(River Tay weekly report week ending 12th June 2021)
We are now moving towards the middle of June and hopefully, in the days and weeks ahead the summer run on the River Tay will start to build momentum. There have already been grilse and larger summer salmon caught from the Tay system in recent weeks as well as the odd late running springer. As we move through June and into July more summer fish should enter the river with every tide giving anglers the opportunity to catch hard fighting grilse and summer salmon.
Wetting a line on the beautiful Murthly 2 Beat
It was another warm week across much of Perthshire with temperatures widely reaching the high teens and early twenties. This made fishing at the right times important with many anglers opting to fish early in the morning and then again at dusk. Water levels on the Tay system remained settled and there were some sparkling salmon and grilse caught in the Perthshire sunshine. The water temperature last week was 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit which is 14.2 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river, both Farleyer beats and Upper Bolfracks produced fish through the course of the week. On Wednesday there was a stunning sixteen pounder caught from Edradynate with another fish caught from the beat on Thursday.
A lovely salmon caught at Edradynate on Wednesday
Mr Gordon Ferguson had a day to remember at Portnacraig on the River Tummel on Friday. Mr Ferguson was fishing the Portnacraig bank when his rod buckled. After a monumental battle, Mr Ferguson landed a cracking thirteen pounder. On Saturday Mr William Davidson enjoyed success at Portnacraig when he caught a nice eight pounder from the Pitlochry bank on the spinner.
A nice fish caught from Portnacraig on Saturday
It was good to see the Lower Kinnaird Beat produce a fish on Tuesday. Mr James Broomhall was fishing the Bridge Pool at Dalguise on Tuesday evening when he hooked a good fish. After a terrific fight, Mr Broomhall went on to land a magnificent eighteen pounder.
There was success at Dalmarnock on Friday and Saturday. Mr Colin McLean had a happy Monday at Newtyle. Mr McLean caught a lovely twelve pounder from the Steps on the fly. He also caught a magnificent Sea trout weighing four pounds in the afternoon. There was more success at Newtyle on Wednesday when another fresh fish was caught on the fly.
Mr Colin McLean with a Newtyle cracker!
There was success at Murthly 2 on Tuesday and it was good to see the Glendelvine Beat produce a fish on Wednesday. There was a fine brace landed from Meikleour during the first half of the week.
A fine salmon caught from the Murthly 2 Beat
It was nice to see a couple of fish caught from the Kethick Streams Beat through the course of the week. At Islamouth it was more a story of what might have been. Anglers had numerous takes from summer salmon and grilse through the course of the week but they just did not want to stay on. Despite this, there were some fine fish landed. Islamouth finished with nine fish for the week.
Further downstream at Ballathie there was a couple of nice fish caught on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. There were two fish caught at Cargill during the first half of the week.
Success at Cargill during the first half of the week
There were no Monday morning blues for Mr Graham Sutherland at Stobhall. Mr Sutherland caught a lovely fresh fish weighing thirteen pounds from the lower beat.
There were a couple of fish caught from Taymount on Wednesday and one on Friday. It was good to see the beats towards the bottom end of the river starting to pick up a few fish with salmon caught from Upper Redgorton, Waulkmill and Almondmouth. As we move through the summer catches in this area of the river should build significantly.
Success for Mr Grahan Sutherland at Stobhall on Monday
It was nice to see some lovely fresh fish caught from the Tay system last week. The numbers of summer salmon and grilse should start to build in the river in the upcoming weeks so why not wet a line on the Tay next week? With good current water conditions for many beats, you might just have a day to remember!
Maybe a fly to try next week?
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 12th June)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Edradynate 2, Upper Farleyer 1, Lower Farleter 1, Upper Bolfracks 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 2, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 2, Newtyle 2, Murthly 2, 1, Glendelvine 1, Meikleour & U Islamouth 2, Kethick Streams 2, Islamouth 9, Ballathie 3, Cargill 2, Stobhall 1, Taymount 3, Upper Redgorton 1, Waulkmill 1, Almondmouth 3
Total: 42 Largest: Dalguise 18lbs
COOLER TEMPERATURES TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEEK?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 14th June 2021)
We are now into mid-June and more summer salmon will be entering the Tay system on every tide. Over the next few weeks, the summer run on the Tay should begin to gain momentum. The warm weather continued last week with temperatures widely into the high teens and early twenties. With high pressure dominating it was mainly dry with light winds. Looking ahead to next week, Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry with temperatures a notch down on recent days. On Wednesday an area of low pressure is set to sweep across the country bringing some showery rain and stronger winds to many parts. Towards the end of the week, some thundery showers may affect Perthshire and it looks like a north westerly airflow will be established introducing much cooler conditions than of late which could potentially be good news for anglers.
Catches were well spread on the Tay system last week from Edradynate down to Almondmouth. It was good to see catches on the lower river pick up and hopefully this is a sign of things to come during the summer months on the Tay. There is a chance of a fresh fish anywhere on the Tay system next week but more especially on the beats located on the middle and lower river.
As always, there are some fantastic salmon fishing opportunities on the river in the upcoming days to suit all budgets and the great variety of fishing on offer on the Tay system is second to none. So why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beats landing some Tay mid-summer silver!
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
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
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.
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