ELLEN UNLEASHES HER WRATH BUT DECENT NUMBERS OF SALMON CONTINUE TO BE CAUGHT FROM THE TAY SYSTEM!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 22^nd August 2020) 

 

Where did the summer go towards the end of last week? It feels like we have had some very warm spells in the past few weeks but suddenly conditions have taken on a more autumnal flavour. On Thursday unseasonable strong winds and heavy rain battered much of the UK including Scotland as Storm Ellen unleashed its wrath across the country. There were gale force winds in many parts. The strong winds continued on Friday and it felt like autumn had arrived. The river rose on Thursday and Friday but started to drop on Saturday morning but unfortunately, the lower river was carrying a fair amount of colour from the Isla. Thankfully somewhat calmer conditions returned to our shores on Sunday. 
It was great to see decent numbers of fish being caught from the River Tay last week. The quality of some of the fish landed was second to none with a number of fish caught weighing around the magical twenty pounds mark. There was a good mix of fresh grilse and larger hard fighting summer salmon landed. Let us hope that catches hold up well as move towards the autumn period. The water temperature last week was 14.8 degrees Celsius which is 58.6 degrees Fahrenheit. 

On the upper river, there were some nice fish landed which was good to see. Mr Gordon Pollock enjoyed success at Edradynate on Monday landing a couple of fish on the fly. Other successful beats on the upper river through the course of the week included both the Upper Farleyer and Findynate beats. 

Gordon Pollock with a nice fish caught from Edradynate on Monday

It was nice to see the Dalmarnock Beat produce a couple of fish on Thursday. At Dunkeld Mr Ally Kerr caught his first ever salmon on a vision lure on Saturday. Well-done sir!

Mr Allan Kerr lands his first ever salmon at Dunkeld on Saturday

Mr Alan Boddington was fly fishing the Boil at Newtyle on Monday when his line tightened and reel sung. After a great fight, Mr Boddington landed a lovely fish. What a great way to wipe away those Monday morning blues! There was another fish caught from the beat on Wednesday and Saturday.

A fine Newtle salmon caught by Mr Alan Boddington

The Murthly 2 Beat got on to the scoresheet on Monday with a nice fish and three more fish were caught on Saturday including a cracking twenty one pounder. Anglers at Glendelvine landed a fine hat trick on Tuesday. There was a couple of fish landed from Kercock on Monday and another double on Wednesday. At Meikleour there was a fish landed on Thursday. On Saturday the Gluckstein party enjoyed some good sport with fish caught up to seventeen pounds. Well done to Jo who had her first ever salmon weighing a magnificent seventeen pounds. What a fish!

Well done to Jo on catching her first ever salmon at Meikleour

There was some success on the River Isla with five fish landed on Friday. Mr Martin Hunter and his party were fishing at Islamouth during the first half of the week. They landed a total of eight fish which were a mixture of grilse and salmon with the biggest being eleven pounds. All the fish were caught on the fly. Towards the end of the week, Jim Ferrie and his party landed some nice fish from the beat including nine on Saturday. 

Mr Jim Ferrie with an Islamouth cracker!

The Ballathie Beat produced a fish on Thursday and Friday. The week ended well when Mr Sandy Datta landed a twenty pounder on Saturday.

Mr Sandy Datta with a big old warrior from Ballathie

There were three fish caught at Cargill on Tuesday.  Mr Steven Todd had a nice grilse on the fly. Mr Graham, unfortunately, lost one on the fly in the Pot Shot. There were two fish landed in the evening.

A lovely Cargill salmon caught on Tuesday

There was three more fish caught from the beat on Thursday with Mr Pat McKay being one of the successful anglers.

 Mr Pat Mckay with a lovely Cargill grilse!

At Stobhall the Apthorp Party were wetting a line. Mr Duncan Apthorp got the week off to a flyer on Monday when he landed a lovely fish. On Tuesday Mrs Anne Walker caught a nice fresh grilse. Next on the scoresheet was Mr Tim Miller and then Mr Bob Walker completed the hat trick just before lunch. A great day was had by all. There was another fish caught from the beat on Wednesday and a couple on Thursday including a cracking eighteen pounder. There were two more fish caught from the beat on Friday and one on Saturday.

Success at Stobhall

Taymount finished with eight fish for the week. Mr Robert Bowes had a day to remember on Wednesday at Pitlochrie when he landed his first ever salmon fly fishing. I think the smile says it all! This was one of three fish caught from the beat on Wednesday. 

A lovely salmon caught from Pitlochrie

On Saturday Mr Jack Tong landed a lovely twenty-one pounder from Benchil in spite of the coloured water. This was one of two fish caught from the beat.

Mr Jack Tong with a lovely salmon caught from Benchill on Saturday

At Upper Scone Mr Colin Stanonought enjoyed some good sport landing three lovely grilse through the course of the week. His good form continued on Saturday when he landed two more fish. Anglers enjoyed some success at Upper Redgorton on Monday with three fish landed and three more were caught on Wednesday. It was a good first half of the week at Fishponds with thirteen fish landed. Luncarty produced a couple of fish on Monday and two more on Wednesday. Monday was a great day at Waulkmill with an incredible sixteen salmon landed. Mr Steve Watt had a great day landing seven including a seventeen pounder. The fish were mostly caught on floating lines and small flies. Mr Hugh Law landed four and got the fish of the day trophy with a magnificent twenty one pounder. Other successful anglers included Mr Dougie Wangert, Mr Ed Slaven and even ghillie Mr Harry Proud got in on the act with a lovely grilse. On Tuesday, seven fish were landed with the Mr Pete Richards party landing four, including a lovely nineteen pound sea licer. Mr Steve Watt was in on the act again when he landed three more nice fish. On Wednesday there were six more fish caught from the beat and successful anglers included Mr Ian Law and Mr Gary Bruce. The good sport continued through the course of the week at Waulkmill. Anglers at Almondmouth also enjoyed some rod bending action with good numbers of fish caught on most days. The beat finished with forty-one fish for the week

 

It was another decent week on the Tay especially when you factor in the unsettled water and the stormy conditions towards the end of the week. It would be great just to get a week of settled weather and water so the full potential of the river could be realised. Next week is traditionally the last week of the summer season and with the Tay at a great height for fly fishing on many beats there is no better time to wet a line! 
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 22nd August)

 

SALMON & GRILSE: 

Upper Farleyer 5, Lower Farleyer 2, Findynate 3, Edradynate 3, Upper Bolfracks 2, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 3, Murthly 2, 4, Glendelvine 3, Kercock 6, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 5, Islamouth 19, Kethick Mains 2, Kethick Streams 3,  Ballathie 3, Cargill 8, Stobhall 10, Taymount 8, Pitlochrie 3, Benchil 5, Upper Scone 5, Upper Redgorton 6, Fishponds 16, Luncarty 4, Waulkmill 41, Almondmouth 48, Lochlane & Laggan 1.

Total: 220 Largest: Murthly 2, Benchil & Waulkmill 21lbs

GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO AUTUMN!

 

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 24^th August 2020)

 

It felt like we had already said goodbye to summer last week when Storm Ellen brought heavy rain and strong winds to many parts of Scotland. Unsurprisingly there was a lift in the water towards the end of last week and the lower river was quite coloured on Saturday courtesy of the Isla. However, the upcoming week is traditionally the last week of the summer salmon fishing season in Scotland as we end August. Hopefully, the decent numbers of fish entering the river will continue as we move into September and beyond. 

There were some fine fish caught from the river last week including a number of fish weighing around the magical twenty pounds mark. In addition to this, there was also some nice hard fighting fresh grilse landed and hopefully, there will be more to come. 
In terms of the weather, there were more showers on Saturday but thankfully the winds were somewhat lighter and Sunday was mainly dry. Looking ahead to next week, Monday will be mainly dry. There could be a spell of heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday as a large area of low pressure influences our weather. Towards the end of the week, it looks like the weather might settle down as high pressure builds.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse, with many being sea liced. Salmon were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth which shows that there are fish well spread throughout the system. There were also fish caught from the River Isla and Earn. 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 on some very famous and prolific beats, so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? You might just get a twenty pounder coming your way! 
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 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.