(River Tay weekly report week ending 8th August 2026)
We have now moved into August and are well into the second half of the Scottish summer. Traditionally, the most productive time of the season is normally over the next six weeks. Anglers will be hoping that the weather plays ball and that the summer run on Tay goes from strength to strength.
It was a mixed bag of weather last week with some showers and even some longer spells of rain. After a prolonged dry spell, we finally got some heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday and this was followed by showers on Wednesday. There was a lift in water during the middle part of the week of around a foot, which was welcome news for anglers. The lift in water proved to be the catalyst for the most productive week of the season so far on the Tay with well over two hundred fish landed. There were some nice fish caught last week and hopefully August will be a productive month ahead on the Tay system.
It was good to see a fish caught from Loch Faskally on Thursday. On the River Tummel, Mr Sam Jones had a happy Monday when he caught a lively grilse on the fly from the Pitlochry bank at Portnacraig.
On the middle river, there were fish caught at Lower Kinnaird, Dalguise, Dalmarnock, Dunkeld and Newtyle last week. The Murthly beats finished with a combined total of twelve fish for the week. There was also success at Stenton.
There were three fish landed at Kercock on Tuesday, which included a cracking sixteen pounder. There were four more fish caught at Kercock on Wednesday. Mr Don Wheeler caught his first ever salmon on Thursday at Kercock and this was quickly followed by his second ever fish on Friday.
On Saturday, Mr Magnius Gloak and Mr John Dewar both caught fish at Kercock.
At Meikleour, Ms Louise Swan caught a nice grilse from the Castle Pool on Wednesday. There were two more fish caught at Meikleour on Thursday, with further success towards the end of the week. On the River Isla, it was good to see a fish caught from the Kethick Streams Beat on Monday.
Mr Chris Ford caught a fine grilse from the Longhead at Islamouth on Monday. On Tuesday, both Mr Anthony Scott Hopkins and Mr Arthur Acheson caught fish at Islamouth.
On Wednesday, Mr Arthur Acheson caught a magnificent twenty four pounder at Islamouth. Mr Mark Bailey caught two fish from the Newshot and Sandyford on Thursday.
Next on the scoresheet at Islamouth on Thursday was Mr Martin Ritchie who caught a lovely fresh fish from the Newshot.
Other successful anglers at Islamouth last week included Mr Stephen Bolton and also Mr Denis Stanton who caught two lovely fish from Davie’s Stone on Saturday.
At Ballathie, ten-year-old Rafe Gold caught a fine thirteen pounder from the Clockston on Monday. On Tuesday, eight-year-old Felix Gold landed a twenty pounder from the Sands. What a great results for the young lads. It is just great to see the younger generation making memories for life on the Tay! The good sport at Ballathie continued towards the end of the week with fish caught on most days, including four fish being landed from the beat on Friday.
It was good to see a magnificent twenty pounder caught at Cargill on Monday. This was one of two fish caught from the beat on Monday. There were three more fish caught at Cargill on Tuesday. The lift in water seemed to do the trick at Cargill on Wednesday and Thursday, with seven and eleven fish landed for the day respectively. Successful anglers at Cargill last week included Mr Iain Jardine, Mr William Sinclair and Mr Max MacIntosh amongst others. The Cargill Beat finished with thirty fish for the week.
It was a great start to the week at Stobhall with five fish landed from the beat on Monday. On Tuesday the anglers went one better at Stobhall, landing six fish for the day. The good sport at Stobhall continued as the week progressed, which included seven fish landed from the beat on Thursday. Notable catches included a first ever salmon for one of the beat owner’s daughters, Emily, which weighed thirteen pounds. Shortly afterward, Emily caught her second fish, an eight pounder, a massive congratulations to young Emily.
The Taymount Beat finished with fifteen fish for the week, which included a twenty pounder landed on Friday. There was success at Burnmouth on Thursday.
It was a good week on the Stanley Beats with a total of thirteen fish landed.
Fish were caught at Catholes on Monday morning. On Friday, three fish were caught at Pitlochrie. There was success at Benchil on Tuesday with four more fish landed from the beat on Thursday. It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Luncarty on Friday. Successful anglers included Mr Steve & Mr John Peck, Mr Charley Chamberlain, Mr Paul Dixon and Mr Steve Beswick.
The Upper Scone Beat finished with nine fish for the week.
At Fishponds there were a couple of fish landed on Monday with five more fish caught from the beat on Tuesday. The good sport continued at Fishponds as the week progressed with fish caught on a daily basis. The beat finished with a very respectable nineteen salmon landed.
There were fish caught at Upper Redgorton on Tuesday and Wednesday, with six fish landed from the beat on Thursday. The definite highlight of the week at Upper Redgorton came on Saturday when a lovely twenty one pounder was landed.
The Waulkmill Beat has fished well in recent weeks and last week was no different with three fish caught from the beat on Monday. On Thursday there were twelve fish caught at Waulkmill. The Waulkmill Beat finished with twenty six fish for the week.
With August being one of the prime summer months on the river, why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? It could be the perfect place to provide you with some midsummer magic!
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 feel 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 8th August 2026)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Faskally 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Lower Kinnaird 7, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 2, Newtyle 3, Murthly 1, 2, Murthly 2, 10, Stenton 1, Kercock 12, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 5, Kethick Streams 1, Islamouth 17, Ballathie 9, Cargill 30, Stobhall 31, Taymount 15, Burnmouth 1, Catholes 1, Pitlochrie 3, Benchil 7, Upper Scone 9, Fishponds 19, Luncarty 2, Upper Redgorton 12, Waulkmill 26
Total: 230 Largest: Islamouth 24lbs
WHAT WILL AUGUST HAVE IN STORE FOR ANGLERS FISHING THE TAY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 10th August 2026)
We moved into August last week, which can be one of the most productive months of the season on the Tay system. August usually sees a mixture of hard fighting grilse and larger summer salmon caught from the river. It will be interesting to see what August has in store for anglers fishing the Tay this year.
The weather was quite variable last week with showers on some days as well as some longer spells of rain. There was a spell of heavy rain on Tuesday with heavy showers on Wednesday. Over the weekend, there were a few showers on Saturday and Sunday. Looking ahead to next week, high pressure is set to build, leading to a lot of dry and settled weather. Monday and Tuesday should be mainly dry with light winds. From midweek onwards it will continue to be dry with temperatures in the low to mid-twenties for the most part.
There were some beautiful fish caught from the river last week and it turned out to be the most productive week of the season so far. The catalyst for this appeared to be the lift in water through the middle part of the week. The fish landed were mainly a mixture of hard fighting fresh grilse and larger summer salmon. Many of the fish caught were sea liced, which was good to see.
Salmon on the mainstem of the river were caught last week from Lower Kinnaird down to Waulkmill, which shows that there are fish well spread throughout the system. There were also fish caught on the River Tummel and the River Isla. As we move through August, the beats located on the lower river should come into their own. Traditionally this is when the beats in this area of the river start to produce larger numbers of fish on a more consistent basis. 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, so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? You might have an August 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 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.
This report is the property of the Tay District Salmon Fishery Board and may not be reproduced in full, or in part, without the prior written consent of the Tay District Salmon Fishery Board