(River Tay weekly report week ending 25th July 2020)
We are now moving towards the end of July and are entering what has been in recent years the prime time for summer fishing on the River Tay. Late July and August has usually produced decent fishing on the Tay and let’s hope that this year is no exception. With every tide, more fresh salmon and hard fighting grilse should be entering the river thereby giving anglers an excellent chance of making contact with that Tay silver tourist.
It was another productive week on the Tay system last week with over 180 fish landed! This is the third consecutive week that catches on the river have improved. As anglers, this gives us hope for the remainder of the summer season.
River levels were steady for much of last week and the weather was not too hot for the time of year which also helped. The upper river produced fish on most days with the Upper Farleyer Beat on the score sheet on most days. It was great to see the Ruan Ruarie Beat on the River Gary produce a couple of fish for Mr Dave Wilson on Friday. The fish weighed seven and nine pounds. On Saturday Mr Martin Timmins was in the right place, at the right time on the River Tummel, when he landed a couple of grilse on the fly from the Sawmill.
Back on the main river anglers on the Lower Kinnaird Beat enjoyed some good sport. There were three fish caught on Monday which was a great start. Lower Kinnaird can fish well in low water and that proved to be the case with a total of seven fish landed last week. There were no Monday morning blues at Dalmarnock when four fish were landed which was great to see. There was another fish caught from the beat on Saturday. At Dunkeld there were a couple of fish caught on Tuesday including a cracking fifteen pounder from the Ferry Pool on a salmo lure.
It was another productive week on the Tay system last week with over 180 fish landed! This is the third consecutive week that catches on the river have improved. As anglers, this gives us hope for the remainder of the summer season.
River levels were steady for much of last week and the weather was not too hot for the time of year which also helped. The upper river produced fish on most days with the Upper Farleyer Beat on the score sheet on most days. It was great to see the Ruan Ruarie Beat on the River Gary produce a couple of fish for Mr Dave Wilson on Friday. The fish weighed seven and nine pounds. On Saturday Mr Martin Timmins was in the right place, at the right time on the River Tummel, when he landed a couple of grilse on the fly from the Sawmill.
Back on the main river anglers on the Lower Kinnaird Beat enjoyed some good sport. There were three fish caught on Monday which was a great start. Lower Kinnaird can fish well in low water and that proved to be the case with a total of seven fish landed last week. There were no Monday morning blues at Dalmarnock when four fish were landed which was great to see. There was another fish caught from the beat on Saturday. At Dunkeld there were a couple of fish caught on Tuesday including a cracking fifteen pounder from the Ferry Pool on a salmo lure.
A cracking fifteen pounder caught from Dunkeld on Tuesday
Mr David Turpin landed a lovely fresh ten pounder from the Rock Pool on Friday. On Saturday twelve year old Callum Gray, caught his first ever salmon from the Cathedral Stream. Well done young sir!
A delighted Callum Gray with his first ever salmon!
The Newtyle Beat picked away through the course of last week finishing with five for the week. Both Murthly beats produced fish which was good to see. Traditionally these beats have been productive during the summer months. Kercock had six fish during the first half of the week and ended up producing fish every day. At Meikleour and Upper Islamouth Mandy and Kevin Reed both enjoyed success on Monday. In a frantic 45 minutes, they managed to hook four fish and land two. This was 45 minutes they will never forget!
A fine grilse caught at Meikleour and Upper Islamouth on Monday
There was good sport to be had at Islamouth again with twenty two fish caught for the week including a terrific nineteen pounder on Wednesday. Ballathie had double success on Monday and fish were caught on most days. At Cargill there were seven fish landed for the week. These were a mixture of grilse and larger summer salmon. There were lots of fish seen running through the beat which bodes well for next week. Mr David Purvis did not have to wait long on Saturday when he caught a salmon third cast.
A Cargill cracker!
There were bent rods at Stobhall through the course of last week. Mr Stuart Comrie who was fishing with his brother Mr Mike Comrie caught a lovely salmon. Mr Graeme Pyper enjoyed Tay success from the Findford Stream on the lower beat.
A fine salmon caught from Stobhall
Mr Jack McKinnon caught his first ever salmon on the upper beat and Mr Ray Doonan caught his first ever fly caught Tay salmon. Sixteen year old Sam Britton doubled his personal best landing a cracking eighteen pounder on Thursday from the beat.
Sam Britton with a lovely eighteen pounder!
Upper Scone had five fish on Monday. At Pitlochrie and Benchil fish were caught throughout the course of last week. Mr Jim McLanaghan enjoyed some great sport.
A cracking fish caught from Benchil
Ms Anne Emsens with a cracking summer salmon from Benchil
The Upper Redgorton Beat produced a fish on Tuesday and Thursday and a couple on Friday. There was some good sport to be had at Fishponds with fish caught on most days including four on Wednesday and Friday. Monday on Waulkmill started off with 4 landed and others lost. Steve Watt landed 3 salmon, weighing between 11 and 13 pounds, with the fly and Toby being successful. Ghillie Harry Proud landed the other. Fish were being hooked in all the pools on the beat.
Tuesday provided the catch of the week with 10 year old Roan Law, who was fly fishing from the anchored boat under the guidance of ghillie Harry Proud. Roan successfully hooked, played and landed his first ever salmon weighing 13 pounds. Well done young sir!
Young Roan Law with his first salmon!
from all of us and I am sure there will be many more to follow. Not to be outdone, his father Iain also landed a salmon. Steve Watt who was also fishing that day, landed 6 salmon fly fishing, weights ranging from 9 to 16 pounds. Numerous other fish were lost.
Anglers at Almondmouth enjoyed their most productive week of the season to date with thirty one fish in the book. This bodes well for the river as a whole as we approach August.
With no heavy rain forecast in the next few days, the river should be in decent condition early next week and there should be some good sport to be had. So why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay? You might just land some late July silver!
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 25th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Strathfillan AA 1, Upper Farleyer 2, Upper Bolfracks 2, Upper Kinnaird 1, Ruan Ruarie 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Lower Kinnaird 7, Dalmarnock 5, Dunkeld 4, Newtyle 5, Murthly 1, 4, Murthly 2, 2, Glendelvine 2, Kercock 10, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 5, Islamouth 22, Ballathie 5, Cargill 7, Stobhall 7, Taymount 3, Catholes 1, Pitlochrie 3, Upper Scone 5, Benchil 5, Upper Redgorton 3, Fishponds 12, Waulkmill 21, Almondmouth 31
Total: 181 Largest: Waulkmill & Islamouth 19lbs
MORE TOP QULIATY GRILSE AND SUMMER SALMON TO BE LANDED IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 27th July 2020)
There were some lovely fish caught from the Tay system last week and many of these were sea liced which was great to see. It has been really encouraging to see catches improve on the river in recent weeks. There were numerous fish weighing well into the teens landed last week and hopefully, this is a sign of things to come. There is a good chance that more top quality grilse and summer salmon will be landed from the Tay in the days ahead.
Looking ahead to the weather next week, Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry with light winds. Temperatures will be in the mid-teens. It is also likely to be dry on Wednesday but will feel a bit cooler. As we move towards the end of the week there is a chance of some showers and it should also start to feel warmer.
Last week catches on the river were well spread. Fish were caught from Farleyer down to Almondmouth on the main river. The River Gary and Tummel also produced fish which was good to see. It does appear that some of the fresh fish entering the system are running hard. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on the middle and lower river.
With beats on the River Tay offering fantastic value for money compared to many other rivers across Scotland, why not wet a line next week? Nothing quite beats landing some Tay summer silver!
Looking ahead to the weather next week, Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry with light winds. Temperatures will be in the mid-teens. It is also likely to be dry on Wednesday but will feel a bit cooler. As we move towards the end of the week there is a chance of some showers and it should also start to feel warmer.
Last week catches on the river were well spread. Fish were caught from Farleyer down to Almondmouth on the main river. The River Gary and Tummel also produced fish which was good to see. It does appear that some of the fresh fish entering the system are running hard. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on the middle and lower river.
With beats on the River Tay offering fantastic value for money compared to many other rivers across Scotland, why not wet a line next week? Nothing quite beats landing some Tay summer silver!
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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 of respect at all times.
