FINALLY, A TASTE OF SUMMER ACROSS PERTHSHIRE!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 29th May 2021) 

We move into June next week which will mark the end of the spring salmon fishing season on many rivers across Scotland. In the past, June had been a bit of an enigma in terms of salmon fishing on the Tay. Often there would be a lull in the action as the spring run had travelled up the river and reached the headwaters and the grilse and summer salmon run had not arrived in any great numbers. However more recently, June has proved to be a quite productive month on the Tay system. There appear to be more late running springers entering the river and this coupled with a few early summer fish has led to anglers enjoying some good sport. It has not been a dry warm spring by any means this year and so this should certainly help sport over the next few weeks as in some years the end of May leading into June can be very bright and hot.  

Heavy rain late last Sunday and into Monday led to a rising river at the beginning of last week. The rain was particularly heavy on the eastern side of the catchment area and the River Isla went into flood. Inevitably the lower river became coloured. However, from midweek onwards the weather became much more settled. Towards the end of the week, temperatures rose significantly and finally, we got a taste of summer across Perthshire after a few weeks of unseasonably cold weather. By the weekend the river was in good condition and there were some nice fish caught. The water temperature last week was 7.9 degrees Celsius which is 46.2  degrees Fahrenheit. 

Mr Carlin caught his first ever salmon on Loch Tay on Monday

It was a day to remember for Mr Chris Carlin on Loch Tay. Mr Carlin was fishing with Loch Tay Fish N Trips company when he caught his first ever salmon. The fish weighed twelve pounds and was in great condition. Well done Sir! There was also a nice fish caught by the Loch Tay Fish N Trips team on Wednesday and Thursday.

A lovely fourteen pounder caught from Edradynate

There were three fish caught from the Upper Farleyer Beat through the course of last week. On Tuesday Mr Gordon Pollock enjoyed early success at Edradynate when he landed a magnificent fourteen pounder from the Church Pool on his first cast of the day. There was more success at Edradynate on Wednesday when a lovely nine pounder was caught again from the Church Pool. On Thursday there were two more fish caught from Edradynate as well as a couple from Lower Bolfracks. 

A fine springer caught from Edradynate on Wednesday

It was nice to see Loch Faskally get off the mark for the week on Wednesday and there was another fish caught from the loch on Saturday. There has been some good sport had on the River Tummel at Portnacraig in recent weeks. Monday got off to a flyer when a total of three fish were landed. Mr Jim Lapsley struck early when he caught two nice fish on the spinner weighing eight and sixteen pounds. The fish were caught from the Pitlochry Bank. Mr Adam Thomson had a nice ten pounder on the fly from the Portnacraig Bank. On Tuesday there were five fish landed from the beat. Successful anglers included Mr Tony Brown, Mr Alun Williams and Mr David Leishman amongst others. There were also a few fish lost so the final tally for the day could have been considerably more.

Mr David Leishman with a lovely springer caught at Portnacraig on Tuesday

On Wednesday Mr Jim Fisher landed a lovely fifteen pounder on the fly from the Portnacraig Beat on the Portnacraig Bank. There were two more fish caught from the beat on the same day. Mr Innes Smith caught another fifteen pounder on the fly further downstream on the Tummel, at the Sawmill also on Wednesday. The Portnacraig Beat finished with a very respectable sixteen fish for the week.

A cracking fifteen pounder for Mr Jim Fisher caught from Portnacraig

There were four fish caught from the Dalguise Beat through the course of last week. The Dalmarnock Beat produced a fish on Tuesday. Mr Peter Sproston had a great day at Dunkeld on Thursday. Mr Sproston landed a beautiful springer in the Cathedral Stream. The fish took a Vision110 lure. There were also several fish lost at Dunkeld on Thursday. On Friday Mr Sproston enjoyed more success at Dunkeld when he landed a lovely thirteen pounder on the fly caught from the Lady Pool

Mr Peter Sproston with a cracking springer caught at Dunkeld

There was success at Murthly 1 for Mr Colin Mclean and Mr Stuart Graham both landing a nice fish each on the fly. Mr Stuart Lang caught a nice fish from the beat on Friday. On Murthly 2 Mr Richard Bagnall had a nice fish from the Burn on a toby lure on Tuesday. Ms Elizabeth Passey lost fish on beat two on Thursday and Friday. Her week however ended on high when she caught her first ever salmon and on the fly. A massive congratulations to Ms Passey on a day she will never forget! 

There were some stunning fish caught from both Murthly beats through the course of the week

At Meikleour there was a cracking Sea trout weighing six pounds caught on Tuesday from the House Pool. In addition to this, a fifteen pounder was also caught from the tail of Boxwood Bush on the same day. 

A lovely fish caught by Mr Tommy Mcguire at Meikleour

Mr Tommy Mcguire had a lovely eight pounder on the fly at Meikleour on Wednesday. The fine springer was caught between the Pumphouse and Boxwood. Mr Terry Davies went one better when he landed a ten pounder on a salmo lure from the March. The amazing thing was that both fish were caught at the same time just before the final whistle was about to be blown! The Meikleour and Upper Islamouth Beat finished with five fish for the week.

Mr Terry Davies with a fine springer caught at Meikleour on Wednesday

At Islamouth there were a couple of fish caught at the start of the week. Towards the end of the week, Mr David Mayhew’s party landed a couple of nice fish.

It was an eventful day for Mr Dan Gillespie at Cargill on Friday. Mr `Gillespie was playing a powerful springer when his rod snapped but despite this minor inconvenience, Mr Gillespie still managed to land a sparkling springer!

Mr Dan Gilespie with some lovely Cargill silver!

On Thursday there was a magnificent twenty eight pounder caught at Taymount. There were two more fish caught from Taymount on Friday. It was also good to see success further downstream at Benchil on Thursday when Mr Jon McNeish landed a fine ten pounder.

Mr Jon McNeish with a Benchil cracker caught on Thursday

So, it was a tough week on the river and the unsettled water conditions at the beginning of the week did not help matters but it was still good to see some nice springers being landed on the Tay system. 

With the recent lift in the water there is a good chance of landing a late running springer or even a summer salmon or grilse in the upcoming days, so why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay next week? You might just experience some early June magic!

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

Malloch Trophy 

The Malloch Trophy is an award given for the largest salmon caught on the fly and safely returned to the river each year. If you would like to be considered for the Malloch Trophy, please telephone Inga MacGillivray on 01738 583733 alternatively, you can email Inga at admin@tdsfb.org

Beat catches reported

(week ending 29th May)

SALMON & GRILSE: Loch Tay Fish n Trips 3, Upper Farleyer 3, Lower Bolfracks 2, Edradynate 4, Loch Faskally 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 16, Dalguise 4, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 2, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 4, Murthly 2, 3 West Grange 1, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 5, Islamouth 4, Cargill, 1 Taymount 3, Benchil, 1

Total: 60 Largest: Taymount 28lbs

WHAT WILL THE BEGINNING OF JUNE HAVE IN STORE?

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 31st May 2021)

Last week saw unsettled conditions predominate across Perthshire with low pressure influencing our weather especially at the beginning of the week. There were spells of heavy rain and from time to time there was a distinct chill in the air. River levels rose on Monday and there was also some colour in the water on Monday and Tuesday. Water levels dropped from midweek onwards and conditions were decent for many beats towards the end of the week. Over the weekend it was mainly dry as finally high pressure built. On Sunday it felt very pleasant and warm which has been a rarity so far this year. 

Looking ahead, the first half of next week is set to be very warm and sunny with temperatures widely in the mid-twenties. There is a chance low pressure may bring a few showers towards the end of the week but temperatures will remain warm.  

As we move into early June there is a good chance of encountering a late running springer as well as a summer salmon and hopefully, this will be the case in the days ahead. It will be interesting to see what June will have in store for anglers fishing on the Tay system.

Catches were again well spread last week from Loch Tay down to Benchil. There were also fish caught from the River Tummel and Ericht. Many of the fish caught were sea liced indicating that the fish entering the system were running hard. There is a good chance of picking up fresh fish almost anywhere on the main river next week as the spread of recent catches would suggest. 

With the River Tay having a recent lift in water, why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most famous salmon rivers next week? You might just have that June day to remember!

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.