(River Tay weekly report week ending 20th September 2025)
We have now moved into the middle of September and only three full weeks of the Tay salmon fishing season remain. The fishing conditions have been challenging at times for anglers on the mighty Tay so far this autumn. Multiple lifts in water have made conditions tough. What is needed now is some settled river levels and hopefully this will make the fish more conducive into taking a fly or lure.
There was more unsettled weather at the beginning of last week. Heavy rain last Sunday night led to a rising river on Monday. The lower river carried a bit of colour and some debris was associated with the lift in water. As the week progressed, river levels became more settled and it also became drier. There were some days of decent catches on the Tay last week, whilst other days proved to be harder going. The vast majority of fish caught were older models but there was the odd fresher one landed.
On the upper river, successful beats last week included Lower Bolfracks, Lower Farleyer and Upper Kinnaird. On the middle river, the Lower Kinnaird Beat has produced a few nice fish in recent weeks and last week was no different, with fish caught from the beat on most days. There were fish caught at Dalguise on Wednesday and Thursday. It was a red-letter day on Friday at Dalmarnock, where five fish were caught from the beat.
At Newtyle, Mr Andy Kerr caught a nice fish from the Cotter on Friday. There were five fish caught from the Murthly 1 Beat on Wednesday, and the beat finished with eight fish for the week. There was success at Stenton on Tuesday and Thursday.
A fine brace was landed at Kercock on Monday, with another fish caught from the beat on Tuesday.
There was more success at Kercock towards the end of the week. Successful anglers at Kercock last week included Mr Stuart and Mr Chris Tindall, Mr Roddy Bramwell and Mr Robert Bramwell amongst others.
The Meikleour Beat finished with six fish for the week.
At Islamouth, Mr Barnett caught a nice fish on the fly from the Longhead on Wednesday.
On Friday, there were four fish caught at Islamouth. Successful anglers included Mr Charlie Hughes, amongst others. It was a super Saturday for Ms Liz Wills, who caught not one but three lovely fish at Islamouth, the best weighing eighteen pounds.
Ms Becky Hughes also caught a nice fish from the Longhead on Saturday.
It was a great start to the week at Cargill with eight fish landed on Monday, the best weighing nineteen pounds. There were seven fish caught from the beat on Tuesday. The Cargill Beat finished with twenty-two fish for the week.
It was a happy Monday at Ballathie with anglers enjoying some great sport. There were a total of seven fish landed for the day. On Tuesday, eight fish were caught from the beat, weighing up to twenty pounds. The Ballathie Beat finished with twenty-six fish for the week. The Taymount Beat produced fish on most days with the best weighing nineteen pounds.
Twelve fish were caught at Stobhall during the first half of the week and the sport continued as the week progressed.
At Upper Scone, there were seven fish caught on Tuesday and four on Wednesday. Anglers at Upper Scone finished with a total of thirteen fish for the week.
On the Stanley beats, there were three fish caught at Benchil on Wednesday. Successful anglers included Mr Charles St Johnstone and Mr Peter Ceres. There was also fish caught at Luncarty on Tuesday and Thursday. On Saturday, Mr Robert White caught a nice fish on the fly at Luncarty.
Tuesday at Fishponds saw the rod bent for Mr Colin Frood, who landed a ten pounder in Benchil Green. Mr Frood carried on his success on Wednesday when he caught another fish weighing ten pounds in the Luncarty pool. Last week, other successful anglers at Fishponds included Mr Mike Elgie, Mr Mark Ogilvie, Mr Graham Dempster and Mr Steve Japp.
There was some decent sport at Upper Redgorton last week, with ten fish landed.
Anglers at Waulkmill landed sixteen fish for the week.
With only three full weeks of the salmon fishing season remaining, time is running out to land that last big Tay salmon of the year, so why not have a cast? Nothing beats doing battle with a Tay September salmon!
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 20th September 2025)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Faskally 1, Rhiedorrach Estate 2, Crieff Angling Club 3, Lower Farleyer 3, Lower Bolfracks 2, Upper Kinnaird 1, Lower Kinnaird 7, Dalguise 2, Dalmarnock 5, Newtyle 1, Steneton 2, Murthly 1, 8, Kercock 5, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 6, Islamouth 9, Ballathie 26, Cargill 22, Stobhall 18, Taymount 18, Pitlochrie 1, Upper Scone 13, Benchil 3, Upper Redgorton 10, Fishponds 6, Luncarty 3, Waulkmill 16.
Total: 193 Largest: Ballathie 22lbs
SETTLED WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 22nd September 2025)
It was an unsettled start to last week with low pressure in charge. There were plenty of showers and even some longer spells of rain. Heavy rain last Sunday night led to a rising river on Monday. Tuesday was mainly dry apart from the odd shower. From midweek onwards, it was mainly dry apart from a few showers and river levels were steady for the most part.
Over the weekend it has been dry but it has felt much cooler with a northerly airflow establishing itself across the country.
Looking ahead to next week, high pressure is set to build, bringing drier and more settled weather for much of the week. Monday may see the odd shower. From Tuesday onwards, it will be mainly dry with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells. Some nighttime frosts and temperatures will be in the mid-teens for the most part. Winds will be light, which is welcome news for anglers.
The fish caught last week were mostly older fish, but it was good to see several fish landed well into the teens of pounds. Last week there were fish caught from Lower Farleyer down to Waulkmill with the majority of fish caught on the lower river. The best chance of success next week will likely be on beats situated on the middle and lower river. As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system in the upcoming days with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. So why not chase a Tay salmon next week? With less than four weeks of the season remaining, you could have that Tay 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 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