MARCH SPRINGERS HERALD A GREAT START TO SEASON
We have posted a couple of photos of Eric McDonald’s March springer below.
Eric McDonald: Off like a rocket a lively springer hooked.
Eric said the fish was on for some considerable time, when landed it was bleeding heavily and from a conservation point of view was never going to be returned.
The end result: A springer on the bank 13.5lbs…….lovely
With two springers off the river already anglers are now wondering if we could get another good spring run? No one knows for certain but there is some evidence available from another system that monitored the spring fishing over a number of years and concluded that when the nets (or rods) got springers earlier than usual it usually resulted in the spring run being better that particular year…….interesting.
Alec McElwee with the first springer of the season River Leven March 23rd.
Traditionally the first salmon taken off the system would be caught around the third week in March. It has been quite a few years since we had a March springer even though the spring run and multi sea winter summer runs in 2009 provided some of the best salmon fishing the system has had for many years. So it is great news to report that two fresh springers were caught today 23 rd March 2010.The second fish was caught on the fly.
The first springer was caught by Alec MacElwee it weighed just over13lbs. The fish was taken at the top end of the river at Balloch. The fish was covered in sea lice and was caught on a devon. His spaniel took a liking to the lice and persisted in licking the lice off the fish.
Local regular Alec McElwee took the fish on his second visit to the river.
Alec reckoned there was a chance of a fresh springer with the recent rise in water levels at the end of last week so decided to give it a try. The river was fairly quiet having seen a decent turnout on Saturday with no fish caught. Like others who know the river well he fished knowing that there is always a chance of a fresh fish at this time of the year.
There has been a large number of kelts unprecedented for a long time so when his rod buckled over he thought it was another kelt. A large leap in the air and he knew he was into a fresh fish.The fish was caught mid day on the spinner and was well deserved for making the effort to give it a try.
Later in the afternoon another keen angler Eric McDonald landed the second springer it weighed 13.5lbs and fresh run. Eric was fishing the street run down on the lower section of the River Leven at Renton. He narrowly missed out on getting the first fish but does manage to claim the first fish on the fly taken off the system . Well done to the two of them great stuff.
Eric McDonald with a fresh springer of 13.5lbs on the fly: March 23rd.
This particular photo does not do justice to the fish. What a surprise for Eric as he fly fished the street run his fly being taken by a fresh springer in March. Aye it pays to fish no matter what the prospects.
Tight Lines The Committee
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