(River Tay weekly report week ending 25th June 2022)
We are currently in the midst of the Scottish summer with July almost upon us and the summer salmon fishing season is in full swing on the River Tay. In the past couple of weeks, there have been reasonable numbers of hard fighting grilse and larger sparkling summer salmon landed. It is hoped that catches will continue to build as we move through July.
Last week was quite settled and dry with high pressure in charge of the weather for much of the week. It felt very warm on certain days in the strong afternoon sunshine. It became cooler over the weekend with a few showers. Water levels were quite settled for much of the week. The water temperature last week was 57 degrees Fahrenheit which is 13.9 degrees Celsius.
There were some sparkling summer salmon and hard fighting grilse caught from the Tay last week. On the upper river, there was a fine fifteen pounder caught from the Edradynate Beat Tuesday and another fish caught from the beat on Saturday. Further downstream on the middle river it was good to see a couple of fish caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat during the first half of the week. There was success at Dalmarnock on Tuesday and Friday with fine fish landed on both days.
A sparkling sea liced grilse was caught from the Dunkeld Beat on Thursday. The fish took a Collie Dog fly and was caught in the Rock Pool. There were fish caught on both Murthly Beats last week which was good to see.
It was another successful week at Kercock with some cracking fish landed. Kercock regulars Mr & Mrs Creswick were visiting the beat for the first time with their son since lockdown and what a week they had.
The husband and wife team had a great day on Wednesday with Mrs Creswick landing three salmon and Mr Creswick also landing a magnificent fish. Very quickly Mr Creswick realised that he would be spending most of the week netting his wife’s fish!
Further downstream there were three fish caught at Meikleour during the second half of the week.
The Woods party were fishing at Islamouth during the first half of the week and caught nine fish up to twenty pounds. During the second half of the week, there were also some nice fish caught including a fine sixteen pounder by Mr Paul Copson. Islamouth finished with thirteen fish for the week.
At Ballathie there were four fish caught during the first half of the week with a mixture of nice summer salmon and fresh grilse landed.
On Tuesday a magnificent sea liced eleven pounder was caught from the beat.
There were two more fish caught on Friday including one on a floating devon.
There were some nice fish caught at Cargill last week. Successful anglers included Mr Steven Drury who caught a lovely fish from the beat on Tuesday.
At Stobhall Mr Bill Gracie landed a sea liced thirteen pounder from the top beat on Monday. Next on the scoresheet at Stobhall was Mr Paul Smith who caught his first ever salmon on Tuesday from Findford Stream. Well done sir!
On Saturday three fish were caught from the beat, successful anglers included Mr David Henderson with a ten pounder from the March and Mr Findlay Boyd with a fine fish weighing six pounds from Findford Stream.
The Taymount beat produced some nice fish last week. Further downstream Ms Alli Spring from America had a day to remember at the Fishponds Beat on Wednesday. Ms Spring caught her first ever salmon weighing sixteen pounds from the Craigs on a Vision 110 lure. It is just great to see anglers catching their first salmon on the River Tay!
There was more success at Fishponds on Thursday when a stunning eighteen pounder was landed on the fly from the Fireshot. There was also a fish lost on the fly at the Five Trees.
There were some nice fish caught at Waulkmill last week and Almondmouth finished with six fish for the week.
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 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 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 26th June)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Farleyer Upper 2, Edradynate 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 1, Murthly 1, 4, Murthly 2, 3, Kercock 8, Meikleour & U Islamouth 3, Islamouth 13, Ballathie 7, Cargill 2, Stobhall 5, Taymount 4, Fishponds 2, Waulkmill 3, Almondmouth 6
Total: 59 Largest: Islamouth 20lbs
SOME GOOD SPORT TO BE HAD IN JULY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 27th June 2022)
There were some fine fish caught from the river last week. River levels were steady and temperatures were in the mid-teens on most days. On a couple of days, last week conditions were very bright which was not ideal. Some of the anglers that 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 upcoming weeks, more salmon should enter the Tay system daily giving anglers the chance of making contact with the king of fish. Hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had as we move into July.
There have been a few showers over the weekend as low pressure has dominated our weather and it has been windy. Looking ahead to next week the unsettled theme is likely to continue with heavy showers on most days with a spell of prolonged rain likely on Tuesday. It will continue to be breezy and cool for the time of year.
Last week there were fish caught from Edradynate down to Almondmouth which shows that there are fish 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 that 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 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.