(River Tay weekly report week ending 16th May 2026)
We are now in mid-May and at the height of the Scottish spring. However, last week you could have been fooled into thinking we were back in winter. A cold, gusty northerly wind made it feel far from springlike at times, and when you combine this with heavy showers through the middle part of the week, it felt more akin to early March. Some of the showers fell as snow over the mountains. Temperatures were in the low double figures for the most part. Thankfully, towards the end of the week, the winds eased and there were fewer showers, and it started to feel a little milder. River levels were steady for much of last week and the river remained at a good height for many beats. It was good to see catches on the River Tay improve markedly last week and hopefully this will be a sign of things to come in the days ahead.
There were some nice fish caught from Loch Tay last week. Successful anglers included Mr. Hugh Meudell, amongst others. On the upper river, there were some cracking fish landed. PDAA member Mr. Alasdair Fyfe had a happy Monday when he was fishing the Upper Farleyer Beat. Mr. Fyfe landed two fine springers weighing nine and eleven pounds. What a great result… do Mondays get any better than this? There was another fish caught at Upper Farleyer on Tuesday. The Farleyer beats finished with a combined total of eight fish for the week.
It was good to see a fish caught on Loch Faskally on Friday. On the River Tummel at Portnacraig, Mr. Roger Collins caught a nice seven pounder on the fly from the Portnacraig bank on Monday.
On Tuesday at Portnacraig, there were three fish landed from the beat. Mr Gordon Nichol caught a lovely eight pounder from the Pitlochry bank in the morning. Shortly afterward, Mr. Dave Stewart caught a nine pounder. In the afternoon, Mr. Stuart Davies landed an eight pounder from the Pitlochry bank.
Mr. Jim Fisher and Mr. Iain Mclaren both caught nice fish from the Pitlochry bank at Portnacraig on Wednesday.
On Friday, Mr. Colin Hyslop caught a fine eight pounder on the fly from the Portnacraig bank. The Portnacraig Beat finished with eight fish for the week. It was also good to see fish caught from the Sawmill Beat of the River Tummel by PAC members last week.
At Dunfallandy and West Haugh, Mr Gavin Thomson caught a lovely nine pounder on Thursday. Further downstream on the River Tummel, there was a fish caught from the East Haugh Beat on Monday, weighing fifteen pounds.
It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Wednesday.
There was success at Dalguise on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Angler Moritz had a day to remember at Newtyle on Thursday when he caught a fine springer from the Boil. The fish put up a great tussle before it was safely returned.
Mr Grant Kellie had a fantastic day at Newtyle on Thursday when he landed not one but three springers from the Steps Pool. The fish were all caught in the space of forty-five minutes. It was definitely a case of the action being fast and furious! On Friday, angler Patrick from Germany caught a nice springer from the Deans Burn at Newtyle.
It was a fantastic start to the week at Murthly, where on Monday, there were six fish landed from the Murthly 2 Beat. Four of the fish were caught by Mr. Tony Black. More fish were caught on both Murthly beats as the week progressed.
Mr Gordon Hyslop had a fantastic Thursday on the Murthly 1 Beat when he landed four springers on the fly. Well done, Sir…does spring salmon fishing get any better than this? The Murthly beats finished with a very creditable combined total of twenty-three fish for the week.
Mr. Stuart Lang caught a nice fish from the Boat Pool on the fly at Glendelvine on Tuesday.
Mr. Magnus Gloak caught a lovely springer at Kercock on Saturday. The fish gave Mr. Gloak a great fight before it was safely returned.
At Meikleour, Mr. Rae enjoyed more success after catching fish the previous week when he landed a lovely fish from the beat on Monday.
On Tuesday, the Thomson party got their two days of fishing off to a great start when angler Dave landed a fine nine pounder from the House Pool. Angler Malc then went on to catch an eleven pounder from Boxwood Bush. Both fish were first ever salmon for the anglers. There were more firsts on Tuesday at Meikleour when angler Phil caught two salmon in two casts, weighing twelve and sixteen pounds. These were Phil’s first ever salmon. Three firsts in one day cannot be bad!
It was good to see a couple of fish caught on the Kethick Mains Beat of the River Isla on Tuesday.
At Islamouth, a couple of fish were caught on Monday. Mr. David Mayhew caught a lovely fish on the fly from the Longhead in the morning. In the afternoon, Ms. Rosamund Weaver caught a fine fish from Sandyford.
On Wednesday, seven fish were landed at Islamouth. Successful anglers included Mr David Mayhew, who caught a lovely fish from the Longhead and Mr Richard Schuster, who landed fish from the Longhead and also Donnits.
On Thursday, Mr. Ed Amory caught a cracker from the Longhead and Lady Jane Parker landed a magnificent brace, catching fish from both Donnits and the Longhead. The Islamouth Beat finished with fourteen fish for the week.
Mr. Bob Ford had a happy Monday at Ballathie when he caught a lovely fish from the Bridge Stream on the upper beat. The fish weighed eleven pounds. On Wednesday, Mr. Stuart Norton caught a magnificent seventeen pounder again from the Bridge Stream at Ballathie. On Friday, Mr. Andrew Wright caught a sea liced nine pounder from Ballathie.
It was a day to remember at Cargill for Mr. Chris Silk. After five years of trying, Mr. Silk caught his first ever salmon the fly from the Bridge Stream. Well done for your perseverance and hopefully the next fish will be just around the corner! There was another fish caught at Cargill on Saturday.
There was a fine brace landed at Taymount on Wednesday. The Stobhall Beat finished with six fish for the week. Further downstream, there was a nice fish caught at Benchil on Saturday.
With only a couple of weeks of the spring season remaining, time is running out to make contact with big Tay Springer. So why not book a day on one of Scotland’s most famous and prolific salmon rivers next week? You might just have that May Day to remember!
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 (For beats reporting on Fishpal only)
(week ending 16th May)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 7, Lower Farleyer 1, Loch Faskally 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 8, East Haugh 1, 2, Dalguise 3, Lower Kinnaird 2, Newtyle 5, Murthly 1, 8, Murthly 2, 15, Glendelvine 1, Kercock 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 5, Kethick Mains 2, Islamouth 14, Ballathie 3, Cargill 2, Taymount 4, Stobhall 6, Benchil 1
Total: 91 Largest: Lower Kinnaird & Ballathie 17lbs
WARMER WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 18th May 2026)
It was very cool at times last week for mid-May, mainly due to the northerly wind, which persisted for much of the week. Temperatures were in the low double figures for the most part. There were heavy showers throughout the middle part of the week, which fell as snow over higher ground. Thankfully, towards the end of the week, winds became a little lighter and temperatures recovered. Over the weekend, it was mainly dry on Saturday with some showers on Sunday.
Looking ahead to next week, it is set to get warmer but low pressure will dominate during the first half of the week. This will lead to unsettled spells of weather at times. On Monday, there is a chance of a few showers with some rain on Tuesday. The rain could be heavy in some spots. From midweek onwards, it is likely to become drier and temperatures will rise. By the end of the week, some parts of Scotland could hit twenty degrees!
Catches improved markedly on the Tay system last week. There were some lovely spring salmon caught, and hopefully, there will be plenty more in the days ahead. Again, last week’s catches were well spread on the Tay system from Upper Farleyer down to Benchil. There were also fish caught on Loch Tay and the River Tummel. A number of the fish caught were sea liced which was good to see. Fresh fish could be caught almost anywhere on the main river, as well as Loch Tay, the River Tummel and the River Isla in the upcoming days
There is good availability on the river next week to suit all budgets and the great variety of fishing on offer on the Tay system is second to none. With some nice fish being caught from the river in recent days, why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay next week?
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 spring period (April-May)
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 April and May water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. As river levels start to drop and water temperatures rise often heavy sinking lines and big tube flies are no longer needed. Instead sink tip lines or even floating lines coupled with a sinking polyleader can be more than adequate.
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 ideal.
In April and May depending on the water height and temperature smaller tube flies of various weights can work well. If the water temperatures are low weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes will allow your fly to get well down. Usually by late April and into May depending on the water height dressed flies can also be considered as a good alternative to the tube.
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. In April and May, the Floating Devon can also work well. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. These lures can be excellent during the spring months. Once the water temperature rises sufficiently the Flying C is also a great lure and one which can produce the goods.
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 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.