(River Tay weekly report week ending 1st March 2025)
We have now moved into March and this is often when many anglers decide to pick up a rod for the first time in the new season. In March, the days get notably longer and the weather starts to improve. Usually, more fresh fish begin to enter many of Scotland’s salmon rivers, including the Tay. Salmon fishing in March can often be a much more pleasurable experience than in January and February. March heralds the beginning of the meteorological spring; thankfully, we can finally say goodbye to winter.
The weather started to play ball last week due to relatively little rainfall. River levels gradually dropped throughout the week as fishing conditions improved. It was also quite frosty on some mornings. There were some nice spring salmon caught from the Tay system last week, which was good to see.
On the River Tummel, Mr Paul Carter caught a nice eight pounder at Portnacraig on Saturday.
The fish was caught on the fly from the Pitlochry bank in the morning.
Mr Jim Lamb caught a lovely springer on Saturday afternoon at Newtyle. The fish was caught on the fly from the Cotter Pool on the stroke of 5pm. Mr Stuart Lang had a lovely springer from the Glendelvine Beat on Friday. The fish was caught from the neck of the Minister’s Pool on a 3-inch Kynoch lure.
It was a fantastic Friday for Mr Allan Plant Jnr who was fishing at Meikleour. Mr Plant was fishing Boxwood Bush when he hooked a powerful fish in the morning. After a great fight, Mr Plant landed a lovely springer. The fish was caught on a copper salmo lure.
On Tuesday there was a fine eleven pounder caught from the Taymount Beat and on Thursday there were two more fish caught at Taymount including a magnificent nineteen pounder.
Tay regular Mr John Bennett had a super Saturday at Pitlochrie. Mr Bennett was fly fishing the Horsey Pool when he hooked a powerful fish. After some long, powerful runs, Mr Bennett went on to land the sparkling nine pounder. Well done Sir!
Further downstream, Mr Mikal Chmielewski landed a lovely fourteen from the Fishponds Beat on Saturday. The fish was caught from Fishponds Green on a Salmo lure. This was the first fish of the season at Fishponds and hopefully, the first of many!
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats, which do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
With some fine fish being landed in recent days why not chase Scottish spring silver on the Tay next week? You could have that day to remember!
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,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Beat catches reported (For beats wishing to be included in this report only)
(week ending 1st March)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Newtyle 1, Glendelvine 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, Taymount 3, Pitlochrie 1, Fishponds 1
Total: 9 Largest: Taymount 19lbs
MORE SPRING SILVER TO BE LANDED IN THE DAYS AHEAD ON THE TAY SYSTEM?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 3rd March 2025)
It was good to finally get some decent weather and settled water levels last week after what feels like an age. This allowed anglers to enjoy a full week of fishing with the river in good condition for many beats. It has been mainly dry over the weekend across Scotland. Looking ahead to next week, Monday should be mostly dry. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we could see some light patchy rain mainly affecting the western parts. Towards the end of the week, it may turn more unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain. Temperatures should be around low double figures.
There were some lovely springers landed last week. As we move through March, the fish will gradually begin to spread themselves throughout the system, so anywhere on the main river could produce that elusive springer next week. Loch Tay and the River Tummel are also worth considering.
With some nice fish being landed last week hopefully there will be more spring silver to be landed in the days ahead. 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 early spring period (January-March)
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 get in touch with your ghillie for up to date advice on tactics and what tackle to bring before visiting the River Tay.
Fly Fishing
During the early spring months, water temperatures are often low and river levels are high. In such conditions, the depth at which your fly moves through the water column can be the key to success. Often you may be required to use floating lines coupled with sinking polyleaders, intermediate or even full sinking lines. It is therefore important that you have a fly rod that can work in harmony with a heavy line. As the Tay is a big river, a powerful fifteen-foot rod with a ten-line rating usually covers almost any eventuality.
In terms of lines, whether a full Spey line or Shooting head system, a floating line coupled with a selection of polyleaders of various sink rates can work well. An intermediate or full sinking line may be required in higher water to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has 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 to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain during the early spring period. Usually, a breaking strain between fifteen and eighteen pounds is ideal.
During the early part of the season, tube flies often work well. If the water temperatures are low, weighted copper, brass, or even tungsten tubes of a decent length will allow your fly to get well down and close to where the fish will likely be lying. In cold weather, the fish are unlikely to be keen on moving fast, so it is better that your fly moves through the water column at an adequate depth and not too quickly.
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 cast lures comfortably, 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 during the early spring months. Vision 110s and Rapalas are also lures that are well worth considering.
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 that is very much dependent on water height 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 worth remembering when releasing fish to keep them in the water for as long as possible and use minimal handling. Please also give the fish plenty of time to recover before releasing them. Anglers must treat their quarry with the utmost respect at all times.