(River Tay weekly report week ending 10th September 2022)
We moved deeper in autumn last week and the signs were there for all to see. The weather had a distinctly autumnal feel with a large area of low pressure firmly in charge for much of the week. This led to frequent heavy showers some of which were thundery in nature. There were also some longer spells of rain. All the wet weather led to the first decent lift in water on the Tay system in months with levels peaking at the Ballathie gauge at over seven feet. Unfortunately, river levels were unsettled and there were multiple lifts in water through the course of the week and at times the river became quite coloured, especially on the lower beats. Undoubtedly more fish would have been caught if conditions had been kinder to anglers. A period of settled weather and steady river levels would suit anglers down to the ground now and hopefully, this will be just around the corner.
On the upper river, there were fish caught at Upper Farleyer and Upper Kinnaird last week.
On Wednesday there were four fish caught on the Lower Kinnaird Beat including a magnificent twenty four pounder. It was good to see a fish caught on Tuesday at Dalguise and three more on Friday. There was success at Dalmarnock on Wednesday.
It was a great start to the week on the Murthly 2 Beat with eight fish caught during the first two days and the good sport continued through the course of the week. The Murthly 2 Beat finished with a very respectable eleven fish for the week given the conditions. There was a fine brace caught at Glendelvine on Saturday.
At Kercock there were fish caught on most days last week including three on Saturday, the beat finished with nine fish for their week. The lucky anglers to mention just a few were David Martin who landed two grilse and a lovely twelve pounder. Kenny Milne managed a lovely seven pounder on an orange & black tube.
The lift in the water certainly helped catches at Meikleour with fifteen fish caught for the week. Claire Mercer Nairne caught the largest fish from the beat so far this season, weighing a staggering twenty one pounds. On Friday was the turn of Mr Tim Onderko from the US who caught his first ever salmon from the beat. I think that smile says it all!
At Islamouth the Moffat party landed five fish during the first half of the week, the largest weighing fifteen pounds. Towards the end of the week, the Jones party enjoyed some good sport catching fish everyday including six on Friday.
It was good to see a fish caught at Ballathie on Monday and Friday.
There were several nice fish caught at Cargill through the course of last week including nine on Monday and six on Tuesday. Successful anglers at Cargill last week included Mr Neil French and Mr Iain Jardine amongst others.
It was a fantastic Friday for Ms Melanie James at Cargill when she caught her first ever salmon. Well done Melanie, you never forget your first! This was one of three salmon caught from the beat on Friday.
It was a super end to the week at Cargill when eleven fish were landed on Saturday. Ms Melanie James after catching her first salmon on Friday made it look easy when she caught three fish in an hour. Other successful anglers included Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason and also Mr Anthony James.
There were some nice fish caught at Stobhall last week including four on Friday and seven on Saturday. At Taymount a magnificent twenty five pounder was caught on Friday and the beat finished with twenty three fish for the week.
Further downstream there was a fish caught at Upper Scone on Tuesday and there was success at Fishponds on Monday and Thursday. It was good to see a couple of fish caught from Luncarty on Friday. The beat definitely benefits from higher water. The Waulkmill and Almondmouth beats finished with twelve and nineteen fish respectively for the week.
There would likely have been more fish caught from the Tay system if river levels had been a bit more settled last week. Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on many beats and the prospects for the next few days look decent.
With only four weeks of the season remaining why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? You might just have that autumn 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 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 10th September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, Lower Kinnaird 5, Dalguise 4, Dalmarnock 1, Murthly 2, 11, Glendelvine 2, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 9, Kethick Mains 1, West Grange 4, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 15, Islamouth 14, Ballathie 2, Cargill 36, Stobhall 14, Taymount 23, Catholes 1, Upper Scone 1, Fishponds 2, Luncarty 2, Waulkmill 12, Almondmouth 19.
Total: 181 Largest: Taymount 25lbs
COULD SETTLED RIVER LEVELS IN THE WEEK AHEAD LEAD TO IMPROVED CATCHES?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 12th September 2022)
It was a week of what could have been on the River Tay last week. It appeared that autumn had arrived in earnest and with it a large area of low pressure resulting in showers and longer spells of rain across much of Scotland including Perthshire. This led to unsettled river levels on the River Tay and as we all know this is hardly conducive for good salmon fishing. If river levels become more settled in the upcoming days it is highly likely that catches will improve next week.
It has been mainly dry on Saturday and also most of Sunday. There is a spell of wet weather which is set to affect much of Perthshire on Sunday night going into Monday. Monday will see a few showers. From Tuesday onwards the weather should be set fair for the rest of the week as high pressure builds. It will feel quite cool in the keen north westerly wind with temperatures widely in the mid-teens. So, all in all, fishing conditions look good in the upcoming days.
Last week, on the main river fish, were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth with the bulk of the action on beats situated on the lower river. There were also fish caught on the River Ericht. The recent lifts in water should encourage any fresh fish in the estuary to run. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats located on the middle and lower river.
With only around four weeks of the season now remaining why not wet a line and chase some Tay autumn silver in the upcoming days? You might just have a Tay cracker 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 autumn period (September and October)
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 autumn months, water temperatures usually begin to fall on the river but much depends on the weather. The weather and water conditions can vary greatly during the autumn months with hot weather and low water coupled with high water temperatures especially if we have an Indian summer. Conversely, it can be quite cool with regular spells of wind and rain and even night time frosts. The fish also start to become a bit more aggressive especially when they turn their thoughts towards spawning. At this time of year, full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well especially if conditions are more akin to the summer months.
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, colder water a sink tip or intermediate line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got 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 autumn period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there can be some large fish around towards the end of the season. Usually, a breaking strain of around fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the autumn months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well if river levels are low and temperatures are high. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. If there are frequent night time frosts and high water, tube flies of various lengths and weights may be the order of the day.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven feet 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 autumn months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive.
The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures are higher 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. In high cold water, it can often be more about fishing the lure that bit slower and at an adequate depth.
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 autumn months, good conditions arise on many beats for harling, especially in higher water. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practised at the beat ghillies discretion.