(River Tay weekly report week ending 21st September 2024)
We moved deeper in autumn last week but nobody told the weather that, as we experienced a bit of an Indian summer. A large area of high pressure over much of the UK led to mainly dry and settled conditions. Temperatures were widely in the late teens and some spots peaked at over twenty degrees. The dry weather continued into the weekend, although it was slightly cooler as an easterly breeze developed. There was a lot of low cloud and mist which made for better fishing conditions. River levels were steady last week, which was hardly surprising due to the lack of rainfall. It was definitely the case last week that the Indian summer like conditions made it harder going on the Tay, although there is no shortage of fish in the river.
A combination of sunny and warm conditions, coupled with the lack of fresh fish entering the system, led to a drop in catches last week. However, well over a hundred fish were still landed.
So far this year, as anglers, we have been a little spoiled in terms of how well the Tay has fished, especially during the summer months. This is always worth remembering, and therefore, it is important to put last week’s catches into perspective.
On the upper river, successful beats last week included Findynate and Lower Farleyer. The Lower Kinnaird, Dalguise and Dalmarnock beats all produced fish last week which was good to see. Mr John Amos caught two nice fish at Newtyle on Thursday. The Murthly 1 Beat produced some nice fish last week, including five on Monday. The beat finished with seven fish for the week. There was a fine hat trick landed at Stenton on Friday.
It was good to see a fine brace landed at Glendelvine on Tuesday, and another fish was caught from the beat on Thursday and Saturday. There was success at Delvine on Monday.
At Kercock, some nice fish were caught last week in tough conditions. Successful anglers included Mrs Tracey Wood and Mr Chris Tindall and Mr David Edwards, amongst others.
The Meikleour Beat has produced some cracking fish in recent weeks and last week was no different. A nice fish was caught from the beat on Monday, and two more were landed on Friday. It was a great end to the week, with six fish caught on Saturday.
On Monday at Cargill, Mr Joe Marais caught a fine fish on the fly. This was one of two fish caught from the beat on Monday.
Four more fish weighing up to sixteen pounds were caught from the beat on Tuesday. The decent sport continued as the week progressed.
Successful anglers at Cargill last week included Mr Gavin Mason, Mr. Mark Baker and Mr Steve Curnow, amongst others. The Taymount Beat finished with fourteen fish for the week.
It was a fantastic start to the week at Upper Scone, with five fish landed from the beat on Monday. There were more fish caught from the beat on Thursday and Friday.
On the Stanley beats, there were fish caught at Pitlochrie, Benchil and Luncarty last week. Mr Paul Cottle had a nice fish from Pitlochrie on Friday.
On Saturday, Mr Graham Ritichie had a fantastic day at Benchil, landing three fish up to twenty three pounds all on the fly. The fish were caught from the Plain Water and the Long Shot. Mr. Robert White caught a nice fish in the tail of the Luncarty Pool on the fly late on Monday evening.
It was good to see a fish caught at Fishponds on Tuesday. There was success at Upper Redgorton on Wednesday. On Thursday there was a magnificent twenty six pounder was caught at Upper Redgorton. The Waulkmill Beat finished with five fish for the week which included a twenty five pounder on Wednesday.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Undoubtedly, more fish would have been caught last week if the weather had been a little kinder to anglers. The weather forecast for the week ahead does look more promising, as temperatures are set to drop.
With less than four weeks of the season now remaining why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? You might just have that autumn 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. 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 21st September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Findynate 1, Farleyer Lower 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 2, Dalmarnock 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 7, Stenton 3, Glendelvine 4, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 4, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 9, Kethick Streams 1, Cargill 27, Taymount 14, Pitlochrie 1, Upper Scone 7, Benchil 4, Fishponds 1 Upper Redgorton 3, Luncarty 1, Waulkmill 5
Total: 102 Largest: Upper Redgorton 26lbs
BETTER FISHING WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 23rd September 2024)
It was a week of dry and settled weather last week and it felt like summer once again. There was very little rainfall across the country and temperatures were widely in the high teens. The settled weather lasted into the weekend and river levels were steady for much of the week. The weather definitely impacted catches last week.
It has been mainly dry over the weekend but it has felt cooler in the easterly breeze. There has also been more low cloud and mist. Looking ahead to next week, Monday and Tuesday should be mainly dry but it will be much cooler than of late. From midweek onwards, a northerly wind will develop, and temperatures will be well below average. It will also turn more unsettled with showers or even some longer spells of rain.
Last week, on the main river fish were caught from Findynate down to Waulkmill with the bulk of the action being on beats situated on the middle and lower river. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats located on the middle and lower river.
With less than four weeks of the season now remaining and a promising weather forecast for the week ahead, why not wet a line and chase a big Tay salmon in the upcoming days? With no shortage of twenty pounders in the system, you might just have one 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 autumn period (September and October)
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 autumn months, water temperatures usually begin to fall on the river but much depends on the weather. The weather and water conditions can vary greatly during the autumn months with hot weather and low water coupled with high water temperatures especially if we have an Indian summer. Conversely, it can be quite cool with regular spells of wind and rain and even night time frosts. The fish also start to become a bit more aggressive especially when they turn their thoughts towards spawning. At this time of year, full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well especially if conditions are more akin to the summer months.
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, colder water a sink tip or intermediate line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got 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 autumn period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there can be some large fish around towards the end of the season. Usually, a breaking strain of around fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the autumn months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well if river levels are low and temperatures are high. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. If there are frequent night time frosts and high water, tube flies of various lengths and weights may be the order of the day.
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 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 autumn months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive.
The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures are higher 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. In high cold water, it can often be more about fishing the lure that bit slower and at an adequate depth.
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 autumn months, good conditions arise on many beats for harling, especially in higher water. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practised at the beat ghillies discretion.