22lb fish being the largest of the day and of the week. Also good to see fish getting above Kelso.

Feedback from anglers this week was very complimentary which is good to see! A sample of some of the comments are below.

Description of fishery: Exceptional Wonderful fly water. Wading had its moments!

Value for money: Really very good indeed. We had a total of five takes, with excellent ghillies - see below - in lovely surroundings. No more to say!

Service of two boatmen for three rods is really rare

Ghillie customer service: Exceptional Exceptionally pleasant, well informed and expert team. Really some of the best I've fished with.

Exceptional Knows exactly where fish are as well as river bed features. Line and fly choice were spot on.

Other comments:

A really terrific day.

Catch details:

Two spring salmon, Posh Tosh copper tubes, caught at Dripping Rocks. One lost at Long Stream.

2 spring salmon, both on yellow/black cone head

It's also good to see positive feedback for the booking system itself, we always want to improve. If there are any features you would like to see, or improvements to the system, let us know and we will see what we can do. Also in the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

Largest fish competition

In conjunction with Borders Gun Room of St. Boswells, FishTweed are running a competition for the largest salmon caught each month for the whole of season 2013 from the FishTweed beats. Please note that fish will only qualify, if they have been timeously reported, and the beat regularly reports catches to FishTweed. Judges ruling is final.

In the interest of adding more content to these reports, we would be grateful if any rod/boatman/gillie etc. has any details of catches, anecdotes, pictures or experiences whilst fishing Tweed could they please contact me by e-mail at info@fishtweed.co.uk

Beat catches reported

(week ending 6th April)

SALMON & GRILSE: Ladykirk 2, Milne Graden 6, Tillmouth 4, West Learmouth 15, Upper North Wark 9, Lower Birgham 9, Birgham Dub 12, Sprouston 11, Hendersyde 8, Upper Hendersyde 6, Junction 6, Dryburgh North 1, Drygrange 2, Tweedswood 1.

Total: 92 Largest: Sprouston 22lbs

SEA TROUT: Upper North Wark 1, Upper Hendersyde 1.

Total: 2 Largest: Upper North Wark 6lbs

TROUT: None reported