There is an area of bank on the South side of the Pouch which has been marked with warning signs. The bank was undercut in the last flood and the rushes have no support. over deep water.
Catch Returns
All season and day ticket members of the association are required as a condition of their membership and good standing to provide a catch return INCLUDING NIL RETURNS so that the Association can make a statutory return to Scottish Government at the end of the season. This can be done on line on the 2020 Catch Return page of this web site for each day fished (preferred), by completing the paper catch return provided with each season ticket by post to the secretary, returning a paper catch return in the day ticket box located at the Kemback Lydox car park or e-mailing a copy of catch returns to the secretary..
When complete a summary of the EDEN catch return will be posted on the web site.,
Secretary
A recent Question about fishing rules on the Eden
Not sure about the circumstances that prompted a recent question about the rules when wading from a single bank, where the other is private. In this case the understanding is that anglers are allowed to fish the full width, but wading is only permitted to the middle of the river. In addition, to avoid conflict, if other anglers are present normal angling etiquette with regard to maintaining distance and moving a few small steps after each cast applies. .
Fishing Update
Thanks to recent rains and clearing water levels several salmon have been caught and returned below Cupar in the last week. The largest reported at 7 lbs. Although grilse have been seen running up over the curling pond weir there are no reports of salmon above Cupar yet but given the conditions they are likely to be well up the river by now.
Sea Trout seem to be less than punctual this year saying that, fish up to 2 lbs have been returned and several fresh run soft mouthed energetic specimens have been hooked and lost in the tidal pools. Some lovely brown trout are being caught between 1 and 3 lbs perhaps the Brownies have stayed in the river this year rather than spend their holidays at sea who knows. It seems that the Earn has not seen many sea trout either which reminds us all that we have to conserve what we have.
Scottish government may finally announce their fisheries strategy and stocking policy in December. We await the outcome with interest as from 2018 the Association have by law been prevented from sourcing or introducing fertile Brown Trout into the river. Sea Trout and Brown Trout are the same species. Brown Trout have the option to go to sea to feed up, so conservation is now vitally important. Please, return all Brown and Sea Trout to allow them to do what they do naturally. We need to look after what we have.
Secretary
OPEN DAY ?
With COVID-19 cases once again on the increase and relaxation of the rules soon, unlikely, plans for an Association Open Day to introduce new and returning members to fishing and the river, have had to be put back until next season.
POOL NAMES
Although some Eden Pool Names can be found on the web site (see link below) the list is by no means complete. Some rivers have fancy paper style maps naming most of the pools in the river. Perhaps we can do the same and/or add them to the google Map we already have. Anyone who can help in naming some of long forgotten Pools on the Eden or ideas for names we can publish, please contact the secretary by e-mail.
Balass Sleeper Bridge & Anglers path
New handrails have been fitted to the Balass sleeper bridge and a new anglers path has been cut from the bridge to the Newmill weir on the South bank. Many thanks to all concerned.
Pyrotechnics and Tropical storms
Reports coming in of some Salmon & sea Trout running up from the Estuary through Kemback earlier this week in low water . Normally most would drop back fairly quickly, but the tropical storm spate last night has helped to lift the river to a decent level. Once it clears we should see some silver fish above Cupar. Time to dust off the tackle.
Kemback Gauge Station 14.8.20
Workparty
Tosh Gray, Steve Smart and Andrew Thomson and myself replaced the Dron North bank ditch crossing below the Pouch today. A masterpiece of ingenuity and socially distanced team work Forgot the spade to level the ground so improvised with a machete. Forgot the hammer so improvised a mallet to drive in the posts. Because of COVID rules work parties are organised for essential maintenance only with small numbers, but if anyone can help out please contact me. Its a fine way to find our more about the river.
Secretary
Fishing Update
Mixed Reports are coming in.for another dry low water level July. No recent mention of any more Salmon being caught - largest so far is 13 lbs but then they may not be reported until the end of the season on the catch return. Please keep the reports and photos coming. Names and locations wont be published without permission.
Some say there is no fish in the river because they did not see or catch any but others are reporting Sea Trout and finnock up to 3 - 4 lbs between the Pouch and the Estuary and some good sized Brown Trout over the l lb being caught on the fly with some good evening rises mostly above Cupar. One Brown Trout over 2 lb caught & returned on a 0 Mepp below Cupar. For whatever reason the days of large numbers of Salmon & sea Trout are certainly long gone for everyone, not just for the Eden. Small shoals of Sea Trout and Finnock are now fewer, but can be encountered one day (night) making it a truly memorable experience, the next time fished they are gone. Thats why they are called the silver Ghosts. Sea Trout come in and run the lower beats as far as Dairsie Bridge with the tides usually at night and back again to the sea unless the river water levels are favourable.
Tight Lines
Open Day ?
As COVID rules allow, an Open Day may still be possible for the end of August beginning of September to allow new members, Juniors and those with an interest in fishing the Eden to have some instruction on Fly fishing, spinning and bait fishing. It will also be an opportunity to learn more about the river. and places to fish.
As numbers may have to be limited to <15 under COVID rules until COVID phase 4 - anyone interested in attending please e-mail the secretary. eaa,secretary@btinternet.com with numbers.
Kilt Shop St Andrews
Pleased to note that the Kilt Shop St Andrews has now re opened for sale of Eden fishing permits
Eden Fishing Permits
Angling Active store 10 Halbeath Rd, Dunfermline has re opened Tuesdays - Saturdays 9am - 4pm..All the EAA web site outlets on the EAA web site are all now open except for the Kilt Shop St Andrews to sell Eden fishing permits.
Hogweed Down
Giant Hogweed is a nasty invaisive species, but sadly in the UK there is no legal requirement for landowners to deal with it. Bill & April Wardlaw Newmill, & Dairsie Mains, Jim Smith Pitlessie and Fife council have all cut or sprayed on their land again this year, so many thanks to them and to Bill Livingston, an Association member who has training on how to deal with this memance, for single handedly cutting the Hogweed stands up to Tarvit Mill to prevent flowering for safe access for fishing and the public who walk the river.
EDEN - Summer Salmon
Mr Colin Jeffries 13lb Hen Salmon
With low water Salmon are showing but playing hard to get in the lower beats waiting for the rains . Colin Jeffrey landed two last week. The first a lovely 13 lb bar of silver Hen on a black and yellow flying C and the second a 7 lb cock fish. Both were safely returned.
The Sea Trout are not showing in any numbers yet with after dark fishing accounting for small finnock..We need some rain.
Blue Green Algae
Anglers please be aware that in the summer months algae can form in some parts of the river. Some forms of algae can be toxic especially to pets so it is best to avoid all contact with all forms. Keep pets away from the river.
'Klink & Dink' fly method for Brown Trout
The 'Klink and Dink ‘ dry fly has a small ring on the hook bend to attach a short dropper and a submerged nymph although the special fly is not really necessary as a dry fly on the bob (first Dropper) and a small nymph on the second works just as well. Watch the dry fly as a take on the submerged nymph will show on the floating fly. Most takes are on the nymph, but not always. Another variation is a greased nylon dropper with a submerged nymph on the point. Takes will show when the dropper suddenly goes under. Keep learning fishing is for life.
Rivers up a tad????
SEPA hydrology re calibrating the Kemback gauge, not sure yet why they always seem to do this in low flow? Sadly NOT a heavy downpour somewhere in the catchment midnight on Wednesday. More rain is forecast this week end to sweeten up the water enough perhaps to encourage some Grilse and sea trout in below Cupar.
Fife's Tackle Shops re Open
Some of Fife’s angling Permit & tackle shops have re opened following lock down. They sell Eden Permits and some stock a wide range of rods reels, tackle and bait. Shop locations and contact details can be found on the maps page of the web site or on the link below browse the yellow Pins..
Giant Hogweed
For members and Juniors new to the river. Please be aware that Giant Hogweed is a nasty plant and not to be messed with. Please do not attempt to cut it down to get access to the river. Leave it to those with the experience, skills and protective equipment to deal with it. Work has already started to take down the Hogweed “Jungle” between the Railway Bridge and the Prestonhall sleeper Bridge thanks to Bill Livingston.
Giant Hogweed below Springfield