(River Tay weekly report week ending 11th June 2022)
We have now moved into mid-June and hopefully, in the days and weeks ahead the summer run on the River Tay will continue to gain momentum. There have already been grilse and larger summer salmon caught from the system in recent weeks as well as the odd late running springer. As we move through June and into July more summer fish should enter the river with every tide giving anglers the perfect opportunity to catch hard fighting grilse and summer salmon.
It was another week of unseasonable weather across much of Scotland including Perthshire. Indeed, on some days it felt more akin to late October than mid-June. In spite of the inclement weather conditions for the time of year there were some magnificent summer salmon and grilse caught as the Tay system had its most productive week of the season so far.
On the upper river there were fish caught at Upper Farleyer on most days last week. There was a cracking thirteen pounder caught from Edradynate on Wednesday. There was also a fine fifteen pounder caught at Edradynate on Friday.
It was a good start to the week at Portnacraig when on Monday Alistair Hamilton caught a fine ten pounder from the Portnacraig bank. On Thursday Mr Gavin Thompson landed a lovely fifteen pounder on the fly also from the Portnacraig bank. The Portnacraig Beat finished with four fish for the week.
There were a couple of nice fish landed at Lower Kinnaird last week and there were success at Dalguise on Friday. It was a good to see a fine brace caught from the Dalmarnock Beat on Thursday with another fish landed from the beat on Friday. There was a nice fish caught at Dunkeld on Saturday.
Mr Magnus Oates landed a fine fish from the Trap at Newtyle on Friday evening. Mr Jonny Campbell had a ten pounder on the fly from the Trap on Saturday.
There were some lovely fish caught from the Murthly 2 Beat last week including a twenty two pounder on Wednesday. On Friday Mr Barry Ward landed a fine brace from the beat.
A magnificent twenty two pounder was caught at Glendelvine on Thursday which just goes to show what they Tay is capable of producing at this time of year. There were two more fish caught from Glendelvine on Saturday.
It was a great week on the Kercock Beat. Things got off to a flyer on Monday with three fish landed. Mr Andrew Chapman caught two nice fish weighing six and fifteen pounds. On Tuesday Mr Ryan Linwood landed a lovely nineteen pounder which was as fresh as paint. There was more success for Mr Chapman on Wednesday when he caught a lovely deep fish from the beat. The Kercock Beat finished with a very creditable eight fish for the week.
It was good to see a fish caught from the Meikleour Beat on Monday with the successful angler being Mr Mark Mcloone. This was Mr Mcloone’s first ever fly caught salmon and weighed fourteen pounds. Well done sir!
It was a much better week at Islamouth. Mr Brett Gill’s party fished during the first half of the week and landed twelve fish mostly around the eleven to twelve pounds mark best weighing fifteen pounds.
During the second half of the week Mr Mike Cuthbert and his party were wetting a line on the beat. The party managed five salmon and three grilse on Thursday with Mr Keith Skeoch hooking and landing the 100th fish for the beat this season. Islamouth finished with twenty eight fish for the week.
There were three fish caught from the Ballathie Beat during the first half of last week including a lovely eighteen pounder on Wednesday.
It was good to see a fine brace being caught at Cargill on Monday. On Wednesday Mr Keith Coles caught a lovely fish from the Sands at Cargill. On Saturday Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason battled gale force winds successfully and landed a lovely sea liced fish on the fly. This was one of two fish caught at Cargill on Saturday.
It was a productive few days at Stobhall with seven fish caught during the first half of the week including four on Wednesday.
On Monday Mr Simon Littlejohn landed a fine brace from the beat. Mr Frank Trzebiatowski caught a cracking fifteen pounder also on Monday.
On Wednesday Mr Frank Trzebiatowski had a great day on the beat when he landed three fish the beat, best weighing fourteen pounds. Great spot in anyone’s book. Mr Keith Niven caught a lovely grilse on his third cast of the day. Next on the scoresheet at Stobhall was Mr Paul Leverton who caught a fine twelve pounder on Thursday. The Taymount Beat finished with eleven fish for the week
Further downstream it was good to see the Upper Redgorton Beat produce a fish on Thursday and there was success at Benchil on Saturday. There were also a couple of fish caught during the second half of the week at Almondmouth.
It was nice to see some lovely fresh fish being caught from the Tay system last week with catches up on the previous week. The numbers of summer salmon and grilse should continue to build in the river in the upcoming weeks so why not wet a line on the Tay next week? With good current water conditions for many beats, you might just have a day to remember!
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 11th June)
SALMON & GRILSE: Edradynate 2, Upper Farleyer 6, Loch Faskally 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 4, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 3, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 2, 6, Glendelvine 3, Kercock 8, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, Islamouth 28, Ballathie 3, Cargill 5, Stobhall 8, Taymount 11, Upper Redgorton 1, Benchil 1, Almondmouth 2
Total: 99 Largest: Murthly 2 & Glendelvine 22lbs
MORE TOP QUALITY SUMMER SALMON AND GRILSE TO BE CAUGHT IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 13th June 2022)
We are now into mid-June and more summer salmon will be entering the Tay system on every tide. Over the next few weeks, the summer run on the Tay should continue to gain momentum. Hopefully there will be more top quality summer salmon and grilse caught in the days ahead.
Even though we are now well into the summer fishing season the weather was far from summer-like across much of Scotland including Perthshire last week. There were frequent heavy showers and longer spells of rain on most days. It has been mainly dry across Perthshire over the weekend but it was quite breezy. Looking ahead to next week, Monday and Tuesday should be mainly dry with lighter winds. There is the chance of some rain through the middle part of the week. Towards the end of the week and into next weekend it looks like high pressure will dominate bringing largely dry and settled conditions to much of Scotland. It is also set to become warmer.
Catches were well spread on the Tay system last week from Edradynate down to Almondmouth. The River Tummel also produced fish which gives an indication of how well spread the fish are throughout the system. There is a chance of a fresh fish anywhere on the Tay system next week but especially on the beats located on the middle and lower river.
As always, there are some fantastic salmon fishing opportunities on the river next week to suit all budgets and the great variety of fishing on offer on the Tay system is second to none. So why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beats landing some Tay mid-summer silver!
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.