(River Tay weekly report week ending 6th July 2024)
We are now moving towards the middle of July. Thankfully, summer has been on holiday so far this year, making fishing conditions much more favourable for anglers. June remained quite cool, with temperatures well below the average and river levels did not hit rock bottom. This has led to decent catches on the Tay system over the past few weeks. Last week, the weather followed in a similar vein, with cooler conditions predominating. There was also some showers from midweek onwards and it was quite windy. There was a lift in water on Thursday and Friday.
Good numbers of summer salmon and grilse were caught from the Tay system last week, which was great to see. The quality of some of the fish landed was second to none, with numerous fish weighing well into the teens of pounds. Many of the grilse caught were like silver torpedoes, giving spectacular fights. It was really a case of top quality on the Tay when it came to many of the fish landed!
On the upper river, a nice twelve pounder was caught on the fly at Edradynate on Monday. Other beats that produced fish last week on the upper river included Upper Farleyer and Lower Bolfracks.
It was good to see a fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Tuesday. There was a fine hat trick caught at Dalguise on Wednesday. Downstream there was a fish caught at Dalmarnock on Friday. Mr Ronnie Blair caught a magnificent twenty five pounder at Dunkeld on Thursday.
The Newtyle Beat has produced some cracking fish recently; last week was no different. On Monday, Mr Richard Henderson caught a nice fish from the Trap, one of two fish caught on Monday.
Both Murthly Beats produced nice fish last week, including four caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Monday and Tuesday. The Murthly 2 Beat finished with thirteen fish for the week. Anglers on the Stenton Beat enjoyed some excellent sport during the first half of the week including four fish landed on Wednesday. The action continued as the week progressed.
There was success at Kercock on Wednesday. On Friday at Kercock, Mr Scott Sykes landed a magnificent twenty two pounder that gave a great account of itself. Shortly afterward, he went on to land a fine grilse. It was a great day of sport in anyone’s book!
It was an excellent end to the week at Kercock, with not only three fish caught on Saturday but also another notable achievement. At the Scottish Game Fair, the Kercock Beat was nominated for the Fishing Beat of the Year 2024 – a very proud moment for all involved with Kercock.
Some nice fish were caught at Meikleour last week, including two crackers on Wednesday and another fish landed on Saturday.
Mr Ian Jardine banished those Monday morning blues when he caught a fine grilse at Cargill. On Tuesday, Mr Iain Jardine was at it again, landing another cracking fish from Cargill.
There were three more fish caught at Cargill on Wednesday. On Friday, Mr Martin Stanley landed a fine sixteen pounder at Cargill. Not to be outdone, Mr Peter Draper, also fishing at Cargill on Friday, landed a seventeen pounder on the fly. Cargill finished with eleven fish for the week.
The Taymount Beat fished well last week with six fish caught from the beat on Monday and three more on Tuesday. Taymount finished with eighteen fish for the week.
At Pitlochrie Mrs Paulina and Mr James Kacergis caught a nice salmon on Monday. The fish was caught from the Horsey Pool. There were two other fish caught from the beat on Monday. On Wednesday, young Tom Russell caught a fine fish from the Corner Pool at Pitlochrie. Well done, young man! It was good to see the Upper Scone Beat produce a fine brace on Monday, and another fish was caught from the beat on Wednesday.
At Benchil, three fish were caught from the beat on Tuesday. Successful anglers included Mr. Kelvin Russell, who caught a fine fish on the fly in the Long Shot. On Thursday, Mrs Ann Emsens bravely battled high winds and caught two fabulous fish from the Long Shot. A great effort considering the conditions!
On Saturday, two more fish were caught at Benchil. Mr Jason Stratton was one of the successful anglers, landing a nice thirteen pounder from Todd Holes.
The Fishponds Beat has fished well recently and last week was no different. On Monday, the week got off to an excellent start for Mr Willie Cummings when he landed a fine sixteen pounder from the Craigs. On Tuesday, there was more success at Fishponds this time when a nice ten pounder was caught from the Shochie mouth. Another fish caught at Fishponds on Wednesday, this time for Mr Chris Meeson, weighing ten pounds on the fly from the Craigs.
It was good to see the Upper Redgorton Beat produce a fish on Wednesday and Thursday. Mr. Sandy Datta caught a nice twenty pounder at Luncarty on the fly on Wednesday. The fish was caught on a gold bodied Willie Gunn.
The Waulkmill Beat produced some nice fish last week and finished with six fish for the week.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
We are now moving towards what should be the prime summer period on the Tay system. With each tide, more fresh fish should be entering the river and hopefully, this will ensure some good sport for anglers in the weeks ahead.
The river is currently at a lovely height for fly fishing on many beats, so why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay? You could enjoy some good summer sport.
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 6th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Lower Farleyer 1, Upper Farleyer 1, Edradynate 2, Lower Bolfracks 3, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 3, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 13, Stenton 7, Kercock 6, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 4, Kethick Streams 1, Kethick Mains 1, Cargill 11, Taymount 18, Pitlochrie 4, Upper Scone 5, Benchil 7, Fishponds 4, Upper Redgorton 2, Luncarty 1, Waulkmill 6
Total: 107 Largest: Dunkeld 25lbs
MORE QUALITY SALMON LANDED IN THE UPCOMING DAYS?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 8th July 2024)
We are now moving into the middle of July and are in the height of the Scottish summer. Thankfully, compared to this time last year, the weather has been much more favourable for anglers. At least so far this summer, temperatures have been generally cooler, with some rain occasionally leading to regular lifts in water, which always helps at this time of year.
Some cracking fish were caught from the Tay system last week, with the quality of salmon being landed second to none. Hopefully, more top quality salmon will be landed from the Tay system in the upcoming days. The fish caught last week was a mixture of hard fighting fresh grilse and larger summer salmon; many were sea liced, which was good to see. There were also some nice Sea trout caught, which is always a welcome bonus, especially if the salmon fishing is proving tough.
Over the next few weeks, more fresh fish should enter the river as the summer run on the Tay begins to gain momentum. Hopefully, this will ensure continued good sport for anglers in the days and weeks ahead.
The weather was quite unsettled over the weekend. There were heavy showers on Saturday, but it was a little drier on Sunday.
Looking ahead to next week, the weather is set to remain cool for the time of year and also unsettled. Monday should be mainly dry, but there will be a spell of heavy rain on Tuesday coupled with gusty winds. Wednesday will be showery, and the showers could be heavy in places. There is a chance that towards the end of the week, high pressure could build, bringing drier conditions across the country.
Catches on the river were well spread last week from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill. With the river currently at a good height for fly fishing on many beats there is a decent chance of catching a fish anywhere on the river next week, particularly on the on the middle and lower river.
With beats on the River Tay offering fantastic value for money compared to many other rivers across Scotland, why not wet a line next week? Nothing quite beats landing some Tay summer silver!
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 ago. 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 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.