(River Tay weekly report week ending 27th June 2026)
We are currently in the midst of the Scottish summer with July almost upon us. Traditionally, the main summer salmon and grilse runs on the River Tay would coincide with Wimbledon fortnight (which commences on Monday), so let us hope that this is the case in the upcoming days and weeks. There have already been some lovely summer salmon and grilse caught from the Tay system in the past few weeks and anglers will be hoping for a productive summer season ahead.
Temperatures soared across Scotland last week. The mercury in some parts of the country hit the low thirties. This, combined with bright sunshine and cloudless skies on some days, made it tough going on the Tay. Thankfully, towards the end of the week and into the weekend, it did turn a little cooler and there were some heavy thundery showers across Perthshire.
On the upper river, there was a magnificent twenty pounder caught at Upper Farleyer on Monday. There were a couple of fish caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat towards the end of last week.
There was a nice fish caught at Newtyle from the Steps Pool on Friday evening. It was good to see a couple of fish caught on the Murthly 2 Beat also on Monday and there was success at Murthly 1 on Thursday. The Murthly beats finished with a combined total of four fish for the week.
A fish was caught at Kercock on Thursday despite the hot, bright conditions. Angler Terry caught a fine eight pounder at Meikleour on the fly on Wednesday.
Mr Kenny Carr caught a cracking eighteen pounder at Meikleour on Friday from Boxwood Bush on a Salmo lure.
Mr David Mayhew landed a fine hat trick on Monday at Islamouth. Mr Mayhew caught all three fish from the Longhead. What great day’s sport!
At Ballathie Moss, Gold landed two nice fish on Monday. On Wednesday, Mr Trevor Watkins caught a fine twelve pounder at Ballathie from the Potshot.
The first grilse of the season was caught at Cargill on Monday, which was great news.
Mr Scott Livingston caught a good fish at Cargill on Thursday.
On Friday evening at Cargill, Mr Colin Latto landed a fourteen pounder from the Cradle. There were a total of five fish caught at Cargill on Saturday.
Mr Gavin Mason had a great day at Cargill, landing three stunning fish. What a great day’s sport!
There were five fish caught at Taymount during the first half of the week. The Taymount Beat finished with eight fish for the week. At Stobhall, fish were caught on Monday and Tuesday, with more success towards the end of the week.
The Upper Scone Beat finished with a couple of fish for the week. Mr Robert Fyfe caught a decent fish at Benchil on Monday.
At Fishponds, Mr Simon Furniss caught two lovely fish on Monday from Benchil Green. Both fish were caught on the fly, weighing eleven and fourteen pounds. On Tuesday, it was Mr Jim MacDonald’s turn to land silver. Mr MacDonold caught the first grilse of the season from Fishponds on the fly and lost another two. Further downstream, there were two fish caught at Waulkmill on Saturday, which included a magnificent eighteen pounder.
With many people on holiday in the next few weeks, it could prove to be the perfect time to book a few days fishing on the River Tay, so why not have a cast? There is no better way to start July than landing some fresh Tay 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 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 27th June)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 3, Kercock 1, Meikleour & U Islamouth 2, Islamouth 3, Ballathie 3, Cargill 8, Stobhall 5, Taymount 8, Benchil 1, Upper Scone 2, Fishponds 3, Waulkmill 2
Total: 46 Largest: Upper Farleyer 20lbs
SOME GOOD SPORT TO BE HAD IN JULY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 29th June 2026)
There were some fine fish caught on the river last week, but the hot weather definitely affected catch numbers. Some of the anglers who fished unsociable hours did well, with some evenings being particularly productive. This is often the case when it is very hot and sunny throughout the day.
The fish caught were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting grilse and many were sea liced, which was great to see. In the coming weeks, more salmon should enter the Tay system daily, giving anglers a chance to make contact with the king of fish. Hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had as we move into July.
Thankfully, over the weekend, it has turned a little cooler, and there have been some heavy thundery showers. Looking ahead to next week, Monday should be mainly dry with light winds. There will be a few showers on Tuesday and Wednesday as low pressure influences our weather. Towards the end of the week, it should become drier and more settled. It looks set to be much cooler and fresher than of late, with temperatures peaking in the high teens.
Last week, fish were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill, indicating that the salmon are well spread throughout the system. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on beats situated on the middle and lower river. As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay in the upcoming days, with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. So why not chase some summer silver on the Tay next week? You could have a July day 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 ago. 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 of 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 of respect at all times.