(Week ending 10th July 2021)
It was great to see catches on the River Tay improve significantly last week and hopefully, this is a sign of things to come as we move through July. Thankfully, the bright cloudless skies of the previous week gave way to something a bit kinder to salmon anglers. There were spells of heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday and this led to a lift in water on the Tay system. River levels rose over a foot but dropped back quickly towards the end of the week. The rise in water was also accompanied by some colour but this soon dissipated. The change in weather and water conditions certainly seemed to have the desired effect with more fish caught compared to recent weeks. The water temperature last week was 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit which is 14.2 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river, there was success at Upper Bolfracks on Thursday and it was good to see the Upper Kinnaird beat produce fish on both Monday and Friday. On the River Gary Mr Paul Carter caught a lovely twelve pounder from the Ruan Ruarie Beat on the fly on Wednesday.
Success at Ruan Ruarie on Wednesday
Mr John Muir had a day to remember on Wednesday on the River Tummel at Portnacraig. Mr Muir hooked and landed a nice fish from the Pitlochry Bank which gave him a great tussle. On Saturday Mr Gavin Thompson caught a lovely nine pounder on the fly from Portnacraig.
Mr John Muir with a Tummel cracker!
Back on the main river, the Lower Kinnaird Beat produced two nice fish on Monday including a lovely fourteen pounder. It was a good start to the week at Dalmarnock with fish caught from the beat on Monday and Tuesday. On Thursday Mr Richard Thomson caught a lovely fresh grilse from the Boil on the fly at Newtyle.
Both Murthly Beats produced fish through the course of last week which was good to see and Glendelvine had a couple on Friday. There was success at Kercock on Monday and then a fine brace was landed from the beat on Thursday.
At Meikleour there was a nice fish caught on Monday with further success on Saturday when a cracking fourteen pounder was landed. It was the turn of the Moffat party to wet a line on the famous Islamouth Beat during the first half of last week. They enjoyed a productive three days landing a total of sixteen fish up to seventeen pounds. During the second half of the week, the Rix party also enjoyed some good sport at Islamouth landing some cracking fish.
Mr Plumley with one of two fish caught at Cargill on Monday
A fine brace was landed at Ballathie on Tuesday with three more fish caught from the beat on Saturday. There was some good sport to be had at Cargill last week with lots of happy anglers. Mr Tom Plumley had a happy Monday landing two crackers from the lower beat. Both fish were caught on the fly.
A sparkling fish for Mr Iain Jardine caught at Cargill on Tuesday
Mr Iain Jardine enjoyed success on Tuesday when he caught a sparkling salmon on a Devon Minnow at Cargill.
On Wednesday Mr Ian Bunch from St. Andrews caught a nice fourteen pounder on the fly. The fish gave a great account of itself.
Mr Ian Bunch into a good fish at Cargill
At Stobhall there was a nice six pounder caught on the fly on Tuesday. On Thursday Mr Bryn Davies caught a stunning sixteen pounder from Kilmou. Next on the scoresheet was Mr Scott Sykes who caught a nice sea liced fish from the Holly Bush on Saturday and then doubled his catch landing another fish from the Sharks Fin. Mr Mike Comrie also caught a fish on the fly from Wullies Stane on Saturday.
A nice fish caught from Stobhall
The Taymount Beat produced some nice fish through the course of last week including a cracking nineteen pounder on Wednesday. Towards the bottom end of the lower river, both Upper Scone and Almondmouth enjoyed success last week.
Mr Scott Sykes with a Stobhall sparkler!
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 10th July 2021)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Bolfracks 1, Upper Kinnaird 2, Lower Kinnaird 2, Ruan Ruarie 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 2, Dalmarnock 4, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 3, Murthly 2, 7, Glendelvine 2, Kercock 4, Meikleour & U Islamouth 2, Kethick Streams 1, Islamouth 24, Ballathie 5, Cargill 7, Stobhall 6, Taymount 8, Upper Scone 1, Almondmouth 2.
Total: 85 Largest: Taymount 19lbs
IMPROVING CATCHES, HOPEFULLY, A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 12th July 2021)
Thankfully the hot and humid weather of the previous week did not persist across much of Scotland including Perthshire and last week had a much fresher, cooler feel to proceedings. There was also a lift in water at the beginning of the week and this helped freshen conditions. This was definitely good news for anglers with catches on the River Tay improving significantly. There were some fine fish caught from the river including several fish weighing close to the magical twenty pounds mark. In addition to this, there was also some nice hard fighting fresh grilse landed and hopefully, this is a sign of things to come.
The runs of summer fish entering the river should start to gain momentum over the next few weeks ensuring good sport for anglers and hopefully, it will be a productive second half of the season on the river.
It has been quite unsettled over the weekend with widespread heavy showers across Perthshire with variable amounts of cloud. Thankfully the weather is set to continue in a similar vein next week so fishing conditions should be reasonable. Monday will see heavy showers across much of Scotland including Perthshire as low pressure continues to influence our weather. Tuesday and Wednesday should be drier with just the odd shower. It is likely that pressure will start to build from midweek onwards bringing more settled weather. Temperatures should also gradually rise. 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 the upper river 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 have 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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