(River Tay weekly report week ending 8th October 2022)
Last week was very frustrating in many ways for anglers fishing the Tay despite it being the most productive week of the season so far with well over three hundred fish caught from the Tay system. The autumnal weather brought frequent spells of heavy rain and strong winds to much of Scotland including Perthshire. This led to the river rising on almost a daily basis and carrying some colour. The river was well above six feet mark on the Ballathie gauge on most days. As we all know unsettled water is not conducive to good salmon fishing. If the unsettled water was not enough the strong and gusty winds made fly fishing difficult from time to time, to say the least. All this left anglers scratching their heads wondering what could have been if we had some settled water and good fishing conditions. With the ground so saturated now, very little rain is required for the river to rise as we head into the final week of the season.
On the upper river, there was a couple of fish caught at Edradynate on Monday with the lift in water over the previous weekend definitely helping the cause. It was good to see the Upper Kinnaird Beat produce a fish also on Monday. There was success on both the Lower Kinnaird and Dalmarnock beats last week including fish caught from Dalmarnock on Saturday.
It was a day to remember for Mr Ronnie Blair who was fishing at Dunkeld on Thursday. Mr Blair landed three lovely fish which all put up a great tussle. Three fish in a day in anyone’s book is fabulous sport!
Mr Richard Dickinson timed his visit to the Newtyle Beat on Tuesday perfectly. He hooked and landed a nice fish from the Boil just before the river started to rise quickly and become almost unfishable. It just goes to show that being in the right place at the right time can often make all the difference!
It was a great start to the week on the Murthly 2 Beat with seven fish landed on Monday. Anglers continued to enjoy some decent sport on both Murthly beats as the week progressed. There was a fine brace landed from the Delvine & Burnbane Beat on Monday with another fish caught on Saturday.
Mr Ernie Donnell endured an eight hour drive all the way from London leaving at 2 am. Upon arriving at the Kercock Beat on Monday Mr Donnell decided to have a quick cast before lunch and landed two nice fish in twenty minutes. This was followed by quickly securing his hat trick the following day. Mr Donnell continued to enjoy good sport on Kercock through the course of the week and he ended on high landing three fish on Saturday afternoon including a twenty one pounder. Other successful anglers at Kercock last week included Mr Richard Dickinson and Mr Peter Chapman
The lift in the water definitely helped catches at Meikleour and Upper Islamouth with three fish landed from the beat on Monday and another on Tuesday. The decent sport continued as the week progressed with eleven fish landed on Thursday.
At Islamouth the Farnell party were wetting a line during the first half of the week and landed ten fish with Mr Phil Taylor being top rod landing an eighteen pounder. Ms Jemma Phayre’s party enjoyed some good sport towards the end of the week and it was great to see Jemma and her Mum both catch their first ever salmon.
Anglers fishing at Ballathie enjoyed some excellent sport last week. The week got off to a flyer with thirteen fish being landed from the beat on Monday. There were fish caught on most days but undoubtedly more fish would have been landed if river levels had been more settled.
There were good numbers of fish caught from Cargill last week. It was also great to see several bigger fish landed from the beat as well. On Tuesday Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason broke his own personal best when he landed a magnificent twenty eight pounder from the beat. On Wednesday there were four fish landed at Cargill by 0930 hrs which is great sport in anyone’s book! Other successful anglers at Cargill last week included Mr Steve Cunroe and Mr Gareth Craze amongst others.
Mr Barry Ward had a happy Monday when he landed four fish from the Stobhall Beat. There was good sport to be had on both the Stobhall and Taymount beats last week with decent numbers of fish caught on most days including a magnificent twenty two pounder from Stobhall on Monday.
It was a good start to the week for anglers fish at Upper Scone on Monday with three fish landed. Some nice fish continued to be caught from the beat as the week progressed.
It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Catholes on Thursday. Mr Tom Jennings caught a nice fish from the Long Shot at Benchil on Tuesday. There was success at Fishponds through the course of last week with the beat finishing their week with five salmon and six seatrout. The Upper Redgorton Beat also produced some nice fish including a magnificent twenty pounder on Friday and the Waulkmill Beat finished with thirty fish for the week.
With only one week remaining of the Tay salmon fishing season remaining there is still time to land that last big Tay salmon of 2022, so why not have cast? There seems to be no shortage of larger fish about and who knows, the river might just produce a thirty pounder before the season finally draws to a close!
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 8th October 2022)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Edradynate 2, Upper Farleyer 3, Lower Bolfracks 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, East Haugh 1, 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalmarnock 4, Dunkeld 4, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 4 Murthly 2, 9, Glendelvine 3, Delvine & Burnbane 3, Kercock 17, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 20, Kethick Streams 5, Islamouth 18, Ballathie 30, Cargill 49, Stobhall 34, Taymount 39, Upper Scone 15, Catholes 2, Benchil 1, Upper Redgorton 15, Fishponds 5, Luncarty 2, Waulkmill 30, Almondmouth 13, Crieff Angling Club 2, Lochlane & Laggan 1
Total: 339 Largest: Cargill 28lbs
STILL TIME REMAINING TO CATCH THAT LAST TAY SALMON OF 2022!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 10th October 2022)
There is one week remaining of the 2022 Tay salmon fishing season, so there is still time for that final cast on the river. It was a week of unsettled weather last week with low pressure dominating proceedings. This brought spells of heavy rain and strong winds across much of Perthshire leading to rising river levels on almost a daily basis. It was mostly dry on Saturday across the region, but Sunday saw more rain affecting many parts. The unsettled weather looks set to continue next week. Monday will be mostly dry with the odd shower. There will be a strong north westerly wind. There will be showers for the rest of the week. Towards next weekend there are signs that a deep area of low pressure may bring stronger winds and heavy rain for many. Temperatures will be mostly in the low teens feeling cool in the gusty brisk winds.
Salmon were caught from the Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth on the main river with the majority of fish caught on the middle and lower river. There were also fish caught on the River Tummel, Ericht and River Earn which make up part of the Tay system. Probably the best chance of success during the final week of the season is likely to be on beats situated on the middle and lower river. As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system, so why not have that final Tay foray of 2022?
Good luck to all those anglers intending to wet a line before the season ends.
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.