Well, thats me back from my trip to the borders. Sadly i failed miserably to catch a grayling but i did have a lovely time.
Firstly if you want to fish the melrose association water you cant get the permits from the Spar shop as it no longer exists - however it is now a Premier convenience store and they still sell permits. The beat is basically the lower pavillion beat
For a day it is £4, or £12 for a season - which is amazing. It turns out that most of the tweed seems to offer trout and grayling fishing for a max of £30 a season ! ( even the junction at kelso !). Perhaps other rivers such as the Dee could take a leaf out of the Tweeds book....
So the water was really low ( i waded accross and didnt go above my knees !) but that is not a huge issue. I fished for 3 short evening sessions and never saw a salmon jump which was a shame.
Once dark approached there were massive fly hatches but very little coming to them - other than parr so most of the fish i got were on bead head nymphs in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The best one i got was only about 3/4 lb but honestly, i thought i had hooked a sea trout. It went bananas - spending more time in the air than in the water,
here are a few pictures to whet your appetite
If i go there again I'll try the St Boswells water, as they have about 8 miles ( for £30 a year). You get the permits from the Borders Gun room in St Boswells ( which is WELL worth a visit). Looks tiny from the outside but its HUGE and the staff are lovely)
