(River Tay weekly report week ending 26th June 2021)
We are currently in the midst of the Scottish summer with July almost upon us. Traditionally the main summer salmon and grilse run on the River Tay would coincide with Wimbledon fortnight (which commences on Monday) but times have changed. Over the years, the summer run on the River Tay as with many other rivers around Scotland has arrived to our shores that bit later. Instead of early July in more recent years, the larger numbers of summer fish have started to enter the system later in July and into August. Having said that, there have already been some lovely summer salmon and grilse caught from the Tay system in the past few weeks.
A beautiful summer scene on the Lower Tay at Stobhall
It was a very unusual summer solstice last week. Temperatures dropped unseasonable low on Monday night and into early Tuesday with some sheltered glens across Scotland experiencing a grass frost. For the UK as a whole, some parts of the country especially in Southern England actually had a warmer winter solstice than the summer solstice which is quite bizarre. Away from the summer solstice, it was another mostly dry week across Perthshire with temperatures in the mid to high teens on most days. There was a brief spell of rain on Thursday and early Friday. Water levels on the River Tay were steady for much of last week and fishing conditions were reasonable but there were a couple of very bright days which made fishing difficult. Some of the anglers that fished early in the morning and then again in the evening were rewarded for their efforts. This is often the case when it is hot and sunny through the course of the day. The water temperature last week was 54.1 degrees Fahrenheit which is 12.3 degrees Celsius.
The Lower Kinnaird Beat struck silver on Monday when a fine ten pounder was caught from the Guay Pool from the right bank. There was another fish caught from Lower Kinnaird on Tuesday. It was a good end to the week at Dalmarnock with three fish caught on Saturday. Sir Charles Garton had a happy Monday at Dunkeld. Sir Charles hooked a lovely fish on the fly from the Rock Pool. The fish gave a great account of itself before it was landed and weighed twelve pounds. The fish was caught on a Kinermony Killer.
Mr Andy Johnstone enjoyed success at Newtyle on Monday. Mr Johnstone landed a nice ten pounder from the Ferry Pool. On Wednesday Mr Richard Armstrong was fly fishing the Steps Pool. Mr Armstrong got a savage take and after a good fight with numerous long runs, he landed a lovely sea liced salmon. On Saturday Mr Andrew Johnstone had more success when he caught a nice fish from the Trap. This was one of two fish caught from Newtyle on Saturday.
Mr Richard Armstrong with a nice fly caught salmon at Newtyle
There was a cracking fish caught from Murthly 1 Beat weighing seventeen pounds on Wednesday. At Murthly 2 there was a magnificent twenty pounder caught on Tuesday, this was one of two fish caught from the beat that day. There were more fish caught from Murthly 2 on Wednesday and Friday.
A nice fish caught from the Island at Murthly
It was good to see the Kercock Beat produce a fish on Tuesday and there was success at Meikleour on Friday.
At Islamouth the Caton Party were fishing during the first half of the week and landed four salmon up to fifteen pounds. Mr Mayhew’s party fished Islamouth towards the end of the week and also got in on the action. There were also several fish lost through the course of last week. Islamouth finished with nine fish for the week.
It was a great start to the week at Ballathie with five fish landed during the first half of the week including a stunning twenty pounder on Tuesday. This meant that there were two twenty pounders caught from the river on Tuesday which just shows what the Tay is capable of producing, on a regular basis. Ballathie finished with seven fish for the week.
A cracking Cargill salmon
There were numerous fish lost through the course of the week at Cargill. Finally, on Wednesday a couple stuck on. There was more success at Cargill on Friday and Saturday.
A sparkling grilse caught at Stobhall
At Stobhall Mr Bill Hazelwood lost a big multi sea winter fish on Monday morning on the fly from Findford Stream. However soon afterwards Mr Hazelwood got in on the act again when he hooked and landed the first grilse of the season from the beat. The fish was caught from the Boomerang.
Next on the scoresheet at Stobhall on Monday was Mr Chris Stainforth who hooked a powerful fish at Four Grilse Point in the afternoon. After a great fight, the lovely fifteen pounder was landed.
A stunning fifteen pounder caught at Stobhall on Monday
On Thursday at Stobhall, Mr Stuart Cormie had a nice fresh eight pounder from the Sharks Finn. Not to be outdone Mr Mark Emms caught a cracking thirteen pounder from the March Tail. There were a couple more fish caught from Stobhall on Friday.
A Stobhall cracker
There were five fish caught at Taymount during the first half of the week and a cracking fourteen pounder was landed at Benchil on Friday. It was a good start to the week at Waulkmill with three fish landed during the first two days On Friday it was the turn of twelve year old young Roan Law who was fishing with his father and managed to land his second salmon of the year so far. It is great to see the younger generation enjoying this fabulous sport. The Almondmouth Beat finished the week with a couple of fish.
Young Roan Law with a cracking fish caught from Waulkmill
With many people on holiday in the next few weeks it could prove to be the perfect time to book a few days fishing on the River Tay, so why not have cast? There is no better way to start July than landing some fresh Tay 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 26th June)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalmarnock 3, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 4, Murthly 1, 2, Murthly 2, 4, Kercock 1, Meikleour & U Islamouth 1, Islamouth 9, Ballathie 7, Cargill 4, Stobhall 6, Taymount 5, Benchil 1, Waulkmill 5, Almondmouth 2
Total: 57 Largest: Murthly 2 & Ballathie 20lbs
SOME GOOD SPORT TO BE HAD IN JULY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 28th June 2021)
There were some fine fish caught from the river last week. River levels were steady and temperatures were in the mid-teens on most days. On a couple of days last week, conditions were very bright which was not ideal. Some of the anglers that fished unsociable hours did well with some evenings being particularly productive. This is often the case when it is very hot and sunny throughout the day.
The fish caught were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting grilse and many were sea liced which was great to see. In the upcoming weeks, more salmon should enter the Tay system daily giving anglers the chance of making contact with the king of fish. Hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had as we move into July.
Over the weekend it has been mainly dry. Looking ahead to next week it should be settled with the Azores high extending its grip over Scotland. Monday and Tuesday will be dry with light winds. Temperatures are set to rise as we move through the week and by midweek will be widely in the mid-twenties. There is a chance that temperatures may drop slightly as we move towards next weekend but it should remain mainly dry with variable amounts of cloud.
Last week there were fish caught from Lower Kinnaird down to Almondmouth which shows that there are fish well spread throughout the system. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on beats situated on the middle and lower river. As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay in the upcoming days with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers' tastes. So why not chase some summer silver on the Tay next week? You could have a July day to remember!
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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