FINALLY, THE RIVER BECOMES FISHABLE WITH THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 27th February 2021) 

We move into March next week and say goodbye to winter. Many anglers would have said good riddance! For much of February, Scotland has endured heavy snow, bitterly cold temperatures and icy easterly winds. 

It was bitterly cold across Perthshire for much of February

When it did start to get milder a supercharged jetstream deposited large amounts of rain across the country. This led to huge floods due to a combination of melting snow and heavy rain. Indeed because of the extreme weather conditions since the river opened very little meaningful fishing has taken place. When you couple this with the travel restrictions due to the pandemic it’s easy to see why only a handful of fresh fish have been landed from the Tay system so far this season. 

The river started to drop and clear nicely towards the end of last week

Heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday last week made the river unfishable until Friday so most of the week was lost. By Saturday the river was still high but conditions were much improved with the river dropping further and it was good to see a few fish caught.

Mr Paul Carter caught a lovely springer from the Portnacraig Beat of the River Tummel on the fly. The magnificent fish weighed twelve pounds.

Mr Paul Carter with a fine springer caught from the River Tummel

The Dunkeld Beat got off the mark on Saturday,  with a cracking springer caught from the Chestnut tree pool on a copper kynoch which was good to see and another fish was also lost after a long fight. 

A nice springer caught from the Dunkeld House Beat

There was also a fish caught on Saturday from the West Grange Beat on the River Isla.

Back on the main river both Mr Stuart McArthur and Mr Neil Tong were both successful at Taymount on Saturday. 

One of two fish caught from Taymount on Saturday

There was also success at Burnmouth where a cracking seventeen pounder was landed.

The settled weather is set to continue well into next week and even into next weekend. This should mean that conditions on the river will improve through the course of next week and its highly likely that a few fish will be caught from the Tay system in the days ahead.  

March is usually a month when catches improve and become more consistent on the Tay so let’s keep our fingers crossed. With a settled weather forecast for the days ahead, prospects look promising. 

So, if you are permitted to do so under the current travel restrictions why not chase some March Tay silver next week? You just might hook that spring salmon of a lifetime!

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 27th February 2021)

SALMON & GRILSE:  

Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Dunkeld 1, West Grange 1, Taymount 2, Burnmouth 1

Total: 6 Largest: Burnmouth 17lbs

SOME MARCH MAGIC IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD?

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 1st March 2021)

We enter into March next week, which sees us say goodbye to winter and hello to the meteorological spring. In March often catches as well as weather conditions improve as we progress through the month. Over the next few weeks, fish destined for the River Tummel should start entering the system in greater numbers in addition to the fish heading for Loch Tay and beyond. This should mean there is a better chance of hooking that elusive spring salmon.

Thankfully the weather improved somewhat towards the end of last week and with it, river levels dropped and some nice fish were caught from the Tay system on Saturday. 

It was dry over the weekend across Perthshire and the settled weather is set to continue well into next week. Monday and Tuesday will be bright and sunny with light winds. There is more likely to be some cloud on Wednesday. Towards the end of the week, there is a chance of northerly wind developing which will pin back the temperatures and there may be a return to night time frosts. Thankfully it is set to stay mainly dry and settled.

Next week there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere on the main river. Loch Tay and the River Tummel are also well worth considering at this time of year. As always there are no shortage of options when it comes to fishing on the Tay system, with fishing to suit all tastes. The river offers tremendous value for money at this time of year with anglers being able to fish on some of the most famous and prestigious beats in Scotland at a very reasonable price. So, if you are permitted to do so under the current travel restrictions why not wet a line on the mighty Tay next week? You might just experience some March Magic!

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 early spring period (January-March)

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 early spring months water temperatures are often low and river levels high. In such conditions, the depth at which your fly is moving through the water column can be the key to success. Often you may be required to use floating lines coupled with sinking polyleaders, intermediate or even full sinking lines. It is therefore important that you have a fly rod that can work in harmony with a heavy line. As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful fifteen-foot rod with a ten-line rating will cover almost any eventuality. 

Make sure your fly reel has a good drag system

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 can work well. In higher water, an intermediate or full sinking line may be required to produce the best results.
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 early spring period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain. Usually a breaking strain between fifteen and eighteen pounds ideal.

Tube flies can work well during the early part of the season

During the early part of the season, tube flies often work well. If the water temperatures are low weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes of a decent length will allow your fly to get well down and close to where the fish are likely to be lying. In cold weather, the fish are unlikely to be keen on moving fast so it is better that your fly moves through the water column at an adequate depth and not too quickly. 

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 forty 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. 

The Vision 110 can be a productive lure 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 forty grams. Devon Minnows can also be effective on the River Tay during the early spring months. Vision 110s and Rapalas are also lures which are well worth considering.

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 during the early spring months. 

Setting out to do some harling on the Meikleour and Upper Islamouth Beat

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. 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 respect at all times.