(River Tay weekly report week ending 26th April 2025)
It is has turned out to be a very dry April across Scotland and this has been on the back of hardly any rainfall in March. This has led to river levels dropping away and on the Tay, the water has been at summer levels for much of the month. Water heights are now perfect for many beats on the middle and lower river and there have recently been some stunning spring salmon landed from the Tay system. It was good to see catches improve on the Tay last week.
Both Farleyer beats produced fish last week from the upper river, which was good to see. Hopefully, the upper river will start to come into its own in the upcoming weeks.
On the River Tummel at Portnacraig, Mr. Craig Masson caught a nice fish weighing eight pounds from the Pitlochry bank on the fly on Monday. There were two more fish caught at Portnacraig on Tuesday. Mr Alex Mitchell caught a lively ten pounder on the fly from the Pitlochry bank in the morning. In the afternoon Mr Massimo Castelvecchi caught an eight pounder again from the Pitlochry bank. Further downstream on the River Tummel, a couple of fish were caught from the East Haugh Beat last week.
A fine twenty pounder was caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat on Monday. It was good to see a fish caught at Dalmarnock on Tuesday. On Monday, Mr Patrick Fothringham landed a lovely fresh fish from the Steps at Newtyle. There was more success at Newtyle on Wednesday, this time for Mr Jamie Lumsden, who landed a nice fish from the Steps on the fly.
The Glendelvine Beat has fished well in recent weeks and the good form continued on the beat on Monday when Mr Colin Lowson caught a nice fish from the Ministers Pool. On Wednesday, Mr. John Dewar caught two nice fish from the Boat Pool at Glendelvine, including a cracking fourteen pounder. On Friday morning, Sandy Datta landed a nice fish on the fly from the Minister’s Pool.
Next on the scoresheet at Glendelvine was Mr Stuart Lang, who caught a lovely sea liced springer from the Boat Pool in the afternoon, which weighed twelve pounds. The Glendelvine Beat has now produced seventeen springers for the season. This is a good effort, considering that the beat is only fished three days per week.
It was an eventful Saturday at Delvine & Burnbane. Mr. Willie Cummings and Mr. Jimmy Lapsey were harling the tail of Sparrowmuir when they got a powerful take on the fly. A terrific battle ensued, during which the reel fell off its seat. Despite this setback, the brave duo battled on and finally landed a magnificent springer weighing eleven pounds. It just goes to show if a fish is hooked, it’s hooked! Well done gentleman.
A fine brace was landed at Meikleour on Tuesday, including a magnificent thirteen pounder for Mr Martin Moyers caught on the fly. Other successful anglers at Meikleour last week included Mr. Chris North, who caught his first ever Tay salmon from the House Pool, and Mr. Charlie Keyser.
There was some decent sport to be had at Islamouth last week. Mr John Anderson had a happy Monday, landing two fish from the beat. These were Mr Anderson’s first Tay salmon. On Tuesday, a fine ten pounder was caught from the Castle Pool. On Wednesday, Mr John Rich caught a cracking eight pounder from the Cutty.
Mr John McElroy’s party was fishing during the second half of the week at Islamouth. On Friday Mr McElroy had a nice fish from the Longhead. Mr. Neil Tong caught a lovely springer from the Castle shortly afterwards.
On Saturday morning, Mr Neil Tong landed another nice fish that weighed around eight pounds. Islamouth finished with eight fish for the week.
Mr. Mick Lynch had a happy Easter Monday at Cargill when he landed a solid springer from the beat.
On Tuesday morning, there were two lovely fish caught from the beat. Cargill regular Mr Neil French enjoyed success, and Mr Ryan Richmond, who was a first time salmon angler, was also successful. Well done to Mr Richmond on catching your first salmon, hopefully the first off many! Next on the scoresheet at Cargill was Mr Mark Snudden, who caught a fine springer on the fly on Wednesday.
On Saturday, Mr Stewart Scott landed a lovely fish from the Cradle Wall at Cargill.
At Ballathie, Mr Davy Shedden caught a lovely fish from the Pot Shot on Thursday. Further downstream, it was good to see a fish caught at Stobhall on Monday.
We are now moving towards 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, anglers will have every chance to enjoy more 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 end April on a high!
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 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 26th April 2025)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Lower Farleyer 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 4, East Haugh 2, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalmarnock 1, Newtyle 2, Glendelvine 5, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 3, Islamouth 8, Cargill 5, Ballathie 1, Stobhall 1
Total:36 Largest: Lower Kinnaird 20lbs
TEMPERATURES SET TO RISE IN THE DAYS AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 28th April 2025)
There was very little rainfall again last week and water levels remained steady and at summer levels for the most part. This trend has become the norm over the past few weeks. Indeed, both March and April this year have been very dry months across Scotland. Apart from a few showers, it has been mainly dry and settled over the weekend. Looking ahead to next week, it is set to be mostly dry with variable amounts of cloud as high pressure exerts its influence across the country. It will also feel milder than of late with temperatures widely in the high teens or low twenties for many. Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry with light winds. It will remain mostly dry from midweek onwards, with light winds and rising temperatures. More stunning spring salmon were caught from the Tay system last week, and several of these were sea liced, which was great to see. Fish entering the river are running hard, with sea liced fish being caught regularly. Catches on the Tay system were well spread last week from Loch Tay down to Stobhall. The River Tummel continues to fish well, especially at Portnacraig. There is a decent chance of catching a springer anywhere on the Tay system next week, as catches in recent days suggest. So why book a day on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beats 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 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 as a good alternative to the tube.
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. 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 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.