(River Tay weekly report week ending 30th August 2025)
We have now moved into September and this can potentially be a productive month on many of Scotland’s salmon rivers, including the mighty Tay. Looking around us, the landscape is changing. The leaves on the trees gradually transform from bright, vibrant greens to a pale yellows. On the moorland, the heather is blossoming into colour. The geese are returning to our shores once again, having made their annual migration South and the days are drawing in, with the nights getting cooler. This can only mean one thing: changing the seasons, as we move from summer to autumn. Traditionally, the 1st of September marks the beginning of the autumn salmon fishing period and soon the summer season will be a distant memory.
The weather certainly had an autumnal flavour to it last week. After a warm and sunny start to the week, a large area of low pressure, which had the remnants of Hurricane Erin, brought spells of heavy showers and even some longer spells of rain. By the end of the week, it felt considerably cooler, which was a bonus for anglers. There was a decent lift in water on Thursday following heavy showers on Wednesday. The river rose by around two feet, which was much needed. The lift in water proved to be the catalyst for better fishing as catches were much improved on Saturday.
On the upper river, it was good to see a fish caught at Upper Farleyer on Saturday. On the middle river, a couple of fish were caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat during the first half of the week and there was success at Dalguise on Wednesday. There was a fish caught at Dalmarnock on Friday. It was good to see a fish caught at Dunkeld on Thursday. On Saturday, Mr Ronnie Blair enjoyed success at Dunkeld when he landed a nice fish from the Mouse Trap on a Vision 110 lure. Mr David Gardner caught a lovely fish from the Boil on the fly at Newtyle on Friday evening.
The Murthly 2 Beat has produced some nice fish in recent weeks and last week was no different when a magnificent seventeen pounder was caught from the beat on Monday. This was one of two fish caught from the beat. The Murthly beats finished with a combined total of thirteen fish for the week.
Mr Jerry King had a happy Friday when he caught a fine eight pounder at Delvine. The fish was caught from the head of the Delvine Pool on a Vision 110 lure. There was more success at Delvine on Saturday.
It was good to see a fish caught at Kercock on Wednesday. On Thursday, there were three fish caught at Kercock. Successful anglers included Mr Paul Temple, amongst others. On Friday, Mr Richard Wheeler and Mr Richard Chambers both caught nice fish at Kercock. There were four fish caught at Kercock on Saturday.
Mr Kenny Milne caught a lovely fish weighing twelve pounds and Mr Richard Witt landed a fine twelve pounder.
Mr Jason Gore had a day to remember at Islamouth on Thursday when he caught his first ever salmon. The fish was caught from the Ash Tree Pool. On Friday, Mr Gore caught another fish, this time from Donnits. A fish was caught at Meikleour on Monday, with three more landed from the beat on Saturday.
There was a fine brace landed at Ballathie on Tuesday, which included a cracking twenty two pounder. Ballathie continued to catch some nice fish as the week progressed. There was a great hat trick landed at Cargill on Thursday. It was a fantastic Friday at Cargill with six fish landed from the beat. Ms Jasmin Dodds landed Cargill’s 100th fish of the season. There was also another notable catch from the beat. On Saturday, Mr Henry Johnson landed a magnificent Sea trout weighing ten pounds. Sea trout weighing into double figures are very rare on the Tay.
There were fish caught at Taymount on Wednesday and Thursday, with three more landed on Friday. The Taymount Beat finished with twelve fish for the week. It was good to see a fish caught at Stobhall on Friday. The Upper Scone Beat finished with four fish for the week.
On the Stanley beats, there was a fish caught at Pitlochrie on Thursday, with Mr Hector Rawson being the captor. On Saturday, there were five fish caught at Pitlochrie by Mr Hector Rawson’s party. The fish were caught from the Horsey Pool on both fly and spinner. Mr David Blades caught two nice fish from Benchil on Monday.
There was a fish caught at Fishponds on Tuesday. It was a good start to the week at Upper Redgorton on Monday, where a nice fish was landed. There was more success at Upper Redgorton on Wednesday. The Waulkmill Beat finished with fifteen fish for the week.
Hopefully, going forward, catches will build as we move through September, so many anglers can get their rods bent on a regular basis. 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
(week ending 30th August)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Crieff Angling Club 1, Upper Farleyer 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 2, Newtyle 1, Murthly 2, 10, Murthly 1, 1, Delvine Burnbane 2, Kercock 10, Meikleour & U Islamouth 4, Islamouth 2, Cargill 12, Ballathie 6, Stobhall 1, Taymount 12, Pitlochrie 6, Upper Scone 4, Benchil 3, Upper Redgorton 2, Fishponds 1, Waulkmill 15.
Total: 103 Largest: Ballathie 22lbs
UNSETTLED WEATHER AS WE MOVE INTO THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 1st September 2025)
We moved into September last week, which marks the beginning of Scotland’s autumn salmon fishing season. September was often a prime month on the River Tay, in years gone by, when the famous Tay autumn run started. Sadly, there is not much of a genuine autumn run across Scotland these days. Hopefully, there will be some nice fresh fish entering the river in the upcoming weeks and with a bit of luck, anglers will land plenty of salmon
It was quite unsettled during the second half of last week as low pressure influenced our weather. There were frequent showers and even some longer spells of rain, which led to a lift in water on Thursday. It also felt considerably cooler towards the end of the week. Over the weekend, the unsettled theme has continued with low pressure firmly in charge. There were frequent showers over the weekend and heavy rain on Saturday evening. This led to a rising river again on Sunday.
Looking ahead to next week, there is a distinct autumnal feel to the weather. Monday and Tuesday will see more showers as low pressure remains firmly in charge. Wednesday should be drier before more showers affect much of the country towards the end of the week. It will be breezy occasionally with temperatures in the mid to high teens.
On the main river, salmon were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability on the river next week, so why not wet a line? There is no better way to start the autumn season than by landing a big Tay cracker!
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