(River Tay weekly report week ending 9th August 2025)
We have now moved into August and are in the height of the Scottish summer. However, last week, at times, the weather had different ideas. On Monday, Storm Floris brought heavy rain and gale force winds, with gusts recorded at over 90mph in some exposed parts of Scotland. The heavy rain led to a moderate lift in water which was good news for anglers. It remained breezy for much of the week, which sometimes made fishing challenging.
Both the Upper Farleyer and Lower Bolfracks beats produced fish on the upper river last week. On the middle river, there were fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Monday, with four more fish landed on Thursday. It was good to see a fish caught at Dalguise during the first half of the week. On Tuesday morning, Mr Dave Maxwell caught a nice fish from the Steps at Newtyle. There was success on the Murthly 1 Beat on Wednesday. There was a fine brace landed from the Murthly 2 Beat on Tuesday with two more fish caught from the beat on Thursday which included a cracking fifteen pounder. The Murthly beats finished with a combined total of eight fish for the week. There were a couple of fish caught at Stenton on Saturday.
Mr Tom Mackie landed a lovely fish from the Kercock Beat on Friday. On Saturday, five fish were caught at Kercock. Mr Scott Sykes had two including a lovely fourteen pounder and Mr Magnus Gloak also landed a fine brace. At Meikleour there were a couple of fish landed on Tuesday with the lift in water helping. There was more success at Meikleour on Saturday.
Mr Richard Dorman and Mr Ben Starling both caught nice fish at Islamouth on Wednesday. The fish were caught from Davie’s Stone and the Newshot. On Thursday Mr Martin Ritchie and Mr Mark Bailey both caught fish at Islamouth. Mr Martin Ritchie was at it again on Friday when he caught a fine fish from the Ash Tree. On Saturday Mr Richard Oliver had a fine twelve pounder from the Longhead.
At Cargill there were some lovely fish caught from the beat last week. Successful anglers included Mr Graham Pyper who landed a fine fifteen pounder from the Cradle Wall on Tuesday. On Saturday, four fish, including a lovely eighteen pounder, were caught at Cargill. There was a fish caught at Ballathie on Monday weighing fifteen pounds with three more landed from the beat on Thursday and Saturday.
The Stobhall Beat has fished well in recent weeks and last week was no different with four fish caught from the beat on both Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, there were seven fish landed at Stobhall. The Stobhall Beat finished with twenty-three fish for the week. Anglers at Taymount enjoyed some decent sport last week finishing with nineteen. It was good to see a fish caught at Burnmouth on Saturday.
There were fish caught at Upper Scone on most days last week which was good to see. On the Stanley beats, a couple of fish were caught at Benchil on Wednesday. On Friday, Mrs Anne Emsens and Mr Steve Peck had nice fish at Benchil. It was good to see a fish caught at Luncarty on Tuesday.
On Thursday, Mr Charlie Chamberlain and Mr Steve Beswick enjoyed some great sport, landing four fish at Luncarty.
Anglers at Fishponds have enjoyed some good sport in recent weeks and there were five fish landed from the beat on Tuesday. Successful anglers included Mr Thomas Blackwell who caught a cracking eleven pounder from the Craigs. Mr Miles Pienitz from Switzerland who landed three fish from the Craigs and Mr Jimmy Toller who landed a lovely six pounder from Alec’s Hole. Saturday James Holder saved the day when he landed two lovely fish from the beat. The final tally at Fishponds was eleven fish for the week.
At Upper Redgorton, four fish landed during the first half of the week, including a magnificent sixteen pounder on Wednesday. The decent sport continued as the week progressed. Further downstream the Waulkmill Beat finished with four fish for the week.
If we get some settled water conditions in the upcoming days, there is a chance of some more decent sport, especially after the recent lift in water. So as anglers let us keep our fingers crossed. 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 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 9th August 2025)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Farleyer Upper 1, Lower Bolfracks 2, Lower Kinnaird 7, Dalguise 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1 1, Stenton 2, Murthly 2, 7, Kercock 6, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 3, Islamouth 6, Ballathie 8, Cargill 13, Stobhall 23, Taymount 19, Burnmouth 2, Upper Scone 7, Benchil 4, Upper Redgorton 8, Fishponds 11, Luncarty 5, Waulkmill 4
Total: 141 Largest: Cargill 18lbs
WARMER WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 11th August 2025)
There was a rise in water levels through the early part of last week following the aftermath of Storm Floris. As the week progressed, river levels gradually dropped and conditions improved, especially as the strong and gusty wind eased. There were some beautiful fish caught from the river last week. These 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. If river levels remain steady, there will likely be some good sport to be had next week.
Apart from a few showers, it has been mainly dry over the weekend and has felt quite warm in the sunshine. Looking ahead to next week, the weather is set to get much warmer during the first half of the week with temperatures in the mid to high-twenties. It should be mainly dry with lighter winds. From midweek onwards there will be the chance of the odd shower and thankfully it is set to get a little cooler.
Salmon on the mainstem of the river were caught last week from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill which shows that there are fish well spread throughout the system. As we move through August, the beats 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 more consistently. The best chance of success next week would probably be on some of the beats 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.