River Tay weekly report week ending 22nd January 2022
A new season dawned once again on the mighty River Tay as anglers made their first casts of the year last Saturday. Numbers of people attending the traditional opening day ceremonies up and down the river were limited due to the continued concerns around the pandemic. Mr Robson Green and fellow actor Mr Jim Murray opened the river at Meikleour. Beats that held small ceremonies on opening day included Edradynate, Dalmarnock and Newtyle amongst others.
Mr Robson Green opening the river at Meikleour
Anglers that were lucky enough to fish on opening day were blessed with good water conditions. The river was at a decent height for many beats and running clear. There was one fresh fish landed from the Tay system and there were a few kelts and baggots caught up and down the river.
Mr Iain McLaren caught a stunning nineteen pounder from the Portnacraig Beat on the River Tummel on opening day. The fish was in perfect condition and gave a great account of itself. After a quick picture, it was safely returned.
An opening day springer caught by Mr Iain McLaren on the River Tummel
It has been mainly dry and settled over the past week with high pressure being in charge. This has led to the river being in decent order on most days with river levels steady. On Monday at Newtyle Mr Paul Chisholm had a day to remember. Mr Chisholm was harling in the Ferry Pool when his rod buckled. What ensued was a tremendous battle with the fish taking some long and surging runs. Finally, the fish came to the net and was landed by Newtyle ghillie Mr David Gardner. The fish was a stunning springer weighing nineteen pounds. What a great way to start the new season at Newtyle!
Mr Paul Chisholm with a stunning fish caught at Newtyle on Monday
There was more spring silver caught on Monday this time at Stobhall. Mr Jamie Miller was the successful angler landing a lovely twenty pounder. The fish was caught from the Silver Birches and was sea liced which was great to see.
picture 5
There was fresh, sea liced silver landed at Dalmarnock on Saturday for Chick McLean. The gleaming bar of silver was landed at the third Croy from the Dalmarnock Bank Pool on a monkey. Well done Chick!
Chick McLean landed this gleaming bar of silver on Saturday
It was a silver Saturday at Kercock for Mr Mark Mitchell. Mr Mitchell was fishing the Upper Gean Tree just before lunch when he got a savage take whilst spinning. The fish stayed deep initially and then went on to make numerous powerful runs. After a great fight, the fish was landed. The magnificent springer was sea liced and weighed thirteen pounds.
Mr Mark Mitchell landed this beautiful springer at Kercock
The weather has remained dry and settled over the weekend and hence the river is looking in good order for the beginning of next week. So, if you fancy chasing a spring salmon, why not enjoy a day’s fishing on the River Tay next week? There is no better way to start your season than by catching a big January Tay springer!
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 22nd January)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Dalmarnock 1, Newtyle 1, Kercock 1, Stobhall 1
Total: 4
Largest: Stobhall 20lbs
WILL THE RIVER TAY YIELD MORE SPRINGERS NEXT WEEK?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 24th January 2022)
We have had a settled spell of weather over the past few days with high pressure in charge. The settled weather is set to continue at the start of next week with temperatures around average for the time of year with mainly light winds. The river is currently at a good height for many beats.
Looking ahead to next week, Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry and settled with light winds. Temperatures will be in the high single figures. There is likely to be some rain on Wednesday with another dry day on Thursday. It will feel much cooler in the northwesterly wind. As we head towards next weekend there is the chance of a more unsettled spell of weather with stronger winds and rain.
On the main river, there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere. Loch Tay and the River Tummel are also well worth a cast. History tells us that there will currently be a few fresh fish in the system so you just need to find one. So why not wet a line on the Tay system next week? There is no better way to blow away those close season cobwebs than having a day on the river!
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 Early Spring Period (January-March)
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 early spring months water temperatures are often low and river levels high. In such conditions, the depth at which your fly is moving through the water column can be the key to success. Often you may be required to use floating lines coupled with sinking polyleaders, intermediate or even full sinking lines. It is therefore important that you have a fly rod that can work in harmony with a heavy line. 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.
During the early part of the season, tube flies often work well. If the water temperatures are low, weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes of a decent length will allow your fly to get well down and close to where the fish are likely to be lying. In cold weather, the fish are unlikely to be keen on moving fast so it is better that your fly moves through the water column at an adequate depth and not too quickly.
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 during the early spring months. Vision 110s and Rapalas are also lures that are well worth considering.
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 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. It is important that anglers treat their quarry with the utmost respect at all times.