FIVE SPRINGERS IN A DAY, NUMEROUS FIRST SALMON AND A FAMILY AFFAIR!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 22nd May 2021) 

We are now moving towards the end of May which for many heralds the end of the spring salmon fishing season across Scotland. This of course does not mean that fresh springers cannot still be caught. Early June can often be a good time of year to catch late running springers. Indeed, in the past, some of the beats located on the middle River Tay have continued to produce nice spring salmon well into June. Let us hope this is the case in the days and weeks ahead.

Last week was quite strange in meteorological terms across Perthshire. When the sun was out it felt warm and like summer but when the skies turned black and the heavens opened it felt distinctly chilly. One moment you felt like you needed more than just a jacket to keep you warm and then a few minutes later it was more shorts and t-shirt weather!

It was a familiar story of sunshine and showers for much of last week but on Thursday and Friday a vigorous area of low pressure brought heavy rain and strong winds to much of Perthshire and this led to a lift in the water. The water temperature last week was 9.6 degrees Celsius which is 49.3 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Mr Colin Jonson was fishing with Loch Tay Fish n Trips on Wednesday on the loch and what a day he had. Mr Jonson landed a fantastic springer weighing twenty pounds after a great fight. Definitely, a day to remember! There was also a fish caught from Loch Tay on Saturday.

A cracking fourteen pounder caught at Edradyante on Monday

On the upper river, there were fish caught on most days, with anglers at Upper Farleyer enjoying some decent sport as well as on the Bolfracks beats. At Edradynate there was a fine fourteen pounder caught on the fly on Monday. On Tuesday Edradynate enjoyed more success when  Mr Gordon Pollock caught a lovely springer on the fly weighing an impressive nineteen pounds. On Friday Mr Harry Nobbs got his rod bent at Edradynate when he landed a fine nine pounder. This was one of two fish caught from the beat on Friday. On Saturday Edradynate produced a stunning eighteen pounder which capped off a good week nicely.

A stunning fly caught salmon from Edradynate on Tuesday

It was good to see the Ruan Ruarie Beat on the Gary produce a fish on Saturday. Loch Faskally started to produce fish more consistently last week with three springers caught during the first half of the week and two on Saturday. On the River Tummel, at Portnacraig Mr Steve Watt had a day to remember on Monday when he landed five salmon for the day. Mr Watt landed four fish on the fly from the Pitlochry Bank and a fourteen pounder on the spinner from Portnacraig Bank. Five salmon in a day is as good as spring salmon fishing gets!

One of five fish caught by Mr Steve Watt on Monday from Portnacraig

Mr Gordon Hanslip also enjoyed success on Monday at Portnacraig when he landed a nice eight pounder on the fly. Further downstream at the Sawmill Mr Dave Stewart also got in on the action when he landed an eight pounder again on the fly.

Mr Ian Liang with a nice fish caught from Portnacraig on Tuesday

On Tuesday there were two more fish caught from Portnacraig. Mr Iain Laing landed a fine eight pounder from the Pitlochry Bank. Not to be outdone Mr Stuart Humphreys also landed a fish weighing eleven pounds on the fly. Portnacraig finished with eleven fish for the week.

Mr Stuart Humphreys with a Portnacraig cracker caught on Tuesday

The Lower Kinnaird. Beat has fished well in recent weeks and Monday was no different when a nice fish was caught from the Ash Trees Pool. It was good to see a couple of fish caught from the Dunkeld Beat during the first half of the week. Mr Iain Melville had a day to remember when he caught his first ever salmon weighing twelve pounds. The fish caught from the Cathedral Stream on a Vision110 lure. Well done Sir!

Mr Iain Melville with his first ever salmon caught from Dunkeld

The Cathedral Stream was the site of more action on Wednesday when Mr Rupert Abel caught a lovely fresh nine pounder on the fly. On Thursday Mrs Sandra Robbins lost a fish in the Cathedral  Stream. Minutes later her fly line tightened again and after a long fight, she landed a beautiful springer weighing fifteen pounds. Mr Richard Dodds also enjoyed success at Dunkeld on Thursday when he landed a nice fifteen pounder on a Vision110 lure from the Lady Pool.

Mrs Sandra Robbins with a lovely fifteen pounder from Dunkeld

There was a fish caught from the Murthly 1 Beat on Monday and three caught from the Murthly 2 Beat during the first half of the week. Mr Robert McFarlane enjoyed a good day at Glendelvine on Tuesday when he caught a stunning sea liced fish on the fly. This was one of two fish caught from the beat that day.

Mr Robert Mcfarlane with a cracking springer caught from Glendelvine

It was also good to see a fish caught from the Delvine & Burnbane Beat on Saturday. Persistence was the key for Mr Scott Sykes at Kercock on Saturday. Mr Sykes fished hard all day and was rewarded for his efforts with a sparkling springer towards the end of the day.

Mr Scott Sykes with a Kercock cracker!

There was a couple of nice fish caught from the Meikleour and Upper Islamouth Beat at the beginning of the week. On Thursday Mr Andy Hill had a day to remember at Meikleour when he caught his first ever salmon. Well done Sir! 

On Friday Mrs Claire Graydon enjoyed her first ever day’s fishing, and what a day it was. Mrs Graydon was fishing the Pumphouse Croy when she got a vicious take. After a considerable battle, Mrs Graydon landed her first ever salmon, a stunning sixteen pounder. What a fish for your first!

At Islamouth the Collett party were fishing during the first half of the week and they landed one fish and lost a couple. Towards the end of the week, Mr Angus Johnston’s party enjoyed some action.

Mr Gavin Mason with a fine salmon caught at Cargill on Monday

Further downstream at Cargill it was a family affair on Monday. Mr Gavin Mason landed a lovely fresh salmon. Not to be outdone by his father, Mr Craig Mason persisted all day and was rewarded for his efforts when in the evening he landed a sparkling springer from the Bridge Stream. Well done to the Mason family on a great day!

Mr Craig Mason with a Cargill sparkler!

At Stobhall the Berrie party had a very enjoyable three days. On Monday the party landed a nice eight pounder from Tams Corner. After a few close shaves on Tuesday, it all came together on Wednesday when a cracking nine pounder was caught from the Major’s Cast. There was also a fish caught on Saturday at Stobhall.

A lovely springer caught from Stobhall for the Berrie party

With only one week of May remaining, hopefully, more hard fighting late running spring salmon will enter the Tay system, so anglers can enjoy some good sport. With a decent weather forecast for salmon fishing next week there is no reason why fishers will not connect with more top-quality spring salmon. So why not chase some spring silver on the mighty River Tay next week? You might just experience some Tay 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

Beat catches reported

(week ending 22nd May)

SALMON & GRILSE: 

Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 2, Upper Farleyer 4, Lower Farleyer 1, Edradynate 5, Upper Bolfracks 1, Upper Kinnaird, 1, Ruan Ruarie 1, Loch Faskally 5, Portnacraig Pitlochry 11, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dunkeld 4, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 3 Glendelvine 2, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 1, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 6, West Grange 1, Islamouth 3, Cargill 2, Stobhall 3

Total: 60 Largest: Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 20lbs

FINALLY, A MORE SETTLED WEATHER FORECAST AS HIGH PRESSURE IS SET TO BUILD!

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 24th May 2021)

Being in the right place at the right time is a very difficult skill to master as an angler but that certainly seemed to be the key to success on the Tay system last week. Some ghillies reported seeing fish running hard from time to time which was encouraging. 

There was a lift in water towards the end of last week after heavy rain fell over the catchment area on Thursday and Friday courtesy of an unusually vigorous area of low pressure for the time of year. By the weekend the river was dropping nicely. Saturday was mainly dry apart from a few widespread showers but on Sunday more rain affected central Scotland as a weather system drifted in from the Atlantic. Looking ahead to next week, it looks like finally, high pressure will start to build and with it the weather is likely to become more settled. On Monday there will be a few showers affecting Perthshire. However, from Tuesday onwards it looks like high pressure will bring some dry and settled weather for much of the week. Winds should be light and it will also feel a bit milder than of late. This will be music to the ears of many anglers fishing the river next week!   

Salmon were caught last week from Loch Tay down to Stobhall. There were also fish landed on the River Gary, Loch Faskally and the River Tummel which was great to see. As recent catches would seem to suggest there could be a good chance of catching a fresh fish anywhere on the Tay system next week. 

As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system next week with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. With less than one full week of the Scottish spring salmon fishing season remaining, time is running out to land that elusive springer. The River Tay might just be the place to do it!

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 spring period (April-May)

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. 

Harling can be a very productive method at certain times of the year 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. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practised at the beat ghillies discretion.