(River Tay weekly report week ending 21st March 2026)
We are now moving towards the end of March and as each day passes, more hard fighting spring salmon will be running the Tay system. Over the next few weeks, we should be entering the prime spring period on the river and hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had. April and May are lovely months to visit beautiful Perthshire, with signs of spring all around the countryside. It is also a great time of year to wet a line on the mighty River Tay and her tributaries as the runs of spring salmon gradually gain momentum.
There were some stunning springers caught from the Tay system last week, which was great to see and it now seems the fish are gradually spreading throughout the system. The river was quite unsettled during the first half of the week, with rising water on occasions. However, from midweek onwards, water levels started to drop and by the end of the week, the river was in good order for many beats.
Mr. Hugh Meudell caught a lovely springer from Loch Tay on Thursday. On the upper river, angler Mike caught a fine nine pounder from the Lower Bolfracks Beat on Wednesday. There was a fish caught from the Upper Kinnaird Beat on Tuesday.
The first fish of the season was caught from the Portnacraig Beat on the River Tummel on Thursday. The fine eight pounder was caught by Mr. Steve Watt on a floating devon from the Portnacraig Bank.
It was good to see a springer caught at Dunkeld on Monday. The fish was caught by the ghillie, Mr Gordon Pollock’s Mum. It just goes to show that Mums do know best! There was another springer caught at Dunkeld on Tuesday, weighing eight pounds. The fish was caught by seventeen year old David MacDonald from the Fifey and was his first ever salmon. Well done, young man and hopefully the first of many!
Mr. Daniel Van- Stone had a magical Monday at Newtyle. Mr. Van- Stone hooked a powerful fish on the fly in the Steps Pool. After a great fight, Mr. Van-Stone went on to land a fin perfect springer.
The first fish of the season was caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Monday. The fish was caught by Mr. John Simpson on the fly from the top water. There was another fish caught from the beat on Thursday.
Mr. Colin Wilikie had a fantastic Saturday at Glendelvine. Mr. Wilkie was fishing the Garth from the bank when he got a good take on the fly. After a decent fight, Mr. Wilkie landed a nice ten pounder. The fish was caught on a black and yellow tube fly.
At Meikleour & Upper Islamouth, a fine brace was landed on Monday. Both fish were caught by angler Tim. The first fish was caught on the fly from Islamouth and weighed nine pounds. Tim had more success later in the day, landing a ten-pounder again on the fly. Two fly caught springers in a day can’t be bad!
Mrs. Claire Mercer Nairne caught a lovely springer from the beat on Wednesday. There was more success at Meikleour on Thursday.
Mr. Tom Borthwick landed a lovely springer from the Longhead at Islamouth on Friday. Not to be outdone, Mr. Lewis Miller also landed a fine fish from the Longhead on the same day.
There was a fish caught at Stobhall on Monday. It was great to see a fabulous seventeen pounder caught at Taymount on Monday with more success on the beat on Tuesday. The Taymount Beat finished with a very creditable seven fish for the week.
Mr Barry Ward had a good day at Burnmouth, landing a fine springer on Wednesday. There was another fish caught from the beat on Thursday, this time for Perth & District Angling Club member Mr. Nolon Owen. The fish weighed eight pounds and was caught on a black flying C.
Mr. Iain Law had a fantastic Friday at Burnmouth when he also caught a nice springer from the beat.
Mr. Andrew Dickson had a day to remember at Catholes on Thursday. Mr. Dickson caught his first ever salmon from Woodside after a great fight. The sparkling springer weighed seventeen pounds and was caught on a salmo toby lure. Do first salmon get any better than this? On Saturday afternoon, Mr. Robert White landed a nice fish on the fly at Catholes.
Further downstream, Mr. John Shaw had a magical Monday at Pitlochrie. Mr. Shaw was fly fishing the Pitlochrie Pool when he hooked a powerful fish. After a good fight, Mr. Shaw went on to land a sparkling springer. It has been good to see the Pitlochrie Pool produce a few springers so far this season.
There were some lovely springers caught from the Tay system last week, so why not cast a line on the magical River Tay next week? It could be the perfect way to end March on a high!
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 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 (week ending 21st March)
SALMON & GRILSE: Lower Bolfracks 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Dunkeld 2, Newtyle 1, Murthly 2, 2, Glendelvine 1, Islamouth 2, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 4, Stobhall 1, Taymount 7, Burnmouth 3, Catholes 2, Pitlochrie 1
TOTAL: 29 LARGEST: Taymount & Catholes 17 lbs
IMPROVING CATCHES AS WE MOVE INTO APRIL?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 23rd March 2026)
We are now moving towards April and usually April and May are prime spring months on the Tay system, especially for beats located on the middle river. Catches on many of the Tay’s tributaries, including the Tummel and Isla, usually also improve.
It was a rather unsettled start to last week, with rain on Monday. During the first half of the week, the river was rising at times. However, as the week progressed, high pressure began to build, leading to a lot of dry, settled weather. By the end of the week, river levels were favourable for many beats on the river. Over the weekend, it has been mainly dry on Saturday and Sunday with light winds.
Looking ahead to next week, Monday should be mainly dry but it will be breezy. It will also feel cooler than of late in a strong north-westerly wind. On Tuesday and Wednesday, there is a chance of a few showers, which could fall as snow over higher ground. Temperatures will generally be in the high single figures. Towards the end of the week, there is a chance of high pressure building, bringing drier and slightly milder conditions.
Catches were well spread on the main river last week from Lower Bolfracks down to Catholes. There is a decent chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere on the system. Fish were also caught on Loch Tay and the River Tummel last week.
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the Tay system 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.