(River Tay weekly report week ending 19th September 2026)
We are now in mid-September, and only three full weeks of the Tay salmon fishing season remain. It would be fair to say fishing conditions have been challenging for anglers on the mighty Tay this autumn so far, with low water. Indeed, there has not been a decent spate for months. However, there was a small lift in water through the middle part of last week and at this stage any lift is welcome.
It was another week of unsettled weather, especially during the first half of the week. Heavy rain fell across the western side of the catchment area on Monday night, leading to a rising river on Tuesday, with further showers towards the end of the week. It was also very windy on Saturday, which made fishing challenging, to say the least!
There were some nice fish caught from the Tay system last week but the vast majority were older models. However, it was good to see multiple fish weighing in excess of twenty pounds landed over the course of last week. On the upper river, a fish was caught at Lower Farleyer on Monday. Last week on the middle river, fish were caught at Dalguise, Lower Kinnaird, Dalmarnock and Murthly 1. This included a magnificent twenty two pounder which was landed at Dalmarnock on Monday.
Mr Chris Blake proved that salmon are like London buses when he was fishing at Kercock on Thursday. Mr Blake caught not just his first but also his second ever salmon. Well done Sir! On Friday, father-and-son duo Mr Roddy and Mr Rob Bramwell both caught fish at Kercock, which was lovely to see. Mr Matte Blake also caught an eight pounder.
It was a happy Monday for angler Annie, who was fishing at Meikleour. Annie managed to land two nice fish from the beat from the Castle and also Boxwood Bush.
Annie enjoyed more success on Tuesday when she caught a lovely fish on a Red Francis fly. Three salmon in two days can’t be bad! It was a productive day at Meikleour on Friday when four fish were caught from the beat. Anglers Darren, Paul and Mick all caught fish. The fish were caught from the Pumphouse Croy, Ferry Pool, Boxwood Bush and the Castle.
It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Islamouth on Friday. Eight fish were caught during the first half of the week at Ballathie, and the decent sport continued as the week progressed. Successful anglers included Mr Barry Ward amongst others.
At Cargill, three fish were caught from the beat on Monday. On Tuesday, Mr Steve Curnow and Mr Wayne Hyde both enjoyed success at Cargill.
On Wednesday, Mr Gavin Mason caught a nice fish at Cargill, and this was one of three fish caught for the day.
On Thursday Mr Gavin Mason was at it again. Mr Mason landed a cracking twenty three pounder on the fly which led him a merry dance. More fish were caught towards the end of the week at Cargill.
The Stobhall and Taymount beats both finished with nine fish for the week.
Four fish were landed at Upper Scone over the course of last week.
On the Stanley Beats, Mr Jason Stratton caught a cracking fresh twenty two pounder at Benchil on Tuesday. The powerful fish led Mr Stratton a merry dance and he ended up landing it on the beat below despite the fish breaking his fly rod! I
t was music to everyone’s ears at the end of last week on Pitlochrie when Austrain DJ, landed his first ever salmon from Horsey, well done Sir! There was success at Benchil towards the end of the week.
Mr Eddie Alexander landed a couple of fish at Luncarty on Friday, which was good to see.
At Fishponds, the Hughes party fished the first three days of the week. Charlie Hughes got the party off the mark on Monday when he landed a nice twelve pounder from the Craig’s and Scott from Logiealmond managed to get his rod bent with a lovely five pound grilse from the Well Hole in the evening. Other successful anglers included Mr Adam Joseph and Ms Liz Wills.
With only three full weeks of the Tay salmon fishing season remaining, time is running out to land that last big Tay salmon of the year, so why not have a cast? Nothing beats landing a big Tay cracker!
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 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 19th September 2026)
SALMON & GRILSE: Rhiedorrach Estate 1, Lower Farleyer 1, Dalguise 1, Lower Kinnaird 4, Dalmarnock 3, Murthly 1, 6, Kercock 6, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 9, Islamouth 2, Ballathie 16, Cargill 25, Stobhall 9, Taymount 9, Pitlochrie 1, Benchil 3, Upper Scone 4, Fishponds 4, Luncarty 2, Upper Redgorton 3, Waulkmill 14
Total: 123 Largest: Cargill 23lbs
SETTLED WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 23rd September 2019)
It was another week of unsettled weather across Scotland. At the beginning of the week, a spell of heavy rain across the western side of the catchment area led to a rising river on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the rise was not the big spate everyone had hoped for. As the week progressed, the weather did settle somewhat.
Over the weekend, there were some showers on Saturday and it was very windy, but Sunday was drier. Looking ahead to next week, high pressure is set to build, bringing dry, settled weather, especially during the first half of the week. It is also set to get milder. Temperatures will be in the high teens to the low twenties for the most part. As we move towards the end of the week, low pressure may start to influence our weather, bringing stronger winds and showers, or even longer spells of rain.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of hard fighting grilse and larger salmon and most of these were older fish. Fish were caught from the Lower Farleyer down to Waulkmill, with the majority of fish caught on the lower river. The best chance of success next week is likely to be on beats situated on the middle and lower river. As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system in the upcoming days, with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. So why not have a September day on the Tay next week? With only three full weeks of the season remaining, you could have that 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 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
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