River Tay weekly report week ending 26th March 2022
We are now moving towards the end of March and as each day passes more hard fighting spring salmon are running the Tay system. Over the next few weeks, we should be entering the prime spring period on the river and hopefully, there will be some more good sport to be had.
April and May is a lovely time of year to visit beautiful Perthshire with signs of spring all around the countryside. It is also a great time of year to wet a line on the mighty River Tay and her tributaries as the runs of spring salmon gradually gain momentum.
Thankfully, the weather was much more settled across Perthshire last week and it was also much milder. It felt like spring had truly sprung at times, especially in the warm afternoon sunshine. River levels gradually dropped through the early part of the week. The water temperature on the main river last week was around 40.6F (4.8C).
Spring silver caught at Edradynate on Monday
On the upper river, it was nice to see some more consistent sport last week. Things got off to a flyer on Monday when the Edradynate Beat produced a cracking springer weighing ten pounds. Other beats on the upper river that produced fish last week included Upper Farleyer and Lower Bolfracks.
A stunning springer caught at Portnacraig on the River Tummel on Monday
On the River Tummel anglers enjoyed some good sport. Mr Alistair Hamilton celebrated a dam double on Monday when he caught two beauties weighing sixteen and eighteen pounds from the Portnacraig Beat. The fish were caught from the Pitlochry bank on a Vision110 lure. Next on the scoresheet was Mr Iain McLaren who caught a fine eight pounder on the fly on Wednesday.
Alan Hayes lands spring silver at Portnacraig on Thursday
Mr Martin Wilson caught a nice eight pounder from Portnacraig on the fly on Thursday morning. Shortly afterwards Mr Alan Hayes went one better landing a fourteen pounder from the beat. There were also a few nice fish caught further downstream on the Tummel at East Haugh including four on Thursday.
Back on the main river Mr Jim Armstrong had a day to remember at Dalmarnock on Tuesday when caught a lovely fish on the fly from the Dalmarnock Bank Pool.
Mr Jim Armstrong with Tay silver caught at Dalmarnock
The Dunkeld Beat has fished well in recent weeks and the beat came up trumps again on Wednesday when a magnificent springer weighing twenty six pounds was caught from the Cathedral Stream on a Vision110 lure.
A magnificent fish caught from the Cathedral Stream at Dunkeld
On Friday Mr Tomas Kolesinskas caught a lovely springer from Dunkeld on the fly in the Cathedral Stream weighing thirteen pounds.
A fantastic Tay springer caught at Dunkeld on Friday
Mr Jason Walls landed a cracking fifteen pounder from the Cotter Pool at Newtyle on Monday.
Mr Jason Walls lands Newtyle silver on Monday!
There was more success the following day at Newtyle, this time for Mr Mark Pearson who caught a nice springer weighing seven pounds from the Boil on the fly.
Mr Mark Pearson with fly caught silver at Newtyle!
Next on the scoresheet at Newtyle was Mr Gary Bruce when he landed a lovely sea liced fish from the Cotter Pool on Thursday.
Mr Gary Bruce with a lovely springer caught at Newtyle on Thursday
The Murthly 1 Beat produced a nice springer on Monday. Mr Stuart Lang had a birthday week to remember at Glendelvine when he landed three salmon for the week including a twenty three pounder. All his fish were caught on the fly. As presents go you don’t get a better birthday treble than that!
Mr Stuart Lang with a lovely fish caught at Glendelvine on Saturday
Mr Simon Littlejohn had a fantastic Friday at Kercock. Mr Littlejohn hooked a powerful fish which led him a merry dance. After a great fight, Mr Littlejohn landed a sparkling fresh springer!
Mr Simon Littlejohn lands Kercock silver!
Next on the scoresheet at Kercock was Mr Kenny Milne. Mr Milne was fishing the beat on Saturday when he got a powerful take. It was clear from the early stages of the fight that it was a good fish. After several long powerful runs, the fish was expertly netted by Kercock Head Ghillie Mr Gary Harkin. The magnificent springer tipped the scales at nineteen pounds. Well done Sir!
Mr Kenny Milne with a stunning springer caught at Kercock on Saturday
There was success at Meikleour on Wednesday and Friday. On the River Ericht, it was good to see anglers fishing at West Grange enjoying some good sport on most days.
At Islamouth Mr Ian Mitchell and his party were wetting a line. Mr Martin Ferrie caught two lovely fish including a cracking nineteen pounder.
Martin Ferrie with a cracking nineteen pounder caught at Islamouth
Mr David Smith landed a fine nine pounder and on Friday Mr Nick Miller enjoyed success on the beat. Islamouth finished with four fish for the week
Further downstream there was success at Cargill with Mr Neil French producing the goods on Tuesday.
Nick Miller with Islamouth silver!
Mr Steven Blundell had a great day at Stobhall on Friday. Mr Blundell was fly fishing from an anchored boat when he hooked a powerful fish on his last cast of the day. After a great fight, Mr Blundell landed a magnificent springer weighing fifteen pounds. It was a truly memorable last cast for Mr Blundell!
A fine springer caught by Mr Steven Blundell at Stobhall on Friday
It was nice to see the Burnmouth Beat produce a fish on Thursday. Mr Robert White got the Catholes account up and running when he landed a fine fish on the fly on Tuesday. This was the first fish of the season caught at Catholes.
Mr Robert White with a Catholes cracker on Tuesday
Very shortly afterwards on Thursday Mr White landed another springer from the beat confirming that Tay salmon are like London buses. You wait an age for one to make an appearance then two come in quick succession! It was good to see success further downstream at Upper Redgorton when the beat also produced its first fish of the season on Thursday.
Robert White with another cracking springer caught on the fly at Catholes on Thursday!
There now does seem to be a reasonable head of spring salmon in the Tay system and with more fish entering the river on a daily basis anglers stand a great chance of making contact with some early season silver. So why not cast a line on the magical River Tay next week? It could be the perfect way to end March on a high!
We would like to thank all the ghillies and beat owners on the River Tay system who have contributed to this report by providing their time and information as the weekly report would not be possible without your help and support. If you would like to share any interesting stories or pictures from your time fishing on the River Tay for the purposes of this report, please free to contact us at info@salmonfishingholidaysscotland.com
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Beat Catches Reported
(week ending 26th March)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Edradynate 1, Upper Farleyer 3, Lower Bolfracks 3, Portnacraig Pitlochry 5, East Haugh 6, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld House 2, Newtyle 3, Murthly 1, 1, Glendelvine 4, Kercock 2, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 2, Kethick Streams 1, West Grange 8, Islamouth 4, Cargill 1, Stobhall 1, Burnmouth 1, Catholes 2, Upper Redgorton 1
Total: 52 Largest: Dunkeld 26lbs
THE PROSPECT OF A SETTLED WEATHER FORECAST COULD LEAD TO LARGER NUMBERS OF FRESH FISH LANDED ON THE RIVER TAY NEXT WEEK!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 28th March 2022)
There were some cracking spring salmon landed from the Tay system last week and if the settled weather forecast for the first half of next week is to be believed then even larger numbers of fresh fish could be landed. There truly is the potential of some excellent sport to be had on the river.
Over the weekend the weather has remained settled with high pressure firmly in charge leading to mainly dry conditions with variable amounts of cloud and light winds. It looks likely it will be more of the same early next week with very little rainfall forecast. However, it will feel much chiller with a northerly wind developing and temperatures will drop down to mid-single figures. There is even the chance of the odd wintry flurry over higher ground. As we move towards the end of the week things may turn more unsettled when we get more of an Atlantic influence to our weather.
Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry with light winds. There will also be the chance of some night time frosts. From midweek onwards there is a chance of some light patchy rain with a chance of snow showers over higher ground.
Catches were well spread on the river last week from the upper river down to Upper Redgorton. There were also fish caught on the River Tummel and Ericht. On the main river, there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere as catches from last week would suggest. A number of Tay beats offer prime spring salmon fishing at this time of year which represents excellent value for money compared to many other rivers across Scotland.
As always there are no shortage of options when it comes to fishing on the Tay system, with fishing to suit all tastes. So why not wet a line on the Tay next week? You might just experience some late March magic!
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Tactics For The River Tay During The Early Spring Period (January-March)
The ghillies on the River Tay are all highly experienced and have an intimate knowledge of their beats. Their advice and guidance are key to success. Please contact your ghillie for up to date advice on tactics and what tackle to bring prior to visiting the River Tay.
Fly Fishing
During the early spring months water temperatures are often low and river levels high. In such conditions, the depth at which your fly is moving through the water column can be the key to success. Often you may be required to use floating lines coupled with sinking polyleaders, intermediate or even full sinking lines. It is therefore important that you have a fly rod that can work in harmony with a heavy line. As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful fifteen-foot rod with a ten-line rating will cover almost any eventuality.
In terms of lines whether that be a full Spey line or Shooting head system a floating line coupled with a selection of polyleaders of various sink rates can work well. In higher water, an intermediate or full sinking line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got an adequate backing capacity and a good reliable drag system. On the River Tay when that line tightens the fish could turn out to be that one of a lifetime. It is also important during the early spring period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain. Usually, a breaking strain between fifteen and eighteen pounds is ideal.
During the early part of the season, tube flies often work well. If the water temperatures are low, weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes of a decent length will allow your fly to get well down and close to where the fish are likely to be lying. In cold weather, the fish are unlikely to be keen on moving fast so it is better that your fly moves through the water column at an adequate depth and not too quickly.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven foot is usually more than adequate to cover the River Tay. The rod should be able to comfortably cast lures weighing anything from eighteen to forty grams. A good fixed spool or multiplier reel with a reliable drag system is perfect for the River Tay. The reel should be able to accommodate a large amount of either nylon or braided line with an adequate breaking strain.
In terms of lures, spoons like the Toby, Salmo Toby and Blair variety work well on the river. These can range in weight from eighteen to forty grams. Devon Minnows can also be effective on the River Tay during the early spring months. Vision 110s and Rapalas are also lures that are well worth considering.
Harling
Harling is a method unique to the River Tay which involves fishing from a motorised boat. This method is employed on many beats and can be highly effective during the early spring months.
Usually, two or three rods are placed in rod holders with various lures and then the ghillie skilfully combs the water by moving back and forth in the boat, whilst gradually dropping downstream, covering the likely lies on the beat. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practiced at the beat ghillies discretion.
TDSFB Conservation Policy
All anglers fishing on the River Tay system are reminded that the TDSFB’s policy from January 15th to 1st of April is that all spring salmon must be released. This means that the TDSFB has a 100% mandatory catch & release policy for all salmon caught. This is in line with the Scottish Government Statutory Conservation Regulation. Even if the fish dies it must still be returned to the river.
It is also worthwhile remembering when releasing fish to keep them in the water for as long a period as possible and to use minimal handling. Please also give the fish plenty of time to recover before releasing them. It is important that anglers treat their quarry with the utmost respect at all times.