A STICKY WEEK, THE SUMMER SOLSTICE AND MORE TAY SILVER!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 21st June 2020) 

Last week saw the third full week of salmon fishing on the River Tay since lockdown measures were eased in Scotland. There was some good sport to be had on the river in the first two weeks after the enforced break with some stunning salmon landed by anglers. This seemed to coincide with the tail end of the spring run.

Some cracking salmon have been caught from the river in the past two weeks!

 Many of the beats on the middle river have fished well as have some of the beats on the Tummel post lockdown. These are the areas on the system where you would expect the best sport to be in late May and early June. It is worth remembering when looking at the catch numbers that a number of beats on River Tay have still not opened in light of the recent pandemic.

We have now moved into mid-June, and hopefully, in the days and weeks ahead the summer run on the River Tay will start to gain momentum. There have already been grilse and larger summer salmon caught from the system in recent weeks as well as the odd late-running springer. As we move through June and into July more summer fish should enter the river with every tide giving anglers an excellent opportunity to catch some hard fighting grilse and summer salmon.
This weekend has marked the summer solstice (when the earth’s poles have their maximum tilt towards the sun) and it has certainly felt hot and sticky at times in recent days. The word “close” would be a very apt way to describe the weather over the past week. A large area of low pressure anchored to the south of the UK has led to some lively showers affecting many parts. In addition to this, warm and clammy winds have wafted up from the southwest. Another feature of the weather last week was the haar or mist, which hugged North Sea coasts, and this resulted in murky conditions at times. Early Sunday morning saw a spell of heavy rain across the country and thankfully following the rain there was a return to somewhat cooler and fresher conditions.River levels were steady for much of last week apart from a small rise on Thursday. This lift in water led to the river becoming somewhat coloured for a time. The water temperature last week 57.9 degrees Fahrenheit which is 14.4 degrees Celsius. Catches on the Tay system were well spread last week. The quality of fish landed were second to none with some lovely sea liced salmon caught. It was nice to see the Upper Kinnaird Beat produce a fish on Wednesday. Anglers on the Portnacraig Beat of the Tummel have enjoyed some red-letter days since fishing has resumed post lockdown and the good fishing continued on Monday when Mr Massimo Caetelvecchi caught a superb ten-pounder from the beat on the fly. The fish was caught from the Pitlochry bank in the evening. On Wednesday Mr Martin Wilson tasted success when he landed a fine nine-pounder on the fly.  

A lovely River Tummel salmon caught on Monday

Monday was the day to be at Lower Kinnaird when the beat produced a lovely salmon. Fish were caught from the Dalguise Beat on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Dalmarnock had a good end to the week with a fish caught from the beat on Saturday. Further downstream Glendelvine had some success on Tuesday with a fine brace and another fish landed on Saturday. There were some nice fish seen on the Kercock Beat and it was not too long before anglers got their rods bent. The beat produced fish on most days last week with four landed on Saturday including a cracking sixteen pounder. Kercock finished with a creditable ten fish for the week. 

A fine fifteen pounder caught on Cargill on Monday

Anglers enjoyed some good sport at Cargill throughout last week with some lovely fresh fish landed. The week got off to a flyer when a magnificent fifteen pounder was landed on Monday. Tuesday saw a hat trick of fish caught with a further fish caught on Thursday and Saturday. 

A lovely deep Cargill salmon caught last week

Anglers on Stobhall enjoyed success on Monday and Tuesday with Taymount picking up a couple on Tuesday as well. There were two more fish caught from the beat on Friday and Saturday. It was nice to see the beats towards the bottom end of the river start to produce a few fish. These beats should come into their own as we move through June and into July. Benchil produced a fish on Tuesday. There were five fish caught from Waulkmill during the first four days of the week which was great to see. The Almondmouth Beat tasted success on Thursday.

Heart stopping moments on the River Tay!

It was nice to see some lovely fresh fish caught from the Tay system last week. The numbers of summer salmon and grilse should start to build in the river in the weeks ahead, so why not wet a line on the Tay in the upcoming days? With good current water conditions for many beats, you might just have a 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 21st June)

SALMON & GRILSE: Upper Kinnaird 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 2, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 4, Dalmarnock 1, Glendelvine 3, Kercock 10, Cargill 6, Stobhall 2, Taymount 4, Benchil 1, Waulkmill 5, Almondmouth 1

Total: 41
Largest: Dalguise 19lbs

MIDSUMMER MAGIC IN THE UPCOMING DAYS?

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 22nd June 2019)

We are now into mid-June and more summer salmon should be entering the Tay system on every tide. Over the next few weeks, the summer run on the Tay should begin to gain momentum. Even though we are now well into the summer fishing season for many it does not feel that way as we have almost lost three months of the season. 

The weather was very warm and clammy at times last week and this certainly did not help things. Thankfully, over the weekend a cold front that brought some rain across Scotland early on Sunday morning drifted across the country and this brought with it cooler and fresher conditions.Looking ahead to next week, the weather is set to be unsettled to start with. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will see widespread showers across Perthshire, with Wednesday likely to be the driest day during the first half of the week. Thursday and Friday will drier with maybe just the odd shower. Temperatures will be in the late teens and peaking into the early twenties by the end of the week.Catches were well spread on the Tay system last week from Upper Kinnaird down to Almondmouth. The River Tummel also produced fish which gives an indication of how well spread the fish are throughout the system. Recent lifts in water would have certainly facilitated this. It was good to see catches on the lower river pick up somewhat and hopefully this is a sign of things to come during the summer months on the Tay. There is a chance of a fresh fish anywhere on the Tay system next week but especially on the beats located on the middle and lower river.As always, there are some fantastic salmon fishing opportunities on the river next week to suit all budgets and the great variety of fishing on offer on the Tay system is second to none. So why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beats experiencing some Tay mid-summer magic!Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.Stay safe,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.

A fine fly caught River Tay salmon

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.

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. 

Spinning in the summer months 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 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. 

Harling is a unique, effective method of fishing 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. 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 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 15^th to 1^st 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.