(River Tay weekly report week ending 14th March 2026)
We are now well into the spring salmon fishing season on the Tay. Hopefully, as each week goes by, there will be more pods of fresh spring salmon entering the Tay system, ensuring anglers enjoy some decent early-season sport.
There were some nice fish caught from the Tay system last week, despite fishing pressure on the river remaining relatively light. It is likely that if there had been more anglers fishing on the river, more fish would have been landed. With Easter now only a few weeks away, hopefully increasing numbers of anglers will be wetting a line on the mighty Tay in the upcoming weeks.
River levels were settled at the beginning of last week with decent weather. Conditions were good for mid-March on many beats. However, from midweek onwards, low pressure began to dominate, leading to showers and even longer spells of rain. Heavy rain on Thursday led to a rapidly rising river and it was also very windy. River levels on the Ballathie gauge peaked at over eleven feet. By the end of the week, it felt considerably cooler with even some snow showers falling over higher ground.
At the head of the system, it was good to see Loch Tay produce a few nice fish last week. Mr. Hugh Meudell had a fantastic Friday when he landed two lovely springers. Mr. David and Mr. Gary Henderson had a super Saturday when they caught a fine fish from the loch. The Trolling for Salmon on Loch Tay team, run by Mr. Robert McFarlane, enjoyed success on Saturday when their guest, Mr. Peter Christie, whose first time it was out on the loch fishing for spring salmon, landed a cracking springer after a great fight.
On the River Tummel at East Haugh, it was a magical Tuesday for Mr Gordon Graham, who caught a lovely springer. This was the first fish of the season caught from the East Haugh Beat and weighed fifteen pounds. Hopefully, beats on the River Tummel will start producing fish more consistently in the days and weeks ahead.
It was good to see the first fish of the season caught from the Stenton Beat on Monday. At Glendelvine, Mr. John McElroy caught a fine springer weighing ten pounds on a Nasty Banana fly from the Garth on Saturday.
Mr Jim McLanaghan caught a fine sea licer at Meikleour on Friday from Islamouth. There was more success at Meikleour on Saturday this time for Mrs Claire Mercer Nairne, who landed a fine fourteen pounder. The fish was also caught in Islamouth.
Mr. Iain Wood had a happy Monday when he landed two springers on the fly at Islamouth.
Three more fish were caught at Islamouth on Tuesday.
Successful anglers included Mr. Iain Wood and Mr. Jonathan McNeish, amongst others.
Mr. Alan Riddell had a great day on Friday at Ballathie. Mr. Riddell was harling the upper beat when he got a powerful take. After a great fight, Mr. Riddell went on to land a magnificent twelve pounder.
The Taymount Beat continued its recent run of good form with two fish landed from the beat on Monday, with another fish caught from the beat on Wednesday. There was success at Stobhall on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday.
Peth and District Angling Association member Mr. Mateusz Pokora caught a lovely eight pounder from the Burnmouth Beat on Monday. Mr. Magnus Gloak enjoyed success at Burnmouth on Tuesday when he landed a nice springer. What made the day sweeter was that it was Mr. Gloak’s birthday. Do birthday presents get any better than this?
Fish of the week had to go to Mr. Smith, who was fishing at Upper Redgorton on Saturday. Mr. Smith landed a magnificent twenty one pounder. This just goes to show the calibre of fish the Tay is capable of producing at this time of year!
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 (week ending 14th March)
SALMON & GRILSE:
East Haugh 1,Stenton 1, Glendelvine 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 2, Islamouth 5, Ballathie 1, Taymount 3, Stobhall 3, Burnmouth 2, Upper Redgorton 1
Total: 20 Largest: Upper Redgorton 21lbs
THE PROSPECT OF MORE SETTLED WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 16th March 2026)
It was a dry start to last week but the weather became more unsettled as the week progressed. This led to a rising river on Thursday. It also turned colder with some snow showers over higher ground towards the end of the week. Over the weekend, it was mainly dry on Saturday, with some showers on Sunday, which were wintry over the mountains.
Looking ahead to next week, it is set to remain unsettled for the first half of the week, but high pressure is likely to build from midweek onwards, bringing largely settled weather. Monday will see a few showers with Tuesday being mainly dry. From midweek onwards and into next weekend, it is set to be mainly dry with light winds. Temperatures will be mostly in the low double figures.
Catches were again mostly concentrated on the lower river last week. It was also good to see Loch Tay and the River Tummel also produce some nice fish.
On the main river, there is a decent chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere, as catches from last week would suggest. A number of Tay beats offer prime spring salmon fishing at this time of year, which represents excellent value for money compared to many other rivers across Scotland. So why not wet a line on the Tay next week? You might just experience some mid-March magic!
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.