(River Tay weekly report week ending 25th May 2024)
We are moving towards the end of May, which marks the end of the spring salmon fishing season across Scotland. This, of course, does not mean that fresh springers cannot still be caught. Early June can often be a good time of year to catch late running springers. Indeed, in the past, some of the beats located on the middle River Tay have continued to produce nice spring salmon well into June. Let us hope this is the case in the days and weeks ahead, as many anglers will be keeping their fingers crossed.
Last week started on a dry note but heavy rain spread up from the south late on Wednesday and into Thursday. This led to a lift in the water. There were some nice fish caught from the Tay system last week. On the upper river, fish were caught from the Lower Farleyer and Findynate beats. Mr Seane Keene from the USA had a day to remember on Wednesday at Upper Kinnaird. After a brief Spey casting lesson, Mr Keene landed a sparkling springer, which gave a great fight.
On Thursday, a nice fish was caught on Loch Faskally. At Portnacraig on the River Tummel, there was more dam success, this time for Mr Jordan Wilson, who caught a nice eleven pounder on Wednesday. On Thursday, Mr Gordon Hanslip caught a fine ten pounder from the Pitlochry Bank.
There was success at Dalmarnock for syndicate member Mr Scott Macnicol, who caught a fabulous springer from the Dalmarnock Bank Pool on Thursday.
Mr Ronnie Blair caught a cracking thirteen pounder at Dunkeld on Tuesday. Two more fish were caught from the beat on Wednesday, and the week ended well with another fish landed on Saturday.
It was a happy Monday for Mr. Dave Maxwell at Newtyle. After a quick casting lesson, Mr Maxwell started fishing the Steps. Half way down the pool his fly line tightened and what ensued was a terrific battle. After several powerful runs, Mr Maxwell went on to land a sparkling springer. The fish took a Willie Gunn.
Four fish were caught from the Murthly 1 Beat on Monday, and a fish was caught at Stenton on the same day.
There was a casting course being held at Kercock all week. Mr Gareth Jones, who was attending the casting course, had a day to remember on Thursday when he hooked a powerful fish in the Dungeon. After a great fight, Mr Jones went on to land a fine eleven pounder. The fish was caught on an Ice Maiden fly. It is great to see when a casting course comes to fruition for one of its members!
After several near misses over recent weeks, there was good news at Cargill on Monday, where a fine springer landed. Unfortunately, on Tuesday at Cargill, there was another fish lost on the fly. It was a short wait for the next fish to be caught at Cargill, and what a fish it was. On Thursday, Mr Ian Muir landed a cracking twenty pounder from the beat. A proper May Tay springer. Well done, Sir!
There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
With the end of May now almost upon us, more hard fighting late running spring salmon will enter the Tay system, so hopefully, anglers can enjoy some good sport. With the recent lift in the water, there is no reason why fishers will not connect with more top-quality spring salmon in the days ahead.
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 25th May)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Lower Farleyer 2, Findynate 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, Loch Faskally 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 2, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 4, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 4, Stenton 1, Kethick Mains 2, Kercock 1, Cargill 2, Lochlane & Laggan 1
Total:23 Largest: Cargill 20lbs
MORE TWENTY POUNDERS IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 27th May 2024)
There was a lift in water through the middle part of last week following heavy rain on Wednesday and Thursday. Since then, river levels have been steady. Saturday was dry, but there were some heavy showers on Sunday. Looking ahead to next week, it will mainly be a showery theme with low pressure in charge. Some of the showers will be thundery and slow moving. However, towards the end of the week and next weekend, high pressure may nudge in from the Atlantic, bringing more settled conditions. Temperatures will be in the mid to high teens for the most part, and winds will be light.
Salmon were caught last week from Lower Farleyer down to Cargill. Many of the fish caught were sea liced, and with the warmer water temperatures, any fish entering the system are likely to be running hard. There was a cracking twenty pounder caught last week, which goes to show the calibre of fish the Tay system can produce at this time of year. Hopefully, there will be more twenty pounders caught in the days ahead. There could be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere on the Tay system next week.
As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system next week, with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. With less than one full week of the Scottish spring salmon fishing season remaining, time is running out to land that elusive springer. The River Tay might be the place to do 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 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 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 as 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 of 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. It is important that anglers treat their quarry with the utmost of respect at all times