(River Tay weekly report week ending 7th May 2022)
We have now moved into mid-May, which is a prime spring month on many Scottish rivers. Before our eyes, the seasons are changing, as we move deeper into spring. With the days getting longer, it is only a matter of time before we experience those magical balmy summer evenings with the dark winter nights being a distant memory. Around us, the landscape is changing and in Perthshire, the banks of the River Tay are becoming a sea of colour. There is more foliage on the trees and vibrant greens are replacing the dull greys, as nature has its relentless paintbrush out once again. This is the time of year when many purists of our sport start their salmon fishing season. With the weather getting warmer and river levels dropping, small dressed flies and floating lines can often be the order of the day.
There were some nice springers caught from the Tay system last week but anglers still had to work hard for their fish. Many of the fish caught were in superb condition which was great to see. River levels were steady for most of the week apart from a small lift in water on Saturday. The water temperature last week on the river was 7.9 degrees Celsius which is 46.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
There was a cracking twenty pounder caught from Loch Tay on Wednesday. On the upper river, Mr Mat Griffin landed a nice thirteen pounder on the fly. The Edradynate Beat produced some nice fish last week including a cracking fifteen pounder caught from the Church Pool on Friday.
There was also success on the Upper Farleyer, Lower Bolfracks and Upper Kinnaird beat amongst others through the course of last week.
On Loch Faskally Mr Michael Russel caught a nice eleven pounder on Monday. Mr James Hyslop also enjoyed success on the loch last week when he landed a lovely springer weighing eight pounds.
There was more dam success at Portnacraig on the River Tummel. On Monday Mr Jim Fisher landed two lovely fish with one being sea liced. Both the fish were caught from the Pitlochry bank on the fly. Further downstream Mr Ally Gowans caught a nice eight pounder from the Sawmill also on the fly.
Mr Gary Westhead caught a cracking ten pounder from Portnacraig on Tuesday. The fish was caught on Mr Westhead’s third cast of the day, talk about making salmon fishing look easy!
Mr Kevin Elliot banished away those Monday morning blues when he caught a fine springer from the Lower Kinnaird Beat and there was a nice fish caught from Dalmarnock on Saturday.
At Dunkeld there was a fine double landed on Tuesday. The fish that were caught weighed fourteen and eight pounds and were sea liced. On Wednesday Mr Tomas Kolesinskas caught a lovely springer on the fly from the Cathedral Stream.
On Saturday Mr Gary Dawkins landed a fine brace at Dunkeld. Mr Dawkins caught a nice springer on a Salmo lure from the Greenbank then enjoyed more success at the Cathedral Stream where he landed a lovely springer on the fly. Two springers in a day can’t be bad!
There was success at Newtyle during the first half of the week. On Monday Mr Russell Brownlee got things off to a flyer when he caught a nice fish from the Steps on the fly.
On Tuesday there was more success this time for Mr Sam Thomson again from the Steps on the fly. Newtyle regular Mr Jon Amos had a nice fish from the Steps on Thursday. On Saturday Mr Joe Hepburn caught a sea liced seven pounder from Fiddlers at Newtyle. It was good to see anglers fishing both Murthly Beats enjoy some decent sport last week.
Mr Martin Furniss had a super Saturday at Delvine & Burnbane when he caught a fine ten pounder from the tail of Sparrowmiur.
Mr David Taylor had a fantastic day at Kercock on Thursday. Mr Taylor was fishing the fly when he got a savage take. After numerous long runs and a great fight, Mr Taylor landed a magnificent springer weighing ten pounds. The fish was caught on an inch long Willie Gunn tube fly. On Saturday Mr John Dewar landed a stunning sixteen pounder at Kercock from the Croys.
At Meikleour Mr Dan Williams had an unforgettable day on Tuesday. Mr Williams was fishing the fly in Boxwood Bush when his line tightened. After a great fight, Mr Williams went on to land his first ever salmon. Well done Sir, a very special moment indeed for any angler!
At Islamouth Mr Paul Ness and his party were fishing during the first half of the week and landed four fish for their three days including a lovely thirteen pounder caught by Mr Jack Hackney. This was Mr Hackney’s first ever salmon a great achievement. During the second half of the week, the Marriner party enjoyed some decent sport with fish landed up to fourteen pounds.
The Ballathie Beat produced a sparkling springer weighing fourteen pounds on Monday. The successful angler was Mr Allan O’Donnell who caught the fish on a Vision110 lure from the Clocksden.
On Thursday Mr Richard Banks was fishing at Stobhall when he caught a stunning sea liced fifteen pounder. The fish put up a great fight and was caught on the fly from Tam’s Corner.
With only a few weeks of the spring season remaining time is running out to make contact with that big Tay springer. So why not book a day on one of Scotland’s most famous and prolific salmon rivers next week? You might just have that May day to remember!
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 7th May)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips 1, Upper Farleyer 2, Edradynate 2, Lower Bolfracks 1, Upper Kinnaird 2, Loch Faskally 4, Portnacraig Pitlochry 3, East Haugh 2, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 6, Newtyle 4, Murthly 1, 2 Murthly 2, 3, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 2, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, Kethick Mains 2, West Grange 1, Islamouth 7, Ballathie 1, Stobhall 1
Total: 50 Largest: Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips 20lbs
MORE STUNNING SPRING SALMON TO BE LANDED IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 9th May 2022)
It has been mainly dry over the past few days across Perthshire apart from some light showery rain. Last week river levels were mainly settled apart from a small lift on Saturday. This is traditionally the prime spring period for many beats on the river and hopefully, anglers will taste success on the Tay over the next few weeks. There were some stunning spring salmon caught last week and there should be more landed in the days ahead.
It has been mainly dry over the weekend but the weather is set to turn more unsettled next week as we get more of an Atlantic influence to our weather as high pressure slips away. Monday will see a spell of heavy rain affect many parts of the country with showers on Tuesday. It should be mainly dry on Wednesday with more showers on Thursday. It will be breezy at times, especially during the first half of the week. Temperatures will be around the mid-teens. There is a chance that towards the end of the week and into next weekend high pressure will start to build once again bringing warmer more settled conditions to much of Scotland.
Again, last week’s catches were well spread on the Tay system from Loch Tay down to Stobhall. A number of the fish caught were sea liced which was good to see. Fresh fish could be caught almost anywhere on the river as well as Loch Tay and Loch Faskally in the upcoming days.
There is good availability on the river next week to suit all budgets and the great variety of fishing on offer on the Tay system is second to none. With some nice fish being caught from the river in recent days, why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay next week? You might just experience some mid-May 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 spring period (April-May)
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 April and May water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. As river levels start to drop and water temperatures rise often heavy sinking lines and big tube flies are no longer needed. Instead, sink tip lines or even floating lines coupled with a sinking polyleader can be more than adequate.
As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful 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 can work well. In higher water, an intermediate or full sinking 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 early spring period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain. Usually, a breaking strain between fifteen and eighteen pounds is ideal.
In April and May depending on the water height and temperature smaller tube flies of various weights can work well. If the water temperatures are low weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes will allow your fly to get well down. Usually by late April and into May depending on the water height dressed flies can also be considered a good alternative to the tube.
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 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. In April and May, the Floating Devon can also work well. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. These lures can be excellent during the spring months. Once the water temperature rises sufficiently the Flying C is also a great lure and one which can produce the goods.
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 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 of respect at all times.