(River Tay weekly report week ending 19th July 2025)
We are now moving towards the end of July and are entering what has been the prime time for summer fishing on the River Tay in recent years. Late July and August have usually been a time when catches have been good and let’s hope this year is no exception. With every tide, more fresh salmon and hard fighting grilse should be entering the river, thereby giving anglers an excellent chance of making contact with that Tay silver tourist
Thankfully, it was significantly cooler last week compared to the previous weekend’s heatwave conditions. It was mainly dry but there were some showers on a few days. On Saturday, there was a spell of heavy rain accompanied by thunder in some places. River levels were steady for much of the week, apart from a small lift during the middle part of last week. Some nice summer salmon and grilse were caught from the river last week and many were sea liced.
On the middle river, there was a fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Monday and there was success at Dalguise on Saturday. It was good to see a fish caught at Dalmarnock on Friday. At Newtyle, Mr Simon Gawesworth caught a fish on the fly from the Trap on Tuesday. Mr Sean Callaghan caught a lovely fourteen pounder from the Steps on the fly on Friday. The Murthly Beats finished with a combined total of six fish for the week.
At Glendelvine, Mr Mark Blair and Mr Jamie Thompson both caught fish on Wednesday. On Friday, Sandy Datta caught a fish from the Garth at Glendelvine. It was good to see a fish caught at Kercock on Monday and a magnificent seventeen pounder, caught from the beat on Saturday.
There were fish caught at Meikleour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last week. Meikleour finished with four fish for the week.
Mr Kevin McKay and Mr Jim Ferrie both caught fish during the first half of the week at Islamouth. On Saturday Mr Ian Farr caught a nice seven pounder from Donnits.
The Ballathie Beat finished with three fish for the week including a magnificent seventeen pounder caught on Tuesday.
At Cargill, there was a fine brace caught on Tuesday. Successful anglers included Mr Steve Curnow and Andrew Bendal. There was another fish caught from Cargill on Wednesday. It was a good end to the week at Cargill with two more fish caught on Saturday. Two fish were caught from Stobhall on Monday, with three more landed on Wednesday.
At Catholes, Mr Jason Stratton landed a fine brace from the Catholes Stream on Saturday. There was success at Upper Scone on Monday. Mr Richard Chambers caught a fine grilse at Pitlochrie on Tuesday. On Thursday, Mr Stuart Vallence caught a nice grilse on the fly from Woodside.
At Benchil, Ms Anne Emsens caught a grilse on the fly from the Long Shot on Monday. Mr John Stuart also landed a cracker.
It was a productive first half of the week at Upper Redgorton with nine fish landed from the beat, with many of the fish caught on the fly from the Craigs Pool.
Successful anglers included Mr Iain Law amongst others.
At Fishponds, Mr Steve Jones landed his first ever salmon from Cochrane’s on Wednesday. The fish was caught on the fly. Well done, sir. You will never forget your first! There was another fish caught at Fishponds on Saturday. Towards the bottom end of the river, the Waulkmill Beat had two fish on Tuesday.
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 19th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 5, Glendelvine 3, Kercock 2, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 4, Islamouth 4, Ballathie 3, Cargill 5, Stobhall 6, Taymount 1, Catholes 2, Upper Scone 1, Pitlochrie 2, Benchil 4, Fishponds 2, Upper Redgorton 11, Waulkmill 2
Total: 63 Largest: Kercock, Ballathie, & Upper Redgorton 17lbs
MORE TOP QUALITY GRILSE AND SUMMER SALMON TO BE LANDED IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 21st July 2025)
There were some lovely fish caught from the Tay system last week; many of these were sea liced, which was great to see. Seeing the quality of some of the fish caught last week was really encouraging. There were several fish weighing in the teens landed last week, and hopefully, this is a sign of things to come. There is a good chance that more top quality grilse and summer salmon will be landed from the Tay in the days ahead.
Over the weekend, heavy showers and some longer spells of rain were affecting much of Perthshire. Some of the showers were thundery in nature. Most of the rain fell towards the eastern side of the catchment area, leading to a water lift on Sunday. Looking ahead to the weather next week, Monday and Tuesday will see more showers affect much of Scotland as low pressure remains firmly in charge. It should turn more settled from midweek onwards as a ridge of high pressure develops. Temperatures will be in the high teens for the most part and winds will be light.
Last week’s catches on the river were well spread. Fish were caught from Lower Kinnaird down to Waulkmill on the main river. Next week, the best chance of success would probably be on the middle and lower river.
With beats on the River Tay offering fantastic value for money compared to many other rivers across Scotland, why not wet a line next week? Nothing quite beats landing some Tay summer silver!
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.