Salmon fishing Rutherford on the River Tweed 28th February 2024

[@wye-fisher]

Oh what a beautiful stretch of water and thank you for sharing the anticipation of a take at any moment; the true magic of the "fish of a thousand casts"!

[@IainSB]

Hi again Mr Wye expert. As you say .It is a beautiful beat and enhanced with Michael and his stories and facts about the stretch of water that he is uncharge of. I was hopeful of getting a fish and it hasn't been the first time that I have been disappointed but the magic for fishing for the silver tourist will have me back there again Tight Lines. Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@paddydunne99]

What a beautiful stretch of river Ian better days ahead. Keep them coming.

[@IainSB]

It was the first time I have fished at Rutherford Paddy I will need to try get a day back on the beat. Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@FinLineFly]

Ah Rutherford! A favorite spot of mine down on the Tweed! Thanks for sharing!

[@IainSB]

It will soon be time for you to return to fishing in Scotland tight lines when you get home. Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@johnglaister5851]

I fished Rutherford a couple of times early season, some lovely water. I remember Michael took us down the bottom gorge pool in the boat once, which was a fascinating experience. No springers, just the odd kelt.

[@IainSB]

It is great when you get a boatman like Michael, it all adds to the experience John . I was given easy to follow instructions and enjoyed every minute I was there Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@davidmalcolm6846]

another great video Iain nice to see you have upgraded your fly line its a whole lot easier with a shooting head new rod as well by the looks of things tight lines for the sason ahead 🎣

[@IainSB]

these game changer heads are a great casting tool. David and the different sink rates mean a change in line to suit the different depths of each pool is an easy task . The rod is an old one, I have possibly had it for about 30 years and only started using it again recently. Its an old 15ft Sage Z axis and has a lot of power but the down side is I go home tired and looking forward to better weather and casting lighter rods Cheers Iain 🥃

[@jonatherton]

Cracking looking water that Iain. You would have expected a fish I'm sure. And a bonnie boat right enough.

[@IainSB]

I think that there has been 3 salmon off the beat so far this year Jon and I was hoping to increase their tally. they never had any fish by this time last year so here's hoping that this is a sign of a better season Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@stephenlewis195]

Hi Iain, lovely stretch of water you fished there but didn’t see anything showing, but still what a beautiful place to be fishing. Our opening day was a wash out last Sunday but went on the Monday but didn’t see or catch anything but still nice to get a fly in the water. Thanks for sharing Iain. 🥃Steve.

[@IainSB]

It has been a difficult start to the season for all Steve there have been anglers that have caught a fish and they deserve it . to brave the cold and high water levels in the spring with fingers and toes that go numb . they deserve a pat on the back. I hope your season goes well the water levels should settle according to the weather forecast so tight lines Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@tomjones7593]

Thanks-grey old day ! Can't resist telling I plucked one out on Leap Year day from the Teith ! About 7 lbs, bright blue/silver and on one of my home tied efforts; boy am I chuffed- earlier by at least 2 months than any fish I've ever landed (at 69 years of age) . Entirely agree re beavers-ridiculous-undoing the work of river trusts over the last two decades or so on bank stabilisation. Additionally 'dead' water upstream of dams on burns is called 'dead' for a reason. Madness. They make good hats though, I'm told.

[@IainSB]

Thanks Tom I am over the moon for your endeavours in catching an early springer each year we go out in the hope of catching a spring fish and our efforts sometimes pay off . this is one to remember the river banks on a lot of the Tay beats have changed for the worse because of the bank erosion caused by the beavers and a lot of tree huggers think that the way the beavers munch through trees will cause them to grow in a more bushier way but I have only seen a few saplings that manage to recover . the rest have died and added to the bank erosion Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@simonartley1645]

Going back for more hope and wading in April /May Iain? Will be doing the same with something yellow and Black eg Gledswood on the Lees in April..hopefully water will be fine...and will also be keeping an eye on the hatch for the trout. Simon Artley Manchester

[@IainSB]

I wish you tight lines Simon . I haven't had a cast on the Lees beat, when I have gone to book the days disappear in front of me. I have walked along the bank and know I will get there one day . Keep your rod bent Cheers Iain 🥃

[@JohnSavage-d1z]

Ian, Michael was in short trousers when John Coutts first met Michael. His father was was the keeper. I had the pleasure of sharing wonderful Rutherford with John. His beloved dog and John are still there. John S.

[@IainSB]

Hi John. It was a sad day when John departed and His love for his dog was evident . I am sure that they both enjoy the sound of the river flowing past and soon the oyster catchers will keep them company along with the wildlife that bring life to the river banks Tight Lines. Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@seanleicester4018]

Thats the first time i have seen rutherford and it looks great another 1 for the list to try at some point.

[@IainSB]

I can highly recommend it Sean. Michael is a first class boatman and his company was ideal with all the information and then he stepped back to let me get on with it . Another great day and I will look forward to getting back there in the future Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@danielpaton5679]

Looked a great day out Iain, I joined PDAA, so hopefully a tight line soon , be two weeks before I get to fish , might even bump into yourself ,tight lines ,Danny 🥃

[@IainSB]

I am sure that you will enjoy the fishing experience and the guys that you meet will give you good advice I will need to have a look and see what's available and get out on the P&D water. Tight lines. Cheers Iain 🥃

[@Hardlinesangling]

Looks like a great bit of water. Hopefully getting closer to that elusive springer.

[@IainSB]

I hope that this month brings a better chance of a fish to all that chase springers I hope to see you soon on the Spey. Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@Hardlinesangling]

@@IainSB I'll be fishing Tulchan so I will see you there I'm looking forward to it.

[@SuperGed777]

Enjoyed your recollections of John Coots. I was lucky enough to be loosely associated with the “Edinburgh Mafia”. Not a made man though,as I think the real guys are termed, but on the periphery. John made a lot of fishing available to me which normally would have been well out of reach. Not only could he relate great anecdotes but he would listen to my efforts with attention.

[@IainSB]

He was a friend to all that met him and the encouragement he gave me when I first started fishing was so helpful Ged. Jessy , Johns partner gave me a catch list of all the salmon that he had caught and there wouldn't be many anglers that would come close to his tally. John netted my first fly caught fish on the Tummel and it made me return there for a number of years and had some great catches . When in Johns company you were never bored as his recollections of his life no mater what the subject was interesting and informative. I will probably have a wee dram in his memory again this evening and think about the days we spent on the riverbank. Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@johnsutherland6322]

Lovely looking beat ian a fish soon thanks m8

[@IainSB]

Thanks John. Michael had another fish of the beat yesterday so he is having a good start to the season. Cheers Iain.

[@IainSB]

🥃

[@cheshireflyfishing511]

Nice looking beat Iain

[@IainSB]

I will look forward to getting back to Rutherford Cheers Iain 🥃

[@jamesgreig4805]

Nice looking bit of water all fishy looking to next time

[@IainSB]

I think I could fish there once a week and never ask for a rest . so many great pools. Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@ChristopherBridges-v6r]

Thanks Ian for giving us the opportunity to see a real salmon river ! Pity the fish were so shy! One often wonders about the rationale of reintroducing species when science and logic clearly indicate the negative aspects outweigh any positive habitat gains. It's all politics I am sure😢

[@IainSB]

As Michael said Its like putting wolves in Hyde Park . the gains made by their presence are nil Christopher. The ones that dreamed up returning Beavers to our rivers weren't involved with anything to do with our countryside . Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@burniemaurins2382]

I think I know where you went wrong Iain, you need to say "come on big fishes"", not little ones lol. Nice video again.

[@IainSB]

I knew there was something I was doing wrong ......... Possibly more than one! I will need to try that next outing. Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@mazo2267]

😎👍👍

[@IainSB]

Thanks Mr Mazo another great day on an outstanding beat Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@dellstar07]

Michael didn’t let you fish the Slap then? 😂

[@IainSB]

I don't think there was enough time the day disappeared in a flash ..... I enjoyed every second Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@richardbrown5385]

It’s sad that the only thing without protection is the salmon.

[@IainSB]

Hi Richard it is horrifying to know that the disease spread from escape farmed salmon has decimated both sea trout and salmon stocks. The salmon farm owners have duped the Scottish government into thinking they are making a fortune in Taxes when all the profits go to companies offshore or Norway Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@richardbrown5385]

@@IainSB I always wonder if palms have been greased. You know the odd motorhome etc.

[@michaelspencer6318]

Free the beaver

[@IainSB]

the way things are going there won't be any trees left for you to hug !!!! 😜. Cheers Iain 🥃

[@driesdeklerk4555]

Who the hell wants to fish wearing a tie?

[@IainSB]

It's not that long ago that most of the rest beats on Scottish rivers had a dress code and if that wasn't adhered to by visiting anglers they were asked to go and attend to themselves . I find that there is something about a man that is in charge takes the effort to turn himself as smart as a lot of Tweed boatmen and others on a lot of rivers Cheers Iain. 🥃