(River Tay weekly report week ending 1st February 2025)
We moved into February last week and are now into the final month of winter. So far it has been a relatively mild winter with the odd cold snap. However, as we all know, February can be a bitterly cold month with extreme weather, including heavy snowfall, but hopefully, this will not be the case in the upcoming weeks.
It was quite an unsettled start to last week, with heavy rain last weekend, and this led to a rising river on Monday. The culprit was a large area of low pressure centred close to the UK. However, as the week progressed it became more settled and water levels gradually began to drop. Temperatures were around average for the time of year and towards the end of the week there were some night time frosts.
Fishing pressure was relatively light again on the Tay system but more anglers did venture out to have a cast towards the end of the week as conditions improved. There were reports of some good fish lost on the river, including a powerful fish at Glendelvine from the Boat Pool on Friday and a couple at Kercock throughout the week. Whether they were springers or not, we will never know, but what we can say for certain is that they were strong fish. The common consensus on the river is that if there had been more rods fishing, there would have likely been a few more fish caught.
It was great to see the second salmon of the season caught from the Tay system on Monday. The stunning twelve pounder was caught from the famous Cargill Beat. Mr. Stewart Scott and ghillie at Cargill Mr. Dyllan Dunbar headed out in spite of a rising river and were rewarded for their efforts with a sparkling springer from the Garden Pool. The fish took a pearly pink Tomich lure. What a fish and well done, gentleman. It was a truly magical Monday at Cargill!
On Saturday, Kinnaird Head Ghillie Mr Martin Edgar took his twelve year old son, Ewan, out for a cast on the upper beat. Father and son were fishing in the Meetings Pool when young Ewan hooked a powerful fish. After a terrific fight, Ewan went on to land a magnificent eighteen pounder. Well done young man! What a fantastic moment to share between a father and son.
Hopefully, as we move through February, more fresh fish will enter the system, and catches will gradually build. This should provide anglers a decent chance of catching that elusive Tay springer.
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 February)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Kinnaird 1, Cargill 1
Total: 2 Largest: Upper Kinnaird 18lbs
A FEW MORE SPRINGERS AS WE MOVE THROUGH FEBRUARY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 3rd February 2025)
Fishing pressure remains relatively light on the Tay system, which is unsurprising as it is still early in the season. However, it was good to see the second and third salmon of the season caught from the Tay system last week. As we move through February, hopefully, there will be a few more springers caught from the river.
Looking ahead to next week, Monday should be mainly dry, but there will be some rain on Tuesday. High pressure is set to build from midweek onwards, bringing dry and more settled conditions. Temperatures should be around or just above average values for this time of year.
There is a reasonable chance of finding that elusive springer almost anywhere on the Tay system in the upcoming days, so why not wet a line on the Tay next week? There might just be a springer with your name on it!
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.