(River Tay Salmon fishing weekly report week ending 27th August 2022)
It has been noticeable over the past few weeks that the shadows have been growing longer and the evenings becoming darker. The hand of autumn is beginning to tighten its grip as we say goodbye to the Scottish summer.
We are now at the end of August when the traditional summer salmon fishing season in Scotland draws to a close. In the past, September and October have been prime autumn months on the River Tay and historically this is when the largest catches of salmon have been made. In more recent years the lack of clean autumn fish has been a problem on many of Scotland’s rivers including the Tay. Let us hope that this season bucks that trend.
The best way to describe last week’s weather was “showery”. The wet stuff fell on most days with varied intensity but winds were light for the most part. River levels were steady for much of the week after the small lift during the previous week. The water temperature last week was 15.0 degrees Celsius which is 59.0 degrees Fahrenheit.
There were decent numbers of fish caught from the Tay system last week which was great to see with catches up on the previous week. Several larger fish were landed weighing in excess of twenty pounds. In addition to this numerous hard fighting fresh grilse caught.
It was good to see a couple of fish caught from the East Haugh Beat of the River Tummel on Tuesday and another fish on Saturday. On the main river, there were fish caught on both the Lower Kinnaird and Dalmarnock beats last week. There was a success at Dunkeld on Friday. Mr David Gardner was fishing the Steps Pool at Newtyle on Tuesday when his fly line tightened. After a good battle, he landed an older cock fish which measured 81cm. Well done Sir!
There were some nice fish caught from Murthly 2 through the course of last week including three on Saturday. There was a fine brace landed at Delvine & Burnbane on Friday.
There was plenty of good sport for anglers at Kercock to enjoy especially at the beginning of the week with four fish caught on Monday. On Tuesday Mr Alan Finlay had a lovely eight pounder from the beat. On Friday Mr Robin Batchelor had a fine seven pounder. It was a strong end to the week at Kercock with five fish landed on Saturday. Successful anglers included Mr John Dewar, Mr Robert McFarlane and Mr Paul Jack amongst others.
At Meikleour there were a total of eight fish caught for the week including five first salmon which was fantastic. All four anglers in the Paterson party managed to catch their first ever salmon on Tuesday. On Saturday Mr Brian McLean also caught his first ever salmon. The largest fish of the week at Meikleour was caught from the March Pool and weighed twelve pounds.
At Islamouth the McGowan party landed twelve fish on Monday and Tuesday largest weighing eighteen pounds. Towards the end of the week, the Grey party also caught some lovely fish.
There were some nice fish caught at Ballathie last week with seven landed on Monday. On Tuesday there were two twenty pounders caught. Angler, Mr David Sproston was the man with the golden touch!
It was a happy Monday for both Mr Steve Gearhart and Mr Henry Johnson who caught lovely fish at Cargill. There were a total of five fish caught from the beat on Monday. On Wednesday Ms Jasmin Dodds had a day to remember at Cargill when she caught her first ever Tay salmon on her first trip to the River Tay. Just great to see!
On Friday Mr Robert Peccia from Montana caught a nice fresh fish on the fly at Cargill from the Cradle.
There were some nice fish caught at both Stobhall and Taymount beats last week including a cracking twenty three pounder from Taymount on Wednesday. There was a twenty two pounder caught from the beat on Friday.
At Upper Scone, there was a total of four fish for the week. The successful anglers were Russell Hughes who landed a fine brace on Thursday and Colin Stanought who caught a cracking eighteen pounder. On the Stanley beats it was nice to see a fish caught at Benchil on Monday and Saturday. There was success at Fishponds on Thursday. Towards the bottom end of the river, the Waulkmill and Almondmouth beats finished with four and sixteen fish for the week respectively.
Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on several beats and many of the fish caught in recent days have been sea liced. So why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? It could be the place to provide you with that riverbank fairy tale!
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 27th August 2022)
SALMON & GRILSE:
East Haugh 1, 3, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 2, 8, Glendelvine 3, Delvine & Burnbane 2, Kercock 11, Kethick Streams 2, Kethick Mains 2, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 8, Islamouth 16, Ballathie 14, Cargill 19, Stobhall 20, Taymount 24, Upper Scone 4, Benchil 2, Upper Redgorton 2, Fishponds 1, Waulkmill 4, Almondmouth 16, Lochlane & Laggan 1, Crieff Angling Club 1
Total: 170 Largest: Taymount 23lbs
WHAT WILL SEPTEMBER HAVE IN STORE FOR ANGLERS ON THE MIGHTY RIVER TAY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 29th August 2022)
We will be moving into September next week and this is when traditionally the beginning of the autumn salmon fishing season in Scotland. Historically many beats on the River Tay start to make big catches at this time of year, especially on the lower river. Hopefully in the next few weeks, the autumn run will start to gain momentum so anglers can enjoy some good sport until the end of the season.
It has been mainly dry and settled over the weekend. Looking ahead to next week, high pressure looks set to build which brings a lot of dry and settled weather coupled with light winds. Temperatures are set to be around average values for the time of year. Monday and Tuesday should be mainly dry and settled with variable amounts of cloud. Winds are also set to be light. From midweek onwards things may turn more unsettled as low pressure starts to dominate. Temperatures will be around average values for the time of year.
There were some lovely fish caught from the river last week with numerous salmon weighing well into double figures. The fish caught were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse and many were sea liced which was great to see. Salmon were caught from Lower Kinnaird down to Almondmouth on the main river with the bulk of the action coming from beats situated on the middle and lower river. There were also fish caught from the River Tummel, Isla and Earn which also make up part of the Tay system. As we move through September and into October the beats located on the lower river should come into their own. Traditionally this is when these beats start to produce larger numbers of fish on a more consistent basis. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability next week so why not wet a line and chase some Tay silver? There is no better way to start September than by landing that big Atlantic Salmon!
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.