(River Tay weekly report week ending 23rd March 2024)
We are now moving towards the end of March and as each day passes, hopefully, more hard fighting spring salmon will be running the Tay system. Over the next few weeks, we should be entering the prime spring period on the river and hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had.
April and May are lovely months to visit beautiful Perthshire, with signs of spring all around the countryside. It is also a great time of year to wet a line on the mighty River Tay and her tributaries as the runs of spring salmon gradually gain momentum.
There were some magical moments for anglers last week as the Tay produced some magnificent first salmon, despite unsettled river levels on certain days.
On Saturday, Trolling for Salmon on Loch Tay landed a lovely spring salmon, which was safely returned after a great fight.
On the upper river, there was a fish caught from the Lower Farleyer Beat on Monday. On the River Tummel at Portnacraig, Mr Les Dargie caught a superb fourteen pounder on Monday. The fish was caught from the Portnacraig Bank and was the first fish caught this season from the beat on the fly. Next on the scoresheet at Portnacraig was Mr Alun Williams, who caught a fine seven pounder on Tuesday from the Portnacraig Bank. On Friday, Mr Alan Haynes enjoyed success at Portnacraig when he landed a nice ten-pounder on the fly from the Pitlochry Bank.
On the main river, it was good to see a fish caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat on Monday. Mr Dave Maxwell had a day to remember at Newtyle on Monday. He landed a lovely fourteen pounder from the Plain Tree Pool. Two more fish were also lost on Monday at Newtyle.
It was a fantastic Friday at Newtyle for Mr Chris Robertson. Mr Robertson got a savage take in the Plain Tree Pool and after a great fight went on to land a lovely fresh fish. This was Mr Robertson’s first ever salmon, a fish he will never forget!
On Saturday, things got even better at Newtyle. First on the scoresheet was Mr Ray Higney, who caught a fine fish from the Trap after lunch. Later in the afternoon, Mr Sandy Datta caught a nice nineteen pounder on the harled fly from the Alders. Both fish were in excellent condition and put up a great fight. It was good to see fish caught from both Murthly beats this week.
On Saturday, after six years of perseverance, Mr Ian Healey made magical memories at Cargill. Mr Healey caught a magnificent springer, which was his first ever salmon. Well done, Sir. Hopefully, this will be the first of many!
There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
There were some lovely springers caught from the Tay system last week, so why not cast a line on the magical River Tay next week? It could be the perfect way to end March on a high!
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. 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 23rd March)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Lower Farleyer 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 3, Lower Kinnaird 1, Newtyle 4, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 1, Cargill 1
TOTAL: 12 LARGEST: Newtyle 19lbs
IMPROVING CATCHES AS WE MOVE INTO APRIL?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 25th March 2024)
We move towards April next week and April and May are usually prime spring months on the Tay system, especially for beats on the middle river. Catches on many of the Tay’s tributaries, including the Tummel and Isla, usually also improve.
Last week’s weather was quite unsettled, with frequent showers or longer spells of rain. In spite of this, some lovely spring salmon were caught from the Tay system.
Over the weekend, it felt colder, with a northerly airflow developing. It has also been very windy. There have been frequent heavy showers, some of which were wintry over higher ground.
Looking ahead to next week, we will see some showers affect Perthshire on Monday; however, winds will thankfully ease. Tuesday should be mainly dry. From midweek onwards, it is set to turn unsettled again and colder as an easterly wind develops. There could be some snowfall, especially over the higher ground. The unsettled theme is likely to continue as we move towards Easter weekend. Catches were well spread on the river from Lower Farleyer down to Cargill last week. There were also several nice fish caught from the River Tummel. There is a decent chance of making contact with a fresh fish on the main river almost anywhere. The River Tummel and Isla are also worth a cast.
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the Tay system 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.