(River Tay weekly report week ending 28th May 2022)
We move into June next week which will mark the end of the spring salmon fishing season on many rivers across Scotland. In the past, June had been a bit of an enigma in terms of salmon fishing on the Tay. Often there would be a lull in the action as the spring run had travelled up the river and reached the headwaters of the system and the grilse and summer salmon run had not arrived in any great numbers. However more recently, June has proved to be a quite productive month on the Tay. There appears to be more late running springers entering the river each year and this coupled with a few early summer fish has led to anglers enjoying some good sport.
It was another mixed bag of weather last week with sunny spells and blustery showers. It also felt quite cool and fresh in the wind. Into the weekend high pressure started to build bringing more settled drier conditions to much of Scotland but it continued to feel cool in the northerly breeze. The water temperature last week was 10.4 degrees Celsius which is 50.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the upper river, there were some nice fish caught from the Upper Farleyer Beat through the course of last week. It was great to see success at Edradynate on Monday where a nice thirteen pounder was landed and then safely returned. There was a fine sixteen pounder caught from the beat on Saturday.
On the River Garry, Mr Paul Carter caught the first fish of the season from the Ruan Ruarie Beat on the fly on Saturday. Loch Faskally produced a fish on Wednesday. The fish was caught on a salmo lure.
On the River Tummel, Mr Iain McLaren enjoyed a happy dam Monday when he landed a lovely thirteen pounder on the fly at Portnacraig. The fish was caught from the Pitlochry bank.
On Wednesday Mr Robert Thain caught a nice springer from the Pitlochry Bank at Portnacraig on the fly. The fish weighed thirteen pounds. Next on the scoresheet at Portnacraig was Mr Kyle Gardner who caught a ten pounder on the fly on Thursday. The Portnacraig Beat finished with four fish for the week.
There was a couple of nice fish caught from Lower Kinnaird on Friday including a cracking fifteen pounder. It was good to see a nine pounder caught from Dalguise on Thursday by a visiting French party. There was a nice fish caught at Dalmarnock on Wednesday.
At Newtyle the good sport continued with a fish landed from the beat on Monday. On Tuesday Newtyle regular Mr Peter Dobson landed a lovely fish weighing eleven pounds from the Cotter on the fly. Mr Dobson who is eighty two years young has been a keen supporter of the Tay for decades making multiple visits each season from Lancashire.
He has fished the Newtyle Beat for years and so this fish was very well deserved. It just goes to show life starts at eighty for some anglers on the Tay!
Mr Jim Wilson caught a nice fish from the Trap at Newtyle on Wednesday. Mr Massimo Cavaliere had a day to remember on Friday at Newtyle. Mr Cavaliere was enjoying his first day’s salmon fishing when he hooked and landed his first ever salmon weighing eleven pounds from the Steps Pool. A special moment indeed! The Murthly 1 Beat produced fish on a number of days last week which was good to see.
Dr Alastair Mitchell had a special day at Kercock on Tuesday. Dr Mitchell was fishing the famous Cottage Stream when his fly line tightened. What ensued was a terrific acrobatic battle. Dr Mitchell went on to land a lovely seven pounder. The fish was caught on a Cascade tube fly. Well done sir!
Mr John Hedges was attending a fly casting course at Kercock last week and his hard work came to fruition when he landed spring silver. Mr Hedges caught his first salmon on the fly on his third day fishing. Just great to see!
Mr Terry Davies almost left things until the final whistle on Monday at Meikleour. Mr Davis hooked and landed a fine twelve pounder on the fly on his very last cast of the day. The phrase better late than never springs to mind!
Mr Davies enjoyed more success at Meikleour on Wednesday when he caught a nice ten pounder.
Next on the scoresheet at Meikelour was Mr Allan Laing who caught a magnificent fresh fish on Thursday despite the strong and gusty wind.
At Islamouth there were three fish landed up to sixteen pounds during the first half of the week. Later in the week, Mr Chris White caught a lovely eleven pounder. Islamouth finished with six fish for the week.
It was great to see success at Ballathie on Monday and Friday. On Saturday Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason caught a lovely springer on the fly from the beat. There was a nice fish caught at Taymount on Tuesday and it was a successful Saturday at Stobhall. Towards the bottom end of the river, the Benchil Beat produced a fish on Monday and there were a couple of fish caught from Almondmouth on Saturday.
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
(week ending 28th May)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Farleyer Upper 5, Edradynate 2, Ruan Ruarie 1, Loch Faskally 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 4, East Haugh 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 1, Newtyle 4, Murthly 1, 4, Kercock 2, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 4, Islamouth 6, Ballathie 2, Cargill 1, Stobhall 1, Taymount 1, Benchil, 1, Almondmouth 2
Total: 46 Largest: Upper Farleyer, Edradynate & Islamouth 16lbs
WHAT WILL THE BEGINNING OF JUNE HAVE IN STORE?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 30th May 2022)
Last week saw unsettled conditions predominate across Perthshire with low pressure influencing our weather, especially at the beginning of the week. There were spells of heavy rain and from time to time there was a distinct chill in the air. Over the weekend it was mainly dry as finally high pressure built but the chilly feel continued in the northerly wind.
Looking ahead, to next week the cool weather is set to continue. Monday and Tuesday will see plenty of widespread showers and will feel quite cold with temperatures in the low double figures. Winds will be lighter than of late. The unsettled theme will continue from midweek onwards with showers or longer spells of rain.
As we will be moving into early June next week there is a good chance of encountering a late running springer as well as a summer salmon and hopefully, this will be the case in the days ahead. It will be interesting to see what June will have in store for anglers fishing on the Tay system.
Catches were again well spread last week from Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth. There were also fish caught from the River Garry, Loch Faskally and the River Tummel. Many of the fish caught were sea liced indicating that the fish entering the system were running hard. There is a good chance of picking up a fresh fish almost anywhere on the main river next week as the spread of recent catches would suggest.
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 a go. 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 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 respect at all times.