THE TAY SYSTEM LIVES UP TO ITS REPUTATION FOR PRODUCING BIG SALMON AS A THIRTY-FIVE POUNDER IS LANDED!
(River Tay weekly report week ending 14th March 2020)
We have now moved into the middle of March and as each day goes by there should be more spring salmon entering the Tay system. Traditionally in March, more salmon destined for the Tummel start to enter the Tay, and this is in addition to the salmon that are bound for Loch Tay and beyond. In the next few weeks, beats on the middle river should start to produce salmon on a more consistent basis. Rivers like the Tummel and Isla should also become more productive.
Unfortunately, it was an all too common theme last week. The curse of high water that has plagued the Tay system for much of the season struck again. River levels were high at the beginning of the week and only gradually dropped as the week progressed. In spite of this, the Tay system continued to produce some top quality hard fighting salmon with a number of fish caught weighing over the magical twenty pounds mark. On Saturday a fish weighing thirty-five pounds was caught from Loch Tay. The Tay system truly lived up to its reputation for producing big salmon!
Mr Les McBride with a cracking springer caught from Loch Tay
It was a fantastic Friday for Mr Les McBride who was fishing on Loch Tay. Mr McBride hooked and landed a magnificent spring salmon weighing twenty-two pounds after a terrific fight. This is a fish that Mr McBride will not forget in a hurry.
Mr Mark Paris with a beautiful spring salmon caught from Loch Tay on Saturday
There was more success on the loch the following day. Mr Mark Paris and Mr Jock Weir hired a boat from the Loch Tay Fish n trips company and both caught stunning spring salmon weighing twenty-three and eighteen pounds.
Success for Mr Jock Weir on Loch Tay
Saturday was a day that Mr Jason Mcauley will never forget. He was fishing Loch Tay with his brother when he hooked a monstrous fish. The fish stayed deep and fought hard for what felt like an age. Finally, after numerous long runs, the magnificent spring salmon weighing thirty-five pounds was landed. The fish was caught on a black and gold Rapala Lure. This is the biggest salmon caught in Scotland so far this season and truly what salmon fishing dreams are made off!
Mr Jason Mcauley with his thirty five pounder caught from Loch Tay on Saturday!
It was a good start to the week on the upper river. The Findynate Beat produced a fish on Monday. Friday the 13th proved to be a lucky day for Mr Steven Watt. Mr Watt was fishing the Clochfoldich Pool on Findynate when he hooked and landed a beautiful springer weighing eight pounds.
It was great to see the Murthly 2 Beat produce a fine fly-caught nine pounder on Monday. It was a good end to the week at Meikleour & Upper Islamouth when a fine ten pounder was landed. The springer put up a great fight and was as fresh as paint.
On the River Isla, the Coupar Grange Beat produced a fish on Monday and Friday. Hopefully, this will be the first of many, as more fish destined for the River Isla enter the Tay system in the upcoming weeks.
On the River Isla, the Coupar Grange Beat produced a fish on Monday and Friday. Hopefully, this will be the first of many, as more fish destined for the River Isla enter the Tay system in the upcoming weeks.
The famous Islamouth Beat got off to a flier with a fine ten pound springer caught on Monday by Mr. Iain Wood from the Islamouth Pool on a Toby. The beat also went on to produce a lovely eight pounder on Thursday from the Greenbank Pool. There were no Monday morning blues for Mr Graham Wilson who was wetting a line on the Cargill Beat. Mr Wilson landed a terrific seventeen pounder. The fish put up a monumental battle and was in excellent condition.
Mr Graham Wilson with a cracking Cargill springer caught on Monday
Mr Robert Spence proved that perseverance was the key when fishing the Stobhall Beat on Wednesday. In spite of the river running at over eight feet Mr Spence hooked and landed a beautiful spring salmon.
A beautiful Stobhall springer caught on Wednesday
Next on to the score sheet was Mr John Boyd Jnr who caught a lovely sea liced springer on Saturday afternoon. Well done Sir!
Mr John Boyd with more Stobhall silver!
Mr Darren Kaye was fishing the Woodside Pool on the Catholes Beat last week. Mr Kaye hooked and landed a stunning spring salmon weighing eight pounds.
Mr Darren Kaye with a lovely springer caught at Catholes
On Wednesday it was a day to remember for Mr John Shaw. Mr Shaw was fly fishing from the bank in the Pitlochrie Pool when his line tightened and a terrific battle ensued. After a long fight, Mr Shaw landed a magnificent sea liced twenty-five pounder. Does spring salmon fishing in March get any better than this?
A superb twenty five pounder caught from the Pitlochrie Pool by Mr John Shaw
With some lovely big springers caught from the Tay system last week, there is every chance that more will be landed in the days ahead. So why not chase some spring silver on the Tay next week? You just experience that red-letter day!
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
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Beat catches reported
(week ending 14th March)SALMON & GRILSE: Loch Tay 1, Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips 3, Findynate 2, Murthly 2, 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, Coupar Grange 2, Islamouth 2, Cargill 1, Stobhall 2, Catholes 2, Pitlochrie 1
Total: 18 Largest: Loch Tay 35lbs
(week ending 14th March)SALMON & GRILSE: Loch Tay 1, Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips 3, Findynate 2, Murthly 2, 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, Coupar Grange 2, Islamouth 2, Cargill 1, Stobhall 2, Catholes 2, Pitlochrie 1
Total: 18 Largest: Loch Tay 35lbs
MORE BIG SALMON TO BE CAUGHT IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 16th March 2020)
It is likely that more fish would have been caught from the Tay system last week if water levels had been a bit lower and more settled. However, the fish caught were of fantastic quality and many weighed over the magical twenty pounds mark. It was great to see a number of fish caught on the fly. It would be good if river levels gradually drop for the remainder of March as this would give anglers a better chance of making contact with that hard fighting Tay salmon. Traditionally March has a reputation for producing big spring salmon on the Tay system and last week certainly did not disappoint. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come in the upcoming days and weeks.
Looking ahead to next week after some rain it is likely that the weather will settle down somewhat and this will be music to the ears of anglers and ghillies alike. Monday will start off mainly dry and cold but rain will spread in from the west with hill snow in some places. It will feel cool in the strong northwesterly wind. There will be showers or longer spells of rain on Tuesday with the heaviest rain falling on the western side of the catchment area. Wednesday and Thursday should be mainly dry as high pressure starts to build and the settled weather should continue into next weekend, which is great news. There were some lovely salmon caught from the Tay system last week and it was good to see the Tay system living up to its reputation for producing big salmon. Fish were caught from Loch Tay as well as the River Isla. On the main stem of the river, fish were caught from Findynate down to Pitlochrie so there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere. Loch Tay and the River Tummel are also well worth considering at this time of year. As always there are no shortage of options when it comes to fishing on the Tay system, with fishing to suit all tastes. The river offers tremendous value for money at this time of year with anglers being able to fish on some of the most famous and prestigious beats in Scotland at a very reasonable price.
Looking ahead to next week after some rain it is likely that the weather will settle down somewhat and this will be music to the ears of anglers and ghillies alike. Monday will start off mainly dry and cold but rain will spread in from the west with hill snow in some places. It will feel cool in the strong northwesterly wind. There will be showers or longer spells of rain on Tuesday with the heaviest rain falling on the western side of the catchment area. Wednesday and Thursday should be mainly dry as high pressure starts to build and the settled weather should continue into next weekend, which is great news. There were some lovely salmon caught from the Tay system last week and it was good to see the Tay system living up to its reputation for producing big salmon. Fish were caught from Loch Tay as well as the River Isla. On the main stem of the river, fish were caught from Findynate down to Pitlochrie so there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere. Loch Tay and the River Tummel are also well worth considering at this time of year. As always there are no shortage of options when it comes to fishing on the Tay system, with fishing to suit all tastes. The river offers tremendous value for money at this time of year with anglers being able to fish on some of the most famous and prestigious beats in Scotland at a very reasonable price.
With numerous big fish landed last week, why not wet a line on the mighty Tay next week? You might just land that spring salmon of a lifetime!
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
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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