(River Tay weekly report week ending 4th July 2026)
We moved into July last week, which is a special time of year to be out on the river. If there is decent water and weather conditions are favourable, fishing can be very good. If, however, river levels are low, and it is hot and sunny, then fishing unsociable hours can be the key to success. Often fishing first thing in the morning and then again at dusk can produce the best results. This is usually because it is much cooler at these times and in low light conditions, the fish often feel more confident to run upstream and take a fly or lure. Many an angler has enjoyed a magical balmy July evening on the banks of the River Tay when their line has tightened and their reel has sung with a hard fighting salmon on the other end leading them a merry dance!
Thankfully, it was much cooler last week across Perthshire, and it definitely felt fresher than the previous week. Overall river levels were decent for the time of year, with a couple of small lifts in water through the course of the week. Catches on the river were well spread, with a mixture of grilse and larger summer salmon caught. Many of the fish landed were sea liced which was great to see and hopefully this is a sign of things to come as we move through July. There were also some nice Sea trout caught from the river. The summer run on the Tay has clearly still not got into full swing yet but hopefully anglers will not have to wait too long.
Both the Lower Farleyer and Upper Kinnaird beats produced fish on Saturday on the upper river. On the River Tummel, a fish was caught at East Haugh on Saturday.
On the middle river, there were fish caught at Lower Kinnaird and Dalmarnock last week, which included a magnificent twenty pounder at Lower Kinnaird on Saturday. There was a nice fish caught from the Lady Pool at Dunkeld on Wednesday.
Mr Berwyn Morris made the long journey north from Wales to fish the Tay at Newtyle and was rewarded for his efforts. Mr Morris caught a nice fish from the Trap on the fly on Monday evening. It was deja vu for Mr Morris on Tuesday evening when he caught another fish, this time from the Boil. There was more success at Newtyle on Wednesday.
It was good to see a couple of fish caught from the Murthy 1 Beat on Tuesday, with another fish landed from the beat on Thursday. There was success at Stenton on Monday and Wednesday.
Two fish were caught at Kercock on Monday. Successful anglers included Mr Paul Jack. On Saturday, Kercock regular Mr Kenny Milne caught a nice fish from the beat.
At Meikleour, Mr Keith Collins had a great start to the week when he caught a nice eight pounder from Boxwood Bush on a riffle hitch fly. On Wednesday, angler Richard caught a lovely fresh fish at Meikleour.
On Saturday, Mr Graham Dempster enjoyed success when he landed a good summer salmon from the Tunnel Stream.
There were a couple of fish caught at Islamouth on Monday. Mr Iain Clark and Mr Graeme Caton were the successful anglers catching fish from Davie’s Stone and the Longhead.
On Tuesday, Ms Kelly Caton caught a cracking fresh fish from Sandyford. On Wednesday, that man, Mr Graeme Caton, was at it again when he caught a lovely fish from the Ringstone.
On Friday, both Mr Angus Drummond and Mr Ian Galletly caught fish from the Longhead at Islamouth.
Mr Michael Scholley caught a magnificent fifteen pounder from the Clockston at Ballathie on Monday.
On Wednesday, Mr Will Scholey and Mr Stewart Woolhouse both caught nice fish at Ballathie from the upper beat.
On Thursday, Mr Will Scholey caught his first ever fish on the fly when he landed a sparkling grilse from the Cradle. Ballathie finished with six fish for the week.
It was a happy Monday for Mr Iain Jardine, who caught a lovely fish from the Cradle on the fly at Cargill. Mr Iain Jardine enjoyed more success at Cargill on Tuesday when he landed another good fish.
Mr David Sands landed a fish at Cargill on Wednesday and there was also more success for Mr Iain Jardine. There were two more fish caught at Cargill on Saturday.
It was a good day at Stobhall on Tuesday when three fish were landed from the beat. There was more success at Stobhall on Wednesday when a fine sixteen pounder was caught.
There was more success at Stobhall during the second half of the week. The Stobhall Beat finished with seven fish for the week.
It was good to see a fish caught at Pitlochrie on Wednesday. At Fishponds, there was a cracking seventeen pounder landed on Thursday from the Luncarty Pool. On Friday, a good fish was caught from the Craigs at Fishponds. The fish was caught on a Vision lure.
There were four fish caught at Waulkmill on Monday, including a fine eighteen pounder. On Tuesday, three more fish were caught at Waulkmill; this time, the biggest weighed nineteen pounds. It just goes to show the caliber of fish the Tay system can produce at this time of year. The Waulkmill Beat finished with ten fish for the week.
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 4th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Lower Farleyer 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, East Haugh 1, Lower Kinnaird 3, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 3, Murthly 1, 3, Stenton 2, Kercock 3, Meikleour & U Islamouth 2, Islamouth 8, Ballathie 6, Cargill 9, Stobhall 7, Pitlochrie 1, Fishponds 2, Waulkmill 10
Total: 65 Largest: Lower Kinnaird 20lbs
A RISE IN TEMPERATURES IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 6th July 2026)
Last week saw much cooler and fresher conditions than of late, which was a blessing for anglers. There were also showers and even some longer spells of rain. It started to get warmer over the weekend and unfortunately, this theme is likely to continue as we move into next week. Temperatures are likely to rise into the low twenties on most days. Monday and Tuesday will see showers, or even longer spells of rain, affecting much of Perthshire. However, from midweek onwards, high pressure is set to build from the south, bringing plenty of dry weather. Winds will be light and it will start to feel much warmer.
The quality of some of the fish caught from the Tay system last week was second to none. These included some very hard fighting strong grilse as well as liced larger summer salmon. There were numerous fish weighing well into the teens landed, and a number of much larger fish lost. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come as we move through July. The runs of summer fish entering the river should start to gain momentum over the next few weeks,, ensuring good sport for anglers and, hopefully, a productive second half of the season on the river.
Last week, salmon were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill. 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 in the upcoming days, so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? You might just get that 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.