(River Tay weekly report week ending 3rd September 2022)
We have now moved into September and this can potentially be a productive month on many of Scotland’s salmon rivers including the mighty Tay. Looking around us, the landscape is changing. The leaves on the trees are gradually transforming from bright, vibrant greens to pale yellows. On the moorland, the heather is blossoming into colour. The geese are returning to our shores once again having made their annual migration South and the days are drawing in, with the nights getting cooler. This can only mean one thing; the changing of the seasons, as we move from summer to autumn.
Traditionally the 1st of September marks the beginning of the autumn salmon fishing period and soon the summer season will be a distant memory. Usually, autumn is when the numbers of salmon in our Scottish rivers peak and there is a chance of making big catches. Hopefully, the next few weeks will prove to be a productive time on the Tay system with plenty of anglers getting their rods bent.
Last week on the upper river there were three fish caught at Upper Farleyer. Upper Bolfracks and Upper Kinnaird also produced fish. There was a nice grilse caught at Edradynate from the Croys on Monday.
On the River Tummel, there was success on Thursday when a nice fish was caught on the East Haugh Beat. Back on the main river, there was a couple of fish caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat on Wednesday and it was good to see a fish caught at Dalguise on both Tuesday and Thursday. There was success also at Dalmarnock on Thursday. The Murthly 2 Beat produced fish on Monday and also Thursday when a fine brace was landed and finished the week with four. There was a magnificent twenty pounder caught at Kercock on Thursday by Mr Nigel Shaw. On Friday Mr Elliot Jardine landed a fine grilse at from the beat. It was good to see a fish caught at Meikleour on Wednesday.
At Islamouth Mr John McElroy and his party caught nine fish during the first half of the week, the biggest landed by Mr Stuart Lang weighing nineteen pounds. The good sport continued towards the end of the week.
Mr Hector Rawson and his party were fishing at Cargill last week and enjoyed some good sport. There were a couple of fish caught from the beat on Tuesday and Wednesday. The good sport continued towards the end of the week.
At Stobhall there were fish caught on most days including a cracking twenty pounder on Monday. There was some decent sport to be had on the Taymount Beat through the course of last week with a total of twelve fish landed for the week. On the Stanley beats there were fish caught Catholes, Pitlochrie and Benchil last week which was good to see. There was a fish caught at Upper Redgorton on Wednesday. On the opposite bank, the Fishponds Beat produced a fish on Tuesday. The Waulkmill and Almondmouth beats finished with twelve and ten fish respectively for the week.
The river could now really do with a decent lift to freshen conditions and cool down the water temperature and looking at the weather forecast this could be just around the corner. So why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? It could be the place to provide you with that autumn 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 3rd September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Lower Bolfarcks 3, Edradynate 1, ,Upper Kinnaird 1, East Haugh 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 2, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 1, Murthly 2, 4, Kercock 2, Meikleour & U Islamouth 1, Islamouth 16, Ballathie 1, Cargill 17, Stobhall 5, Taymount 12, Catholes 1, Upper Scone 3, Pitlochrie 1, Benchil 1, Upper Redgorton 1, Fishponds 2, Waulkmill 12, Almondmouth 10,
Total: 102 Largest: Kercock & Stobhall 20lbs
HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE NO SHORTAGE OF SEPTEMBER SILVER IN THE DAYS AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 5th September 2022)
We moved into September last week which marks the beginning of the autumn salmon fishing season in Scotland. September can often be a prime month on the River Tay and in years gone by when the famous Tay autumn run started. Hopefully, there will be some nice fresh fish entering the river in the upcoming weeks and with a bit of luck anglers will land plenty of September silver in the days ahead.
It has been quite unsettled over the weekend with low pressure firmly in charge and this trend will continue into next week. It was windy on Saturday and Sunday saw showers or longer spells of rain across many parts of the country. Looking ahead to next week there is a distinct autumnal flavour to the weather. Monday and Tuesday will see heavy showers affect much of Perthshire and winds will be brisk with temperatures in the mid-teens. Wednesday should be a drier day. Towards the end of the week, there is a chance that the weather may settle down with possibly more prolonged drier interludes but nowhere will be immune to the threat of rain.
On the main river, Salmon were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth last week which shows that the fish are well spread throughout the system. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability next week so why not wet a line and chase some Tay autumn silver? There is no better way to start the autumn season than by landing a big Tay cracker!
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.