(River Tay weekly report week ending 13th August 2022)
Unsurprisingly it was a tough week for anglers fishing on the Tay last week. Bright days coupled with cloudless skies and soaring temperatures made salmon fishing a very difficult proposition. Monday was warm but as the week progressed it just got hotter and hotter. Temperatures peaked on Friday when some spots recorded in excess of twenty seven degrees. Anglers that fished early in the morning and then again at dusk enjoyed the best of the sport in the cooler, low light conditions. The water temperature last week was 61.0 degrees Fahrenheit which is 16.1 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river it was nice to see a fish caught from the Edradynate Beat on Thursday.
There was success at Lower Kinnaird on Wednesday. It was nice to see a couple of fish caught from the East Haugh Beat of the River Tummel on Monday. There was a fine brace landed at Dalmarnock on Monday. Mr Ray Higney had a happy Monday at Newtyle when he caught a fish from the Trap.
Mr John Dewar enjoyed success at Kercock on Saturday when he caught a lovely grilse. Proceedings got off to a flying start at Meikleour on Monday when there was two nice fish caught on the beat with a further fish landed on Wednesday. At Islamouth Mr Wilson Philips and his party landed one fish during the first half of the week, successful angler being Mr Will Hagas. Mr Gerald Corbet caught a nice fourteen pounder from the beat on Thursday.
Cargill regular Mr Neil French was successful on the beat on Monday. This was one of two fish caught that day. There was more success at Cargill on Wednesday and three fish were caught from the beat on Friday despite the baking hot conditions. On Saturday Mr Frank Minopiro landed a sparkling fresh fish from the beat.
The Stobhall Beat produced a nice fifteen pounder on Monday. Taymount finished with ten fish for the week. There were a couple of fish caught at Upper Scone and Fishponds on Monday. In spite of the tough conditions anglers enjoyed some decent sport at Upper Redgorton during the first half of the week landing eight fish. The Waulkmill and Almondmouth beats produced eleven and eight fish respectively 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 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 13th August)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Edradynate 1, East Haugh 1, 2, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalmarnock 2, Newtyle 1, Murthly 2, 1, Kercock 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 3, Islamouth 2, Cargill 7, Stobhall 3, Taymount 10, Upper Scone 4, Upper Redgorton 9, Fishponds 5, Waulkmill 11, Almondmouth 8,
Total: 71 Largest: Cargill 16lbs
COOLER TEMPERATURES IN THE WEEK AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 15th August 2022)
We are now well into August and this when historically many beats on the River Tay start to make bigger catches. Hopefully in the next few weeks there will be plenty of good fishing to be had on the river.
Last week the weather was far from ideal for salmon fishing. Temperatures were in the mid-twenties for most of the week and this coupled with brassy blue skies and bright sunshine made conditions challenging to say the least. Undoubtedly there would have been more fish caught if fishing conditions were better.
Looking ahead to next week, the weather is set to be much cooler which will be music to the ears of anglers fishing the Tay. On Monday and Tuesday there is a chance of some heavy slow moving showers and these could be thundery in nature. Winds will be light. The unsettled theme is set to continue for much of the week. Temperatures will be mostly in the mid-teens making it much better fishing weather.
Salmon were caught last week from Edradynate down to Almondmouth with the bulk of the action coming from beats situated on the middle and lower river. There were also fish caught from the River Tummel.
There is good availability next week so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? There is no better feeling when the line tightens and that reel sings!
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 a go. 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 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. Anglers must treat their quarry with the utmost respect at all times.