(River Tay weekly report week ending 26th July 2025)
We are now moving towards the end of July and finally, there was a decent lift in water last week. Heavy rain last weekend and more rain at the beginning of last week led to a rise of over three feet on some gauges. This was much needed and if nothing else, freshened conditions up a little. The lower river was coloured during the early part of the week as there was a big lift on the River Isla.
It was the most productive week of the season so far last week on the Tay system and the decent lift in water at the beginning of the week proved to be the catalyst. There were some larger summer salmon landed as well as some fine grilse. The quality of fish caught last week from the Tay system was second to none and great to see. Anglers will be hoping that there will be good sport to be had as we move into August.
On the River Lyon, some nice fish were caught at South Chesthill last week. Both Farleyer beats produced fish on Saturday on the upper river. On the middle river, it was good to see a fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Monday, with three more landed from the beat on Wednesday. There was success on the Dalmarnock Beat on Friday.
Mr Gary Dawkins caught a fine grilse from Dunkeld on Wednesday. Further downstream, the Murthly beats finished with a combined total of ten fish for the week, including a cracking twenty one pounder from the Murthly 2 Beat on Friday. Four fish were caught from the Stenton Beat last week, including two on Saturday.
There were a couple of fish caught at Kercock on Tuesday, Mrs Nikkii O’Donnel was one of the successful anglers. Mr Sam Martin caught a lovely eleven pounder on the fly on Wednesday at Kercock. There were four more fish caught at Kercock on Thursday. Last week, other successful anglers at Kercock included Mr Mark Allsop and Mr Richard Witt. The Kercock Beat finished with seven fish for the week.
The Meikleour & Upper Islamouth Beat has produced some nice fish in recent weeks and last week was no different, with several fine fish caught. The Meikleour Beat finished with seven fish for the week.
Mr Andrew Nolan caught two nice fish at Islamouth on Monday morning. The fish were caught from the Castle and the Longhead. Four fish were caught from Islamouth on Monday, which was a decent start to the week. There were two more fish caught at Islamouth on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Mr Oli Fox-Pitt caught a nice fish from Sandyford.
Mr Adam Henson also enjoyed success at Islamouth last week when he caught a cracker from Donnits. On Saturday, Mr Henson landed another nice fish weighing fifteen pounds.
There was a fine brace landed at Ballathie on Wednesday, with another fish caught from the beat on Thursday. The Ballathie Beat finished with eight fish for the week.
It was good to see a fish caught at Cargill on Monday. On Tuesday, it was a productive day with four fish caught at Cargill, including a lovely sixteen pounder. There were a total of nine fish caught at Cargill during the first half of the week. Successful anglers last week at Cargill included Mr Iain Jardine, amongst others.
There was a fine brace landed at Stobhall on Monday with two more fish landed on Wednesday. The decent sport continued at Stobhall towards the end of the week. The Taymount Beat finished with ten fish for the week.
Four fish were caught from the Upper Scone Beat on Tuesday, which was great to see, with three more caught on Saturday. On the Stanley Beats, there was success at Catholes on Monday. It was good to see a fish caught at Pitlochrie on Tuesday. Mr Simon Bell had a day to remember at Benchil. Mr Bell caught his first and second ever salmon in quick succession in the afternoon, with both fish being caught from the Long Shot. What an excellent achievement for Mr Bell… well done, Sir!
A total of four fish were landed at Benchil on Monday. Mr Charles St Johnstone landed a fine brace at Luncarty on Thursday.
At Fishponds, there was a nice fish caught on Monday, with four more fish caught on Wednesday. It was a magnificent seven at Fishponds on Thursday, with fish up to nineteen pounds landed. Many of the fish were caught on the fly, which was great to see.
Mr David Perry Jnr caught his first ever salmon at Fishponds on Friday and what a fish it was. Mr Parry landed a cracking twenty one pounder from the Luncarty Pool. Mr Parry’s father also enjoyed success catching a nice grilse on Friday at Fishponds. Other successful anglers at Fishponds included Mr Martin Ferrie and Mr Iain Mitchell, amongst others. Fishponds finished with twenty fish for the week.
The Upper Redgorton Beat has been very productive in recent weeks and last week was no different. On Monday, three fish were caught from the beat, including a magnificent seventeen pounder. On Wednesday, there was a nineteen pounder caught at Upper Redgorton. There were three more fish caught at Upper Redgorton on Thursday. Successful anglers at Upper Redgorton included Mr Robert Todd, amongst others. Further downstream, the Waulkmill Beat finished with eleven fish for the week. Successful anglers included Mr Joe Greenwood and Mr Neil Tong.
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 this report, please 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 July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
South Chesthill 5, Upper Farleyer 1, Lower Farleyer 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, Lower Kinnaird 8, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 2, Murthly 1, 5, Murthly 2, 5, Stenton 4, Kercock 7, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 7, Islamouth 15, Ballathie 8, Cargill 12, Taymount 10, Stobhall 11, Catholes 1, Upper Scone 9, Pitlochrie 1, Benchil 5, Fishponds 20, Luncarty 2, Upper Redgorton 10, Waulkmill 11
Total: 155 Largest: Murthly 2 & Fishponds 21lbs
WHAT WILL AUGUST HAVE IN STORE FOR ANGLERS FISHING THE TAY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 28th July 2025)
It was quite an unsettled start to last week with showers and longer spells of rain. This was after quite a wet previous weekend. There was a decent lift in water with Ballathie gauge peaking at almost five feet on Tuesday. As the week progressed, river levels gradually dropped and by the end of the week, the river was in excellent condition for many beats.
There were some magnificent salmon and grilse caught from the Tay system last week, which was great to see. The fish caught were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard-fighting grilse, of which many were sea liced. In the upcoming weeks, more salmon should enter the Tay system daily, giving anglers the chance to make contact with the king of fish. It will be interesting to see what August will have in store for anglers fishing the Tay and hopefully it will be a productive month.
It has been mainly dry over the weekend apart from the odd shower with temperatures generally in the mid to high-teens. Looking ahead to next week, the first half of the week should be mainly dry apart from the odd shower. Generally, winds will be light with temperatures into the high teens or low twenties. From midweek onwards, there is the chance of a few more showers, but at this stage, no heavy rain is forecast.
Last week, there were fish caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill, with the majority of fish caught on the middle and lower river. There was also fish caught on the River Lyon. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on beats situated on the middle and lower river.
As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay in the upcoming days, with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. So why not chase some summer silver on the Tay next week? You could have that special day to remember!
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 summer period (June-August)
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 summer months water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. Often river levels are low but on the River Tay they are never too low that fresh fish cannot run the system. At this time of year full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well.
As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful fourteen or 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 is perfect for the job at this time of year. In higher water during the summer months a sink tip or intermediate 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 summer period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there are some big summer salmon that run the Tay. Usually a breaking strain between twelve and fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the summer months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. Don’t forget how effective flies like the Sunray Shadow can be at this time of year. These flies fished close to the surface can really do the business especially if the fish are keen on chasing a fly and in an active mood.
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 thirty 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 thirty grams. Devon Minnows can also be effective on the River Tay. During the summer months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive. The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures start to rise and often salmon will chase the lure before taking it. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. These lures can be excellent during the summer months.
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.
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. Often during the summer months, the water is too low to harl on many beats. However, if there is a decent spate this method can be highly productive. 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 of 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 of respect at all times.