(River Tay weekly report week ending 30th April 2022)
It was another mainly settled week of weather across much of Scotland including Perthshire although there was some rain on Saturday. River levels remained steady and generally fishing conditions were decent. We are now moving into May and hopefully, catches on the Tay system will go from strength to strength over the next few weeks. Currently, the river is at a great height for fly fishing on many beats and there is no better feeling than hooking a big Tay springer on the fly rod!
There were some lovely spring salmon caught from the Tay system last week which was great to see. Many of the fish landed were sea liced with a number caught on the fly. The water temperature last week was 45.8 degrees Fahrenheit which is around 7.6 degrees Celsius.
On Loch Tay, Mr Adam Cotes shared a special moment with his father when he caught his first ever springer with the Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips team on Tuesday. The fish gave a great account of itself and weighed twelve pounds. It’s great to see a father and son create such treasured memories.
The week got off to a flyer at Edradynate when a fine springer weighing fourteen pounds was caught from the beat on Monday. Other beats on the upper river which produced fish last week included Upper Farleyer and Findynate.
At Portnacraig on the River Tummel Mr Steve Watt had a happy Monday when he caught a nice sea liced fourteen pounder. The fish was caught from the Pitlochry bank on the fly. Mr Graeme Stewart caught a sixteen pounder on Monday further downstream at the Sawmill also on the fly.
On Wednesday Mr Peter Fitzpatrick caught a lovely fifteen pounder on the fly at Portnacraig from the Pitlochry bank. There was also success for Mr Gordon Nichol who caught a fourteen pounder from the Sawmill also on the fly.
On Saturday Mr John Muir and Mr Neill Sproull, both landed nice fish at Portnacraig weighing eleven and nine pounds respectively.
It was good to see the Lower Kinnaird Beat produce a fish on Thursday. There was success at Dalmarnock on Tuesday and there was a fine fish caught from the Ferry Pool at Newtyle on Thursday. There were fish caught from both Murthly beats last week including three from the Murthly 2 Beat on Friday. Glendelvine continued to fish well producing fish on most days.
At Meikleour a stunning springer was caught on Wednesday. The fish took a size 12, Willie Gunn, from the Pumphouse Croy. Well done Glen!
At Islamouth the Farnell party landed four fine springers during the first half of the week. Other successful anglers on the beat last week included Mr Martin Ferrie. Islamouth finished with eleven fish for the week.
Mr Robert Booth caught a lovely ten pounder on Tuesday at Ballathie. The fish was caught from the lower beat and was sea liced.
It was great to see a fine nine pounder caught on the fly at Cargill on Monday. The fish was caught from the Grey Stone Pool. On Tuesday Mr David Sands landed a magnificent springer at Cargill weighing twenty seven pounds. The strong fish made several powerful runs and after a great fight was finally netted on the Cradle wall. What a fish!
Next on the scoresheet at Cargill was Mr John Kelly who caught his first ever salmon on his first day’s salmon fishing on Tuesday. On Saturday Mr Steve Curnow landed a sparkling springer at Cargill from the Bridge Stream.
A cracking twenty pounder was caught at Taymount on Wednesday and there was also a fish landed at Stobhall on Thursday.
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.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Beat catches reported
(week ending 30th April)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Tay Fish N Trips 1, Upper Farleyer 1, Findynate 1, Edradynate 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 4, East Haugh 5, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalmarnock 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 4, Murthly 2, 8, Glendelvine 5, Meikleour & U Islamouth 1, Islamouth 11, Ballathie 1, Cargill 5, Stobhall 1, Taymount 1
Total: 54 Largest: Cargill: 27lbs
SOME MAY MAGIC IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 2nd May 2022)
The weather was settled across much of Scotland including Perthshire last week. It was mainly dry and as the week progressed, the easterly wind dropped, and it felt warmer. Water levels on the river were settled for much of last week and there were some lovely fish caught and a number of these were sea liced.
Over the weekend there was some rain on Saturday with Sunday being drier. The weather is set to remain settled next week with high pressure in charge. It will be mainly dry during the first half of the week with a chance of a few showers on Wednesday. As we head towards next weekend there is a chance conditions will become more changeable.
With the river currently at a good height for many beats hopefully, there will be some May magic in the days ahead!
Catches on the Tay system were again well spread last week from Loch Tay down to Taymount. There was also fish caught on the River Tummel. Many of the fish were sea liced indicating that the fish entering the system are now running hard. There is a good chance of picking up a fresh fish almost anywhere on the main river next week as the spread of recent catches would suggest. Loch Tay is also a good option as well as the River Tummel.
With some lovely spring salmon being landed daily and plenty of options to choose from to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes, why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most prolific and productive salmon rivers next week? You might just have that May 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 spring period (April-May)
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 April and May water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. As river levels start to drop and water temperatures rise often heavy sinking lines and big tube flies are no longer needed. Instead, sink tip lines or even floating lines coupled with a sinking polyleader can be more than adequate.
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.
In April and May depending on the water height and temperature smaller tube flies of various weights can work well. If the water temperatures are low weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes will allow your fly to get well down. Usually by late April and into May depending on the water height dressed flies can also be considered a good alternative to the tube.
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. In April and May, the Floating Devon can also work well. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. These lures can be excellent during the spring months. Once the water temperature rises sufficiently the Flying C is also a great lure and one which can produce the goods.
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. Anglers must treat their quarry with the utmost of respect at all times.