(River Tay weekly report week ending 2nd August 2025)
We moved into August last week, which can be a prime summer month on many of Scotland’s rivers, including the mighty Tay. Given decent conditions, it is usually when summer salmon and grilse runs peak. Hopefully, sport will be brisk on the river in the month ahead and many anglers will have smiling faces.
It was quite a benign weather story last week. It was cloudy for much of the week with some sunny spells. There were a few showers but not much in the way of heavy rain. River levels were steady for the most part, with water levels at a good height for many beats.
It was great to see some magnificent larger summer salmon caught, as well as numerous hard fighting fresh grilse. Hopefully, this trend will continue as we move through August.
There were a couple of fish caught from Loch Faskally on Friday, which was good to see after a lean season on the loch so far. On the middle river, it was good to see a fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Wednesday and Saturday. On Tuesday, Mr Scott Maggart caught a lovely fish from the Bridge Pool at Dalguise. There was also success at Dalmarnock on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was a fantastic Friday at Dalmarnock with four fish, including a fine twelve pounder, landed from the beat.
A couple of fish caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Monday, including a cracking seventeen pounder. There was another fish caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Thursday. The Stenton Beat enjoyed success during the middle part of the week.
There were a couple of fish caught at Glendelvine on Monday, Mr Craig Ramsay accounting for both from the Garth. On Friday, Mr Charles Martin had a nice fresh grilse from the Stone Seat at Glendelvine. It was good to see a fish caught at Kercock on Thursday. At Meikleour, a fine brace was caught from the beat on Monday.
The Islamouth Beat has produced some nice fish recently; last week was no different. Mr Guy Finlayson caught two nice fish from the beat on Monday. The fish were caught from Donnits and the Newshot. Other successful anglers at Islamouth during the first half of last week included Mr Neil Tong and Mr Barry Ward.
During the second half of the week, Mr Tom Leslie and his party were fishing at Islamouth. Mr Leslie had a fine thirteen pounder on Thursday with another party member landing a nice fish on Friday.
There was success at Cargill on Monday, with three more fish landed from the beat on Tuesday. On Friday, Mr Jake Herman caught a nice fresh grilse at Cargill. The Ballathie Beat finished with a couple of fish for the week. It was a great start to the week at Stobhall on Monday with four fish landed from the beat. Three more fish were caught at Stobhall on both Tuesday and Wednesday, with more success on Thursday.
The Upper Scone Beat finished with five fish for the week. On the Stanley Beats the Pitlochrie Beat produced a fish on Thursday. Mr Andy King had a day to remember on Monday at Benchil. Mr King caught his first ever salmon from the Long Shot on the fly.
Benchil regular Mr Tim Greenfield also enjoyed success at Benchil on Monday when he caught a magnificent sixteen pounder on the fly. There were two more fish caught at Benchil on Friday.
On Tuesday, Mr Tim Greenfield was at it again when he caught a fresh grilse at Luncarty. Not to be outdone, Mr Frank Muller also caught a nice fish at Luncarty.
It was good to see a fish caught at Fishponds on Monday. On Tuesday, Mr David Somerville had an interesting and eventful tussle. Mr Sommerville hooked a nice fish on the fly. While playing the fish, the fly rod handle snapped, leaving the reel separate. Thankfully, Mr Somerville held the rod during the rest of the fight, and knight in shining armour, Mr Simon Furniss operated the reel! What transpired was a cracking fourteen pounder. Well done, gentleman, on keeping a cool head in the face of adversity!
It was a super Saturday for Mr Martin Ferrie at Fishponds. Mr Ferrie caught three salmon up to seventeen pounds, all on the fly. Mr Ferrie also lost two. Do Saturdays get any better than that?
A fine hat trick was landed at Upper Redgorton on Monday, with another fish caught from the beat on Tuesday. There was a fine trio of fish landed at Upper Redgorton on Thursday. Further downstream, the Waulkmill Beat finished with a couple of fish for the week.
Let us hope that good numbers of fish enter the river throughout August so that many anglers can enjoy that magical experience of landing some hard fighting Tay silver!
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 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 2nd August 2025)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Faskally 2, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 6, Murthly 2, 3, Stenton 1, Glendelvine 3, Kercock 1, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 2, Islamouth 7, Ballathie 2, Cargill 10, Stobhall 12, Taymount 2, Pitlochrie 1, Upper Scone 5, Benchil 4, Fishponds 7, Upper Redgorton 11, Luncarty 2, Waulkmill 2
Total: 86 Largest: Cargill 19lbs
A STORMY START TO THE WEEK AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 4th August 2025)
We have now moved into August, which can often be one of the most productive months on the Tay system. Usually, good numbers of summer salmon and grilse are entering the system and everyone will be keeping their fingers crossed for a productive month ahead.
It was mostly dry last week apart from the odd shower. Temperatures were in the high teens for the most part and winds were generally light. Over the weekend, it was mainly dry on Saturday with some rain early on Sunday. Looking ahead to next week, Monday will be quite stormy as a powerful low-pressure system is set to traverse the country. There is likely to be gale force winds coupled with a spell of heavy rain. Tuesday should be mainly dry apart from a few showers with temperatures around average values. From midweek onwards, high pressure will build, leading to plenty of dry and settled weather.
Last week, fish were caught from Lower Kinnaird down to Waulkmill, with the majority of fish caught on the middle and lower river. An excellent variety of salmon fishing is available on the Tay system next week, including fishing on some very prestigious beats. As always, the River Tay offers excellent value for money, so why not chase some August silver next week? You might just have one of those midsummer days 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.