BETTER WEATHER AND SETTLED RIVER LEVELS APPEAR TO BE THE CATALYST FOR IMPROVED CATCHES ON THE TAY!
We have now moved into March and this is often when many anglers decide to pick up a rod for the first time this season. In March the days get notably longer, and the weather starts to improve. Usually more fresh fish start to enter many of Scotland’s salmon rivers including the Tay. Compared to January and February, salmon fishing in March can often be a much more pleasurable experience.
March heralds the beginning of the meteorological spring and thankfully the weather started to play ball last week and we experienced something very rare, a week when there were no huge lifts in water. That was not the only good news, as the weather was also much improved. Indeed, through the middle part of the week, during some afternoons, you could almost sense a hint of spring in the air when the sun came out and the wind dropped. The better weather last week was all courtesy of the jet stream diving well to the south of the UK. This resulted in the UK being on the cold side of the jet stream but more importantly, this also meant that there were very few low pressure systems battering the UK as they have done in recent weeks. Subsequently, it was cold but mainly dry and this resulted in mostly settled river levels. This is what anglers and ghillies on the Tay had been keeping their fingers crossed for. The better weather and more settled water levels appeared to be the catalyst for improved catches on the river. The water temperature last week 37.8 degrees Fahrenheit which is 3.2 degrees Celsius.
On Loch Tay, there were a number of fish landed as well as a few lost. Wednesday is a day that will live in the memory of Mr Ross Murdoch for some time. Mr Murdoch was fishing the loch with his father when he hooked and landed his first ever salmon weighing ten pounds. Well done Sir!
On Loch Tay, there were a number of fish landed as well as a few lost. Wednesday is a day that will live in the memory of Mr Ross Murdoch for some time. Mr Murdoch was fishing the loch with his father when he hooked and landed his first ever salmon weighing ten pounds. Well done Sir!
Mr Ross Murdoch with his first ever salmon caught from Loch Tay
The following day there was more success, this time for Mr Duncan Mackenzie. Mr Mackenzie was fishing with Mr Grant Tigwell from the Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips Company when he landed a magnificent twenty pounder.
It was good to see the upper river produce some nice fish last week. On Wednesday Mr Gordon Pollock caught a fine springer weighing around seven pounds from the Edradynate Beat. The fish was caught from the Church Pool, harling. The following day Mr Ian Marshall got on to the scoresheet when his line tightened. After a memorable battle, he landed a beautiful sixteen pounder which was caught on the fly.
A fine springer caught from the Edradynate Beat
It was a happy Monday on Upper Kinnaird when a lovely sixteen pounder was landed. The fish was caught harling from the Rock Pool on a pink Kynoch lure. The Murthly 1 Beat produced a nice springer on Saturday as did Glendelvine.
There was success at Meikleour & Upper Islamouth on Wednesday when a fine sixteen pounder landed from Islamouth. The fish was in excellent condition and after a monumental tussle was returned safely to carry on with its journey upstream.
There was success at Meikleour & Upper Islamouth on Wednesday when a fine sixteen pounder landed from Islamouth. The fish was in excellent condition and after a monumental tussle was returned safely to carry on with its journey upstream.
A beautiful sixteen pounder caught from the Meikleour & Upper Islamouth Beat
Conditions on the famous Islamouth Beat improved as water levels gradually dropped through the course of the week. The beat produced a nice fresh fish on Tuesday. The successful angler was Mr Iain McDougall who was fishing with the Miller Party. Mr McDougall caught a lovely twelve pounder on a Toby lure.
It was a successful day at Stobhall on Tuesday with no shortage of action. At the start of the day, a large fish was lost after stripping around one hundred meters of line during its first run. Towards the end of the day, Mr Mathew Will was fishing the famous Linn Pool when his line tightened. He went on to land a sea liced springer weighing ten pounds.
It was a successful day at Stobhall on Tuesday with no shortage of action. At the start of the day, a large fish was lost after stripping around one hundred meters of line during its first run. Towards the end of the day, Mr Mathew Will was fishing the famous Linn Pool when his line tightened. He went on to land a sea liced springer weighing ten pounds.
Mr Mathew Will with a fine springer caught from Stobhall
It was a great end to the week at Stobhall when Mr Marc Sloss landed a fin perfect springer on Saturday.
Mr Marc Sloss with a cracker caught from Stobhall on Saturday
The week got off to a bang on Monday at Taymount when a superb eighteen pounder was landed. There were three more fish caught from the beat on Wednesday. Taymount has produced some lovely springers so far this season and hopefully, this is a sign of things to come.
It was a productive few days on the Burnmouth Beat for Mr John Lessels. He caught three lovely fish weighing nine, eleven and eighteen pounds during the first half of the week. It was a good day on Wednesday for the Stanley beats. Mr Gerry Rattrey was wetting a line on the Pitlochrie Beat when he landed a fine springer. The fish was caught on a Toby lure from the Five Trees Pool. Mr Alistair Sheach was glad that he booked a day’s fishing on the Tay. Mr Sheach was fly fishing the Woodside Pool on the Catholes Beat when he hooked a good springer. The fish led him a merry dance and was eventually landed weighing a terrific sixteen pounds. The beat produced another fish on Saturday.
It was a productive few days on the Burnmouth Beat for Mr John Lessels. He caught three lovely fish weighing nine, eleven and eighteen pounds during the first half of the week. It was a good day on Wednesday for the Stanley beats. Mr Gerry Rattrey was wetting a line on the Pitlochrie Beat when he landed a fine springer. The fish was caught on a Toby lure from the Five Trees Pool. Mr Alistair Sheach was glad that he booked a day’s fishing on the Tay. Mr Sheach was fly fishing the Woodside Pool on the Catholes Beat when he hooked a good springer. The fish led him a merry dance and was eventually landed weighing a terrific sixteen pounds. The beat produced another fish on Saturday.
Mr Alistair Sheach with a fine fly caught springer from Catholes
Another date for the diary is Wednesday the 18th of March when the TDSFB will hold it’s annual public meeting at the Birnam Institute at 1900 hrs. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda for the meeting will be available to view on the TDSFB website on 11th March.
With some fine fish being landed in recent days and catches improving why not chase Scottish spring silver on the Tay next week? You could have that day to remember!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 7th March)
(week ending 7th March)
SALMON & GRILSE: Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 2, Edradynate 2, Upper Kinnaird 1, Glendelvine 1, Murthly 1, 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, Islamouth 1, Stobhall 1, Taymount 5, Stobhall 1, Burnmouth 3, Pitlochrie 1, Catholes 2
Total:22 Largest: Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 20lbs
SOME MORE MARCH MAGIC IN THE DAYS AHEAD ON THE TAY SYSTEM?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 9th March 2020)
It was good to finally get some decent weather coupled with settled water levels last week after what feels like an age. This allowed anglers to enjoy a full week of fishing with the river in decent condition for many beats. There was some rain and strong winds over the weekend, but this was nothing like the almost weekly Saturday Storm we had become accustomed to in recent weeks.
As the jet stream had dived well to the south of the UK at the beginning of the week we were in colder air and so water temperatures were low enough for any running fish to slow down a bit giving anglers a chance to intercept them on their journey upstream. Catches improved on the Tay system last week and the quality of fish landed by anglers were second to none with a number of the salmon caught, being sea liced. There were numerous fish weighing well into the teens of pounds landed, as well as a twenty pounder.
There was a big lift in the water on Sunday after some heavy rain late on Saturday night coupled with melting snow. Looking ahead to next week, the cold weather is set to continue, and it is set to turn a bit more unsettled. Monday will start dry and bright, but a spell of wet and windy weather will spread in from the Atlantic later in the day. There will be showers or longer spells of rain across Perthshire on Tuesday with gales in exposed parts. From midweek onwards there will be frequent showers, and these could fall as snow especially on higher ground with a risk of frosts. Catches on the river were well spread last week with some lovely springers being landed. Loch Tay also produced some top quality spring salmon. It does now appear that the fish are gradually beginning to spread themselves throughout the system, so anywhere on the main river could produce that elusive springer next week. Loch Tay and the River Tummel could also be well worth considering.
With catches improving, will there be some more March magic in the days ahead? The only way to find out is by wetting a line on the mighty River Tay next week!
As the jet stream had dived well to the south of the UK at the beginning of the week we were in colder air and so water temperatures were low enough for any running fish to slow down a bit giving anglers a chance to intercept them on their journey upstream. Catches improved on the Tay system last week and the quality of fish landed by anglers were second to none with a number of the salmon caught, being sea liced. There were numerous fish weighing well into the teens of pounds landed, as well as a twenty pounder.
There was a big lift in the water on Sunday after some heavy rain late on Saturday night coupled with melting snow. Looking ahead to next week, the cold weather is set to continue, and it is set to turn a bit more unsettled. Monday will start dry and bright, but a spell of wet and windy weather will spread in from the Atlantic later in the day. There will be showers or longer spells of rain across Perthshire on Tuesday with gales in exposed parts. From midweek onwards there will be frequent showers, and these could fall as snow especially on higher ground with a risk of frosts. Catches on the river were well spread last week with some lovely springers being landed. Loch Tay also produced some top quality spring salmon. It does now appear that the fish are gradually beginning to spread themselves throughout the system, so anywhere on the main river could produce that elusive springer next week. Loch Tay and the River Tummel could also be well worth considering.
With catches improving, will there be some more March magic in the days ahead? The only way to find out is by wetting a line on the mighty River Tay next week!
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
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 early spring months water temperatures are often low and river levels high. In such conditions, the depth at which your fly is moving through the water column can be the key to success. Often you may be required to use floating lines coupled with sinking polyleaders, intermediate or even full sinking lines. It is therefore important that you have a fly rod that can work in harmony with a heavy line. As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful fifteen-foot rod with a ten-line rating will cover almost any eventuality.
Make sure your fly reel has a good drag system
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 can work well. In higher water, an intermediate or full sinking 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 early spring period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain. Usually a breaking strain between fifteen and eighteen pounds ideal.
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 early spring period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain. Usually a breaking strain between fifteen and eighteen pounds ideal.
Tube flies can work well during the early part of the season
During the early part of the season, tube flies often work well. If the water temperatures are low weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes of a decent length will allow your fly to get well down and close to where the fish are likely to be lying. In cold weather, the fish are unlikely to be keen on moving fast so it is better that your fly moves through the water column at an adequate depth and not too quickly.
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 forty 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.
The Vision 110 can be a productive lure on the River Tay
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 forty grams. Devon Minnows can also be effective on the River Tay during the early spring months. Vision 110s and Rapalas are also lures which are well worth considering.
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 during the early spring months.
Harling can be a very productive method at certain times of the year on the River Tay
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. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practised 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 respect at all times.
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 respect at all times.
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