(River Tay weekly report week ending 5th September 2020)
We have now moved into September and this can potentially be a productive month on many of Scotland's salmon rivers including the mighty Tay. Looking around us, the landscape is changing. The leaves on the trees are gradually transforming from bright, vibrant greens to a pale yellow. On the moorland, the heather is blossoming into colour. The geese are returning to our shores once again having made their annual migration South and the days are drawing in, with the nights getting cooler. This can only mean one thing; the changing of the seasons, as we move from summer to autumn.
Traditionally the 1st of September marks the beginning of the autumn fishing period and soon the summer season will be a distant memory. Usually, autumn is when the numbers of salmon in our Scottish rivers peak and there is a chance of making big catches. Hopefully, the next few weeks will prove to be a productive time on the Tay system with plenty of anglers getting their rods bent.
Thankfully at least last week the weather was a bit more settled than of late with no named storm unleashing its wrath on Scotland like it has in the past two weeks. This, in turn, resulted in more settled river levels, although there was some persistent rain on Wednesday evening. The water temperature last week was 53.2 degrees Fahrenheit which is 11.8 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river, there was success at Upper Farleyer, Lower Bolfracks and Findynate. On Tuesday Mr Gordon Pollock landed a nice ten pounder from Edradynate. This was one of many fish Mr Pollock has caught from the beat so far this season. Further downstream there was success at Upper Kinnaird on Tuesday and Thursday.
It was nice to see the Lower Kinnaird Beat produce a fish on Tuesday. It was a decent start to the week at Newtyle with fish caught on both Monday and Tuesday. There was success in the tail of the Sparrowmuir Pool at Delvine & Burnbane on Monday when a lively grilse was landed on the fly.
At Cargill, there were bent rods during the first half of the week with one of the fish landed weighing a magnificent twenty pounds. Mr Hector Rawson was successful at Cargill when he landed a nice fish on Tuesday.
The good sport continued at Cargill on Friday with four fine salmon landed up to eighteen pounds and a couple on Saturday.
The Taymount Beat has produced some good sport recently and last week was no different with a total of ten fish being landed on Monday and Tuesday. The Johnson party were fishing at Stobhall and enjoyed some good sport with fish caught on most days including a cracking sixteen pounder.
There were four fish caught at Upper Scone through the course of the week. Dr Cooper enjoyed some good sport and Mr Robbie Fok caught his first ever salmon on the fly weighing thirteen pounds. At Pitlochrie there was a nice fish caught on Wednesday by Mr John Laybourne on the fly. There were two fish were caught from Benchil on Thursday. On Saturday Mr Gordon Hyslop landed a nice fish from the Long Shot and Mr Laybourne was back in the action with a nice fly caught salmon from the Little Shot.
There was a fine hat trick landed at Fishponds on Monday with four more on Tuesday. Fishponds finished with sixteen for the week. Upper Redgorton produced four on Tuesday and a couple on Wednesday. It was a good end to the week at Upper Redgorton with four more fish caught on Friday. Just like Benchil, Luncarty has also fished well lately and Monday was no different with a couple of fish in the book. Waulkmill had another productive week with thirty four salmon landed. There were no Monday morning blues for Mr Stevie Gillespie who landed a stunning twenty pound salmon on the fly from the Goldcastle Stream. Other successful anglers amongst others through the course of the week included Mr Neil Mitchell and Mr Ronnie Fraser who landed three on Saturday. Almondmouth fished consistently and finished with fifteen fish for the week.
Hopefully, going forward catches will build as we move through September so many anglers can get their rods bent on a regular basis. Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on many beats and some of the fish caught recently 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 autumn day to remember!
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 5th September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 2, Edradynate 1, Findynate 1, Lower Bolfracks 1, Upper Kinnaird 2, Loch Faskally 1, Lower Kinnaird 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 2, 1, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 6, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 6, West Grange 1, Islamouth 8, Ballathie 4, Cargill 15, Stobhall 7, Taymount 14, Upper Scone 4, Benchil 5, Upper Redgorton 10, Fishponds 16, Luncarty 2, Waulkmill 34, Almondmouth 15, Lochlane & Laggan 3,
Total: 165 Largest: Islamouth 27lbs
HOPEFULLY, THERE WILL BE NO SHORTAGE OF SEPTEMBER SILVER IN THE DAYS AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 7th September 2020)
It was the first week of autumn last week and thankfully the weather was a bit more settled than of late. Apart from some rain on Wednesday, it was mainly dry for much of the week except for the odd shower. However, it did get very windy for a time. It has been mainly dry over the weekend and the river is now at an excellent height for many beats. We should, therefore, start next week with favourable conditions so hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had.
September can often be a prime month on the River Tay and in years gone by when the famous Tay autumn run starts. There should be some nice fresh fish entering the river in the upcoming weeks and with a bit of luck anglers will land plenty of September silver in the days ahead.
In terms of the weather next week, Monday and Tuesday will see some showers. It will feel milder in the south westerly wind. Wednesday will be mainly dry. Towards the end of the week, it will feel cooler and there is a chance of some heavier rain on Friday.
On the main river, salmon were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth last week, which shows that the fish are well spread throughout the system. There were also fish caught from Loch Faskally, the River Isla and Earn. Given adequate water, the Earn is always well worth considering at this time of year. On the main Tay, 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 autumn silver? There is no better way to start the autumn season than by landing a big Tay cracker!
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment