River Tay weekly report week ending 16th April 2022
We are now moving towards the end of April which is traditionally a prime time of year for spring salmon fishing on many of Scotland’s rivers. Usually, spring catches start to build from early March and peak over the next few weeks. On the River Tay, April and May are often the most productive spring months, especially for beats located on the middle river. This usually coincides with larger runs of salmon entering the Tay destined for rivers like the Lyon and Tummel. Hopefully, good numbers of hard fighting spring salmon will continue to enter the Tay system in the next few weeks ensuring that there is plenty of good sport to be had for anglers.
Many anglers fishing the Tay last week landed some cracking springers in the run up to Easter. River levels were generally settled but there was a small lift in water during the middle part of the week. The water temperature last week was 41.5 degrees Fahrenheit which is 5.3 degrees Celsius.
It was a great start to the week on Loch Tay for the Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips team. On Monday there were two fish caught from the loch. There was another fish caught from the loch on Tuesday. Successful anglers included Mr Jonathan and George Mclaney who landed fish weighing up to twenty two pounds.
On Thursday Mr Robert McFarlane had a fantastic birthday present on Loch Tay. He and his son Jake where fishing the loch when he got a savage take. The fish put up a strong fight and was expertly played by his son Jake. After a long battle, Jake landed a magnificent twenty eight pounder. Well done young man. A memory that father and son will share forever…so precious!
On the upper river, the Upper Farleyer Beat produced some nice fish through the course of last week including an eighteen pounder on Wednesday. Mr Andrew O’Rourke was fishing the Newton of Logierait Beat on Friday when he caught a fine twelve pounder from the Greenbank. The fish was caught on a Toby lure.
It was nice to see a fish caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat on Monday and two more on Friday and Saturday.
On the River Tummel, the decent sport continued last week. Mr Steve Watt got things underway on Monday when he caught a fifteen pounder. On Tuesday there were three more fish caught at Portnacraig. Mr Iain McLaren was first into action when he caught a fine eight pounder from the Portnacraig Bank. Mr Jimmy Ross was next on the scoresheet when he landed a lovely eleven pounder on the Portnacraig bank. In the evening Mr John Muir rounded things off nicely when he caught a fine ten pounder from the Pitlochry Bank. All the fish on Tuesday were caught on the fly. Other successful anglers through the course of last week at Portnacraig included Mr Jim Fisher and Mr Martin Timmins. Further downstream there were also fish caught on the East Haugh Beat of the Tummel.
There was success at Dalmarnock on Wednesday. It was a magnificent Tuesday at Newtyle when four fish were landed from the beat. Mr Andy Donald caught a fish from the Boil and then quickly went on to lose another fish around ten minutes later. In the afternoon one angler landed three fish all from the Alders. Three springers in a day is amazing sport in anyone’s book!
On Thursday Mrs Anja Vanni from Austria was fishing at Newtyle. Ms Vanni was wetting a line in the Steps Pool when she got a savage take on the fly. What ensued, was a monumental battle with the fish making several powerful runs. Mrs Vanni expertly played the fish and went on to land the magnificent twenty pounder. What a fish!
There were some nice fish caught on the Murthly 2 and Glendelvine beats through the course of last week. A magnificent sea liced twelve pounder was caught on the fly from the Saltholes on Wednesday at Delvine & Burnbane. This was after a recent run of bad luck when seven fish were lost in ten days on the beat. On Friday Mr James Cuthbert caught a fine elven pounder from the beat in the tail of Sparrowmuir on a Salmo lure.
It was good to see a springer caught from the Kercock Beat on Monday. The fish was in excellent condition and put up a great fight.
Anglers on the West Grange Beat of the River Ericht continued to enjoy some good sport with some cracking springers landed through the course of the week.
At Islamouth successful anglers included Mr Colin Louson with a fifteen pounder and Mr John Rich with an eleven pounder
It was great to see a fine twelve pounder caught on the Ballathie Beat on Wednesday. The fish was caught on the fly from the Clockston and gave a fantastic account of itself.
At Cargill Mrs Mary Bowes, seventy years young showed everyone how it was done when she landed two stunning springers on Tuesday. Mrs Bowes landed a fine seventeen pounder in the morning and followed it up with another nice fish. It just shows for Mrs Bowe’s life starts at seventy on the Tay!
On Friday Mr Derek Trevis caught a lovely sea liced springer at Cargill on the fly from the Cradle wall. After a great fight, the fish was safely returned to carry on with its journey upstream. On Saturday Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason caught a sparkling fish from the beat.
The Taymount Beat produced fish on Wednesday and Saturday. On Monday Mr Peter Bates caught a fine springer on the fly at Catholes. The fish was caught from the Black Stones and put up a great tussle. There was success at Upper Scone on Thursday. Further downstream it was good to see the Waulkmill Beat get off the mark for the season on Monday.
We are now moving into what should be traditionally the prime spring period for many beats on the River Tay. With some cracking spring salmon being landed from the Tay system last week there is every chance that anglers will enjoy more good sport in the days ahead. There is some decent availability on the river next week with salmon fishing to suit all tastes. So why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most prolific salmon rivers in the upcoming days? You might just land that April spring sparkler!
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 16th April)
SALMON & GRILSE: Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 6, Upper Farleyer 5, Portnacraig Pitlochry 6, East Haugh 2, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalmarnock 1, Newtyle 6, Murthly 2, 4, Glendelvine 7, Delvine & Burnbane 2, Kercock 1, West Grange 11, Kethick Streams 3, Islamouth 2, Ballathie 1, Cargill 4, Taymount 2, Catholes 1, Upper Scone 1, Waulkmill 1
Total:67 Largest: Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 28lbs
MORE TOP QUALITY TAY SALMON TO BE LANDED IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 18th April 2022)
It was a much milder end to last week with temperatures widely reaching the mid-teens. It was mainly dry on Saturday and Sunday. Looking ahead to next week things are set to turn cooler and more unsettled. There will be some showers on Monday but Tuesday should be mainly dry. From midweek onwards a chilly easterly wind will develop and temperatures will barely reach double figures. It should be mostly dry with the chance of an odd shower as we head towards next weekend.
Last week there were some cracking springers caught from the Tay system and hopefully, there will be more top quality salmon landed in the days ahead. Fish were caught last week from Loch Tay down to Waulkmill on the lower river so catches were well spread on the Tay system. Beats on the River Tummel produced fish and the River Ericht has continued to fish well. Many of the fish caught last week were sea liced and this would indicate that as the water temperature gradually rises the fish are running hard upstream. There is a good chance of a springer almost anywhere on the Tay system next week as catches in recent days would suggest. So why not book a day on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beat’s landing that big Tay springer!
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 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 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. Anglers must treat their quarry with the utmost of respect at all times.