UNSETTLED RIVER LEVELS MAKES FISHING CONDITIONS TOUGH BUT THE TAY SYSTEM CONTINUES TO PRODUCE SOME STUNNING SPRING SPARKLERS!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 15th May 2021) 

We are now in mid-May and last week thankfully temperatures rose a little across Perthshire as the chilly northerly winds were replaced with winds from the southwest. Temperatures gradually rose last Sunday and by midweek they were widely in the mid-teens. However, the milder weather was short lived as by the end of the week a northerly wind developed once again, pegging temperatures back. 

Many of the fish caught last week were sea liced

It was a story of sunshine and showers last week as low pressure was firmly in control of our weather. There were plenty of slow moving heavy showers and this led to unsettled river levels for much of the week. Needless to say, that unsettled water does not make for great salmon fishing conditions. Despite this, the Tay system continued to produce some stunning spring sparklers. The water temperature last week was 7.9 degrees Celsius which is 46.0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Loch Tay has produced some nice fish in recent weeks and Monday was no exception when a fine salmon was caught from the loch. On the upper river, there were some nice fish caught through the course of the week. Successful beats included Upper Farleyer and Upper Bolfracks amongst others.  

It was a memorable day for Mr David at Edradynate. Mr David was fly fishing the famous Church Pool when his line tightened. What ensued was a terrific battle after which Mr David landed a lovely twelve pounder which was as fresh as paint. 

Mr David with a lovely springer caught from Edradynate

Through the middle part of last week over 170 fish had passed through the counter on the River Tummel at Pitlochry.  At Portnacraig on the River Tummel, there were some lovely fish caught through the course of the week. There was a nice fish caught by Mr Steve Watt on Monday. On Tuesday there were four fish landed. Successful anglers included Mr Ally Gowans who landed three fish for the day all on the fly.

A nice eight Pounder caught by Mr Ally Gowans caught at Portnacraig

Mr Stuart Humphreys also enjoyed success on Tuesday at Portnacraig when he landed a fine fifteen pounder on the fly from the Portnacraig Bank.

A cracking salmon caught from Portnacraig by Mr Stuart Humphreys

Mr Stevie Hogg had a great day at Portnacraig on Wednesday. Mr Hogg was fly fishing on the Portnacraig bank when his fly line tightened. After a great fight, Mr Hogg landed a stunning springer weighing thirteen pounds. There were two more fish caught from the beat on Thursday. Portnacraig finished with fifteen fish for the week. 

Mr Stevie Hogg caught this cracking fly caught salmon at Portnacraig on Wednesday

Back on the main river, it was good to see Dalguise enjoy some success on Monday when Mr David Mitchell caught a nice springer from the beat. 

Mr David Mitchell lands a Dalguise cracker!

The Dunkeld Beat has produced some nice fish in recent weeks. On Monday Mr Stephen Newall caught a cracking nine pounder from the Cathedral Stream just before the final whistle was blown!

Mr Stephen Newall landed this sparkler from Dunkeld on Monday

The Newtyle Beat produced a lovely fish on Thursday from the Cotter Pool. It was good to see the Murthly 1 Beat produce a springer on Tuesday and there were fish caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Mr Rob Mitchell had a great day at Kercock on Friday. Mr Mitchell was fly fishing when he hooked a lovely fresh springer. After a good fight, Mr Mitchell landed the sparkling fish. The fish was caught on a Tronach Shrimp. 

Mr Rob Mitchell caught this beautiful springer from Kercock on Friday

On Saturday it was good to see a couple of fish caught from the River Isla from the Kethick beats. The Meikleour & Upper Islamouth Beat produced a nice fish on Thursday. 

There was good sport to be had at Islamouth with five fish landed on Monday for Mr Iain Wood’s party. The unsettled water did not help during the middle part of the week. Towards the end of the week, Mr John Horlock’s party were fishing the beat and enjoyed some sport. Further downstream at Upper Redgorton there was a fish landed on Thursday.

Mid May should be a productive time of year on the Tay system especially for beats located on the middle river. Unfortunately for much of last week, this coincided with unsettled water levels. Hopefully, this will not be the case in the days ahead. 

Maybe a fly to try next week?

With some decent availability on the river, next week why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most prolific salmon rivers in the upcoming days? You might just end May on a high by landing some sparkling River Tay spring silver! 

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 15th May)

SALMON & GRILSE: 

Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 1, Upper Farleyer 2, Edradynate 1, Upper Bolfracks 1,  Portnacraig Pitlochry 15, Dalguise 1, Dunkeld House 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 3, Kethick Mains, 1, Kethick Streams 1,  Kercock 1,  Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1,  Islamouth 6, Upper Redgorton 1, Crieff AC 1

Total:39 Largest: Portnacraig Pitlochry 17lbs

A HOPE FOR MORE SETTLED WATER CONDITIONS IN THE WEEK AHEAD! 

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 17th May 2021)

Thankfully temperatures rose at the beginning of last week after what seems like weeks of cold weather which has felt very unspring like. Temperatures were widely into the mid-teens by midweek. Unfortunately, the milder weather was short lived with colder conditions returning on Friday. The biggest problem last week was the unsettled river levels and this was largely down to heavy and slow moving showers coupled with some melting snow. In spite of this, there were some cracking springers caught from the Tay system many of which were sea liced. Anglers will be hoping for more settled water conditions in the week ahead.

Over the weekend there have been a few scattered showers across Perthshire. Looking ahead to next week the weather forecast looks to be unsettled with low pressure again influencing our weather. Monday and Tuesday will see more showers affect much of Scotland including Perthshire. Winds will be light and temperatures will be close to average for the time of the year. From midweek onwards the showers are set to continue and it is likely to get colder as a northerly wind develops. There is an increased risk of night time frosts towards the end of the week. 

Traditionally at this time of year usually beats located on the middle river are the most productive. Last week fish were caught from Loch Tay down to Upper Redgorton. The River Tummel also produced some nice fish as did the Isla. With water temperatures rising any fresh fish entering the system will be running hard. There is a chance of picking up that fresh silver tourist anywhere on the Tay system next week so why not wet a line? There might just be some hard fighting Tay silver with your name on 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.