SOARING TEMPERATURES, BIBLICAL STORMS BUT THE TAY CONTINUES TO PRODUCE SOME ELECTRIFYING ACTION!

 (River Tay weekly report week ending 15th August 2020) 

What a week of weather it has been across much of Scotland including Perthshire. It was very hot and humid on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures soaring. On Tuesday night much of eastern Scotland witnessed a prolonged spell of severe thunderstorms. These lasted in some places for twelve hours and could only be described as being “biblical”. There was frequent lightening and heavy rain. There was flash flooding around many parts of the country on Wednesday following the storms and unsurprisingly river levels on the Tay system lifted quickly. The river was quite coloured and very little meaningful fishing was possible. Thankfully it was much drier during the rest of the week but it still remained hot and quite sticky from time to time.  

Coloured water following the big storms at Cargill on Wednesday

In spite of the conditions, there were still some cracking salmon caught from the river Tay last week with anglers enjoying some electrifying action. The water temperature last week was 58.6 degrees Fahrenheit which is around 14.8 degrees Celsius. 
On the upper river, the Edradynate Beat got off to a flyer on Monday when three lovely fish got landed in quick succession. The fish were all caught on the fly and weighed six and eight pounds with the third being a bit smaller. Other beats which produced fish on the upper river through the course of the week included both Bolfracks beats and Findynate.

One of three salmon caught from Edradynate on Monday

It was nice to see the Lower Kinnaird Beat taste success on Monday. Dalguise and Dalmarnock had a fine brace on the same day. There was a couple of fish caught at Newtyle on Monday and on Tuesday Mr Neill Scrimgeour who was making his annual pilgrimage to the Tay had a day to remember. Mr Scrimgeour was fishing the fly in the Steps Pool when his line tightened. After a terrific fight, he landed a lovely fin perfect grilse. There was a further fish caught from Newtyle on Friday.

Mr Neill Scrimgeour with a fine wee grilse

The Murthly 2 Beat defied the odds by producing a couple of fish on Wednesday in spite of the coloured water which shows perseverance pays whatever the conditions. Anglers fishing at Glendelvine landed a couple of fish on Tuesday as well as two on Saturday. The Kercock Beat also had a fine brace on Tuesday and repeated the feat on Friday and Saturday. The Meikleour Beat produced a nice fish on Monday.
At Islamouth it was the turn of Mr Wilson Philip’s party to wet a line. They finished with seven fish landed and several lost for their three days. Mrs Kelly Catone had a good morning landing three fishing including a cracking sixteen pounder. Islamouth finished with eight fish for the week.
The Ballathie Beat has fished quite well recently and Monday was no different with a couple of fishing being landed. There was a further fish caught from the beat on Tuesday and Friday. At Cargill Mr Ian Jardine did the business on Tuesday landing a lovely fresh fish. There were three fish caught from the beat during the first half of the week. 

Cargill silver for Mr Ian Jardine

On Thursday eleven year old Ferdi Haywood from Seven Oaks had a day to remember when he caught his first ever salmon. I think the smile says it all!

Ferdi Haywood with his first ever salmon!

At Taymount there were five fish landed on Monday with a further fish caught on Tuesday. There was more success on the beat on Thursday with a couple landed followed by four on Friday. The Apthorp party were fishing at Stobhall and Mr Mike Stern caught his first salmon on the fly which was also the 99^th fish from the beat this season. It was not long to wait for the hundredth fish which was landed from Stobhall on Friday.

A lovely Stobhall salmon

It was a good start to the week at Pitlochrie with three fish landed on Monday. Anglers at Benchil enjoyed a similar hat trick on Tuesday with fish caught from the Long Shot on the fly. 

A cracking summer salmon caught from Benchil

There was a couple of fish caught at Upper Scone on Monday and three on Tuesday. Mr Ted Edgar landed two nice fish from the beat, the biggest being twelve pounds. Mr Patrick Erne also enjoyed a double including a nice fresh grilse caught on the fly. This was Mr Erne’s first ever fly caught salmon. Mr Silvo Erne also landed a fine brace from Upper Scone the largest being twelve pounds. The beat finished with six fish for the week. It was a great day at Upper Redgorton on Tuesday with six fish landed and further four on Friday. Fishponds have produced the goods in recent weeks and last week was no different with six fish caught during the first half of the week and five more over the course of Thursday and Friday. On Saturday Fishponds produced another five including a cracking fifteen pounder. Anglers at Waulkmill enjoyed a fine hat trick on Monday as well as four on Thursday. There was good sport to be had at Almondmouth with a couple of days when double figures were landed. The beat finished with forty-seven fish for the week.
It was a pity that the big storms on Tuesday night led to a lift in water which was quite coloured as this definitely had an impact on catches. We could really now do with a settled period of weather with cooler temperatures as this would definitely help the fishing. Currently, the Tay is at a great height for many beats and there does seem to be a good head of fish in the river. 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 15th August)

SALMON & GRILSE: 

Upper Farleyer 1, Upper Bolfracks 1, Lower Bolfracks 2, Findynate 2, Edradynate 3, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 2, Dalmarnock 3, Newtyle 4, Murthly 1, 2, Murthly 2, 3, Glendelvine 4, Kercock 6, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, Islamouth 8, Ballathie 4, Cargill 5, Stobhall 3, Taymount 14, Pitlochrie 3, Upper Scone 6, Benchil 3, Upper Redgorton 11, Fishponds 16, Luncarty 1,  Waulkmill 7, Almondmouth 47, Lochlane & Laggan 1

Total: 163 Largest: Lochlane & Laggan 23lbs

SETTLED WEATHER AND WATER COULD BE THE PERFECT TONIC FOR GOOD CATCHES!

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 17th August 2020)

There were some lovely fish caught from the river last week with numerous salmon weighing well into double figures. We are now well into August and this when historically many beats on the River Tay start to make big catches. Hopefully in the next few weeks, there will be plenty of good fishing to be had on the river. 
It was quite a mixed bag of weather especially during the first half of last week. On Tuesday night and well into the early hours of Wednesday much of Perthshire witnessed some spectacular thunderstorms. This led to a rapidly rising coloured river. Towards the end of the week, the water cleared and dropped nicely. The weekend has seen mainly dry with light winds. Looking ahead to next week, Monday and Tuesday will see more showers as low pressure dominates. Some of these could be heavy and thundery in places. At this stage, Wednesday is set to remain dry. Towards the end of the week, more unsettled weather is forecast with showers or longer spells of rain as low pressure returns to our shores once again. 
If we can get some settled, cooler weather coupled with steady river levels, this could be the perfect tonic for some good catches in the upcoming days. The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse and 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. As we move through the rest of August and into September beats located especially 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 summer silver? There is no better feeling when the line tightens and that reel sings!

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.