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

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.