(River Tay weekly report week ending 8th March 2025)
We have now moved into March and the spring salmon fishing season is well underway in Scotland. There have been some fine spring salmon caught on many of Scotland’s rivers, including the mighty River Tay and hopefully, catches in the next few weeks will go from strength to strength. The Tay system can often produce some big springers in March and fingers crossed this will be the case as we move through the month. As we all know, if you want to catch a big springer in Scotland, the Tay can often produce the goods.
It was quite a settled spell of weather across Perthshire last week. It was mainly dry during the first half of the week, with some rain affecting the western side of the catchment area on Wednesday. It was also very windy from time to time which made fly fishing challenging at times. Water levels were decent for many beats and it was good to see improving catches on the Tay system.
There was a lovely springer caught on the upper river last week on Friday at the Pitnacree & Balnabeggan Beat. The River Tummel at Portnacraig has produced a few fish recently; last week was no different. Mr Steve Watt caught a nice fish from the beat on Tuesday. The fish weighed sixteen pounds and was caught from the Pitlochry bank.
There was more dam success on Wednesday when three fish were caught from the beat. In the morning, Mr Massimo Castelvecchi caught a lovely nine pounder on the fly from the Pitlochry bank. Mr Jim Fisher also enjoyed success landing an eleven pounder which was also caught on the fly. In the afternoon, Mr Steve Watt landed a fine seven pounder on the spinner from the Portnacraig bank. Mr. Steve Watt had more success on Thursday at Portnacraig when he caught another seven pounder on the spinner.
The Dalguise Beat had a magical Monday when the first fish of the season was caught from the beat. The magnificent springer weighed nineteen pounds and after a great fight, was safely returned. It was good to see success at Dalmarnock on Tuesday. There was a fine fish caught from the Dunkeld Beat on Thursday.
At Newtyle Mr Gordon Holland tasted success on Thursday. Mr Holland was fly fishing the Cotter Pool when he hooked a powerful fish. The fish made numerous long runs and led Mr Holland a merry dance. The fish was eventually landed in the Boil Pool. Well done Sir!
It was great to see the Murthly Beats get off the mark with a lovely springer on Thursday. The fine fish was caught on the fly from the Murthly 2 Beat and weighed eighteen pounds. There was more success on the Murthly 2 Beat on Saturday.
The Stenton Beat got off the mark for the season on Tuesday when a nice fresh springer was landed. There were two fish caught at Glendelvine on Monday. Mr Cohn Odee landed a magnificent fish weighing 17.5 pounds. Mr Darren Arthur also enjoyed success at Glendelvine when he landed a nice eight pounder. Both fish were caught on a Tomic lure from the Bargie. Two springers in early March from one beat can’t be bad!
On Wednesday, there was more success at Glendelvine, this time for Mr Kevin Gilmour. Mr Gilmour landed a fine seven pounder which was caught on a Park Shrimp harled fly. The Taymount Beat produced a fish on Wednesday and a magnificent twenty pounder was caught from the beat on Friday.
There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
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 (only for beats that wished to be mentioned in the TDSFB report)
(week ending 8th March)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Pitnacree & Balnabeggan 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 5, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 2, 2, Stenton 1, Glendelvine 3, Kethick Streams 1, Taymount 2
Total: 19 Largest: Taymount 20lbs
MUCH COLDER IN THE DAYS AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 10th March 2025)
The Tay system continued to produce some nice spring salmon last week. It was mainly dry for much of last week, apart from some rain on Wednesday, which led to a lift in water. It was also breezy, especially during the first half of the week.
Over the weekend it was mainly dry on Saturday and Sunday. Looking ahead to next week it is set to get much colder as a northerly wind sets in. This will lead to a few wintery showers over the mountains with the odd snow flurry down to lower levels. The first half of the week will likely be cold with the possibility of some snow showers. Temperatures will be in single figures with night time frosts. It should be mainly dry with light winds towards the weekend, but it will remain cold.
There were some cracking springers caught from the Tay system last week. As we move through March, more of these magnificent fish will be landed. There is a reasonable chance of catching a springer almost anywhere on the main river next week. Loch Tay and the River Tummel may also be well worth a cast. 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.