(River Tay weekly report week ending 24th August 2024)
We are moving towards the end of August with the traditional summer salmon fishing season in Scotland drawing to a close. It has been an excellent summer season on the Tay this year with anglers enjoying good sport on the river from late June onwards. The decent catches have continued in the past few weeks. It is not just the number of fish caught that is impressive, but also the quality and size of some of the fish that have landed.
In the past, September and October have been prime months on River Tay, and historically, this was when the largest catches of salmon were made. Let us hope that good numbers of fresh fish continue to enter the Tay system in the upcoming weeks so anglers can enjoy some decent sport and go home with a smile on their face after a successful day on the river.
There was a distinct autumnal feeling to proceedings last week. It continued to be quite cool, windy and unsettled on most days, with frequent showers or longer spells of rain. Heavy rain at the beginning of the week led to a lift in water on Tuesday. There were further lifts in water as the week progressed, and on Thursday and Friday, the lower river became coloured.
There were some lovely fish caught from the river last week and the final tally was over three hundred salmon for the week. The fish landed were mainly a mixture of fresh grilse and larger summer salmon. However, the odd autumn fish has also been landed which is a good sign. The bulk of the fish were caught on the middle and lower river which is what is to be expected at this time of year.
There was a fish caught at Edradynate on the upper river on Monday. Mr George Slater caught a nice fifteen pounder at Edradynate on Wednesday. Three more fish were caught from the beat on Wednesday with Mr Tomas Kol being among the successful anglers. Other beats that produced fish on the upper river last week included Upper Kinnaird.
On the middle river, the famous Lower Kinnaird Beat produced a nice fish on Monday, three more on Wednesday and a fish on Friday. The Dalguise Beat has produced a few fish in recent days and last week was the same with fish caught from the beat on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. The Dalguise Beat finished with five fish for the week.
Two fish were caught from Dalmarnock on Monday and another from the beat on Saturday. A couple of fish were caught from the Dunkeld Beat during the first half of the week and there was more success at Dunkeld on Thursday.
It was a special day at Newtyle on Monday, where four anglers all landed their first ever salmon. Ms Amelia Takken from Australia landed a lovely fish from the Boil. Mr Oscar Jowitt caught a sea liced grilse from the Stepps. Mr Patrick Langford landed a fish from the Plaintree Pool. Finally, Mr Ed Langford got in on the act when he landed a lovely seven pounder from the Alders; what a day was had by all at Newtyle! On Saturday at Newtyle there was an eighteen pounder caught from the Ferry Pool.
The Murthly beats finished with a combined total of seventeen fish for the week. There was a fine hat trick landed at Stenton on Monday. It was good to see fish caught at Delvine on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
There were four fish caught from the Kercock Beat on Monday including a fine sixteen pounder. The decent sport at Kercock continued as the week progressed.
The Kercock Beat finished with seventeen fish for the week and many anglers left with beaming smiles.
The Sayers party enjoyed some excellent sport at Meikleour during the first half of the week. They managed to land some nice fish from Boxwood Bush, the Castle Pool and Islamouth on Tuesday. There were a total of five fish caught from the beat on Tuesday and four on Wednesday. The Sayers party finished with twelve fish for there trip. What a great effort!
There was a cracking twenty two pounder caught at Meikleour on Thursday from the tail of the March Pool. The good sport continued into the weekend.
At Cargill, Mr Gavin Mason caught a nice fish on the fly from the Cradle on Monday. There were a total of six fish caught from the beat on Monday. On Tuesday Mr Steve Curnow caught a lively fish from the beat in rising water and Mr Gavin Mason was back in amongst the action again.
Mr Ian Irons caught some nice fish at Cargill on Wednesday. Other successful anglers at Cargill last week included Mr. Andrew Brundan, amongst others.
The Taymount Beat finished with twenty-seven fish for the week, with the best weighing twenty-four pounds, which was caught on Saturday. It was good to see a fish caught at Burnmouth on Wednesday.
At Pitlochrie, Mr David Eccleston caught a nice fish from Horsey on Wednesday. Two fish were caught at Upper Scone on Monday, with three more landed from the beat on Tuesday and eight on Wednesday. Upper Scone finished with twenty fish for the week.
Mrs Anne Emsens landed two lovely fish on the fly at Benchil on Thursday despite rising water. Four fish were caught at Benchil on Saturday, with Mr Jason Stratton being one of the successful anglers. On Monday, Mr Sandy Datta landed two fish weighing up to twenty-two pounds at Fishponds. There was another fish caught at Fishponds on Tuesday. Other successful anglers at Fishponds last week included Mr Neil Sayer.
It was a magical Monday for Mr Robert White at Luncarty. Mr White landed four fish from the beat weighing up to sixteen pounds on the fly. On Wednesday, Mr Tim Greenfield caught a lovely grilse at Luncarty, and another fresh grilse was caught on Wednesday evening.
At Upper Redgorton, there were some nice fish caught through the course of last week, including a fine brace on Friday. The Waulkmill Beat has produced some excellent sport in recent weeks, and last week was no different, with a total of thirty fish caught from the beat for the week.
There were also fish caught last week on beats, which do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
So, with one week of the summer salmon fishing season remaining, anglers on the River Tay have enjoyed some excellent sport. The quality of some of the fish caught have been second to none. Currently, the Tay is at a good height for many beats and many of the fish caught in recent days have been sea liced. So why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? It could be the place to provide you with that riverbank fairy-tale!
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 (For beats wishing to be included in this report only)
(week ending 24th August)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Crieff Angling Club 4, Edradynate 4,Upper Kinnaird 2, Lower Kinnaird 5, Dalguise 5, Dalmarnock 3, Dunkeld 4, Newtyle 5, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 16, Stenton 3, Delvine & Burnbane 3, Kercock 17, Kethick Mains 4, Kethick Streams 6, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 21, Cargill 30, Taymount 27, Burnmouth 1, Catholes 1, Pitlochrie 2, Upper Scone 20, Benchil 8, Upper Redgorton 4, Fishponds 6, Luncarty 7, Waulkmill 30,
Total: 239 Largest: Taymount 24lbs
MORE TWENTY POUNDERS IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 26th August 2024)
There were some lovely fish caught from the river last week with numerous salmon weighing well into double figures. We are now moving towards the end of August and this is when, historically, many beats on the River Tay start to make bigger catches. With only around ten weeks left, there is not long before the season finally draws to a close on the Tay system.
It was quite a mixed bag of weather, especially during the first half of last week, with frequent showers and longer spells of rain affecting many parts of the country, including Perthshire. This led to multiple lifts in the water last week. There were some showers that affected much of Perthshire over the weekend.
Looking ahead to next week, Monday should be mainly dry, and there will be some showers and heavier rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. During the second half of the week, the showery theme is set to continue. It will feel milder than of late with temperatures widely in the high teens or low twenties.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse and many were sea liced which was great to see. There were multiple fish over twenty pounds landed last week and hopefully there will be more twenty pounders caught in the week ahead. Salmon were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill on the main river, with the bulk of the action coming from beats situated on the middle and lower river. As we move through September and into October, the beats, especially on the middle and lower river, should come into their own. Traditionally, this is when these beats start to produce more significant 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? There is no better way to end August than landing a big Tay Atlantic Salmon!
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.