(River Tay weekly report week ending 20th July 2024)
We are now moving towards the end of July. Over the past few days, it has felt more like summer as temperatures have risen to more seasonable norms. The mercury hit the low twenties across some parts of Perthshire through the middle part of last week. This was not ideal for salmon fishing but some cracking salmon were still caught from the Tay system, which was good to see. River levels were steady for the most part, apart from a slight lift midweek and this led to a coloured lower river on Wednesday. Overall, conditions were decent for much of last week.
On the upper river, there was success at Edradynate on Monday and Tuesday. Mr Rob Larkman had a fantastic day at Upper Farleyer on Tuesday. Mr Larkman was fishing the Junction Pool when he had a powerful take on the Fly. The fish was difficult to move for the first fifteen minutes of the fight. Eventually, after a great battle, Mr Larkman went on to land the magnificent nineteen pounder.
A nice brace was caught at Lower Kinnaird on Monday and Tuesday, including a fine seventeen pounder. The Lower Kinnaird Beat finished with nine fish for the week.
On Wednesday, a nice grilse was caught on the Fly at Dunkeld. On Monday, Mr Paul Roy from Dubai achieved a very rare feat at Newtyle. On his first ever cast salmon fishing, Mr Roy hooked a salmon. After a great fight, Mr Roy caught his first salmon from the Trap. Well done, Sir!
Next on the scoresheet at Newtyle on Monday was Mr Richard Henderson, who landed a nice fish from the Steps Pool. A total of three fish were caught from Newtyle on Monday. It was a good end to the week at Newtyle for Mr. Dave Maxwell, who caught a fine grilse from the Trap on Saturday.
A fine fish was caught from the Murthly 1 Beat on Tuesday, and three fish were caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Monday. The Murthly Beats continued to produce fish as the week progressed, and they finished with a combined total of eleven fish for the week, including a cracking twenty pounder caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Friday.
At Kercock, fish were caught on Wednesday and Thursday. The week ended well, with three fish caught from the beat on Saturday. Successful anglers at Kercock last week included Mr. Scott Sykes, Mrs Anthea Harrison and Mr Ernie Donell, who caught a lovely fresh grilse weighing six pounds.
It was good to see a fish caught at Meikleour on Monday and two more landed from the beat on Wednesday. There were some lovely fish caught at Cargill last week. Successful anglers at Cargill included Mr. Mark Bellismo from Northumberland and Mr. Andrew Bendall, amongst others. The Cargill Beat finished with eleven fish for the week.
Taymount finished with five fish for the week. There was success at Pitlochrie on Monday. Mr. Dave Holmes had a day to remember at Pitlochrie on Friday. Mr Holmes caught three cracking fish from the beat, including two on the Fly. What a fantastic Friday!
Mr Jason Stratton had a fantastic day at Benchil on Tuesday. Mr Stratton landed three cracking fish up to fourteen pounds, all from the White Craigs Pool. Three salmon in a day is not too shabby and a great day’s sport in anyone’s book. The White Craigs has now been renamed Jason’s Hole!
On Thursday at Benchil, Mrs. Ann Emsens and Mr. Alistair Dunbar enjoyed success when they caught nice fish from the Long Shot. Both fish were caught on the Fly. On Saturday, Mr. Dave Holmes was back at it again at Benchil when he caught a nice grilse on the Fly from the Long Shot.
At Fishponds, Mr James McDonald caught two fine fish from the Craigs on Monday weighing thirteen and sixteen pounds. The fish were caught on a Vision X120 lure and both gave an excellent account of themselves. On Saturday, Mr Grant Macintyre caught a lovely grilse from the Luncarty Pool at Fishponds.
It was good to see fish caught at Upper Redgorton on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Mr Paul Devlin enjoyed a happy Monday at Luncarty, landing some cracking salmon weighing up to sixteen pounds on the Fly. Last week, other successful anglers at Luncarty included Mr Robert White and Mr Sandy Datta. There were a total of eight fish caught for the week at Luncarty.
At Waulkmill, a couple of fish were caught from the beat on Monday. On Saturday, two fish were also caught from the beat, including a magnificent twenty pounder. There were also fish caught last week on beats, which do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
With many people still on holiday, this is the perfect time to book fishing on the river for a few days. Currently, some lovely salmon are being caught from the Tay system. You just never know there might be a fish with your name on it!
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. 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 wishing to be included in this report only)
(week ending 24th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 6, Lower Farleyer 1, Edradynate 2, Upper Kinnaird 1, Lower Kinnaird 9, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 7, Murthly 1, 2, Murthly 2, 9, Kercock 5, Meikleour & U Islamouth 4, Kethick Streams 4, Cargill 11, Taymount 5, Pitlochry 4, Benchil 7, Upper Scone 2, Upper Redgorton 5, Fishponds 3, Luncarty 8, Waulkmill 5
Total: 101 Largest: Murthly 2, 20lbs Others: 36
COOLER WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 20th July 2024)
Temperatures across Perthshire last week were higher than we have been accustomed to so far this summer. The heat peaked in most places on Friday, with temperatures in Scotland hitting the mid-twenties in many areas, including Perthshire. River levels were steady for most of last week, apart from a small midweek lift, which was good news for anglers. The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting grilse. Many were sea liced, which was great to see. As we move towards August, more salmon should enter the Tay system on a daily basis, giving anglers the chance of making contact with the king of fish.
It has felt slightly cooler and fresher over the weekend, especially on Sunday and thankfully, the cooling trend is set to continue next week. Monday will see some showers or longer spells of rain. It should be mainly dry on Tuesday and Wednesday. The settled weather is likely to continue towards the end of the week and winds will be light.
Last week, fish were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill, with the majority of fish caught on the middle and lower river. The best chance of success next week would probably be on beats situated on the middle and lower river.
As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay in the upcoming days, with fishing to suit even the most discerning anglers’ tastes. So why not chase some summer silver on the Tay next week? You could have that red-letter day to remember!
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.