(River Tay weekly report week ending 29th June 2024)
We move into July next week and are now in the height of the Scottish summer. July is a special time of year to be out on the river. If there is decent water and weather conditions are favourable, fishing can often be very good, with decent numbers of hard fighting grilse and summer salmon being caught. If, however, river levels are low and it is hot and sunny, fishing unsociable hours can be the key to success. Often, fishing first thing in the morning and then again at dusk can produce the best results. This is usually because it is much cooler at these times, and in low light conditions, the fish often feel more confident to run upstream and take a fly or lure. Many an angler has enjoyed a magical balmy July evening on the banks of the River Tay when their line has tightened and reel has sung with a hard fighting salmon on the other end, leading them a merry dance!
It has been a strong end to June, with decent catches on many beats up and down the river. Last week was no different, and it turned out to be the most productive week of the season so far. Weatherwise, it was a week of two halves. It started off mild and even hot in some places, but as the week progressed, it became cooler and fresher. It was mainly dry apart from the odd shower, and river levels were steady for the most part.
Catches on the river were well spread and a mixture of grilse and larger summer salmon was caught. Many of the fish landed were sea liced, which was great to see and hopefully, this is a sign of things to come as we move through July.
On the upper river, a couple of nice fish were landed at Edradynate during the first half of the week, including a magnificent sixteen pounder on Monday. The decent sport continued towards the end of the week, with some nice grilse landed. Both Farleyer beats produced fish last week on the upper river.
It was good to see a fine brace caught at Dalguise on Saturday. There were a couple of fish caught at Dalmarnock on Wednesday. On Tuesday, it was a red letter day for Mr. Jon Amos at Newtyle. Mr Amos caught three lovely salmon from the Trap and Steps. The fish were in excellent condition and gave a great account of themselves. Three fish in a day can’t be bad! Three more fish were caught on the fly from the Newtyle Beat on Wednesday, including a lovely fourteen pounder.
Some nice fish were caught from the Murthly 1 Beat last week, including three on Tuesday. The Murthly 1 Beat finished with twelve fish for the week. It was good to see a couple of fish landed at Stenton on Wednesday and Friday. There was a nice fish caught at Glendelvine on Saturday.
The Kercock Beat has fished well in recent days and last week was no different, with a couple of fish caught from the beat on Monday and Tuesday.
The decent sport at Kercock continued as the week progressed, with Mr. Pete and Mrs. Sue Creswick enjoying some success. Mr Scott Sykes had a super Saturday at Kercock, landing three fish, up to ten pounds. Other successful anglers at Kercock last week included Mr Ken O Donnell.
At Meikleour there were a couple of nice fish caught from the beat last week.
Further downstream at Cargill, Norwegian angler Mr Torfinn caught a cracking fish on the fly on Monday.
On Tuesday, the father and son duo, Mr. David and Mr. William Sinclare, enjoyed successfully landing a nice fish from the beat. It was a great end to the week at Cargill, with seven fish landed on Saturday. Successful anglers included Mr. Gavin Mason and Mr. David Tidswell, amongst others.
The Taymount Beat finished with nine fish for the week. It was good to see a fish caught at Upper Scone on Wednesday. On Monday, Mr Robert White caught a lovely fish at Benchil on the fly from the Long Shot. There were two more fish caught at Benchil on Saturday. At Upper Redgorton, there was success on Tuesday and Friday.
On Monday, Mr Kyle Goldie at Fishponds had a day to remember. He caught his first salmon on the fly from the Well Hole. Well done, sir; you never forget your first!
There was another first at Fishponds on Wednesday, this time for Mr David Farnworth. Mr Farnworth had been trying to catch his first salmon for five years and finally landed a magnificent sixteen pounder from the Craigs on a Sunray fly. Great stuff!
On Saturday at Fishponds, a total of five fish were landed from the beat with a combined weight of seventy-six pounds. This included a sixteen and a ten pounder for angler Michael. The fish were caught on a salmo lure from the Luncarty Pool and were in excellent condition putting up a great fight. Samantha Datta managed an eighteen and fourteen pounder and her husband also landed an eighteen pounder. The weapons of choice included a Gold Bodied Willie Gunn and Lightning Bolt fly.
It was good to see the Waulkmill Beat produce some nice fish last week including a sixteen pounder on Tuesday and three on Wednesday. The Waulkmill Beat finished with seven fish for the week.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
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. 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 29th June) (For beats wishing to be included in this report only)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 3, Lower Farleyer 1, Edradynate 4, Dalguise 2, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 2, Newtyle 9, Murthly 1, 12, Stenton 4, Glendelvine 1, Kercock 10, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 2, Cargill 12, Taymount 9, Upper Scone 1, Benchil 4, Fishponds 7, Upper Redgorton 2, Waulkmill 7
Total: 94 Largest: Cargill & Fishponds 18lbs
WHAT WILL JULY HAVE IN STORE FOR ANGLERS FISHING THE TAY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 1st July 2024)
Catches on the Tay system have picked up in recent weeks and it will be interesting to see what July will have in store for anglers fishing the Tay. The second half of last week saw cooler and fresher conditions than of late which was good news for anglers.
Over the weekend, it has been mainly dry, apart from the odd shower. Looking ahead to next week, Monday will see some patchy rain move in from the west. Tuesday and Wednesday should be mainly dry, apart from the odd shower. Towards the end of the week, the weather may become more unsettled with some showers or longer spells of rain. Temperatures will be in the mid-teens for the most part.
The quality of the fish landed from the Tay system last week was second to none. These included some very hard-fighting strong grilse as well as sea liced larger summer salmon.
Last week salmon were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill. The best chance of success next week would probably be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability in the upcoming days, so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? You might get that 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.