Feedback & Reports

Late return - Fish seen jumping at the start of the Vanstones pool. Most of the day was spoilt by canoes from around 9.30am to 3pm.

The river was low (0.28m on the Ross gauge) and hadn’t risen appreciably after the rain on Thursday (apart from carrying a slight tinge). Canoes and paddle boarders dogged the day. This was to be expected on a warm Saturday but I’ll try to get to the beat much earlier if fishing on a weekend again. There were two or three good-sized salmon in the tail of the Vanstone in the evening (once the canoes had finished), but it wasn’t possible to cover them effectively with the fly due to depth of the pool at that point. I caught one decent Shad (over a pound), but that was it. Fantastic mayfly hatch but no sign of trout.

1 Other

1 shad. 1 good sized trout

1 Trout, 1 Other

Early morning start before the canoes resulted in sightings of at least 3 fish in the Vanstone pool. After that river very quiet in regards to fish. Weed catching the fly became an issue almost every cast, single hooks and long-leaders helped but I am looking forward to the next rise of water and push of fish.

Great day on the water saw a few smaller salmon making there way through vanstone and one kicking it’s tail to get op the rapids at the neck of the V pool. No salmon, but a pretty decent pike gave me some excitement.

1 Pike

One or two fish splashing at the bottom of the Vanstone pool. But no takers.

Beats well marked and access all good.

No catch

The water is very low and some blanket weed developing already. Briefly hooked a fish in the neck of the Vanstone. A few resident fish showing in the Vanstone early and late in the day. A flood or two is needed.

Met Mick at the water and he told me lines, flies and where to fish. He was spot on with the info. I had one shad in the morning. Fishing in the afternoon I had one pull on the fly, in the location that Mick told me about. But unfortunately it did not stick . Mick’s advice is worth its weight in gold. Thank you Mick see you soon. 6 salmon seen on the beat in places Mick said about.

1 Other

River low and in need of a good flush through, as there was silt in the margins and green algae forming on the stones. No Ranunculus either, all of which points towards a rather sickly river. A few salmon seen splashing about in the Vanstone, but none could be tempted, even though I followed Mick the Ghillie's sage advice to the letter! But this is a lovely beat, and I will be back as soon as possible. Anglers are all optimists!