River Tay weekly report week ending 12th February 2022
It was another week of see sawing temperatures, which has been the theme of this winter so far. There was some heavy snowfall on the higher ground last weekend and at the beginning of the week it became briefly milder for a time and due to the melting snow, there was a lift in water on Tuesday. The lower river was carrying a lot of debris on Tuesday, which was hardly surprising as this was the first decent lift in water since the beginning of the season. It became much colder towards the end of the week and there were more snow showers mostly falling on higher ground. There was a further lift in water on Saturday. The water temperature last week 3.8 degrees Celsius which is 38.8 degrees Fahrenheit. On average there was well over two fish a day landed from the Tay system last week which was good to see.
Robert Mcfarlane with a nice springer caught from Loch Tay on Wednesday
On the back of the thirty pounder landed from Loch Tay last week there have been more fish caught in the past few days. Mr Robert Mcfarlane was fishing the loch on Wednesday when he landed a lovely springer weighing twelve pounds.
Next on the scoresheet on the loch was Mr David Bennie who caught a cracking springer weighing nineteen pounds on Thursday. This was Mr Bennie’s first ever Loch Tay springer. Well done Sir! On Saturday another springer was caught from the loch this time weighing sixteen pounds.
David Bennie caught this lovely springer from Loch Tay on Thursday
It was great to see the Dalmarnock Beat produce its second springer of the season on Friday. Mr Tam Dorrian had a red letter day at Dunkeld on Wednesday. Mr Dorrian was fishing the Chestnut Tree Pool when he hooked a nice fish. After a great fight, Mr Dorrian landed a cracking springer weighing twelve pounds.
Mr Tam Dorrian tasted success on Wednesday at Dunkeld
There was more success at Dunkeld later in the week when a lovely springer weighing fourteen pounds was landed from the beat on Friday.
A magnificent springer caught from Dunkled on Friday
Mr Stuart Lang had a superb day at Glendelvine on Saturday. Mr Lang got his season off to a flyer when he landed a magnificent springer weighing around sixteen pounds.
Mr Stuart Lang with his first fish of the season caught at Glendelvine
There was spring silver landed at Meikleour on Thursday when Mr Gordon Stewart caught a twelve pounder on the fly from the Pumphouse Croy. Next on the scoresheet was Mr Mike Wilcox who caught his first ever salmon weighing nineteen pounds from the House Pool.
A lovely springer caught at Islamouth on Wednesday
It was a good first half of the week at Islamouth with a total of three fish landed. Mr Richard Muir and his party were fishing the beat. There was one nice fish caught on Monday and then a couple more on Wednesday. An average of a fish a day for your fishing in February is very impressive in anyone’s book.
More Islamouth silver!
Mr Peter Bomphrey of the Popular Angling Club won two days fishing through the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust auction at Stobhall. What a fantastic prize it turned out to be for Mr Bomphrey who went on to land his biggest ever spring salmon from the Linn Pool. The magnificent fish weighed nineteen and a half pounds and put up a great tussle.
Mrs Ann Bramley had a day to remember at Stobhall on Thursday. Mrs Bramley landed her first ever salmon after seven years of trying. What a fish it was weighing nine pounds and carrying sea lice. It was good to see the Taymount Beat produce a fish on Thursday.
Mr Peter Bomphrey landed spring silver at Stobhall on Tuesday
There were some lovely springers caught from the Tay system last week and hopefully this trend will continue as we move through February. So, if you fancy chasing some Scottish spring silver why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay next week? There might just be a springer with your name on it!
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 12th February)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Tay Fish ‘n’ Trips 3, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 2, Glendelvine 1, Meikleour & U Islamouth 2, Islamouth 4, Stobhall 2, Taymount 1
Total: 16 Largest: Stobhall 20lbs
HOPEFULLY, ANGLERS WILL LAND MORE NICE SPRINGERS IN THE WEEK AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 14tht February 2022)
As we move through February there is no doubt that with each day more fresh fish will be entering the Tay system. There were some lovely spring salmon caught from the river last week and hopefully this trend will continue over the next few weeks. There was a decent lift in water at the beginning of last week after melting snow resulted in a thaw on Monday night going into Tuesday. It was the biggest lift in water since the beginning of the season. As the week progressed the weather proved to be challenging at times with strong and gusty winds coupled with snow and sleet showers. Conditions became milder over the weekend but it remained wet and windy with further rain on Saturday and Sunday. This led to a rising river over the weekend.
Looking ahead to next week, Monday will be mainly dry apart from the odd shower. There is a chance of some rain on Tuesday and Wednesday and it will again be windy. Towards the end of the week, the unsettled weather will continue with a series of low pressure systems racing in from the Atlantic on a supercharged jet stream. This will bring frequent spells of heavy rain and gale force winds from time to time. There will be some snow over higher ground.
Hopefully, anglers will land more nice springers in the week ahead.
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 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 early spring months water temperatures are often low and river levels high. In such conditions, the depth at which your fly is moving 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 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.
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 are likely to 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 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 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 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. It is important that anglers treat their quarry with the utmost respect at all times.