(River Tay weekly report week ending 4th June 2022)
We have now moved into June which heralds the beginning of the summer salmon fishing season across Scotland. In the next few weeks, grilse and summer salmon will hopefully start running our rivers in ever-increasing numbers. Summer is a fantastic time of year to be out in the great Scottish outdoors. The leaves on the trees are green and vibrant and there are signs of life everywhere you look. The longer nights at this time of year also offer more angling opportunities with evening fishing becoming possible.
In addition to salmon fishing, June and July can also be good months for Sea trout fishing. Traditionally the runs of Sea trout peak within the next six weeks and a nice hard fighting sea trout can brighten up any angler’s day, especially if the salmon are playing hard to get!
It certainly did not feel like summer across much of Scotland including Perthshire during the first half of last week as a large area of low pressure dominated our weather. There were frequent heavy showers for much of the week and some of the downpours had a thundery flavour to them. It also felt cool at times. The weather became a little drier and warmer towards the end of the week and into the weekend.
Most anglers now have their fingers crossed for a period of settled weather and with it hopefully some good fishing. The water temperature last week was 11.0 degrees Celsius which 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
Catches improved on the Tay system last week compared to the previous week which was good to see. It was encouraging to see some of the lower beats produce a few fish. Hopefully, this is the start of what will prove to be a productive summer season for beats in this area of the river.
On the upper river, there were fish caught on the Upper Farleyer and Lower Bolfracks beats amongst others last week which was good to see. On Wednesday there was a magnificent sixteen pounder caught from the Edradynate Beat from the Church Pool. There was another fish caught from the beat on Friday.
It was a good start to the week on the Portnacraig Beat on the River Tummel. Mr John Simpson caught a nice fish weighing six pounds on Monday on the fly from the Pitlochry bank. On Tuesday evening Portnacraig regular Mr Jim Fisher enjoyed success when he caught a lovely thirteen pounder on the fly from the Pitlochry Bank. Next on the scoresheet at Portnacraig was Mr Alexandre Gaillon. Mr Gaillon was fishing the beat on Wednesday when he caught a magnificent salmon weighing twenty pounds on the spinner. The fish was caught on the Pitlochry bank. The Portnacraig Beat finished with five fish for the week.
It was nice to see a fine brace caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat on Thursday. There was success at the Dunkeld Beat on Monday. On Tuesday Mr Darrell Dyer had a day to remember at Dunkeld. Mr Dyer was fishing the Rock Pool when he got a savage take. After a great fight, Mr Dyer landed a superb fish weighing ten pounds. Wednesday saw Mr Dyer going one better when he caught two springers from the beat in the Gauge Pool. Three springers in two days can’t be bad!
Mr Mike McDermott was fishing the Newtyle Beat on his 65th birthday on Wednesday. Whilst fishing the Trap in the afternoon Mr McDermott hooked a nice fish. After a good fight, Mr McDermott landed a lovely springer. Birthdays don’t get much better than this!
Anglers fishing on the Murthly 2 Beat enjoyed some consistent sport through the course of last week. There was a nice fish caught at Kercock on Wednesday and two more on Friday. Ms Sarah de Carvalho MBE caught her first ever salmon at Meikleour on the fly last week and another successful angler caught his first salmon in ten years on his first visit to the beat which was great to see. It was a great start to the week for Mr David Mayhew’s party at Islamouth with four fish caught on Monday. The good sport continued through the course of the week with Sir Alan Parker’s party landing some nice fish. Islamouth finished with nine fish for the week.
There was a fine sea liced brace landed from the upper beat at Ballathie on Friday. Both fish were caught on the fly and weighed fourteen and fifteen pounds. On Tuesday there was a cracking twenty five pounder caught at Cargill. The successful angler was Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason. The fish as you would expect put up a great fight making several powerful runs before it was landed. It just goes to show the calibre of fish the Tay system is capable of producing at this time of year.
On Thursday Mr Guy McCourt had a good day when he caught a sparkling salmon from the upper beat at Cargill. There were also a few fish hooked and lost that day. There were two more fish caught from the beat on Saturday. There was a couple of nice fish caught from the Taymount Beat through the course of last week.
It was great to see the Fishponds Beat get off the mark for the season after a few close encounters when a cracking sixteen pounder was caught from Benchil Green on Monday. The fish was caught on the fly with the successful pattern being a Posh Tosh. The Almondmouth Beat finished with 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 4th June)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farlayer 2, Edradynate 2, Lower Bolfracks 7, Upper Kinnaird 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 5, East Haugh 1, 2, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dunkeld 4, Newtyle 2, Murthly 2, 4, Kercock 4, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 3, Islamouth 9, Ballathie 2, Cargill 4, Taymount 2, Fishponds 1, Almondmouth 4
Total: 61 Largest: Cargill 25lbs
GOODBYE SPRING, HELLO SUMMER!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 6th June 2022)
We entered into the metrological summer last week and said goodbye to spring. However, the weather was far from summer like. Low pressure dominated the weather during the first half of last week and there were heavy showers for most and it also felt quite cool at times. It was drier as we moved towards the weekend and temperatures also rose to more seasonable values.
Catches were up on the previous week and it was good to see a few grilse coming off the river, hopefully, this is the start of a good summer run. Anglers will now be hoping for a settled spell of weather coupled with steady river levels which should give them the best chance of making contact with that Tay silver tourist.
Looking ahead to the weather next week the first half of the week is set to be dry and settled with light winds. However, from midweek onwards conditions are set to become more unsettled with low pressure dominating our weather with showers or longer spells of rain.
Catches on the Tay system were again well spread last week from Upper Farlayer down to Almondmouth. Many of the fish caught were sea liced indicating that the fish entering the system were running hard. Grilse are now also being caught on a more regular basis which gives anglers some optimism for the summer season. There is a good chance of picking up a fresh fish anywhere on the main river next week as the spread of recent catches would suggest. Probably the best chance could be anywhere on the middle or lower river. The River Tummel could also be worth a cast.
As always, the River Tay offers anglers fantastic value for money with a wide range of salmon fishing to suit all tastes. There is decent availability in the upcoming days on some fantastic beats, so why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most famous and iconic salmon rivers? There could be a big Tay salmon with your name on it!
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.