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
Ranuculous Water Crowfoot weed project
Following the loss of the wavy green weed much favoured by fry and fingerings as predator cover in 2016 and consultation with SEPA, SNH and the Fisheryboard in 2019 as to a transplanting trial the work has now been done. We now need to monitor the implants and consult again with SEPA who agreed to sample test the river bed. If all goes well we look to up scale in 2021 for areas downstream from ABN.
Job done
Harry Brown at Pitlessie Bridge
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. Work has already started to take down the Hogweed “Jungle” between the Railway Bridge and the Prestonhall sleeper Bridge.
Reporting Pollution
There have been several Facebook reported minor pollution incidents this week. The secretary stresses the importance of reporting any pollution, illegal fishing or wildlife crime directly, as soon as possible either to SEPA, Bailiff or Police on the numbers printed on the Permit in addition to putting it on Facebook or notifying the secretary later. Multiple reports are fine, do not leave it to someone else to report it.
Summer Sea Trout
Reports are coming in following the rain earlier this week of some larger sea trout entering the river system. The big tides later this week should encourage these silver ghosts to run.
Steve Smarts June sea Trout
Eden Fishing re starts Friday 29th May
Following the announcement by Scottish Government today Thursday 28th May., a phased relaxation of the COVID-19 lock down laws takes effect from Friday 29th May allowing fishing to resume under new self distancing rules.
The Eden has nearly 20 miles of bank to fish. Please take hand sanitiser and wash your hands after touching gates or stiles and comply with all social distancing rules. The Patrols of the river put in place during the lockdown will continue under the new rules to ensure that everyone fishing complies with the rules of the Association and the new lock down laws announced today.
It is for all members of the association to familiarize themselves with these new rules and comply with them at all times.
Angler responsibilities (From Fisheries Management Scotland Guidance
• Travel to and from fisheries by private vehicle. Any passengers must be from the same household and Scottish Government physical distancing regulations must be observed.
• Parking and social interaction on arrival at the fishery must be responsible and consistent with Scottish Government physical distancing regulations.
• Fishery access and use. Anglers must not share fishing tackle or equipment, except with members of the same household.
• Gates and stiles are common on fisheries, and where they need to be used, appropriate sanitation measures should be taken by anglers, including use of gloves and disinfectant hand gels as appropriate
Thank you for your patience. Tight lines and stay safe.
Secretary