(River Tay weekly report week ending 16th July 2022)
It was another mainly dry week across much of Scotland and as the week progressed temperatures started to rise again, peaking in the mid-twenties over the weekend. It became very warm but thankfully nothing like the temperatures experienced south of the border. The warmer weather has made fishing difficult at times. Unfortunately, it looks like temperatures are set to soar during the early part of next week with some parts of Scotland possibly seeing the mercury hit thirty degrees.
Over the past few years, late July and August have been the most productive period on the River Tay during the summer months and hopefully, this will be the case over the next few weeks. We are now in the midst of the Scottish summer, and there is no better place to be than on the banks of the mighty River Tay. With the trees in full leaf and wild flowers adorning the banks of the river it truly is a magical place to wet a line. The water temperature last week was 64.9 degrees Fahrenheit which is 18.3 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river, there was a nice grilse caught at Edradynate on Tuesday. Other beats that produced fish on the upper river included Upper Farleyer.
There was a fine brace landed at Dunkeld on Wednesday with more fish caught towards the end of the week. It was a happy Monday at Newtyle for Mr Robert Brown. Mr Brown hooked a powerful fish in the Boil on the fly. After a good fight, Mr Brown landed a lovely ten pounder. It was good to see a nice fish caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Wednesday.
There were some nice summer salmon and grilse caught from the Kercock Beat last week. Successful anglers included Mr Godfrey Davis who caught a lovely six pounder on a Green Highlander on Monday. There was also a sparkling grilse caught from the beat on Thursday on a Roncade fly. Saturday was the turn of John Dewars who landed two sparklers from the beat. At Meikleour it was good to see fish caught on most days last week.
Mr Keith Skeoch and his party were fishing at Islamouth during the first half of last week and landed eight fish for their three days including a magnificent seventeen pounder caught by Mr Iain Farr. Towards the end of the week, Mr David Mayhew and his family enjoyed some good sport at Islamouth landing some nice fish. On Saturday Mr Mayhew’s grandson, William Brooks caught his first ever salmon on the fly. The fish weighed thirteen pounds. Well done young sir!
Tay regular Mr David Turpin had a morning to remember at Ballathie on Wednesday. Mr Turpin landed three lovely fish all in the morning from the beat which is a great sport in anyone’s book. Well done Sir, you cannot beat landing a hat trick of salmon in the morning!
Mr Ian Wood hooked three fish on Monday at Cargill. Unfortunately, Mr Wood lost two of the fish he hooked but thankfully landed the third which was caught on the fly. The smile says it all!
On Thursday Mr David Harrington landed a lovely summer salmon at Cargill and there was also success for Mr Tom Plumbley who caught a fine grilse.
On Saturday Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason landed a fine brace from the beat despite the bright sunshine and warm conditions.
There were fish caught at Stobhall on most days last week. It was good to see a fish caught at Pitlochrie on Monday. On Tuesday Mr Yuri Janssen had a day to remember on the Pitlochrie Beat. Mr Janssen caught a lovely summer salmon from Woodside on the fly. The fish gave Mr Janssen a great tussle and was in superb condition. The Waulkmill Beat had a couple of fish last week and Almondmouth finished with ten fish for the week.
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 16th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Edradynate 1, Loch Faskally 1, Dunkeld 4, Murthly 2, 1, Newtyle 1, Kercock 5, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 5, Islamouth 16, Ballathie 4, Cargill 9, Stobhall 9, Taymount 9, Upper Scone 1, Pitlochrie 1, Benchil 1, Upper Redgorton 1, Waulkmill 2, Almondmouth 10
Total: 82 Largest: Cargill 20lbs
HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE SET TO PERSIST AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT WEEK!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 18th July 2022)
There were some cracking fish caught from the Tay system last week with a number being sea liced. There were also several larger summer salmon caught, with fish being landed in the teens not being uncommon.
It was mainly dry last week and as the week progressed temperatures started to climb. By the weekend temperatures were widely in the mid-twenties. Thankfully the heat was not as extreme as it was south of the border where in some places the mercury hit over thirty degrees. Unfortunately, the hot weather is set to continue into next week, which is not great news for anglers. However, there are signs that from midweek onwards the heat will relinquish its grip across much of Scotland. Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry but temperatures could peak in the early thirties. From midweek onwards temperatures should drop back towards average values. It looks like Wednesday is set to be the transition day to cooler conditions with widespread heavy showers affecting many parts of the region. Towards the end of the week, it should become drier once again with light winds.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse and many were sea liced, which was great to see. Salmon were caught from Upper Farlayer down to Almondmouth 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 summer silver? There is no better way to end July than landing a big Atlantic 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 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.