Middle blackhall

[madkeen]

I off to this beat on february 17th anyone fished here before.I take it it will be sinking lines and tubes this early in the year?
Alan

[Sloggi]

I had the three rods booked today on M Blackhall.

We caught 4 kelts between us and the other bank had some kelts and I think they had one fresh grilse-sized fish. Willie Gunn was on the other bank (Cairnton) and may be able to offer some refulgence.

I fished a full sinker during the morning and a floater with fast sink tip during the afternoon. It was cold and very bright all day. The river was clear, a good height, and about 3 degrees. Used tubes between 3/4" and 3" all predominately black.

The fishing is fairly straightforward with the pools well defined - some very tasty fly water

I would guess by the 17th, you will, weather permitting, see a few more fresh fish.

The ghillie was good and the facilities excellent - he had a fire going in the bothy before we arrived which was great You'll get to pick top, middle, or lower beats and then swap round during the day so you can fish all pools. He is that very rare ghillie who knows when you need him and knows when to leave you in peace He also refrained from telling endless stories about fish that got larger with every story

The water in the lower beat is, IMHO, the best although the pool below Cairnton House fished really well too. There are only three rods with enough fishing for 4 or even 5 at a push although the peace and quiet was much appreciated. Wading was good on the middle beat and ok on the lower beat but a bit harder going on the top beat - but actually it was all ok if you're used to wading. Lots of croys on the top and lower beats. Banks are accessible and there is a path from one end to the other.

I'll go back to the beat - really enjoyed the day.

[scottyjock]

Alan,

This is a lovely beat fished it many times opposite bank from Cairnton but Blackhall is in my opinion the better bank although you have to wade a fair bit in lower water.Fishes well in just about all heights of water .

best of luck

Jock

[scottyjock]

Best looking fish i have ever hooked
Middle Blackhall springer 18-20lb range



Jock

[Sloggi]

graham said:

Were you the one who went for a swim this morning, it must have been pretty cold.

Ha! No, not me - that was my friend who's new to fishing and, obviously, wading He said it was pretty cold

I had a couple of kelts - how did you get on?

[williegunn]

sloggi said:

Willie Gunn was on the other bank (Cairnton) and may be able to offer some refulgence.

I never touch the stuff and would advise youngsters to avoid it as well.

Graham's brother got a sealice, cracking day, thanks Graham.

[macsalmo]

graham said:

I had a rawner and a few kelts. My brother had a long tailed sea liced fish of about 8lb.

Hi Graham,

Excuse my ignorance but whats a rawner

[jock]

Hi Gary,
This is a baggot, in Scotland it is called a rawner, it is a salmon that has not deposited her eggs for whatever reason, and that's why the belly is rounded, also classed as an unclean fish (the same as a Kelt), it to has to be returned carefully.

Cheers,
Jock

[macsalmo]

Thanks for that Jock,
I might be half Scottish but my Dads not a fisherman, so you learn something new every day

Gary

[macsalmo]

macsalmo said:

Thanks for that Jock,
I might be half Scottish but my Dads not a fisherman, so you learn something new every day

Gary

Thanks also Graham (you got your post in first).

[tyneandrew]

I caught one of these (i think) on the Tyne on opening day a few years ago.

It was about 12lbs and was a cock fish that basically looked like a heavily coloured autumn fish. Presume that was one?

[jock]

Gary,
Graham is correct. I wrongly implied a Rawner was a hen fish it is as Graham says a cock fish that has not spawned. Sorry.

[wilbert]

I caught my first ever springer off this beat, there is some nice water but i didn't like the top beat as much as the middle and bottom beats.

I think salar76 is there the week after you he has fished it more than me and will be able to give more advice.

[salar76]

I'm there at the end of Feb - hopefully the conditions will be kinder this year!

I've only been there a few times but it's a lovely beat with a great variety of pools. They get their fair share of springers and a good amount of the larger Dee fish. I've generally used fast sink tips, intermediates or Wet II. In high water you may want something a bit heavier though, but then many of the fish will be out of the main current on the M Blackhall side.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

[Sloggi]

graham said:

I had a rawner and a few kelts. My brother had a long tailed sea liced fish of about 8lb.

What did you catch your fish on?

[Sloggi]

graham said:

They were on a Black and Yellow 1 1/4" tube, aluminium or copper depending on the pool fished.

Silver body or?

We also caught on black /yellow flies in various forms.

[williegunn]

I see where some of the confusion originates www.cumbriaflyfishing.co.uk/articlespring.htm

"Take a look at the belly of the salmon and you will see that it is slightly rounded, a bit like the hull of a tanker as opposed to the hull of a speed boat which a Springer will have. This is a baggot or in Scotland it is called a rawner, it is a salmon that has not deposited her eggs for whatever reason, and that's why the belly is rounded, also classed as an unclean fish (the same as a Kelt), it to has to be returned carefully."




A cock Baggot (long head, kype, soft and full belly)

[kercock]

If you scroll down the pageof that article ,all is revealed a springer and a kelt in living (or is it dead )colour.

[tayboy]

anybody fish the loups and dalbog beat on north esk fancie giving it a go in spring

[donnieW]

Fished it twice - a lot of climbing and holding on for dear life! Lot of "gorge" pools too. It used to be the case that fish would not go too far up early on but things are changing with mild winters etc. I would recommend the Burn Estate (as opposed to the Burn Beat) - Fished there often. Check fishesks for the contact details and feel free to contact me if you don't know the beat. It's lower down, below the loups, and there should be fish there any time. Don't be put off by the info on fishesks - it's crap.