(River Tay weekly report week ending 28th March 2026)
We move into April next week with Easter now on the horizon. The nights are getting longer and the clocks have gone forward. As the sun gets stronger, the temperature contrast between night and day becomes less stark. It did, however, feel like a return to winter during the middle part of last week with a cold north westerly wind bringing snow showers over higher ground. On some days, it felt like early February rather than late March.
A great day was reported from the Lower Bolfracks Beat, with a fish lost but a superb day was had by four visiting Dutch anglers who enjoyed the hospitality of ghillie Jim.
Despite the colder weather, there were some cracking Tay springers were landed last week and it turned out to be the most productive week of the season so far. On the upper river, successful beats last week included Upper Farleyer and Findynate.
On the River Tummel at Portnacraig, Mr. Massimo Castlevecchi caught a fine eight pounder on the fly from the Portnacraig bank on Monday. On Tuesday, two fish were caught at Portnacraig. Mr. Tony Brown caught a sparkling twelve pounder on the fly from the Pitlochry bank. Later in the day, Mr. Steve Watt caught a sixteen pounder on the spinner from the Portnacraig bank. There was more success for Mr. Steve Watt on Friday when he landed an eight pounder at Portnacraig. Further downstream on the River Tummel, Mr Gavin Thomson landed a fine twelve pounder on Thursday from the Dunfallandy and West Haugh Beat.
It was good to see a fish caught at Dalmarnock on Friday. Mr. Davie Smith had a super Saturday at Dunkeld. Mr. Smith was fishing the Cathedral Stream when he landed a lovely ten pounder.
At Newtyle, Mr. Stuart Bowman caught a fine fish from the Cotter Pool on Tuesday. On Friday, Mr. Mic Larson landed a nice fish from the Trap at Newtyle.
It was good to see the Murthly 1 Beat produce a couple of fish on Tuesday. Successful anglers included Mr Gordon Hyslop, amongst others.
There was success on the Murthly 2 Beat on Monday. There was a fish landed at Stenton on Wednesday.
Mr Scott Brown had a day to remember on Saturday at Meikelour. Mr Brown was fishing Boxwood Bush when he got a powerful take. After a good fight, Mr. Brown went on to land his first ever salmon. Well done, Sir and hopefully the first of many!
On the River Ericht, there were fish caught at West Grange on Monday and Wednesday.
At Islamouth, Mr. Stuart Buchan caught a nice fish from the Longhead on Tuesday. On Thursday, Mr. Ewan Crockart landed two fine springers. The fish were caught from Sandyford and the Longhead. In the afternoon, Mr. Alan Brownlee caught a springer from the Ash Tree. On Saturday, Mr. Pat Machray caught a magnificent seventeen pounder from the Longhead.
Mr. Dyllan Dunbar caught a nice fish at Cargill on Tuesday. The fish was caught on a Rapala. There were two more springers caught at Cargill on Thursday.
A couple of fish were caught at Stobhall on Monday, with three more landed on Tuesday. The Taymount Beat finished with six fish for the week. There was success at Burnmouth on Monday. On Wednesday, Perth and District Angling Association member Mr. Mateusz Pokora caught a nice six pounder at Burnmouth.
On Monday, Mr. Robert Fyfe caught a lovely fifteen pounder at Catholes. The fish was caught from Woodside on a Vision. On Thursday, Mr. Frank Muller caught a cracking eleven pounder from Little Head on Catholes.
It was a happy Saturday for Mr. Tim Greenwood, who landed a lovely fresh fish from Greenfields little Head.
Mr. Peter Backhouse caught a nice fish at Pitlochrie on Monday on the fly from the Wash house.
It was good to see a fish caught at Upper Scone on Tuesday, with a couple more landed from the beat on Friday.
It was nice to see catches improve on the Tay system last week, and hopefully, this is a sign of things to come as we move towards Easter.
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 28th March)
SALMON & GRILSE: Upper Farleyer 1, Findynate 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 4, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 2, Murthly 2, 1, Stenton 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, West Grange 2, Islamouth 5, Cargill 3, Stobhall 5, Taymount 6, Burnmouth 2, Catholes 3, Pitlochrie 1, Upper Scone 3
Total: 46 Largest: Islamouth 17lbs
MORE NICE FISH TO BE LANDED AS WE MOVE TOWARDS EASTER?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 30th March 2026)
River levels were generally settled for much of last week. It felt cold at times, with a northerly wind and some snow showers over higher ground. Over the weekend, it was mainly dry on Saturday with some rain on Sunday. Looking ahead to next week, Monday and Tuesday should be mainly dry apart from the odd shower. There is a chance, from midweek onwards, that it will become more unsettled, with showers or even longer spells of rain. There could also be a drop in temperature as a north westerly airflow is established.
There is a chance of fresh fish anywhere on the system next week. Loch Tay has produced some nice fish in recent weeks, as has the River Tummel. The runs of fish heading for the Tummel entering the system should gain momentum over the next few weeks. On the main river, catches were well spread last week from Upper Farleyer down to Upper Scone, so you could make contact with that elusive silver tourist almost anywhere.
With the River Tay offering anglers excellent value for money when it comes to spring salmon fishing, there is no better time to book a day’s fishing on one of Scotland’s most prolific and iconic salmon rivers. So why not wet a line on the Tay next week? You might just start April off with a bang by landing that big Tay springer
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 spring period (April-May)
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 April and May water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. As river levels start to drop and water temperatures rise often heavy sinking lines and big tube flies are no longer needed. Instead sink tip lines or even floating lines coupled with a sinking polyleader can be more than adequate.
As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful 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 can work well. In higher water an intermediate or full sinking 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 early spring period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain. Usually a breaking strain between fifteen and eighteen pounds ideal.
In April and May depending on the water height and temperature smaller tube flies of various weights can work well. If the water temperatures are low weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes will allow your fly to get well down. Usually by late April and into May depending on the water height dressed flies can also be considered as a good alternative to the tube.
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 forty 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 forty grams. Devon Minnows can also be effective on the River Tay. In April and May, the Floating Devon can also work well. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. These lures can be excellent during the spring months. Once the water temperature rises sufficiently the Flying C is also a great lure and one which can produce the goods.
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 during the early spring months.
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. 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 of 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. It is important that anglers treat their quarry with the utmost of respect at all times.