(River Tay weekly report week ending 22nd June 2024)
The summer solstice has now come and gone and we are currently in the midst of the Scottish summer with July almost upon us. However it would be fair to say that we have not seen much of a summer so far in Scotland this year. June has been unseasonably cool and also quite wet. In fact earlier in the month there were some frosts in sheltered glens and even some of the white stuff fell over the highest Scottish peaks. The wet weather continued last weekend with a spell of heavy rain last Sunday and this led to a lift in water at the beginning of the week. As the week progressed it was mainly dry and river levels dropped gradually. From midweek onwards temperatures started to rise and by the weekend temperatures were widely in the high teens.
There were some nice summer salmon caught from the Tay system last week as well as some sparkling hard fighting grilse. On the upper river it was a red letter day at Edradynate on Wednesday for a group of French and Belgian anglers. They managed to land a total of four fish weighing up to twenty three pounds. This just goes to show the calibre of fish the Tay is capable of producing at this time of year.
Mr Gareth Skinner caught a lovely fifteen pounder from the Upper Kinnaird Beat on Monday. A fish was caught at Lower Kinnaird on Wednesday and Friday. There was a fine brace landed at Dunkeld on Monday. This included a six pounder from the Cathedral Stream and a thirteen pounder from the Gauge Pool. There was more success at Dunkeld on Tuesday and there were two more fish caught from the beat on Friday.
It was a great start to the week at Newtyle where a cracking fish was caught from the Steps on Monday evening. On Saturday Mr Arran Lee caught his first ever salmon at Newtyle. The lovely fresh fish was caught from the Steps Pool. Well done Sir, you never forget your first!
There were some nice fish caught from the Murthly Beats last week. It was good to see a fish caught at Stenton on Monday and Friday.
Mr Kevin Gilmour landed a cracking ten pounder on the fly at Glendelvine on Tuesday. The fish gave a great account of itself and took a gold bodied Willie Gunn. At Kercock there were a couple of fish caught from the beat on Monday. Successful anglers included Mr Mike Harrison and Mr Andy Harrison. On Tuesday at Kercock Mr Donald Cameron caught a fine fish on a floating devon. On Saturday Mr Scott Sykes and Mr Kenny Milne both caught a nice fish each from the beat. The Kercock Beat finished with six fish for the week.
There was success at Meikleour on Monday where two nice fresh were landed from the beat. There were three more fish caught at Meikleour on Tuesday. Successful anglers included Albert and Steve who made the visit from Barcelona. Indeed Albert caught a magnificent fifteen pounder on the fly from the Castle Pool on Tuesday. Just great to see Spanish success on the Tay!
At Cargill Mr David Sands caught a nice fish fresh from the Pot Shot on Tuesday. On Wednesday Mr John Guthrie caught the first grilse of the season at Cargill which was great to see. The fresh torpedo weighed five pounds. Cargill finished with six fish for the week.
Further downstream Mr Jason Stratton caught a fine fish from the Little Shot at Benchil on Monday. On Friday Mr Robert White caught a lovely fish on the fly from the Plain Water at Benchil.
Mr George Garcia from California was fishing at Fishponds on Monday and caught a cracking Sea trout weighing five pounds.
On Wednesday there was a lovely fresh fish weighing eight pounds caught at Fishponds.The fish was caught on a Tay lure. It was good to see a fish caught at Upper Redgorton on Friday.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
With many people on holiday in the next few weeks it could prove to be the perfect time to book a few days fishing on the River Tay, so why not have cast? There is no better way to start July than landing some fresh Tay silver!
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 (For beats wishing to be included in this report only)
(week ending 22nd June)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Findynate 1, Edradynate 5, Upper Kinnaird 2, Loch Faskally 1, Lower Kinnaird 3, Dunkeld 5, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 4, Murthly 2, 3, Stenton 2, Glendelvine 1, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 6, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 7, Kethick Streams 1, Cargill 6, Taymount 1, Benchil 2, Fishponds 1, Upper Redgorton 1
Total: 55 Largest: Edradynate 24lbs
A SETTLED WEEK OF WEATHER AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 24th June 2024)
There were some fine fish caught from the river last week. River levels were steady for much of the week apart from a lift on Monday. It became warmer from midweek onwards and it was mainly dry. Over the weekend it has remained mostly dry and warm.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting grilse. In the upcoming weeks, more salmon should enter the Tay system on a daily basis giving anglers the chance of making contact with the king of fish. Hopefully there will be some good sport to be had as we move into July.
Looking ahead to next week high pressure is set to exert its influence over much of Scotland during the first half of the week. This will lead to mainly dry and settled conditions. Cloud amounts will vary on a daily basis. Winds will be light and it will feel warmer than of late. From midweek onwards a developing area of low pressure could lead to some showers or longer spells of rain.
Last week there were fish caught from Edradynate down to Fishponds which shows that there are fish well spread throughout the system. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on beats situated on the middle and lower river.
As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay in the upcoming days with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. So why not chase some summer silver on the Tay next week? You could have a July day to remember!
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.