DIFFICULT TIMES AHEAD…BUT YES SALMON FISHING DOES MATTER TO MANY PEOPLE AND THE TAY REMAINS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
(River Tay weekly report week ending 21st March 2020)
For many people, salmon fishing will be the last thing on their minds as Scotland and the UK as a whole braces itself for unprecedented times ahead. There is no escaping the fact that the outbreak of Covid-19 is very worrying and it is an uncertain time for all of us. It is easy to say when people’s health, livelihoods and lives are at risk that salmon fishing does not matter and of course this may be the case. However, there are many people in Scotland that rely on salmon fishing for employment as it has become entwined into the fabric of our society. For these individuals, it does matter and so it should. Many people around the country who live close to the banks of a river and don’t have too far to travel may feel that salmon fishing is genuinely good for the soul and mind amid such testing times and so they will appreciate the fact that to date they are still able to book a day’s fishing on the river. Currently, the Tay system is open for business as usual.
We are now moving towards the end of March and as each day passes more hard fighting spring salmon are running the Tay system. Indeed last week was the most productive week of the season so far on the Tay system. Over the next few weeks, we should be entering the prime spring period on the river and hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had.
Last week also saw the spring equinox on Friday. This is when the hours of day time and night time are of approximately equal length. For the scholars amongst us, the word equinox is derived from the Latin term aequinocium, from aqueous which means equal and nox which is night.
Thankfully, the weather was much more settled across Perthshire from midweek onwards as high pressure started to build. The settled weather continued through the weekend and gradually water levels on the Tay system dropped. Currently, the river is in excellent condition and hopefully,
We are now moving towards the end of March and as each day passes more hard fighting spring salmon are running the Tay system. Indeed last week was the most productive week of the season so far on the Tay system. Over the next few weeks, we should be entering the prime spring period on the river and hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had.
Last week also saw the spring equinox on Friday. This is when the hours of day time and night time are of approximately equal length. For the scholars amongst us, the word equinox is derived from the Latin term aequinocium, from aqueous which means equal and nox which is night.
Thankfully, the weather was much more settled across Perthshire from midweek onwards as high pressure started to build. The settled weather continued through the weekend and gradually water levels on the Tay system dropped. Currently, the river is in excellent condition and hopefully,
Mr Peter Fonda with a fine sixteen pounder caught from Loch Tay
It was good to see Loch Tay continuing its recent run of good form last week. The loch has produced some cracking fish in recent days including a fish weighing well in excess of thirty pounds. Monday saw more action on the loch. Mr Peter Fonda was fishing with his friend Mr Alan Brown and Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips guide Mr Grant Tigwell when his rod buckled. After a fight which led Mr Fonda a merry dance, he landed a lovely spring salmon weighing sixteen pounds. There were a total of two fish caught from the loch on Monday and a further fish was landed on Wednesday. Next to have some good fortune on the loch was Mr Chris Downes who landed a fine springer weighing twelve pounds.
Mr Chris Downs caught this fine springer from Loch Tay last week
Another member of the Fonda family enjoyed success on the loch on the same day this time it was Mr Geo Fonda who landed a lovely fresh sixteen pounder. It is great to see Loch Tay fishing well in recent weeks. It is a short season on the loch compared to the rest of the Tay system so long may it continue.
Mr Geo Gonda with a Loch Tay spring cracker!
It was a magical day on Saturday for young Lewis Blair who was fishing on the Glendelvine Beat. Lewis caught a fin perfect spring salmon weighing seven pounds. It is so good to see our younger generation getting into our sport and I am sure Lewis is now hooked. Well-done young man!
Young Lewis Blair with a fine springer from Glendelvine!
There were no Monday morning blues for Mr James MacDonald who was wetting a line on the Delvine & Burnbane Beat. Mr MacDonald landed a terrific springer weighing sixteen pounds. He then went on to hook another fresh fish, which turned out to be not such a happy ending!
A lovely spring salmon caught by Mr James MacDonald from the Delvine & Burnbane Beat
The River Isla produced a fish on Thursday and Friday from the Couper Grange Beat. At Islamouth there was a lovely springer caught on Friday with Mr Ramsey Muir being the successful angler. Mr Muir landed the cracking fish weighing eight and a half pounds. The springer was caught on a Kynoch. There was another fish caught from the beat on Saturday. There was success at Cargill on Thursday. Legendary Tay Ghillie, Mr George Mcinnes did the business at Ballathie on Friday. He was harling the Garden Pool on the upper beat when the rod bent double. The springer gave a great account of itself and was finally netted weighing in at a magnificent eighteen pounds. The fish took a pink & white Kynoch lure.
A fine Ballathie springer
Mr Mcinnes worked his magic again this time on Saturday when he had Samantha & Sandy Datta fishing the beat. They were harling at Cobblers Croy when the rod bent double and after a long hard fight Sandy landed a fine springer weighing twenty two pounds. The fish again took a pink & white Kynoch lure.
Sandy Datta with a nice Ballathie springer caught on Saturday
Thursday is not a day Mr Colin Sloss will not forget in a hurry. He hooked and landed a sparkling springer after a terrific fight from the Stobhall Beat.
Mr Colin Sloss with a sparkling fish caught from Stobhall on Thursday
It was a great day at Taymount on Monday when three fine springers were landed. Taymount has produced fish on a consistent basis so far this year and has been one of the most productive beats on the river to date. Further downstream the Burnmouth Beat also tasted spring success on Monday. The week ended on a high with a further three fish caught on Friday and another on Saturday.
The Stanley beats have fished well in recent days and Monday was no exception when Mr Paul Devlin and his party got on to the scoresheet. Mr Devlin fished hard in challenging weather conditions. His perseverance paid off as towards the end of the day he got his just rewards whilst fly fishing from an anchored boat. As the line swung around in the current, it suddenly tightened, and Mr Devlin hooked a lovely fish. After a great fight, a magnificent deep springer was expertly netted.
Mr Paul Devlin with a fine springer caught at Catholes on Monday
On Saturday afternoon Mr Robert White had a memorable afternoon landing two beautiful springers from the Catholes Beat. Both fish were caught on the fly, which was great news.
A beautiful fly caught salmon from Catholes on Saturday
Mr Stephen Paterson hooked and landed a fine springer on Thursday from Upper Scone. Mr Paterson was fishing the famous Pitlochrie Pool when his line tightened. The reward for his efforts was a fine fish weighing fifteen pounds. It looks like the fish was a hatchery reared salmon, which is great news. On Saturday Stephen's Father Mr George Patterson made it a family double when he went on to land beautiful eight pound springer.
A magnificent springer for Mr Stephen Paterson caught from the Upper Scone Beat
Away from the fishing, the hard work continues by the TDSFB. Last week saw the first of the smolt traps being positioned in the Tummel catchment area. In addition to this, the first batch of this year’s smolts were also released into the River Garry. All this work is vital in trying to ensure that salmon return to the Tay system for generations to come.
As a nation, we are currently facing very difficult and uncertain times. For many people, this report may not be important, trivial even. However, if any older or more vulnerable people in our society are currently self-isolating and reading this report we hope that you get some pleasure from this and that it wets your appetite for future salmon fishing forays on the River Tay once these hard times are finally behind us.
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
As a nation, we are currently facing very difficult and uncertain times. For many people, this report may not be important, trivial even. However, if any older or more vulnerable people in our society are currently self-isolating and reading this report we hope that you get some pleasure from this and that it wets your appetite for future salmon fishing forays on the River Tay once these hard times are finally behind us.
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 21st March)
(week ending 21st March)
SALMON & GRILSE: Loch Tay Fish N Trips 5, Glendelvine 1, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Coupar Grange 2, West Grange 1, Islamouth 2, Stobhall 1, Ballathie 2, Cargill 1, Taymount 3, Burnmouth 5, Catholes 3, Upper Scone 2
Total: 29 Largest: Ballathie 22lbs
FINALLY, A DECENT WEATHER FORECAST IN THE DAYS AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 23rd March 2020)
Last week was the most productive week of the season so far on the Tay system with some stunning spring salmon caught. Fortunately, from midweek onwards high pressure started to build and this led to predominantly dry weather, which continued, into the weekend. Water levels have gradually dropped, and this was welcomed by ghillies and anglers alike. As the river settled catches improved which was great to see.
Currently, the river is running at a nice height for many beats and with little rain forecast over the next few days, the river should continue to gradually drop. This will be music to the ears of many anglers who are intending to fish the Tay. Looking ahead to next week, Monday and Tuesday should be mainly dry with light winds. There will also be the chance of some night time frosts. Wednesday could see some rain spread in from the north west which will turn light and patchy in nature as we move into Thursday. At the moment the weather is set fair for next weekend. It will be quite cold from midweek onwards as we develop a cold northerly wind.
Catches were well spread on the system last week from Loch Tay down to Upper Scone. The quality of some of the salmon landed were truly second to none with numerous fishing weighing into the late teens as well as one registering on the scales at over twenty pounds. Anglers looking to fish on the loch stand a good chance of making contact with some early season silver, especially after some cracking fish being landed in recent days. The River Tummel and Isla could also be productive. On the main river, there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere. Hooking a big Tay salmon next week may just help take your mind off all the doom and gloom that is currently plaguing us.
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Currently, the river is running at a nice height for many beats and with little rain forecast over the next few days, the river should continue to gradually drop. This will be music to the ears of many anglers who are intending to fish the Tay. Looking ahead to next week, Monday and Tuesday should be mainly dry with light winds. There will also be the chance of some night time frosts. Wednesday could see some rain spread in from the north west which will turn light and patchy in nature as we move into Thursday. At the moment the weather is set fair for next weekend. It will be quite cold from midweek onwards as we develop a cold northerly wind.
Catches were well spread on the system last week from Loch Tay down to Upper Scone. The quality of some of the salmon landed were truly second to none with numerous fishing weighing into the late teens as well as one registering on the scales at over twenty pounds. Anglers looking to fish on the loch stand a good chance of making contact with some early season silver, especially after some cracking fish being landed in recent days. The River Tummel and Isla could also be productive. On the main river, there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere. Hooking a big Tay salmon next week may just help take your mind off all the doom and gloom that is currently plaguing us.
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 early spring period (January-March)
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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