(River Tay weekly report week ending 4th October 2025)
We moved into October last week and are now into the twilight of the 2025 Tay salmon fishing season. Historically, September and October have been prime months on the river when large catches have been made. However, the autumn run has not materialised in any significant numbers in recent years. This not only goes for the Tay but also for many other rivers around Scotland. Despite this, there were some decent catches made on the Tay system last week, but again, most of the fish landed were older models.
It was a settled start to the week and river levels were steady. However, from midweek onwards, a deep area of low pressure led to gale-force winds and spells of heavy rain. Indeed, the first storm of the season was named Storm Amy on Friday. This brought heavy rain and gales on Friday night and into Saturday. Unsurprisingly, river levels rose during the second half of the week, with water levels peaking on the Ballathie gauge at almost eleven feet on Saturday. The flood on Saturday curtailed fishing on most beats.
On the upper river, successful beats last week included Lower Bolfracks. It was good to see a fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Tuesday and Saturday. A couple of fish were caught at Dalguise on Monday, with more success on the beat on Saturday. On Tuesday, Mr Ronnie Blair caught a lovely fish from the Mouse Trap at Dunkeld. This was one of two fish caught from the beat for the day. The Dunkeld Beat finished with three fish for the week.
It was a great start to the week at Newtyle with three fish landed on Monday. A couple of the fish were caught from the Boil on the fly. On Tuesday, Mr Lars Svendsen caught a good fish on the fly at Newtyle from the Boil.
Mr Brandon Bryant had a fantastic Friday at Newtyle when he landed a cracking fish from the Cotter Pool.
The Murthly beats finished with a combined total of twelve fish for the week. This included a magnificent twenty five pounder which was caught from Murthly 2 on Monday. Stenton finished with three fish for the week. There was a fish caught at Delvine on Tuesday.
At Kercock, some nice fish were caught over the course of last week. Successful anglers included Mr Jean Pierre Triboulet, who caught a nine and a seventeen pounder on the fly.
Mr Bill Hazelwood caught a twenty pounder on the fly as well as a six pounder. Kercock regular Mr Ernie Donnell had an eight pounder. Fish of the week at Kercock had to go to Mr Michael McLaughlin, who landed a magnificent twenty two pounder on the fly. The Meikleour Beat finished seven with fish for the week.
Mr Dougal Bennett caught a lovely fish from Sandyford on Monday at Islamouth. On Monday afternoon, Mr Gordon Wilson caught a fish from the Ashtree.
There were six fish caught from Islamouth on Tuesday. Successful anglers included Mr Bill Kennedy, amongst others. On Wednesday, Mr Finlay Wilson caught two fine fish from Islamouth, weighing sixteen and seventeen pounds. Both fish were caught in Donnits. During the second half of the week, Mr Brian Reid and Mr Johnny Hewett both caught lovely fish from the Longhead on Thursday.
There have been some nice fish caught at Ballathie in recent weeks and last week was no different, with anglers landing seven fish during the first half of the week.
At Cargill, nine fish were caught during the first half of the week and the good sport continued as the week progressed, with seven fish landed on Thursday. The Stobhall and Taymount beats finished with three and ten fish for the week, respectively. There was success at Burnmouth on Tuesday.
There were a total of eight fish caught at Upper Scone last week. On the Stanley beats, it was a happy Monday at Benchil, where seven fish were landed, with two more fish caught from the beat on Wednesday. There were three fish caught at Luncarty on Tuesday.
Successful anglers on the Stanley beats last week included Mr Alistair Jack and Mr Eddie Alexander, amongst others.
At Upper Redgorton, good numbers of fish were landed, including seven on Monday and four on Tuesday. The decent sport continued as the week progressed.
Anglers enjoyed some good sport at Fishponds last week. On Monday, Ms Sarah Lenson started the week, landing four fish from Hedge End.
Tuesday, Mr Charl Bester, in his quest for a McNab, landed a magnificent twenty four pounder before ten in the morning. Mr Bester then went on to get his brace of grouse but unfortunately was unable to shoot the stag. Despite this, it was a memorable day for Mr Bester.
Other successful anglers on the Fishponds Beat last week included Mr Brian Joseph and Mr Alistair Jack. The Waulkmill Beat finished with ten fish for the week.
There is now only one full week of the season remaining, so why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay? It could be the place to give you that season-ending fairy tale!
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 4th October)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Rhiedorrach Estate 13, Crieff Angling Club 1, Lower Bolfracks 3, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 3, Dunkeld 3, Newtyle 5, Murthly 2, 8, Stenton 3, Murthly 1, 4,Delvine Burnbane 1, Kercock 7, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 7, Islamouth 14, Ballathie 7, Cargill 17, Stobhall 3, Taymount 10, Burnmouth 1, Upper Scone 8, Benchil 9, Upper Redgorton 16, Fishponds 7, Luncarty 3, Waulkmill 10.
Total: 165 Largest: Murthly 2, 25lbs
SOME MORE GOOD SPORT BEFORE THE SEASON FINALLY DRAWS TO A CLOSE?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 6th October 2025)
The upcoming week is the last full week of the 2025 salmon fishing season on the Tay, so there will be many keen anglers looking forward to wetting a line for the final time this year. Hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had before the season draws to a close on the 15th October.
It was a dry and settled start to last week, but from midweek onwards, there was quite a stormy spell of weather. Indeed, Storm Amy battered much of Scotland on Friday, bringing heavy rain and gale-force winds. This led to a rapidly rising river on Friday. On Saturday, the river was in flood and coloured, putting pay to any meaningful fishing on most beats. Over the weekend, it has remained unsettled with showers and has been very windy.
Looking ahead to next week, Monday and Tuesday, we will see a few showers affecting many parts. It will also be breezy. From midweek onwards, there is a chance of high pressure beginning to build and this could bring more settled conditions as we move towards next weekend.
Last week, fish were caught on the main river from Lower Bolfracks down to Waulkmill, with the bulk of the fish being caught from the beats on the middle and lower river. It was good to see that some of the fish landed were well into the teens, including a few weighing north of the magical twenty pound mark. Once the river drops, the best chance of a fish next week would probably be on any of the beats on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability next week on some famous Tay beats, so why not book a day? There is no better way to end the season on a high, than landing a big Tay salmon!
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