Cruives Beat Summary
The Beat (see map)The beat extends approx.two and a half miles, on the south bank from 150 yards below Persley Bridge downstream to the boundary with the Nether Don beat at Seaton Park and on the North bank from Downiehill again downstream to the Nether Don beat. Beat and Pool Details:This is predominantly a low water beat with six main pools, Snuffies, Benzies, The Scaper, The Smiddy, The Bailey Bridge pool and Bakers. Practically every other ‘fishy' looking bit of water in between these pools can produce salmon from time to time though. Starting at the top of the beat, Snuffies is the first of the pools, with a classic streamy neck which the fish can build up in considerable numbers. The main body of the pool can also hold large quantities, although these are not generally good takers. The tail end of the pool can be productive at times. This pool has changed somewhat in character since the back burn was closed off on the North bank, however, since the nature of the water immediately above forms a natural barrier, we are sure that it will continue to be a good holding pool. Immediately below Snuffies is Benzies. In times gone by this was a spring pool of some repute and during a cold spring it can still be productive. The season of 2001 saw a significant catch return up until the middle of April when the water warmed up enough to allow the fish to run freely. A long pool, it can hold fish from right up in the white water to the very lip at the tail. It fishes best when there is enough flow throughout its length to carry your fly round, but only just! Moving down a couple of hundred yards takes you to the Scaper, another long pool. This pool doesn't have the depth to fish in dead low water and needs six inches above summer level before fish will stop here. Directly under the power lines is the place to concentrate. Again, given low cold water in the spring this pool produces the occasional springer. |
The next pool of note is a few hundred yards below the Scaper. The Smiddy is a realatively short pool, but it is another one of those pools where your line can give that electrifying ‘jab' signifying a take, from the white water at the top, to the lip at the tail. The 2002 season saw a sealiced 28 lb cock fish taken from this excellent little pool Moving down another few hundred yards will find you at the Bailey bridge pool, just above the footbridge. Although you may occasionally see fish splashing down in the dead water, it is only worth fishing through as far as the current runs. The hotspot is right under the footbridge. A point worth remembering is that salmon can be caught surprisingly far up in the really thin water at the neck. |
