(River Tay weekly report week ending 31st May 2025)
We have now moved into June, which marks the beginning of the summer salmon fishing season across Scotland. In the next few weeks, grilse and summer salmon will start running our rivers in ever-increasing numbers. Summer is a fantastic time to be out in the great Scottish outdoors. The leaves on the trees are green and vibrant and there are signs of life everywhere you look. The longer nights at this time of year also offer more angling opportunities, with evening fishing becoming possible and also productive. In addition to salmon fishing, June and July can also be good months for Sea trout fishing. Traditionally, the runs of Sea trout peak within the next six weeks and a nice hard fighting Sea trout can brighten up any angler’s day, especially if the salmon are not playing ball!
We finally got a lift in water on the Tay system last week, which was desperately needed and led to the season’s most productive week so far. It was not the big rise everyone hoped for; instead, it was a much smaller lift. There were heavy showers and some longer spells of rain across the western side of the catchment area and by Tuesday, the river had risen by almost a foot. There were further small lifts in water as the week progressed and after such a prolonged dry spell, any rise was welcome.
It was a great Monday morning on the River Garry at Ruan Ruarie. Mr Gordon Redmond had two nice fish weighing five and ten pounds. Fish of the day had to go to Mr Fraser Thomson, who caught a magnificent springer weighing twenty pounds. What a fish! Do Mondays get any better than this?
On Wednesday, Mr Gordon Hanslip landed a fine twelve pounder from the Portnacraig Beat on the River Tummel. A fish was caught from Lower Kinnaird on Monday, with three more caught from the beat on Wednesday, including a sixteen pounder. The Lower Kinnaird Beat finished with six fish for the week. It was good to see a lovely springer caught from the Otterstone Pool at Dalguise on Saturday.
It was a good start to the week at Newtyle when a nice springer was landed from the beat on Monday. On Tuesday Mr James Dougal caught a lovely fish from the Trap weighing ten pounds. It was good to see fish caught on the Murthly 2 Beat on Thursday and Friday.
There was success at Stenton on Tuesday and Saturday and it was good to see a fish caught by Mr Stuart Lang at Glendelvine on the fly from the Stone Seat on Wednesday. On Friday, Mr. Jim Lapsley caught a cracking springer on the fly weighing twelve pounds from the Red Brae at Delvine. The fish put up a great fight and was in excellent condition.
At Kercock there was a fish caught from the beat on Wednesday. Mr Andy Spencer caught two fine fish at Kercock on Thursday. The two fished weighed nine and ten pounds.
It was a great end to the spring season at Kercock on Saturday when seven fish were landed from the beat weighing up to twenty one pounds. Mr Magnus Gloak got proceedings off to a flyer when he landed a lovely fish in the morning. Mr Paul Jack also landed a nice springer as did Mr John Dewar. Other successful anglers included Mr. Scott Sykes and Mr. Sandy Datta. All in all a great day’s sport had by all!
At Meikleour, there was a fish caught on Wednesday, with four more landed from the beat on Friday. The Islamouth Beat has produced some nice fish recently; last week was no different. On Monday, Mr Robert Mayhew caught a lovely fish from the Cuttie. On Wednesday, Ms Evie McGill caught her first ever salmon from the Longhead. A massive congratulations to Ms McGill hopefully the first of many!
Mr Graeme Clark had a happy Monday at Ballathie. Mr Clark caught a nice fish from the Cradle weighing approximately eleven pounds.
It was a great end to the week at Ballathie with three more fish caught from the beat on Saturday.
At Cargill, Mr Jim McGuire caught a cracking springer on Monday. The fish was caught on a Vision 110 lure. Ms. Lucinda Ewin caught a fine brace at Cargill on Wednesday. Mr Simon was next on the scoresheet at Cargill when he landed a couple of fish despite the challenging wind on Thursday. The Cargill Beat finished with six fish for the week.
Ms Sarah Taylor was fishing with a new fishing rod on Monday at Stobhall. Ms Taylor christened her new rod in style when she caught a lovely fifteen pounder! There was also another fish caught at Stobhall on Friday.
It was a day to remember for Mr Joe Gilchrist on Tuesday at Benchil. Mr Gilchrist was fishing the Long Shot when he hooked and landed his first Tay salmon for three years. Mr Gilchrist also went on to catch a nice Sea trout.
Further downstream it was good to see a fish caught at Waulkmill on Monday.
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 get in touch with 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 31st May )
SALMON & GRILSE:
Ruan Ruarie 3, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Lower Kinnaird 6, Dalguise 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 2, 2, Stenton 2, Glendelvine 1, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 10, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 5, Islamouth 2, Ballathie 4, Cargill 6, Stobhall 2, Taymount 1, Benchill 1, Waulkmill 1
Total: 51 Largest: Kercock 21lbs
ANOTHER UNSETTLED WEEK AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 2nd June 2025)
We finally got a lift in the water last week after a relentless dry spell, which has lasted what feels like an age, leading to the most productive week of the season so far. Heavy showers and some longer spells of rain across the Western side of the catchment area led to a slight lift in water at the beginning of the week. However, catches improved on the back of this, which was good to see. Further showers and rain led to quite unsettled river levels for the rest of the week with more small lifts in water. Over the weekend there were some heavy showers on both Saturday and Sunday. It also felt a little milder over the weekend.
Looking ahead to next week the unsettled theme is set to continue with showers and even some longer spells of rain. Monday will be mainly dry. From Tuesday onwards, there will be some showers or longer spells of rain and it could be windy at times. Temperatures will be in the mid-teens for much of the week.
It was good to see catches improve on the river last week; the water lift definitely helped. Catches on the Tay system were again well spread from Lower Kinnaird down to Waulkmill. There were also fish caught from the River Garry and Tummel. Many of the fish caught were sea liced indicating that the fish entering the system were running hard. Grilse and summer salmon should start to be caught in the upcoming weeks as well as some late running springers and this will give anglers some optimism for the summer season. Given the recent lift in the water, there is a decent chance of picking up fresh fish almost anywhere on the main river next week.
As always, the River Tay offers anglers fantastic value for money with a wide range of salmon fishing to suit all tastes. There is decent availability in the upcoming days on some fantastic beats, so why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most famous and iconic salmon rivers? There could be a big Tay salmon 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 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.