(River Tay weekly report week ending 29th August 2020)
It has been noticeable over the past few weeks that the shadows have been growing longer and the evenings becoming darker. On recent mornings there has been an unmistakable chill in the air. The hand of autumn is beginning to tighten its grip as we say goodbye to the Scottish summer.We are now at the end of August when traditionally the summer salmon fishing season in Scotland draws to a close. In the past, September and October have been prime autumn months on River Tay and historically this is when the largest catches of salmon have been made. Over the next few weeks, the Tay system will be at its most populated with salmon. In the past, September and October have yielded some big fish from the Tay and hopefully, there will be some crackers landed in the upcoming weeks.
If the weather was anything to go by last week you would have been forgiven for thinking that we were already deep into autumn. In the past two weeks, we have been battered by two named storms which is quite unusual for this time of year. First, it was Storm Ellen and then last week Storm Francis battered us with gale-force winds and heavy rain. Indeed, on Tuesday conditions could only be described as “atrocious” for much of the country including Perthshire. There was a lift in water the following day but water levels did not rise as much as was widely anticipated. There was some colour in the water, especially on the lower river. Unfortunately, there was further rain on Thursday and this led to another lift in the water on Friday. The water temperature last week was 12.6 degrees Celsius which is 54.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the upper river, it was a productive first half of the week at Edradynate. Mr Gordon Pollock caught a nice fish on Tuesday. On Wednesday Edradynate ghillie Mr Tomas Kolesinskas caught a twenty-three pounder harling from the Church Pool. Other beats that were successful on the upper river through the course of the week included both Farleyer beats as well as Lower Bolfracks and Findynate.
The Lower Kinnaird Beat produced a fish on Monday and Thursday. Dalmarnock was successful on Wednesday. It was good to see anglers getting their rods bent at Dalguise on Thursday when two fish were landed with another fish caught on Saturday.
Ms Sarah Bester persevered in the horrible weather on Thursday at Dunkeld. For her efforts, she was rewarded with catching her first ever salmon on the fly. Ms Bester caught the fish in the Rock Pool. Well done!
On Monday Mr Farquhar Murray had a nice grilse from Newtyle. Mr Graham Sharp was next in the catch book on Wednesday when he landed a fine ten pounder on the fly. On Saturday Ms Lucinda Ewin was fishing the Tay at Newtyle with her husband Gary. Shortly after lunch whilst fishing the Trap her line tightened and she hooked a decent fish. After a great fight, Ms Ewin landed her first ever Tay salmon, which was caught on the fly and estimated to be around eighteen pounds. A day Ms Ewin will remember for years to come!
The McGowan party were wetting a line at Islamouth last week. They landed a total of seven fish, which were all caught on the fly with the biggest weighing fourteen pounds. Towards the end of the week, Mr Barry Ward and his party enjoyed some excellent sport. The beat finished with twenty-seven fish for the week.
It was good to see the Ballathie Beat produce a nice fish on Monday with a couple more landed on Wednesday. In spite of the terrible weather, there was three more fish caught from the beat on Thursday. It was a happy day at Cargill on Monday for Mr David Blades when he landed a stunning twenty-four pounder. The fish was as fresh as paint and led Mr Blades a merry dance. There were three more fish caught from the beat on Monday.
At Benchil there was a fish caught on Tuesday. On Thursday Mr Sam Robinson had a day to remember. He was fishing the fly when his line tightened and what ensued was a monumental forty minute battle. The fish made a number of long powerful runs before finally it was beaten and what a fish it was as you can see below!
At Almondmouth anglers enjoyed some great sport with fish caught every day including a spectacular twenty-two fish on Wednesday. This bodes well for the river as a whole as we move into September.
It was unfortunate that anglers had to contend with more unsettled water last week and this is likely to have impacted on catch numbers. However, the quality of some of the fish caught was second to none. Let us hope that we have a few days of settled weather and water and then we can unlock the true potential of the Tay system in the weeks ahead. Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on a number of beats and many of the fish caught in recent days have been sea liced. So why not book a day's salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? It could be the place to provide you with that riverbank fairy-tale!
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 29th August 2020)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 2, Lower Farleyer 3, Lower Bolfracks 2, Findynate 1, Edradynate 2, Ruan Ruarie 3, Loch Faskally 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 3, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 3, Murthly 2, 11, Glendelvine 3, Kercock 13, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 8, Keithick Mains 1, West Grange 2, Islamouth 27, Ballathie 9, Cargill 16, Stobhall 9, Taymount 28, Upper Scone 1, Pitlochrie 4, Benchil 6, Upper Redgorton 8, Fishponds 20, Luncarty 6, Waulkmill 38, Almondmouth 52, Lochlane & Laggan 1
Total: 283 Largest: Waulkmill 24lbs
WHAT WILL THE AUTUMN PERIOD HAVE IN STORE FOR ANGLERS ON THE MIGHTY RIVER TAY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 31st August 2020)
We are now moving into September and this is traditionally the beginning of the autumn salmon fishing season in Scotland. Historically many beats on the River Tay start to make big catches at this time of year. Hopefully in the next few weeks, the autumn run will start to gain momentum so anglers can enjoy some good sport up until the end of the season.
It was quite a mixed bag of weather especially during the first half of last week with frequent showers or longer spells of rain affecting many parts of the country including Perthshire. Indeed, on Tuesday Storm Francis unleashed it’s fury as much of the country got battered by gale force winds and heavy rain. This inevitably led to a lift in the water on Wednesday and the lower river became quite peat stained. Unfortunately, there was more rain on Thursday across the catchment area and the river rose again on Friday. The weekend has been mainly dry but it has felt cool in the keen northerly wind.
Looking ahead to next week, Monday should be mainly dry and bright as high pressure builds. On Tuesday will see some widespread showers affect much of Perthshire. It will continue to feel cool for the time of year. There will be some widespread rain on Wednesday, which will be heavy in places, but it will start to feel milder. Towards the end of the week, the weather looks to be more settled as high pressure starts to build.
There were some lovely fish caught from the river last week with numerous salmon weighing well into double figures. The fish caught were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse of which many were sea liced which was great to see. Salmon were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth on the main river with the bulk of the action coming from beats situated on the middle and lower river. There were also fish caught from the River Gary, Isla and Earn. As we move through September and into October the beats located on the lower river should come into their own. Traditionally this is when these beats start to produce larger numbers of fish on a more consistent basis. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability next week so why not wet a line and chase some Tay silver? There is no better way to start September than by landing that big Atlantic Salmon!
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 autumn period (September and October)
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 autumn months, water temperatures usually begin to fall on the river but much depends on the weather. The weather and water conditions can vary greatly during the autumn months with hot weather and low water coupled with high water temperatures especially if we have an Indian summer. Conversely, it can be quite cool with regular spells of wind and rain and even night time frosts. The fish also start to become a bit more aggressive especially when they turn their thoughts towards spawning. At this time of year, full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well especially if conditions are more akin to the summer months.
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, colder water a sink tip or intermediate line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got 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 autumn period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there can be some large fish around towards the end of the season. Usually, a breaking strain of around fifteen pounds is ideal.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven feet 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.
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 autumn months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive.
The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures are higher 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. In high cold water, it can often be more about fishing the lure that bit slower and at an adequate depth.
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.
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 autumn months, good conditions arise on many beats for harling, especially in higher water. 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.
