SOME LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, AS SOME LOVELY SPRING SALMON ARE LANDED FROM THE TAY SYSTEM!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 20th March 2021) 

There finally seemed to be some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the pandemic last week as it was announced by the Scottish government that if the data allows, travel restrictions could be relaxed and holiday accommodation could open from the 26th of April. This would mean that anglers from across Scotland would once again be able to wet a line on the mighty Tay and not just locals as it has been so far this season. Let us hope that this is the case, so many more anglers can enjoy the delights of the River Tay from the end of next month. 

Saturday marked the spring equinox when the hours of night and day are of approximately equal length. It can be a long winter in Perthshire and this is another sure sign that those dark, cold days are now behind us. Thankfully, the weather was much more settled across Perthshire last week and it was also milder. The unforgiving heavy rain and gale force winds that had plagued anglers for much of the previous week seemed to be a distant memory as it was mainly dry for most of the week with light winds. River levels gradually dropped and fishing conditions were decent for many beats on the river. There were some lovely spring salmon landed from the Tay system last week and many were sea liced.

It was good to see a beautiful sixteen pounder caught from Loch Tay on Saturday. A cracking twenty pounder was caught on the fly from Upper Farleyer on Friday in the Junction Pool. On Saturday Upper Kinnaird produced a stunning twenty pounder. Mr Steven Stewart caught the magnificent fish on a silver toby from the Greenbank.

 A cracking springer caught from the Dunkled Beat on Wednesday

 

Mr Alan Lumsden had a day to remember on Wednesday when fishing the Dunkeld Beat. Mr Lumsden was wetting a line in the Chestnut Tree pool when is line tightened. After a terrific and sometimes savage fight, Mr Lumsden landed a lovely twenty pounder. This was the second fish of the week for Mr Lumsden who enjoyed success on the lower river on Monday.

On Thursday Mr Tony Black ghillie at Murthly 2 was busy putting his boats back into the river as the beat has been closed so far this season due to the pandemic. Mr Black decided to go for a little harl for an hour. It did not take him long to get back into the swing of things when on only the second turn of the boat one of the rods buckled. After a great fight, Mr Black landed a fine springer. There was another fish caught from the beat on Saturday. It was nice to see the Glendelvine Beat produce a fish at the beginning of the week. 

 

The Murthly 2 Beat gets off the mark in style!

 On the River Isla, the Kethick Mains Beat enjoyed success on Monday and Tuesday with a couple of fish landed. As we move through March and into April there should be more fish caught from the Isla. 

The prolific Islamouth Beat produced a couple of fish on Tuesday. On Saturday Mr Barry Ward struck silver on the beat when he landed a lovely springer.

A fine springer caught by Mr Barry Ward on Saturday from Islamouth

Ballathie was another beat that was getting ready to start their 2021 season last week by putting their boats on the water on Thursday. Ghillie Gary Mcerlain decided to go for a cast in the afternoon and enjoyed some good sport landing two lovely springers from the upper beat weighing seven and twelve pounds. The fish were caught from the Garden Pool on a Vision110 lure.

A sparkling Ballathie springer caught on Thursday

Cargill regular Mr David Sands was wetting a line on the beat on Tuesday. Mr Sands hooked a nice powerful fish which gave a great account of itself. After a good fight, Mr Sands landed the fine springer before returning it safely to carry on with its journey upstream.  It was a super Saturday for Mr Derek Main who landed a cracking springer on Saturday from Cargill.

Cargill sping silver caught on Saturday

Mr Hugh Law was quick to banish away those Monday morning blues at Stobhall when he landed a sparkling springer from the Linn Pool. The fish put up a great fight and was as fresh as paint.

 Mr Hugh Law landed this fine springer from Stobnhall on Monday

On Wednesday perseverance was the name of the game at Stobhall. Mr Willie MacDiarmid was fishing late in the afternoon when he hooked and landed a fine springer. It appeared that a pod of fresh fish had gone through the beat as all the anglers fishing had their chances during the final hour of fishing. The Taymount Beat produced a nice fish on Thursday and a fine brace on Saturday.

More Stobhall silver landed on Wednesday

Mr Alan Lumsden had a happy Monday when he caught a fine springer on Upper Redgorton. This was the first fish of the season from the beat.

More Stobhall silver landed on Wednesday

There now does seem to be a reasonable head of spring salmon in the Tay system and with more fish entering the river daily anglers stand a great chance of making contact with some early season silver. So why not cast a line on the magical River Tay next week if current government travel restrictions allow? It could be the perfect way to end March on a high!

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 20th March)

SALMON & GRILSE: 

Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 1, Dunkeld 1, Murthly 2, 2, Glendelvine 1, Keithick Mains 2, Islamouth 3, Ballathie 2, Cargill 2, Stobhall 2, Taymount 3, Upper Redgorton 1, 

Total: 20 Largest: Dunkeld 20lbs

 

 

GOOD CONDITIONS SHOULD LEAD TO MORE LOVELY SPRING SALMON BEING LANDED IN THE DAYS AHEAD

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 22nd March 2021)

It was dry and settled for much of last week as high pressure across Scotland remained firmly in charge. There were variable amounts of cloud through the course of the week but on certain days it felt positively spring like in the sun with temperatures reaching a balmy nineteen degrees in some places. It has been mainly dry over the weekend and river levels have remained steady.

Looking ahead to next week, on Monday there is the chance of the odd shower mainly across western Perthshire. Tuesday and Wednesday should be mainly dry and winds will remain light. However, towards the end of the week, this current settled spell of weather is likely to end with spells of rain and even some of the white stuff on higher ground. The winds are also set to strengthen.

Catches were well spread on the river last week from Loch Tay down to Upper Redgorton. It was also good to see the River Isla produce some nice fish. Currently, the conditions on the river are good for mid March and this should lead to more spring salmon being landed in the days ahead. 

On the main river, there is a decent chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere, as catches from last week would suggest. Tay beats offer prime spring salmon fishing at this time of year which represents excellent value for money compared to many other rivers across Scotland. With a number of beats opening for the first time this season because of the pandemic, there is no shortage of options when it comes to fishing on the Tay system, with fishing to suit all tastes. So why not wet a line on the Tay next week if you are permitted to travel? You might just experience some late 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.