(River Tay weekly report week ending 14th September 2024)
We moved deeper into autumn last week, and it certainly felt that way. After the heat and humidity of the previous weekend, temperatures nose-dived at the beginning of last week. On Tuesday and for much of the week, temperatures barely got into the low teens and there were even some snow showers on top of Scotland’s highest peaks. At this time of year, anglers often welcome a drop in temperature as it can make the fish more aggressive and more inclined to take a fly or lure.
Some cracking fish were caught on the river last week, including three twenty five pounders. The upper river beats that produced fish last week included both Farleyer beats, Edradynate and Upper Kinnaird. It was also good to see fish caught on the River Lyon at South Chesthill on Monday and Tuesday.
Mr Jim Dickson caught his first ever salmon on Monday from the Lower Kinnaird Beat. Well done, sir. You will never forget your first! There was success at Dalguise on Friday. It was good to see a fish caught at Dalmarnock on Thursday. At Dunkeld, Mr John Pilkington caught his first ever salmon on Saturday. Do Saturday’s get any better than that?
On Monday afternoon, Mr Richard Henderson caught a nice fish from the Steps at Newtyle. The fish gave an excellent account of itself and led Mr Henderson a merry dance before it was landed. There were more fish caught at Newtyle on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Murthly beats finished with a combined total of eleven fish for the week weighing up to twenty five pounds. It was a happy Monday at Stenton, with three fish landed for the day.
It was an excellent week at Kercock, with some great sport to be had on most days. There were many happy anglers with big smiles. Mr Kenny Ferguson had eight fish for his week and Kevin Clayton had seven.
On Friday, Ms Cathryne Boyes had a day to remember at Kercock. Ms Boyes landed a twenty five pounder in the morning followed by a twenty two pounder in the afternoon. An excellent days’ sport! Both fish were caught on a Willie Gunn. This just goes to show the calibre of fish the Tay is capable of producing at this time of year. Other successful anglers included Mr. Ernie Duff and Mr. Calum King. The Kercock Beat finished with a very creditable twenty four fish for the week.
The Meikleour Beat has fished well in recent weeks and there were three fish caught from the beat on Monday. The fish were caught from the Cormorant Tree and Boxwood Bush. There was also a twelve pounder caught from the Castle Pool.
On Wednesday, Mr Chris Bullivant caught his first salmon, and what a fish it was. The fish, which was hooked in the House Pool, put up a great fight lasting thirty minutes and weighed twenty five pounds. The successful fly was a gold bodied Willie Gunn.
On Thursday, Mr Jim McLanaghan caught two nice fish from the Bridge and another from the tail of the March Pool.
On Saturday, Mr Callan Stewart caught his first ever salmon, which was a magnificent eighteen pounder.
At Cargill, Mr Barry Marshall from Newcastle landed the perfect birthday present on Tuesday when he caught a fine fish from the beat. Other successful anglers at Cargill last week included Mr. Neil French and Mr. Barry Ward.
Some lovely fish were caught at Taymount last week, including seven on Monday weighing up to twenty two pounds. The Taymount Beat finished with thirty two fish for the week.
It was good to see some nice fish caught at Upper Scone last week. The beat finished with fourteen fish for the week. There was a fish caught from both the Pitlochrie and Benchil Beats on Monday. Thursday saw the rod bent for Mr. Richard Chambers who got in on the action at Benchil landing two nice fish. On Saturday, three fish were caught at Benchil, weighing up to eighteen pounds. Mr. Jason Stratton and Mr. Sandy Datta were among the successful anglers.
At Upper Redgorton, a couple of fish were caught from the beat on Wednesday and three on Thursday and Saturday. It was good to see a fish caught at Fishponds on Wednesday.
On Thursday at Fishponds, Mr. Colin Frood caught a grilse from the Luncarty Pool and Mr. Willie Cumming caught a magnificent eighteen-pounder from Hedge End. Next on the scoresheet at Fishponds was Mr Joe Beale, who caught a good fish from the Well Hole on Friday.
Mr. Austen Hall had a day to remember at Luncarty on Monday when he caught a nice fish from the tail of the Luncarty Pool on the fly. On Wednesday, a nice twelve pounder came to the net at Luncarty. Three more fish were caught at Luncarty on Friday, two of which were fresh, which is always good to see.
The Waulkmill Beat has produced decent numbers of fish over the past few weeks and the beat finished with fifteen fish for the week. There were seven fish caught from the beat on Tuesday including a magnificent twenty two pounder.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
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. 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 (For beats wishing to be included in this report only)
(week ending 14th September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
South Chesthill Fishing 3, Edradynate 1, Upper Farleyer 5, Lower Farleyer 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, Loch Faskally 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 3, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 5, Murthly 1, 4, Murthly 2, 7, Stenton 3, Kercock 24, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 15, Cargill 21, Taymount 32, Catholes 1, Pitlochrie 1, Upper Scone 14, Benchil 6, Upper Redgorton 7, Fishponds 8, Luncarty 5, Waulkmill 15, Crieff Angling Club 1
Total: 181 Largest: Murthly 2, Kercock & Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 25lbs
SETTLED WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 16th September 2024)
It was a much colder week courtesy of strong and gusty north westerly winds. There were frequent showers and it felt raw in the wind on certain days. Over the weekend, it became milder as a south westerly airflow developed across much of Scotland, including Perthshire. There were some showers on Saturday, but Sunday was drier. Looking ahead to the weather next week it is set to become more settled as high pressure builds. Monday may see the odd isolated shower. From Tuesday onwards it will be mainly dry with lighter winds. It will also feel milder than of late with temperatures in the high teens for the most part.
Some nice fish were caught from the Tay, which was good to see. Last week, on the main river, fish were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill, with the bulk of the action on beats situated on the middle and lower river. Fish were also caught from the River Lyon and River Earn.
There is good availability on the Tay system next week, so why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most famous salmon rivers? You could end up having one of those September days 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 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.