(River Tay weekly report week ending 21st May 2022)
We are now moving towards the end of May which for many, heralds the end of the spring salmon fishing season across Scotland. This of course does not mean that fresh springers cannot still be caught as salmon do not have calendars!
Early June can often be a good time of year to catch late running springers. Indeed, in the past, some of the beats located on the middle River Tay have continued to produce nice spring salmon well into June. Let us hope this is the case in the days and weeks ahead.
It was another week of quite unseasonable weather for late spring with strong winds and spells of heavy rain from time to time. When the sun came out it felt warm and pleasant but when the skies darkened and the heavens opened it felt distinctly chilly. Again, river levels were quite unsettled last week with multiple lifts in water and as we all know this is usually not conducive for good salmon fishing.
On the upper river at Edradynate the week got off to a flyer on Monday when a fine brace was landed. Fish of thirteen and fifteen pounds were both caught on a Blue Angel fly from the beat. Happy Monday! There were two more fish caught from Edradynate on Saturday.
Mr Andy O’ Rouke enjoyed success on Friday on the Newton of Logierait Beat when he landed a nice fifteen pounder on a Salmo lure. The fish was caught from the Greenbank.
It was good to see success at Upper Kinnaird on Tuesday.
It was a great day on Loch Faskally for Mr James Landsman on Thursday. Mr Landsman caught two lovely springers weighing ten and fifteen pounds.
On the River Tummel, Mr Dave Beaton enjoyed a super Saturday when he caught a fine ten pounder on the fly from the Portnacraig Beat. Further downstream on the Tummel the East Haugh 1 Beat produced some nice fish through the course of last week including three on Monday.
On the middle river, there were two springers caught from Lower Kinnaird on Monday weighing sixteen and seventeen pounds and one of the fish was an angler’s first salmon which is always a special moment. There were more nice fish landed from the beat during the course of the week including a sparkling thirteen pounder on Thursday.
There was success at Dalguise on Saturday when Michael Carr hooked and landed a lovely eight pound springer from the Bridge Pool.
At Dunkeld there was a nice thirteen pounder caught from the Lady Pool on a Vision110 lure on Friday.
The Newtyle Beat continued its recent run of good form with a cracking springer caught on the fly from the Boil on Monday. On Wednesday Ms Lucinda Ewin caught a lovely fish on the fly from the Cotter.
Mr Dougie McLean had a day to remember on Tuesday. Mr McLean was fishing the Kercock Beat when he hooked a powerful fish. After several lengthy runs, the fish was safely landed. Well done Sir!
The Taylor party were fishing at Meikleour last week. One successful angler landed three salmon all on the fly including two ten pounders and an eleven pounder. The fish were caught from the Castle and Cormorant Tree. Three springers caught on the fly in a week is a great week’s sport in anyone’s book!
At Islamouth the Collett party were fishing during the first half of the week and landed five fish the best weighing sixteen pounds. There was also fresh sparkling grilse caught from the beat on Tuesday weighing five pounds. It’s good to see grilse now making an appearance on the Tay.
The second half of the week saw Mr Angus Johnstone’s party wet a line at Islamouth. It was great to see a husband a wife double when Mr Robin and Mrs Ann Valentine landed a fish each.
On Thursday Mr James Edwards hooked and landed a fine sea liced fish on the fly at Cargill. There was also success at Taymount during the second half of the week.
Further downstream a cracking twelve pounder was caught at Upper Redgorton on the fly from Lodge End on Tuesday with another fish landed from the beat on Saturday.
With only one full week of May remaining, hopefully, more hard fighting late running spring salmon will enter the Tay system, so anglers can enjoy some good sport. So why not chase some spring silver on the mighty River Tay next week? You might just experience some Tay magic!
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,
Sandy & Samantha Datta
Beat catches reported
(week ending 21st May)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Edradynate 4, Upper Kinnaird 1, Loch Faskally 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, East Haugh 1, 5, Lower Kinnaird 4, Dalguise 1, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 2, Kercock 1, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 3, West Grange 1, Islamouth 9, Cargill 1, Taymount 2, Upper Redgorton 2, Crieff angling Club 2
Total:44 Largest: Lower Kinnaird 17lbs
MORE UNSETTLED WEATHER IN THE WEEK AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 23rd May 2022)
Being in the right place at the right time is a very difficult skill to master as an angler but that certainly seemed to be the key to success on the Tay system last week. Some ghillies reported seeing fish running hard from time to time which was encouraging.
River levels were unsettled for much of the week courtesy of a large area of low pressure anchored in the North Atlantic. This led to frequent spells of heavy rain and strong winds. More fish would likely have been caught if conditions were a little kinder to anglers fishing last week.
Looking ahead to next week, it looks unsettled again with sunshine and showers during the first half of the week with low pressure firmly in charge. Temperatures will be in the mid-teens and it will be breezy from time to time. There are some signs that high pressure may start to build towards next weekend bringing warmer and drier conditions.
Salmon were caught last week from Edradynate down to Upper Redgorton. There were also fish landed on Loch Faskally and the River Tummel which was great to see. As recent catches would seem to suggest there could be a good chance of catching a fresh fish almost anywhere on the system.
As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system next week with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. With less than one full week of the Scottish spring salmon fishing season remaining, time is running out to land that elusive springer. The River Tay might just be the place to do 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 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 is 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 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 for 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. Anglers must treat their quarry with the utmost of respect at all times.