(River Tay weekly report week ending 22nd February 2025)
It was a settled start to last week but it was cold. On Tuesday, there was a spell of snow especially over higher ground. As the week progressed, it became more unsettled and milder. There were some showers and longer spells of rain on Thursday and Friday across much of Perthshire. It was mainly dry on Saturday, and there was heavy rain on Sunday. There were multiple lifts in water from Thursday onwards and the river rose rapidly on Friday and became coloured. The unsettled water did not make for good salmon fishing conditions towards the end of the week.
There was more than a fish a day caught from the Tay system last week when you take into account the fish caught from Loch Tay, the main system and also beats which do not want to be mentioned in this report. This was positive as conditions were unsettled towards the end of the week and fishing pressure was relatively light on the river as a whole.
It was a super Saturday on Loch Tay for Mr Kevin Garth, who caught a fine springer weighing thirteen pounds. Hopefully, more nice springers will be caught from the loch in the upcoming weeks. There was dam success on Thursday at Portnacraig. Mr Martin Wilson was fishing the fly from the Portnacraig bank when he hooked and landed a lovely twelve pounder on the fly.
It was great to see the Dalmarnock Beat produce its first fish of the season on Thursday. Only two days later, on Saturday, there was more success at Dalmarnock when a twenty pounder was caught from the beat. Two fish in three days, given the difficult conditions, was an excellent result.
On Wednesday, Mr Stuart Lang was fishing the Garth Pool at Glendelvine when he hooked a powerful fish. After a great fight, the fine springer weighing nine pounds was landed. The fish took a pink & pearly Tomic. A fish was also lost on the fly at Glendelvine from the Boat Pool on Wednesday.
There were fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
There should be a few Tummel salmon beginning to enter the system in the upcoming weeks, as well as the salmon destined for Loch Tay and beyond. With the quality of salmon currently being landed on the Tay system being second to none, why not chase some spring silver on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beats landing that February bar of silver.
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 this report, please 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 18th February)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Dalmarnock 2, Glendelvine 1
TOTAL: 4 LARGEST: Dalmarnock 20lbs
On Saturday, 1st February, the Catch & Release Best Guidance was launched. Please take 5 minutes of your time to go through the guidance to help protect our salmon.
WILL CATCHES CONTINUE TO IMPROVE NEXT WEEK?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 24th February 2025)
The weather was quite settled during the early part of last week, but low pressure influenced our weather as the week progressed. There was a gradual change to milder conditions, but they became more unsettled, especially towards the end of the week. It was mainly dry on Saturday, and there was more heavy rain on Sunday. River levels were quite unsettled towards the end of last week with multiple lifts in water and by Saturday, the Tay was in flood.
The weather for the week ahead looks changeable with low pressure influencing our weather. There will be a few showers on Monday and Tuesday and it will be pretty breezy. From midweek onwards, the showery theme will continue. Temperatures will be around average for the time of year. There were some lovely springers caught last week from the Tay system and hopefully this trend will continue as we move through February and into March. Next week, once the water drops, there is a reasonable chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere on the main river. Loch Tay is also worth considering at this time of year. As always, there are no shortage of options when it comes to fishing on the Tay system, with fishing to suit all tastes. 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.