(River Tay weekly report week ending 1st August 2020)
There were excellent numbers of fish caught again from the Tay system last week with no shortage of hard fighting grilse and larger summer salmon landed. It has been really encouraging to see the number of fish caught from the river in recent weeks and it is hoped that catches will continue to hold up well as we move through August. The quality of some of the salmon being landed has been second to none with many of the fish being sea liced.
Heavy rain on Monday led to a decent lift in water on Tuesday and this resulted in fresher conditions. It was quite cool for the rest of the week as the river gradually dropped and cleared. This was apart from Friday when a very short lived heatwave precipitated by a Spanish plume led to rocketing temperatures. Very hot humid southerly winds from Spain resulted in temperatures rising quite readily into the mid-twenties but temperatures were back to more seasonal values as a cold front traversed the country on Saturday. The water temperature last week was 56.1 degrees Fahrenheit which is 13.5 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river, there were some fine fish landed on most days. Successful beats included Upper Farleyer, Edradynate and Lower Bolfracks amongst others. There were good numbers of grilse also seen running in this area of the river.
Heavy rain on Monday led to a decent lift in water on Tuesday and this resulted in fresher conditions. It was quite cool for the rest of the week as the river gradually dropped and cleared. This was apart from Friday when a very short lived heatwave precipitated by a Spanish plume led to rocketing temperatures. Very hot humid southerly winds from Spain resulted in temperatures rising quite readily into the mid-twenties but temperatures were back to more seasonal values as a cold front traversed the country on Saturday. The water temperature last week was 56.1 degrees Fahrenheit which is 13.5 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river, there were some fine fish landed on most days. Successful beats included Upper Farleyer, Edradynate and Lower Bolfracks amongst others. There were good numbers of grilse also seen running in this area of the river.
A sparkling wee grilse caught from Edradynate on Wednesday!
Anglers at Dalguise landed five for the week. There was success at Lower Kinnaird with a couple of fish caught on Monday and Tuesday. There was a further fish landed from the beat on Wednesday. It was good to see the Dalmarnock Beat produce a fine brace on Tuesday and a couple again on Thursday. Further downstream there was success at Dunkeld on Monday. At Newtyle there was a fine hat trick landed on Thursday including a cracking eighteen pounder. On Friday Ms Rachel Leyshon caught her first ever salmon which was great to see. Newtyle regular Mr John Amos landed a sparkling grilse from the Steps Pool on Saturday.
Anglers enjoyed a productive few days at Murthly. There were a total of five fish caught from both beats during the first half of the week.
Anglers enjoyed a productive few days at Murthly. There were a total of five fish caught from both beats during the first half of the week.
Olivia playing her first ever salmon at Murthly
It was a day to remember for 11 year old Olivia at Murthly 2 on Wednesday when she caught her first ever salmon weighing nine pounds. She then went on to land a beautiful sea liced grilse weighing five pounds. A day Olivia will remember for a long time to come!
Olivia's smile says it all!
It was nice to see some success at Glendelvine on Thursday with three fish in the book and a further three on Saturday. Anglers at Kercock enjoyed some good sport last week. There were eight fish landed during the first half of the week.
The extra water appeared to be the catalyst for improved catches at Meikleour and Upper Islamouth. There was a couple caught from the beat on Monday then ten more fish were landed over the next two days. On Wednesday it was a wonderful day for Mr Laing who landed six salmon, two sea trout and lost several other fish. What a day’s sport! There were three more fish caught from the beat on Thursday. The Creswick family had a great week on the beat landing a total of nine salmon many of which were sea liced.
The extra water appeared to be the catalyst for improved catches at Meikleour and Upper Islamouth. There was a couple caught from the beat on Monday then ten more fish were landed over the next two days. On Wednesday it was a wonderful day for Mr Laing who landed six salmon, two sea trout and lost several other fish. What a day’s sport! There were three more fish caught from the beat on Thursday. The Creswick family had a great week on the beat landing a total of nine salmon many of which were sea liced.
Mr Laing with a stunning fish from Meikleour
On the River Isla, the Kethick Mains Beat produced a fish on Tuesday which was good to see. Back on the main river, the fishing was tremendous at Islamouth. During the first half of the week, Mr Angus Johnston and his party were wetting a line. There was a good mix of salmon and grilse landed. The biggest fish was caught by Mr Martin Deacon, a stunning twenty one pounder. On Wednesday Mr Neil Mitchell had a red letter day landing eleven salmon and grilse to his own rod. Does salmon fishing get any better than this? The beat finished with forty-eight fish for the week.
A cracking salmon caught from Islamouth by Mr Jim Ferrie
There was a fine hat trick landed at Ballathie on Monday with another fish caught on Thursday. The beat finished with eight for the week. During the first half of the week, there were four fish caught at Cargill. Mr Mo Turner was one of the successful anglers.
Mr Mo Turner with his first ever fly caught salmon at Cargill
On Thursday Mr Mark Cockburn landed a fine eighteen pounder which was caught on the fly.
A lovely salmon caught at Cargill by Mr Mark Cockburn
There were four fish caught from the beat on Saturday with Mr Michael Bushby being one of the successful anglers landing a magnificent summer salmon.
Mr Michael Bushby with a lovely Cargill salmon
Anglers at Taymount had a brace each day during the first three days of the week. There were some nice fish caught at Stobhall through the course of the week. Mr John Mills persevered in the persistent rain and caught two fine salmon on Monday. On Wednesday there was more success on the beat this time for Mr Howe and his party. They finished the day with one salmon, five grilse and a Sea trout. Well done gentleman! There were three more fish caught at Stobhall on Thursday.
Mr John Mills with a fine Stobhall salmon
On Upper Scone, there was fish caught each day during the first half of the week. Mr Peter Thomas caught a lovely summer salmon from the Horsey Pool at Pitlochrie on Friday. On Thursday there was success at Benchil for Mr Frank Muller who caught a lovely grilse whilst fly fishing.
Mr Peter Thomas with a lovely salmon caught from Pitlochrie
Further downstream anglers fishing at Upper Redgorton got off to a flyer on Monday with five fish landed. There was three fish caught from the beat on Wednesday and two on Thursday. The good sport continued through until the end of the week with four more fish landed on Saturday. It was a magnificent seven at Fishponds when anglers enjoyed some great sport on Tuesday. There were two more fish caught from the beat on Wednesday and three on Thursday. It was a good end to the week with four fish caught on Saturday. Waulkmill continued its recent run of good form with ten fish caught during the first half of the week including a cracking eighteen pounder on Tuesday. There was a further six fish caught on Thursday and six on Saturday. Anglers at Almondmouth enjoyed some terrific action throughout the course of last week with eight fish caught on Monday and thirteen on Wednesday. The beat finished with for the week fifty two for the week.
Mr Frank Muller with a lovely grilse caught from Benchil on Thursday
Prospects look rosy on the River Tay in the days ahead and there should be plenty of good sport to be had as we move through August. With many people still on holiday it could prove to be the perfect time to book a few days fishing on the River Tay, so why not have cast? There is no better way to start August than by landing some hard fighting River Tay 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
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 1st August 2020)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 3, Edradynate 2, Upper Bolfracks 1,Lower Bolfracks 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, Lower Kinnaird 5, Dalguise 5, Dalmarnock 4, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 5, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 10, Glendelvine 6, Kercock 9, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 22, Kethick Mains 1, Islamouth 48, Ballathie 8, Cargill 11, Stobhall 14, Taymount 8, Pitlochrie 1, Benchil 3, Upper Scone 10, Upper Redgorton 15, Fishponds 18, Waulkmill 25, Almondmouth 52.
Total: 290 Largest: Islamouth 21lbs
THERE SHOULD BE MORE GOOD FISHING TO BE HAD IN THE DAYS AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 3rd August 2020)
There was a decent lift in water during the first half of last week. This encouraged more fresh fish to run and also freshened up conditions. Catches have been excellent on the Tay system in recent weeks and long may it continue as we move through August. The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting grilse of which many were sea liced which was great to see. There should be more good fishing to be had in the days ahead. In the upcoming weeks, more salmon should enter the Tay system on a daily basis giving anglers the chance of making contact with the king of fish.
It has been mainly dry over the weekend apart from the odd shower. Looking ahead to next week Monday should be mainly dry. On Tuesday low pressure will dominate and there will be some rain across Perthshire, which could be heavy across western parts. There will be a few showers on Thursday. Towards the end of the week, high pressure should build and it will be mainly dry. Temperatures are also likely to rise as southerly winds predominate.
Last week there were fish caught from Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth with the majority of fish caught on the middle and lower river. With the recent lift in water probably the best chance of success next week would be on beats situated on the middle and lower river. As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay in the upcoming days with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers' tastes. So why not chase some summer silver on the Tay next week? You could have that day to remember!
It has been mainly dry over the weekend apart from the odd shower. Looking ahead to next week Monday should be mainly dry. On Tuesday low pressure will dominate and there will be some rain across Perthshire, which could be heavy across western parts. There will be a few showers on Thursday. Towards the end of the week, high pressure should build and it will be mainly dry. Temperatures are also likely to rise as southerly winds predominate.
Last week there were fish caught from Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth with the majority of fish caught on the middle and lower river. With the recent lift in water probably the best chance of success next week would be on beats situated on the middle and lower river. As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay in the upcoming days with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers' tastes. So why not chase some summer silver on the Tay next week? You could have that day to remember!
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.
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