(River Tay weekly report week ending 3rd July 2021)
We moved into July last week and are now into the height of the Scottish summer. It certainly felt like summer as on many days last week temperatures were widely in the high teens or early twenties. It was also very bright at times with the sun high in the sky. On some days Perthshire basked in the summer sunshine which would have been glorious for many tourists visiting the area but not so much for anglers. As we all know these are far from ideal conditions to chase the elusive silver tourist and this was reflected in the catch numbers.
A stunning summer scene at Cargill
As we move through July, hopefully with every tide more and more hard fighting grilse and larger summer salmon will be entering the Tay system ensuring good sport to be had in the days and weeks ahead for anglers. River levels were steady for much of the week and the water temperature was 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit which is 14.2 degrees Celsius.
A lovely grilse caught at Meikleour on Monday
On the upper river, there was success at Edradynate on Saturday when a fish was caught from the Croys on the fly. The fish took a small orange tube fly. The Dalguise Beat also produced a fish on Saturday.
A nice fish caught from Edradyante on Saturday
At Newtyle on Wednesday, there was a salmon caught from the Steps Pool on a size 12 Silver Stoat. Mr Brandon Bryant was next on the scoresheet at Newtyle when he caught a lovely fish from the Steps on a Red Francis on Saturday. The Murthly 1 beat produced a nice fourteen pounder on Saturday.
A lovely fish caught on the fly at Newtyle on Saturday
There was a fine brace landed at Kercock on Saturday which was good to see. Mr Craig Duncan had a happy Monday at Meikleour. Mr Duncan caught a fin perfect fresh grilse from the House Pool.
At Islamouth there were fish caught on most days with seven landed from the beat on Friday including a magnificent twenty eight pounder. It’s great to see some of these larger fish currently running the Tay system.
Mr Jack Purvis with a lovely fish caught at Cargill on Monday
It was good to see a nice fish caught from Ballathie on Wednesday. There was plenty of fish showing at Cargill through the course of last week but the hot sunny conditions made fishing difficult. Despite this Mr Jack Purvis landed a nice fish from the beat on Monday.
Even in bright sunshine it can still be done!
Mr David Turpin proved it could be done in spite of the tough conditions at Stobhall on Thursday. Mr Turpin landed a cracking seventeen pounder from the upper beat in bright sunshine and cloudless skies. It just shows that perseverance can pay rich dividends! There was also a fish caught from Stobhall on Saturday.
A Stobhall cracker being returned on Thursday
At the bottom end of the river, there were fish caught at Waulkmill and Almondmouth through the course of last week.
Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on many beats and the weather forecast looks a bit more promising in the days ahead, so, why not book a day's salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? It could be the place to provide you with some midsummer magic!
A tasty pattern that might just do the business 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 3rd July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Edradynate 1, Dalguise 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, Kercock 2, Meikleour & U Islamouth 1, Islamouth 17, Ballathie 1, Cargill 1, Stobhall 2, Waulkmill 1, Almondmouth 1
Total: 31 Largest: Islamouth 28lbs
IMPROVED FISHING CONDITIONS IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 5th July 2021)
Hot and bright conditions persisted across much of Scotland including Perthshire last week and this impacted on the catches. On some days you could be fooled into thinking you were on the Costa Del Sol rather than Perthshire. The bright warm days and the high sun made salmon fishing a tricky proposition for much of the week. As we move through July and into August hopefully the runs of summer fish entering the river will gain momentum ensuring good sport for anglers.
There were frequent heavy showers on Saturday across much of Scotland including Perthshire. Some of these were thundery in nature. On Sunday the showers if anything were even more widespread. However, it remained warm over the weekend. The good news is that the weather forecast is looking more promising next week as low pressure influences our weather.
Monday and Tuesday will see showers or longer spells of rain affect many parts of the region. Winds will be brisk at times with temperatures in the high teens. From midweek onwards there is a chance a weak ridge of high pressure may nudge in from the west which should make it drier with temperatures average for the time of year.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting grilse and many were sea liced which was great to see. Salmon were caught from Edradynate down to Almondmouth which shows that there are fish well spread throughout the system. As we move through July and into August the beats located on the lower river should come into their own. Traditionally this is when the beats in this area of the river start to produce larger numbers of fish on a more consistent basis. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability next week so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? You might just get a twenty pounder coming your way!
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
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.
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