River Tay weekly report week ending 5th February 2022
We moved into February last week and are now into the final month of winter. So far it has been a very mild winter and January was relatively dry. However, as we all know February can be a bitterly cold month with extreme weather including heavy snowfall but hopefully this will not be the case in the upcoming weeks.
Spring on the way with snowdrops at Meikleour?
The weather last week could be best described as being “windy”. During the first half of the week there were periods of gale force winds which made fishing challenging from time to time to say the least. A cold front drifted southwards on Thursday night and behind this much cooler conditions prevailed. Towards the end of the week there were frequent snow showers especially over higher ground. There was a small lift in water at the beginning of last week but from midweek onwards river levels remained generally steady. The water temperature last week was 3.9 degrees Celsius which is 39.0 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was a momentous day for Mr Grant Tigwell on Loch Tay last week. Mr Tigwell who runs the Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips company was fishing on the loch on Wednesday accompanied by his dog. Around midday Mr Tigwell was fishing around an underwater cranog when the outside rod buckled. By the time Mr Tigwell managed to get the other lines in the fish had taken around forty yards of line. After around a thirty minute fight and four attempts to net the fish a relieved Mr Tigwell finally landed the springer. The fish was so heavy Mr Tigwell could not lift it into the boat but estimated to be over thirty pounds. What a fish and it just goes to show the calibre of fish the Tay system is capable of producing at this time of year.
A stunning springer caught from Loch Tay on Thursday
On Monday Mr Jim Fisher was fly fishing on the Portnacraig Beat. Mr Fisher was fishing the Portnacraig Bank in the afternoon when his fly line tightened. After a great fight Mr Fisher landed a lovely springer weighing twelve pounds. It was a dam double at Portnacraig in January as there was also a fish caught from the beat on opening day which is quite rare.
Mr Jim Fisher caught this lovely springer from Portnacraig on Monday
It was another magical Monday at Meikleour. The beat produced a fish last Monday and the trend continued. Mr Mark Mcloone was fishing Islamouth when he hooked a powerful fish from the boat. After a number of strong runs and a great fight Mr Mcloone landed a stunning sea liced springer weighing fourteen pounds.
Mr Mark Mcloone with a fine springer caught at Meikleour on Monday
There was more success at Meikleour on Saturday when Mr Alan Cockburn caught fine springer weighing elven pounds from the Meadows.
Mr Alan Cockburn with a fine springer from Meikleour
Further downstream the prolific Islamouth Beat got on to the scoresheet for the season having only opened on the 1st of February. Mr Robert Jameison and his party enjoyed success when a lovely fifteen pounder was caught on Thursday. The fish was caught on a harled Kynoch from the New Shot. This will hopefully be the first of many fish caught from the beat this year.
Away from the fishing the TDSFB continue their hard work. This week the team were out stocking the Garry, Tilt and Errochty which was great to see. Hopefully good numbers of salmon will return to these rivers in the future to spawn.
The TDSFB team doing some stocking this week
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 5th February)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips 1, Portnacraig 1, Upper Islamouth & Meikleour 2, Islamouth 1
Total: 5 Largest: Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips 30lbs
SOME MORE NICE FISH TO BE CAUGHT IN THE UPCOMING DAYS?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 7th February 2022)
Fishing pressure remains relatively light on the Tay system which is not surprising as it is still early in the season. However, some of the anglers that have ventured out have been rewarded with some stunning spring salmon. As we move through February more fish should be caught from the system.
There was some rain on Saturday coupled with strong and gusty winds and it was cooler on Sunday with some snow showers especially over higher ground. Looking ahead to next week, there will be a few showers on Monday. Tuesday should be mainly dry but feeling milder with the breezy theme continuing. From midweek onwards there is a chance that high pressure may build leading to more settled conditions. Temperatures will be near average values for the time of year but winds will remain strong and gusty. Hopefully there will be some more nice fish caught in the upcoming days. There is a good chance of finding that elusive springer almost anywhere on the Tay system next week, so there might just be a fish with your name on it!
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 Early Spring Period (January-March)
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 early spring months water temperatures are often low and river levels high. In such conditions, the depth at which your fly is moving through the water column can be the key to success. Often you may be required to use floating lines coupled with sinking polyleaders, intermediate or even full sinking lines. It is therefore important that you have a fly rod that can work in harmony with a heavy line. 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.
During the early part of the season, tube flies often work well. If the water temperatures are low, weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes of a decent length will allow your fly to get well down and close to where the fish are likely to be lying. In cold weather, the fish are unlikely to be keen on moving fast so it is better that your fly moves through the water column at an adequate depth and not too quickly.
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 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 during the early spring months. Vision 110s and Rapalas are also lures that are well worth considering.
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 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 for 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 respect at all times.