(River Tay weekly report week ending 17th August 2024)
It was a lively start to last week, with thunderstorms impacting much of Scotland on Monday morning. These produced heavy rain but were short lived. This led to a lift in water at the beginning of last week. There were further lifts in water as the week progressed.
The excellent sport on the Tay system continued last week with decent numbers of fish caught up and down the river. The fish caught were a mixture of hard fighting grilse and some larger summer salmon. Well over two hundred and fifty fish were caught from the Tay system last week, which was great news for anglers.
On the upper river there was a fish caught at Findynate on Monday. On Saturday, three fish were caught on the Ruan Ruarie Beat of the River Garry. There was a fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Wednesday and two more landed on Saturday. It was a fine end to the week at Dalguise, with four fish caught from the beat on Saturday. Anglers at Dalmarnock enjoyed some good sport, with three fish caught from the beat on Saturday. Mr Garry Dawkins caught a fine eleven pounder at Dunkeld on Thursday. There were a couple more fish caught at Dunkeld on Saturday. It was good to see fish caught at Newtyle on Thursday and Saturday.
It was a great start to the week at Murthly, with four fish landed from the Murthly 2 Beat on Monday. The Murthly beats finished with a combined total of eleven fish for the week. Anglers fishing at Stenton enjoyed some great sport on Wednesday, landing four for the day. It was good to see a fish caught at Delvine on Saturday.
There were six fish caught from the Kercock Beat on Tuesday. The good sport continued through the week. Successful anglers at Kercock last week included Mr. David Wilson and Mr. James Weatherspoon, who had a lovely sixteen pounder.
On Saturday, Mr Kenny Milne landed two crackers, the best of which weighed sixteen pounds.
It was a magical Monday at Meikleour, with six fish landed from the beat. Mr McLanaghan and Mr Massie were the successful anglers. A great day’s sport in anyone’s book. There were two more fish caught at Meikleour on Tuesday. The decent sport continued at Meikleour as the week progressed, with five fish caught from the beat on Friday and seven on Saturday.
Mr David Sands had a happy Monday at Cargill. Mr Sands caught a magnificent nineteen pounder from the beat. This was one of two fish caught from Cargill on Monday. On Tuesday, Mr Gergor Sands had a day to remember at Cargill, landing four fish weighing up to seventeen pounds. What a day’s salmon fishing! Other successful anglers at Cargill last week included Mr. Iain Jardine and Mr. Frank Minoprio, amongst others.
The Taymount Beat finished with thirty fish for the week. It was good to see a fish caught at Catholes on Friday. On Wednesday, Mr Robert White had a great afternoon at Pitlochrie, landing three fresh grilse as well as a larger summer salmon from Horsey. Mr Werner Steiner and Mr John Young both caught fish at Pitlochry on Friday. There were five fish landed from the Upper Scone Beat during the first half of the week. The excellent sport continued as the week progressed with four more fish caught from the beat on Friday.
Mr Jason Stratton had a good evening at Benchil on Tuesday landing three fish up to nineteen pounds. The fish were caught from Todholes and the Little Shot.
On Thursday at Benchil there were five fish landed weighing up to seventeen pounds.
On Saturday evening Gerry Rattray and Joe Dewhirst came back to have a cast at Benchil after guiding for Gleneagles clients. Gerry landed this whopper from the Little Shot with the help of Joe. Great result and well deserved.
At Fishponds, there were five fish lost on Monday, but two did make it to the net! Mr James Holder caught a nice five-pounder from the Craigs and the other fish was caught from Fishponds Green. All the fish hooked on Monday at Fishponds were on the fly, which was good to see. On Tuesday, Mr Werner Steiner caught a cracking fifteen pounder from the Fireshot. Two more fish were caught from Fishponds on Wednesday, including a lovely sixteen pounder from the Well Hole. The Fishponds Beat finished with twelve fish for the week.
At Upper Redgorton, there was a fish caught from the beat on Monday, and a swift hat trick followed on Tuesday. The decent sport continued as the week progressed at the Upper Redgorton Beat, which finished with ten fish for the week.
It was a red letter day at Waulkmill on Tuesday with ten fish landed for the day. This was repeated again on Thursday and Saturday. Waulkmill finished with forty fish for the week.
There were also fish caught last week on beats which do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
The Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on many beats and the prospects for the next few days look rosy. So why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? You might just have that day to remember!
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 (For beats wishing to be included in this report only)
(week ending 19th August)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Findynate 1, Ruan Ruarie 3, Lower Kinnaird 3, Dalguise 5, Dalmarnock 3, Dunkeld 3, Newtyle 4, Murthly 1, 3, Murthly 2, 8, Stenton 5, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 12, Kethick Streams 3, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 22, Cargill 20, Taymount 30, Catholes 1, Pitlochrie 6, Benchil 12, Upper Scone 14, Fishponds 12, Upper Redgorton 10, Waulkmill 40, Crieff Angling Club 5
Total: 226 Largest: Taymount, Benchil & Waulkmill 20lbs
WILL THE GOOD SPORT CONTINUE THROUGH THE MONTH OF AUGUST?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 20th August 2024)
The River Tay had another decent week with some lovely larger summer salmon and hard fighting grilse landed by anglers. Hopefully, the good sport will continue as we move through August. There were some heavy thundery showers at the beginning of last week, leading to a lift in water. As the week progressed there were further lifts in water. River levels gradually dropped as we moved towards the weekend and conditions were decent. It has been mainly dry apart from the odd shower over the weekend. Looking ahead to next week, Monday should be mostly dry, but rain will spread from the west later in the day. From Tuesday onwards, it is set to get more unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain. It will also be quite windy.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse, with many being sea liced. Salmon were caught from Findynate down to Waulkmill which shows that there are fish well spread throughout the system. As we move through August, the beats located on the lower river should come into their own. Traditionally, this is when the beats in this area of the river consistently start to produce more significant numbers of fish. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability next week on some very famous and prolific beats, so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? You might just get a twenty pounder coming your way!
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.