River Tay weekly report week ending 19th February 2022
It was another week of turbulent weather across much of the country including Perthshire. On Wednesday night going into Thursday Storm, Dudley brought gale force winds and heavy rain, coupled with wide spread disruption across much of the country.
If that was not enough, next to hit us was Storm Eunice on Friday. Eunice caused more disruption south of the border with a rare red warning issued by the Met Office for some parts of England and Wales but the winds were still strong in Perthshire and there was also some heavy snow. The recent unsettled weather has been courtesy of a supercharged jet stream that has been powering its way across the Atlantic bringing deep areas of low pressure to the UK.
A big river at Cargill last week
Water levels remained high for much of last week with the gauge at Ballathie not going much below five feet. On Thursday the river was well over eight feet at Ballathie and unfishable for most beats. Despite the tough conditions, there were some top-quality spring salmon landed from the river last week. It is highly likely that more fish would have been caught if the weather had been kinder to anglers and more rods had been out on the water.
As we move through February more fresh salmon should enter the Tay system on a daily basis and this should give anglers a good chance of making contact with that magnificent Tay springer.
Despite the high water, the Dalmarnock Beat produced a magnificent seventeen pounder on Thursday. It was fantastic to see a fish caught from the River Isla at the Kethick Mains Beat on Monday. Hopefully, this will be the first of many fish caught from the Isla this season.
Mr Davy Donaldson with a cracker caught from Meikleour on Monday
It was another magical Monday at Meikleour. The beat has produced several fish on Mondays recently and last week was no different. Mr Davy Donaldson was fishing the beat with his friend Mr Eddie McGhee when he hooked a powerful fish. After a great fight, Mr Donaldson landed a beautiful sea liced springer weighing eighteen pounds.
More spring silver caught at Meikleour last week!
On Saturday Mr Ryan Stirling had a day to remember. He was fishing the House Pool at Meikleour. After a great fight, Mr Stirling landed his first ever salmon weighing a magnificent seventeen pounds. Well done Sir!
A fine springer gets weighed in the net at Meikleour
Further downstream Mr Simon Bullock enjoyed success at Stobhall on Tuesday. Mr Bullock was just having a few casts on Linn Bank in the Linn Pool first thing as the ghillies on the beat were getting the boats readied for the day ahead when he got a savage take. The fish stayed deep initially and took some powerful runs after which it was netted. The magnificent springer weighed seventeen pounds and was in excellent condition.
Mr Simon Bullock lands spring silver at Stobhall
On Saturday Stobhall was back on the scoresheet again, this time with Mr Iain Law producing the goods. Mr Law hooked a fish in the Linn Pool which then went on to lead him on a merry dance. The fish ran out of the Linn Pool once it was hooked via the gutters and decided to head to the beat below, Burnmouth. After a great fight, the beautiful sea liced thirteen pounder was landed. It was nice to see the Taymount Beat producing a fish on Monday and a couple more on Friday.
Mr Iain Law lands Stobhall silver on Saturday!
If weather conditions settle in the upcoming days this should result in better fishing conditions. There should be a few Tummel salmon beginning to enter the system in the upcoming weeks as well as the salmon destined for Loch Tay and beyond. With the quality of salmon currently being landed on the Tay system being second to none, why not chase some spring silver on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beats landing that February bar of silver.
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 19th February)
SALMON & GRILSE: Dalmarnock 1, Kethick Mains 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 2, Stobhall 2, Taymount 3,
Total: 9 Largest: Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 18lbs
SPORT SHOULD IMPROVE ONCE RIVER LEVELS DROP AND SETTLE!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 21st February 2022)
The past week has seen two named storms hit the country causing widespread disruption courtesy of a supercharged jet stream. A period of settled weather would really benefit anglers as river levels would settle and of course, fishing would be a much more enjoyable experience.
Over the weekend it was mainly dry on Saturday with more rain on Sunday. It has also been quite windy which is now becoming an annoyingly recurring theme. The weather for the week ahead looks unfortunately to be unsettled again. Monday should be mainly dry with the odd wintery shower. It will feel raw in the brisk north westerly wind. Tuesday will see some light patchy rain for a time before drier conditions prevail. From midweek onwards areas of low pressure will come in from the Atlantic bringing periods of wind and rain which will be in dispersed with some drier interludes. Temperatures are set to be around average values for the time of year.
There were fish caught last week from the River Isla as well as the main river. However, the weather conditions for the most part were atrocious and river levels were quite high and unsettled. Unsurprisingly fishing pressure was light on many days. It is likely that once the weather improves this should result in more settled and dropping river levels and hopefully, sport should improve.
Next week there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere on the main river. Loch Tay could also be well worth considering at this time of year. As always there are no shortage of options when it comes to fishing on the Tay system, with fishing to suit all tastes. So why not wet a line on the Tay next week? There might just be a springer 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 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.