THREE GENERATIONS OF THE SAME FAMILY ALL LAND SPRINGERS ON THE SAME DAY!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 6th March 2021) 

We have now moved into March and this is often when many anglers decide to pick up a rod for the first time this season. In March the days get notably longer, and the weather starts to improve. Usually more fresh fish start to enter many of Scotland’s salmon rivers including the Tay. Compared to January and February, salmon fishing in March can often be a much more pleasurable experience. 

March heralds the beginning of the meteorological spring and thankfully the weather started to play ball last week as there was relatively little rainfall. River levels gradually dropped through the course of the week as fishing conditions improved.

There were some lovely spring salmon caught from the Tay system last week. On the upper river, it was good to see the Lower Bolfracks Beat produce a cracking eighteen pounder on Wednesday. 

Further downstream it was nice to see Dalguise record their first fish of the season on Saturday. The Dalmarnock Beat enjoyed success when a fourteen pounder was caught from the Glide Pool in the boat on Monday.

The famous Islamouth Beat opened its account for the season when a fine ten pounder was landed on Thursday with another fish caught on Friday and a fine brace on Saturday.

Mr Nick Patterson had a day to remember on Saturday at Cargill when he landed the first fish from the beat this season. The beautiful springer weighed eleven pounds and put up a great tussle. 

Nick Patterson lands Cargill's first fish of the season on Saturday

It was a bit of a family affair at Stobhall on Monday when four springers were landed. Mr Iain Law caught the first fish of the season from the beat. The fish was caught from the Green Bank, Linn Pool on the fly. 

A family affair, as Mr Iain Law lands a nice fly caught salmon

Mr Hugh Law (Iain’s father) was next on the scoresheet landing the second fish from the beat this time from the Trinks, again from the Linn Pool. 

Young Roan Law lands Stobhall silver

The family hat trick was completed in the afternoon by Mr Roan Law, aged 11 and son of Iain. Roan caught his fish from the back of the Dyke. What a magical day it was for the family with three generations all landing springers. 

Mr Harry Proud, ghillie on the Waulkmill Beat was on a busman’s holiday when he also landed a fish from Stobhall on Monday.

Mr Harry Proud with a fine springer from Stobhall caught on Monday

The good sport continued at Stobhall on Wednesday when Mr Adrian Mailer caught a nice fish from Bellymore. Not to be outdone Mr Roger Burton made it a fine brace after lunch landing a cracker again from Bellymore. There were a couple more fish caught from Stobhall on Friday as well as Saturday so all in all, it was an excellent week. 

More spring silver caught from Stobhall on Wednesday

There was also good sport to be had at Taymount with the beat producing four salmon on Tuesday and three on Wednesday. On Tuesday the Pitlochrie Beat produced a fine thirteen pounder which was caught on the fly from the famous Pitlochrie Pool. 

A fine fly caught springer from Pitlochrie on Tuesday

Away from the fishing, the TDSFB continue their hard work. This week the team were out planting eggs in the Banvie Burn. These eggs were taken from fish that were caught on the River Garry and kept in the hatchery as part of the kelt reconditioning programme. Hopefully, all this work will ensure that anglers will be able to enjoy good salmon fishing on the Tay system for years to come.

A fine fly caught springer from Pitlochrie on Tuesday

With some fine fish being landed in recent days and catches improving if current government restriction allow why not chase Scottish spring silver on the Tay next week? You could have that 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 6th March)

SALMON & GRILSE: 

Lower Bolfracks 1, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 1, Islamouth 4,  Cargill 1, Stobhall 10, Taymount 7, Pitlochrie 1,

Total:26 Largest: Lower Bolfracks 18lbs

MORE SPRING SILVER TO BE LANDED IN THE DAYS AHEAD ON THE TAY SYSTEM?

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 8th March 2021)

It was good to finally get some decent weather coupled with settled water levels last week after what feels like an age. This allowed anglers to enjoy a full week of fishing with the river in decent condition for many beats. It has been mainly dry over the weekend across Scotland but it has felt cold.

Looking ahead to next week the weather is set to turn more unsettled as the jetstream becomes reinvigorated once again. This will push a series of low pressure systems in from the Atlantic bringing wind and rain. Monday will be mainly dry apart from a few showers. From Tuesday onwards the weather will turn more unsettled with spells of rain accompanied by strong winds. Towards the end of the week, there could even be some snow on higher ground. 

Catches on the river were well spread last week with some lovely springers being landed. It does now appear that the fish are gradually beginning to spread themselves throughout the system, so anywhere on the main river could produce that elusive springer next week. Loch Tay and the River Tummel could also be well worth considering. 

With catches improving, will there be more spring silver to be landed in the days ahead? The only way to find out is by wetting a line on the mighty River Tay next week! 

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.