(River Tay weekly report week ending 7th September 2024)
We have now moved into September and the first month of autumn. The weather had an autumnal feel at the beginning of last week when a band of heavy rain spread northwards on Monday. This led to a rising river by the end of the day. On Tuesday, river levels peaked on the Ballathie gauge at well over six feet, with the water carrying a lot of colour. As the week progressed, it became drier and more settled as river levels gradually dropped away, which was good news for anglers, although it did become quite warm and humid by the weekend.
It would seem now that fewer fresh are entering the river, which is not too much of a surprise after a very productive summer season. Despite this, some nice fish were caught from the Tay system last week, including multiple salmon weighing over twenty pounds.
On the upper river, both Farleyer beats produced fish last week. There was a fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Monday. It was good to see fish caught at Dalguise and Dalmarnock during the first half of the week. There was a nice fish caught on the fly at Dunkeld on Monday. On Wednesday, Mr Dave Maxwell caught a fine fish at Newtyle from the Ferry Pool.
Both Murthly beats finished with a combined total of fourteen fish for the week. There was a fine brace landed at Stenton on Monday. On Wednesday, there was a cracking twenty three pounder caught at Stenton with four more fish landed from the beat on Friday. It was good to see a fish caught at Glendelvine on Thursday.
At Kercock, there was some good sport to be had last week. Mr John Ross Tucker caught a magnificent eighteen pounder. Mr Rob Graham caught his first ever salmon on a Willie Gunn. Mr Jim Fisher also landed his first ever salmon which was a cracking fourteen pounder. Other successful anglers at Kercock last week included Mr George Tinker and Mr Dave Bolton.
The Meikleour Beat has fished well in recent weeks and last week was no different. There were a couple of fish landed at Meikleour on Monday and Tuesday, and more fish were caught as the week progressed.
At Cargill, seven fish were landed from the beat on Tuesday, weighing up to fifteen pounds despite the coloured water. On Wednesday, Mr Hector Rawson caught a nice fish on the fly at Cargill.
Mr David Curtis caught a magnificent twenty three pounder on the fly at Cargill on Thursday which led him a merry dance.
The Taymount Beat finished with twenty nine fish for the week including six landed on Monday and seven on Tuesday. It was good to see a fish caught at Burnmouth on Wednesday.
A couple of fish were caught at Upper Scone on Monday and another fish caught from the beat on Thursday and Friday. It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Benchil on Thursday.
Successful anglers included Mr Paul Cottle, who caught his first ever salmon on the fly. On Saturday from Benchil Mr James Holder landed two nice fish on the fly at Benchil.
Anglers fishing at Fishponds have enjoyed some decent sport over the past few weeks and last week was no different. On Monday, Mr Carlile Worthington Fiers from Florida landed his first-ever salmon from Fishponds Green. There were more first salmon caught on Tuesday with Mr Josh Brown from Florida being one of the successful anglers when he landed a fine eight pounder from the Five Trees. On Wednesday at Fishponds, Mr Alf Vaisey caught a nice fish from Fishponds Green. There were three more fish caught at Fishponds on Thursday. The Fishponds Beat finished with ten fish for the week.
It was a productive Wednesday at Upper Redgorton, with five fish caught from the beat. The Upper Redgorton Beat finished with eight fish for the week.
At Luncarty, Mr Eddie Alexander and his party caught some nice fish over the course of last week.
The Waulkmill Beat finished with thirty nine fish for the week. There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
It ended up being a tough start to the week on the Tay with unsettled coloured water, but as the week progressed, conditions improved. Hopefully the weather will be kinder in the days and weeks ahead so anglers can enjoy some good sport before the season finally draws to a close.
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 7th September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 2, Lower Farleyer 1, Loch Faskally 1, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 4, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 4, Murthly 2, 10, Stenton 8, Glendelvine 1, Kercock 12, Kethick Streams 2, Kethick Mains 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 7, Cargill 13, Taymount 29, Burnmouth 1, Pitlochrie 1, Upper Scone 4, Benchil 5, Fishponds 10, Upper Redgorton 8, Luncarty 4, Waulkmill 39, Crieff Angling Club 1
Total: 172 Largest: Stenton & Cargill 23lbs
COOLER WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 9th September 2023)
There was a lift in water at the beginning of last week following heavy rain on Monday, with river levels peaking well over six feet on the Ballathie gauge. The water was also quite coloured. As the week progressed, the weather improved and it became drier, especially once high pressure started to build from midweek onwards. It has been mainly dry over the weekend. It was hot and humid on Friday and Saturday, especially across the western side of the catchment area.
Looking ahead to next week, it is set to get cooler with a northerly airflow developing across Scotland. This could be just what the doctor ordered, as often a temperature drop at this time of year can make the fish more aggressive. Monday should be mainly dry, apart from a few showers. For the rest of the week, we will see showers or some longer spells of rain as low pressure dominates. There is even the chance of some night time frosts in a few sheltered Perthshire glens. Temperatures will be mostly in the low teens.
Last week fish caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill. Probably the best chance of making contact with a hard fighting Tay salmon next week is likely to be on beats located on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability next week so why not enjoy a day on the river? There is no better way to start the autumn season than by landing a big Tay belter!
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 autumn period (September and October)
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 the autumn months, water temperatures usually begin to fall on the river but much depends on the weather. The weather and water conditions can vary greatly during the autumn months with hot weather and low water coupled with high water temperatures especially if we have an Indian summer. Conversely, it can be quite cool with regular spells of wind and rain and even night time frosts. The fish also start to become a bit more aggressive especially when they turn their thoughts towards spawning. At this time of year, full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well especially if conditions are more akin to the summer months.
As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful fourteen or 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 is perfect for the job at this time of year. In higher, colder water a sink tip or intermediate line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got 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 autumn period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there can be some large fish around towards the end of the season. Usually, a breaking strain of around fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the autumn months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well if river levels are low and temperatures are high. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. If there are frequent night time frosts and high water, tube flies of various lengths and weights may be the order of the day.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven feet is usually more than adequate to cover the River Tay. The rod should be able to comfortably cast lures weighing anything from eighteen to thirty 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 thirty grams. Devon Minnows can also be effective on the River Tay. During the autumn months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive.
The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures are higher and often salmon will chase the lure before taking it. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. In high cold water, it can often be more about fishing the lure that bit slower and at an adequate depth.
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.
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. Often during the autumn months, good conditions arise on many beats for harling, especially in higher water. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practised at the beat ghillies discretion.