Anglers from across the UK were out fishing last Friday and Saturday night in search of sea trout. In the words of Hugh Falkus fishing for the elusive fish falls into four parts in much the same way as a game of football, these being: the first half, half time, the second half and extra time.

With the heat wave continuing across the UK most venues started their evening with a BBQ whilst waiting for the sizzling temperatures to fall.

Tom Carter attended the event on Horncliffe beat, River Tweed where the river temperature was at 18+Cel and the evening temperature dropping to 12 cel. Armed with some of the deadliest sea trout flies available he failed to stumble across a willing fish. He said “Anglers new to sea trout fishing will have learned a lot about this great fish during the Festival whilst in the company of passionate anglers who target this species”.

The rivers Annan/Nith/Border Esk suffered similar river temperatures and a slightly higher evening temperature around 20+cel.

Derek Kelly explained different casts and their applications for sea trout fishing on the River Annan at Hoddom.

Moray and Sam McFarlene of Dalguise Fishing hosted their first River Tay sea trout night and enjoyed showing new anglers their beat which is located 2 miles downstream of the confluence of the Rivers Tay and Tummel.

Friars Carse on the River Nith caught seatrout as did anglers fishing with Stirling Councils Fishery Manager Scott Mason, on their waters on the River Teith.

With river levels falling and freshets requested some events were cancelled or moved.

We are already planning next years Festival to cover more rivers. Thank you to all the owners, beats, angling clubs, ghillies, guides who gave their time and fishing

Tom Carter