(River Tay weekly report week ending 20th August 2022)
There was a lift in the water early last week on the Tay system. This not only encouraged more fish to run but also helped cool down the water temperature which led to improved catches on the Tay system. The quality of some of the fish landed was second to none and many were sea liced. There was a good mix of fresh grilse and larger hard fighting summer salmon landed. Let us hope that catches hold up well as we move towards the autumn period. The water temperature last week was 14.2 degrees Celsius which is 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the upper river, there were some nice fish landed at Upper Farleyer and Upper Kinnaird. On the River Tummel, Mr Massimo Castlevecchi had a nice grilse on the fly from Portnacraig on Thursday.
It was nice to see the Dalguise and Dalmarnock beats produce fish last week. At Dunkeld there were three fish caught during the first half of the week as well as a fish on Saturday.
The Murthly 2 Beat produced some good fish last week. There was success at Delvine on Thursday and a fish was landed at Kercock on Friday. The lift in the water definitely had the desired effect for anglers fishing at Meikleour.
On Tuesday Ms Claire Marshall from Canada landed a nice fish from the beat. The second half of the week saw three fish caught each day. Successful anglers included Mr Neil Sayers, Ms Jane Gregson and Mr Peter Brogan amongst others. On Saturday the beat’s one hundredth fish of the season was landed which was just great to see.
It was a slow start to the week at Islamouth but Mr Martin Hunter and his party still managed to land a nice fish. During the second half of the week, Mr Jim Ferrie and his party were fishing the beat and enjoyed good sport. On Friday Geroin Jones had a day to remember when he landed five salmon.
There were some cracking fish caught at Ballathie through the course of last week.
Anglers fishing at Cargill enjoyed some great sport with numerous larger fish landed including one weighing twenty three pounds on Friday.
Successful anglers last week at Cargill included Mr Richard Penrose, Mr Iain Jardine and Mr Steve Cunroe amongst others.
The Stobhall and Taymount beats finished ten and fifteen fish respectively.
Mr Henry Couzin was fly fishing the Plain Water at Benchil on Tuesday when caught a cracking fish in tough conditions. Well done Sir! Mr Terry Speake caught a lovely summer salmon at Benchil on Thursday. The fish was caught on the fly from the Long Shot.
Anglers at Upper Scone landed nine fish for the week. Silvo Erne had four, best weighing twenty pounds. Patrick Erne had two up to seventeen pounds. At Upper Redgorton catches picked up during the second half of the week. There were some nice fish caught at Fishponds and anglers at Waulkmill finished with eight fish for the week. Anglers at Almondmouth caught a mixture of larger summer salmon and grilse including a cracking twenty pounder on Thursday.
Next week is traditionally the last full week of the summer season and with the Tay at a good height for fly fishing on many beats let us hope catches continue to improve.
With great regret, we have some sad news to report this week. Long serving and very well respected Tay ghillie on the Stanley beats Mr Robert White was injured in an accident last week. Thankfully it looks like he will be ok. I think we speak for everyone when we say that we wish Mr White a speedy recovery. It is at times like this that salmon fishing is really put into perspective.
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 20th August 2022)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 3, Upper Kinnaird 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 5, Newtyle 1, Murthly 2, 2, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 10, Islamouth 16, Ballathie 5, Cargill 24, Stobhall 10, Taymount 15, Benchil 2, Upper Scone 9, Fishponds 5, Upper Redgorton 3, Luncarty 1, Waulkmill 8, Almondmouth 25,
Total: 152 Largest: Cargill 23lbs
DECENT CONDITIONS IN THE WEEK AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 22nd August 2022)
There were some fine fish caught from the river last week including several fish weighing around the magical twenty pounds mark. The catalyst for the improved catches appeared to be a lift in water coupled with cooler water temperatures.
Looking ahead to next week it looks like the weather could play ball with a showery week forecast. Showers seem to be most like on Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures will be mostly in the mid-teens and thankfully unlikely to return to the dizzy heights of a few weeks ago.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse, with many being sea liced. Salmon were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth which shows that there are fish well spread throughout the system. There were also fish caught from the River Tummel. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability next week on some very famous and prolific beats, so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? You might just get a twenty pounder coming your way!
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 a go. 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 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 respect at all times.