UNSETTLED RIVER LEVELS, A BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO REMEMBER AND FIRST SALMON!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 4th July 2020) 

We moved into July last week and the height of the Scottish summer. July is a special time of year to be out on the river. If there is reasonable water and weather conditions are favourable often fishing can be very good with decent numbers of hard fighting grilse and summer salmon being caught. If, however, river levels are low, and it is hot and sunny then fishing unsociable hours can be the key to success. Often fishing first thing in the morning and then again at dusk can produce the best results. This is usually because it is much cooler at these times and in low light conditions, the fish often feel more confident to run upstream and take a fly or lure. Many an angler has enjoyed a magical balmy July evening on the banks of River Tay when their line has tightened, and reel has sung with a hard fighting salmon on the other end leading them a merry dance!

A beautiful summer evening on the River Tay draws to a close!

It was thankfully much cooler last week across Perthshire and it definitely felt fresher. Heavy rain last weekend led to a decent lift in the water at the beginning of the week. Overall river levels were a  bit unsettled with further lifts in water on Tuesday and Thursday. Heavy rain over the weekend led to a bigger lift in water and the water was a bit coloured once again. Catches on the river were well spread with a mixture of grilse and larger summer salmon caught. Many of the fish landed were sea liced which was great to see and hopefully, this is a sign of things to come as we move through July. The water temperature last week was 13.6 degrees Celsius, which is around 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was quieter on the upper river last week; nonetheless, the Lower Bolfracks Beat produced a fish on Friday. On the River Tummel, Mr Martin Wilson caught a lovely thirteen pounder on the fly from the Portnacraig Beat on the fly. The cracking fresh fish gave a terrific account of itself.
On the middle river, both the Lower Kinnaird and Dalmarnock beats struck silver on Friday. It was good to see the Dunkeld Beat get off to a flyer on Monday. The Gauge Pool which was the place to be as it yielded a fine ten pounder. There was also a nice Sea trout caught from the beat on the same day. On Thursday it was Mr Stan Nicols birthday and he was wetting a line at Dunkeld. It was certainly a birthday to remember when Mr Nicols landed a lovely fresh eighteen pounder. 

A lovely birthday salmon for Mr Stan Nicols

The Newtyle Beat has fished well since lockdown measures were eased and last week was no different. The beat produced fish on Monday and Tuesday. 

A lovely Newtyle salmon caught last week

Further downstream the Delvine & Burnbane Beat continued to produce the goods. On Monday the tail of the Burnbane Pool produced a nice fourteen pounder which was caught on a small Kynoch lure. Another fish was lost at the tail of the Sparrowmuir Pool in the afternoon. On Tuesday morning a lovely grilse weighing four pounds was landed and then Mr Willie Cummings went one better landing a cracking eleven pounder from the beat. Well done Sir! There was another fish caught from the beat on Friday.

Anglers have enjoyed some great sport at Kercock recently and Monday was no different with four fish landed on the beat. The beat produced a magnificent eighteen pounder on Wednesday with another fish caught on Thursday.
The Meikleour & Upper Islamouth Beat opened for the first time post lockdown on Friday and immediately got in on the action. Local wildlife artist Ms Paula Anderson had a Spey casting lesson with Tom Brown and then went on to catch her first ever salmon, a beautiful fifteen pounder from Boxwood Bush. A massive well done to Ms Anderson, a moment that will live with her forever. There were three other fish caught from the beat on Friday.

Ms Paula Anderson with her first ever salmon from Meikleour

The West Grange Beat on the River Ericht has produced some nice fish in recent weeks and there was more success last week with a fine brace landed on Tuesday and another fish on Wednesday and Thursday.  It was a good first half of the week at Cargill with a total of six fish landed including a fine seventeen pounder on Tuesday. A Cargill regular also caught his first ever Tay salmon on the fly. Well done Gerry!

Gerry with his first fly caught Tay salmon at Cargill

On Thursday Mr David Sands landed a lovely fish from the beat first thing. This was one of seven fish caught from Cargill that day. 

Mr David Sands with a Cargill cracker caught on Thursday!

Mr Barry Ward was another angler to strike Tay silver on Thursday at Cargill. It was good to see Taymount having some success on Thursday as well. 

Mr Barry Ward with a fine salmon caught at Cargill on Thursday

Mr Adrian Mailer was fishing at Stobhall on Friday and managed a fantastic double landing two beautiful salmon. There was also another fish caught on the same day from the beat.

Mr Adrain Mailer with a Stobhall beauty caught on Friday!

Further downstream there was success at Pitlochrie on Wednesday. The cracking summer salmon was caught on the fly from the Horsey Pool. There were more fish caught from Horsey on Friday when another two fish were landed on the fly.

A cracking Summer salmon caught from the Pitlochrie Beat on Wednesday

Anglers at Waulkmill enjoyed some good sport towards the end of the week with a fish caught on Thursday and a brace on Friday. It was great to see the Almondmouth Beat produce fish on a more consistent basis with seven fish landed during the first half of the week and further three on Friday.
Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on many beats and the cooler weather is set to continue in the days ahead. With travel restrictions following the pandemic easing and self-catering accommodation now opening why not book a day's salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? It could be the place to provide you with some midsummer magic!
Please note that this report is up to date until Friday as we were unable to access catch data for Saturday due to a website error.
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 – PLEASE NOTE – Saturday’s catches are not included due to a website error

(Week ending 4th July)

SALMON & GRILSE: Lower Bolfracks 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld House 3, Newtyle 2, Delvine & Burnbane 4, Kercock 7, Meikleour & U Islamouth 4, West Grange 4, Cargill 15, Stobhall 3, Taymount 1, Pitlochrie 3, Waulkmill 3, Almondmouth 10

Total: 41 Largest: Dunkeld, Kercock & Meikleour & U Islamouth 18lbs

LOOKING LIKE PERFECT CONDITIONS ON THE RIVER TAY AS WE MOVE THROUGH JULY!

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 6th July 2020)

Last week saw much cooler and fresher conditions than of late which was a blessing for anglers. It was also very wet for July. A large area of low pressure brought frequent showers and longer spells of rain across much of Perthshire. This led to multiple lifts in water through the course of last week. On Friday a more organised band of heavy rain fell across the catchment area and this led to more significant rise in water over the weekend. Saturday and Sunday has seen more showers and longer spells of rain.
Looking ahead to next week it is set to be mainly dry on Monday and Tuesday with the chance of just the odd isolated shower. This should allow river levels to drop nicely. It will feel cool in the north westerly winds. From midweek onwards, there is a chance of some more organised rain as low pressure centres itself over the UK. It looks more settled as we move towards next weekend as pressure starts to build once again.
The quality of some of the fish caught from the Tay system last week was second to none. These included some very hard fighting strong grilse as well sea liced larger summer salmon. There were numerous fish weighing well into the teens landed and a number which were much bigger lost. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come as we move through July. The runs of summer fish entering the river should start to gain momentum over the next few weeks ensuring good sport for anglers and hopefully, it will be a productive second half of the season on the river.
Last week salmon were caught from Lower Bolfracks down to Almondmouth. Heavy rain recently coupled with the multiple lifts in water will ensure that any fresh fish are well spread throughout the system in the upcoming days. Probably the best chance of success next week will be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
If river levels start to drop and settle next week then conditions should be perfect for many beats as we move through July. There is good availability in the upcoming days so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? You might just find that twenty pounder coming your way! 

Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines & 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.

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

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.