(River Tay weekly report week ending 23rd July 2022)
The mercury soared last week and temperature records were smashed across all four nations of the UK on Tuesday. The start of the week saw temperatures in Scotland widely in the late twenties and early thirties. On Tuesday the Scottish temperature record was broken when the mercury hit 34.8 degrees in Charterhall but some areas of Perthshire also saw temperatures widely in the thirties. Thankfully the extreme heat was short lived as on Wednesday a westerly airflow replaced the stifling southerly breeze and temperatures dropped into the high teens. This trend continued into the weekend and there were also some widespread showers across much of the catchment area on Saturday and Sunday.
Catches were unsurprisingly impacted due to the extreme weather last week. Anglers who fished early in the morning and then again in the evening fared best. The water temperature last week was 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit which is 17.4 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river, there was a fine ten pounder caught at Edradynate on Friday. On the River Garry, there was a nice grilse caught from the Ruan Ruarie Beat by Mr Barry Ward on Saturday.
It was a magical Monday at Dalguise last week when three fish were landed from the beat including a fine fourteen pounder. There was more success at Dalguise on Wednesday. There was a lovely sparkling fresh grilse caught from the Cathedral Stream at Dunkeld on Wednesday.
Successful anglers at Kercock last week included Mr Robert McFarlane who caught a fine nine pounder and Mr Ernie Donnell who landed a hard fighting fresh grilse on Saturday.
At Islamouth there was six grilse caught during the first half of the week and several lost. Like everywhere else anglers struggled in the extreme heat. Towards the end of the week, Mr James Mayhew’s party were fishing the beat and had two lovely grilse on Thursday. Successful anglers included Mr Kim Bailey who had a nice seven pounder from the Longhead and Ms Annabelle England who landed a fine twelve pounder from Donnits.
On Thursday Mr William Sinclair had a day to remember when he landed his first ever salmon at Ballathie. Mr Sinclair was fishing the Cradle Wall when he got a savage take on the fly. After a great fight, Mr Sinclair landed a cracking fourteen pounder. Well done Sir, you never forget your first!
There was more success at Ballathie on Thursday this time for Mr Gavin Robertson. Mr Robertson landed a lovely twenty two pounder from Cobblers Croy. The lure of choice was a copper/silver Salmo. I think the smile says it all!
Despite the stifling temperatures, there was a nice fresh fish caught at Cargill on Tuesday and another on Wednesday.
On Friday Mr Tony Black, Ghillie on the Murthly 2 Beat enjoyed a successful busman’s holiday when he spent a day fishing at Cargill. Mr Black landed two lovely grilse from the beat and also lost a nice fish after a long fight.
The Richardson Party had success at Stobhall last week despite a very tough start with low warm water and a two day heatwave. All four rods caught fish and the beat finished their week with nine fish up to ten pounds in weight. The neighbouring beat Taymount finished the week with eight fish landed. It was good to see a couple of fish caught from the Pitlochrie Beat last week and there was success at Benchil on Saturday. The Waulkmill Beat produced a couple of fish last week and anglers fishing at Almondmouth had a reasonable week given the tough conditions finishing with twelve fish for the week.
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 25th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Edradynate 1, Ruan Ruarie 1, Dalguise 4, Dunkeld 2, Murthly 2, 1, Kercock 2, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, Islamouth 16, Ballathie 2, Cargill 6, Stobhall 9, Taymount 8, Pitlochrie 2, Benchil 1, Waulkmill 2, Almondmouth 12
Total: 70 Largest: Ballathie 22lbs
COOLER TEMPERATURES IN THE WEEK AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 2nd August 2021)
Catches last week were severely impacted due to the high temperatures which was hardly surprising. From midweek onwards temperatures dropped somewhat but were still in the late teens and early twenties. Undoubtedly more fish would have been caught last week if the fishing gods had been kinder to anglers on the River Tay.
Over the weekend temperatures have remained around average values for the time of year and there have been a few widespread showers and some longer spells of rain, especially on Sunday.
Thankfully temperatures are set to be significantly cooler at the beginning of next week compared to the start of the previous week. Monday will see the showery theme continue and there will be a brisk north-westerly wind. From Tuesday high pressure will likely start to build once again and it will be mostly dry for the rest of the week. Things could turn more unsettled as we head towards next weekend.
Last week fish were caught from Edradynate down to Almondmouth with the majority of fish caught on the middle and lower river.
There is an excellent variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system next week including fishing on some very prestigious beats. As always, the River Tay offers great value for money so why not chase some summer silver next week? You might just have one of those midsummer days to remember!
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 summer period (June-August)
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 summer months, water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. Often river levels are low but on the River Tay, they are never too low that fresh fish cannot run the system. At this time of year, full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well.
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 water, during the summer months, a sink tip or intermediate 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 summer period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there are some big summer salmon that run the Tay. Usually, a breaking strain between twelve and fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the summer months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well. Small bottle tubes are also well worth a go. Don’t forget how effective flies like the Sunray Shadow can be at this time of year. These flies fished close to the surface can really do the business especially if the fish are keen on chasing a fly and in an active mood.
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 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 summer months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive. The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures start to rise 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. These lures can be excellent during the summer months.
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 summer months, the water is too low to harl on many beats. However, if there is a decent spate this method can be highly productive. 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. Anglers must treat their quarry with the utmost respect at all times.