(River Tay weekly report week ending 23rd April 2022)
We are now moving towards the end of April and traditionally this should be the prime spring period on the River Tay for many beats. Over the next few weeks, the numbers of fish destined for the Lyon, Tummel and Isla entering the river should increase as well as fish heading up the main river towards Loch Tay and beyond. With consistent catches in recent weeks and a number of big fish being landed, there is no better place in Scotland to land some hard fighting spring silver!
Much of Scotland including Perthshire has enjoyed dry settled conditions over the past few days. At the beginning of last week, it was relatively mild but as the week progressed a cool easterly wind developed which made it feel chilly at times. On many days it was very bright with cloudless skies and this made fishing challenging from time to time. It has been mainly dry over the weekend with water levels remaining settled. The water temperature last week was 45.8 degrees Fahrenheit which is around 7.6 degrees Celsius.
It was a day to remember for ten year old Harley Rodger on Loch Tay who was fishing with the Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips team on Wednesday. Harley was with his uncle and caught his first ever salmon weighing eleven pounds. It is just great to see the younger generation enjoying our sport. Well done young man!
On Friday Mr Robbie Ewing was fishing with his father and accompanied by the Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips Team when he caught his first ever salmon which gave a great fight. The sparkling springer weighed nine pounds.
On the upper river, Mr Denis Baker landed a fine springer from the Church Pool at Edradynate on Friday. Other successful beats on the upper river through the course of last week included Upper Farleyer and Upper Kinnaird.
The good sport on the River Tummel has continued over the past few days. At Portnacraig Mr Iain McLaren enjoyed a dam triple on Monday. Mr McLaren landed three of the four fish caught from the beat including a seven and ten pounder from the Portnacraig bank in the morning and a seven pounder from the Pitlochry Bank in the afternoon. Fantastic sport in anyone’s book! The other successful angler on Monday at Portnacraig was Mr Dave Stewart who caught a lovely fish weighing ten pounds from the Portnacraig bank. Next on the scoresheet at Portnacraig was Mr Neil MacLellan when on Tuesday he caught a lovely nine pounder on the fly from the Portnacraig bank.
On Thursday Mr Calum King landed three lovely springers at Portnacraig. Two were caught from the Portnacraig bank in the morning and one in the afternoon from the Pitlochry bank. This meant there were two dam triples landed at Portnacraig last week! Other successful anglers on the beat last week included Mr Donnie Whiteford and Mr Kenny Hyslop. Further downstream on the Tummel there were also fish caught at East Haugh.
Back on the main river, there was a fish caught at Dalguise on Friday. It was great to see the Dalmarnock Beat produce a cracking seventeen pounder on Monday and another fish on Thursday. At Dunkeld Mr Gary Dawkins landed a fine ten pound sea licer on Thursday from the Cathedral Stream.
It was a day to remember for Mr Andy East at Newtyle on Wednesday. Mr East was fishing the Ferry Pool when he caught his first ever salmon weighing fourteen pounds. Well done Sir on such a fantastic achievement!
On Thursday Newtyle regular Mr Jon Amos caught a beautiful nine pounder from the beat. The fish was caught on the fly from the Steps Pool.
There were some nice fish caught at Glendelvine and Murthly 2 through the course of last week. Mr David Profumo was one of the successful anglers at Glendelvine when he landed a fine springer from the Boat Pool.
Mr Jim Mcewan had a day to remember at Kercock on Friday. Mr Mcewan hooked a powerful fish which stayed very deep initially. It then went on to make several powerful runs. After a great fight, Mr Mcewan landed the magnificent eighteen pounder. What a fish!
Next on the scoresheet at Kercock was Mr Malcolm Owen who caught a lovely fresh fish from the beat on Saturday. After a great fight, this fish was safely returned to carry on with its journey upstream.
It was good to see a nice fish caught at Meikleour on Thursday weighing nine pounds with a further fish landed from the beat on Friday. The fish on Friday was caught on the fly from the House Pool. The River Ericht continues to fish well with more fish landed from the West Grange Beat in recent days.
At Islamouth Mr Steven Wright and his party were fishing during the first half of the week. The party managed four fish with the largest landed by Mr John Riche weighing nineteen pounds. Towards the end of the week, Mr John Mcelroy and his party managed four on Thursday with the largest being landed by Mr Neil Tong weighing seventeen pounds. Islamouth finished with ten fish for the week.
There was success at Cargill on Monday and hopefully if the water remains settled more fish will be caught from the beats in this area of the river in the upcoming weeks. Further downstream Mr Bob Connelly landed a cracking eighteen pounder on the fly from Stobhall. The fish was caught from Four grilse point and gave a great account of itself.
Over the next six weeks, the numbers of spring salmon entering the system should continue to increase joining what appears to be a reasonable head of fish already in the river. This should give anglers an excellent chance of making contact with that hard fighting Scottish springer. So why not book a day on the mighty Tay next week? You might just experience some April 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 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 23rd April)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips 3, Upper Farleyer 3, Edradynate 1, Upper Kinnaird 2, Loch Faskally 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 11, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 1, East Haugh 4, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 3, Murthly 2, 3, Glendelvine 4, Kercock 2, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 2, West Grange 2, Islamouth 10, Cargill 1, Stobhall 1
Total: 58 Largest: Kercock & Islamouth 19lbs
THE PROSPECT OF A SETTLED WEATHER FORECAST COULD LEAD TO LARGER NUMBERS OF FRESH FISH BEING LANDED ON THE TAY SYSTEM NEXT WEEK!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 25th April 2022)
The weather was much more settled across much of Scotland last week including Perthshire. It was mainly dry but as the week progressed it felt cooler as an easterly wind developed. Some days were very bright and sunny and this may have hampered catches somewhat. Water levels on the river were settled for much of last week and there were some lovely fish caught and a number of these were sea liced.
Over the weekend it has remained mainly dry. The weather is set to remain settled and dry next week. It will be quite cloudy at the beginning of the week but from midweek onwards there is the chance of cloud amounts varying more with some sunny spells. There will be a north-easterly airflow which will be brisk at first but as the week progresses winds should become lighter. There is the chance of an odd shower as we head towards next weekend. Temperatures will be mostly below average and in the low double figures. The prospect of a settled weather forecast could lead to larger numbers of fresh fish being landed on the Tay system next week.
Catches were again well spread last week from Loch Tay down to Stobhall. Many of the fish caught were sea liced indicating that the fish entering the system are now running hard. There is a good chance of picking up a fresh fish almost anywhere on the main river next week as the spread of recent catches would suggest. Loch Tay is also a good option as well as the River Tummel, Ericht and Isla.
With lovely spring salmon being landed on a daily basis and plenty of options to choose from to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most prolific and productive salmon rivers next week? You might just have that late April day to remember!
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
TACTIC FOR THE RIVER TAY DURING THE SPRING PERIOD (APRIL-MAY)
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 April and May water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. As river levels start to drop and water temperatures rise often heavy sinking lines and big tube flies are no longer needed. Instead, sink tip lines or even floating lines coupled with a sinking polyleader can be more than adequate.
As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful 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 can work well. In higher water, an intermediate or full sinking 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 early spring period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain. Usually, a breaking strain between fifteen and eighteen pounds is ideal.
In April and May depending on the water height and temperature smaller tube flies of various weights can work well. If the water temperatures are low, weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes will allow your fly to get well down. Usually by late April and into May depending on the water height dressed flies can also be considered a good alternative to the tube.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven feet is usually more than adequate to cover the River Tay. The rod should be able to comfortably cast lures weighing anything from eighteen to forty 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 forty grams. Devon Minnows can also be effective on the River Tay. In April and May, the Floating Devon can also work well. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. These lures can be excellent during the spring months. Once the water temperature rises sufficiently the Flying C is also a great lure and one which can produce the goods.
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 during the early spring months.
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. Harling is a method that is very much water height dependent and is practiced at the beat ghillie’s 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.