(River Tay weekly report week ending 17th July 2021)
Temperatures gradually rose through the course of last week and by the weekend peaked in the mid-twenties across Perthshire. Unfortunately, this was not the only thing that conspired against anglers fishing the river last week. A landslide on the River Garry led to the river being significantly coloured which was frustrating for anglers and ghillies alike. Landslides in this area of the Tay system are not uncommon at this time of year, especially after heavy showers. As the water on the Tay system is at summer level there is less flow and so it took longer than it normally would for the river to clear. As we all know there is nothing one can do when it comes to Mother Nature. Thankfully towards the end of the week, the water started to clear.
Coloured water on the Tay last week
Unsurprisingly the coloured water coupled with the hot weather and bright sunshine had a significant impact on catches last week. The water temperature last week was 16.1 degrees Celsius which is around 61.0 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was a great start to the week at Edradynate on Monday when an eight pounder was landed on the fly from the Croys. Other beats that produced fish on the upper river during the course of the week included Upper Farleyer and Upper Bolfracks.
A nice fish caught from Edradynate on Monday
On the River Garry Mr Dave Wilson caught a lovely grilse weighing five pounds on the spinner whilst fishing the Ruan Ruarie Beat early on Friday morning. Fifteen year old Callum Gray had a day to remember at Dunkeld. Callum was fishing the Lady Pool when a powerful fish took his Salmo lure. After a great fight, Callum landed a fine fourteen pounder. Well done young man!
Young Callum Gray with a cracker from Dunkeld caught on Monday
Both the Newtyle and Glendelvine beats produced fish on Monday which was good to see. Mr George Lockwood and his party were fish at Kercock during the second half of the week. Despite the tough conditions Mr Lockwood caught a lovely fifteen pounder on Saturday. The powerful fish put up a great fight.
Mr George Lockwood with a lovely fish caught at Kercock
At Islamouth the Skeoch party landed four fish during the first half of the week. On Thursday eleven year old William Brooks showed everyone how it was done when he landed a cracking fish tipping the scales at just over seventeen pounds. What a fish for young William, one which he will remember for years to come! Islamouth finished with eight fish for the week.
A lovely fish caught by Mr Jon McNeish from Cargill on Monday
It was nice to see a fish caught at Ballathie on Friday. There was some decent action to be had at Cargill on Monday. Mr Jon McNeish landed a nice sixteen pounder on a toby. Mr McNeish also caught a couple of nice Sea trout which made it a good day. Mr David Harrington lost a good fish at Cargill on Monday. There were two more fish caught at Cargill on Friday.
A nice fish caught at Cargill on Friday
At Stobhall the Cureton party were fishing during the first half of the week. On Monday Mr Rob Cureton caught a lovely twelve pounder and there was also a Sea trout caught from the beat. There were two more fish caught from Stobhall on Thursday as well as one on Friday.
A cracking salmon caught from Stobhall
The Taymount Beat produced some nice fish through the course of the week in spite of the tough conditions.
It was a good end to the week at Pitlochrie when a nice fish was landed on Saturday. Mr John Laybourne had a good day at Benchil on Monday. Mr Laybourne was fishing the Little Shot when he got a savage take on the fly. After a good fight, Mr Laybourne landed a fine fish.
Further downstream it was nice to see the Fishponds Beat produce a fish on Friday. There was a fine brace caught at Upper Redgorton on Friday including a lovely seventeen pounder. There was success at Waulkmill on Saturday. The Almondmouth beat also produced some nice fish during the course of last week.
Mr John Laybourne with a lovely summer salmon caught at Benchil
We are now moving towards what should be the prime summer period on the Tay system. With each tide, more fresh fish should be entering the river and hopefully, this will ensure some good sport for anglers in the weeks ahead. We just need to hope that there are no more landslides adding colour to the water and temperatures cool. Hopefully, the fishing gods will be kinder to anglers fishing the River Tay next week.
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 17th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Edradynate 1, Upper Bplfracks 3, Ruan Ruarie 1, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 2, Glendelvine 1, Kercock 1, Islamouth 8, Ballathie 1, Cargill 3, Stobhall 4, Taymount 3, Pitlochrie 1, Benchil 1, Fishponds 1, Upper Redgorton 2, Waulkmill 1, Almondmouth 5
Total:35 Largest: Islamouth 18lbs
COOLER AND CLOUDIER CONDITIONS NEXT WEEK?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 19th July 2021)
It was tough on the Tay last week. Very hot weather coupled with a landslide leading to a coloured river meant that conditions were testing, to say the least. Thankfully by the end of the week the water became much clearer and catches improved somewhat although it was still very warm.
It has been hot and dry over the weekend with temperatures widely in the mid twenties. Looking ahead to next week high pressure is set to remain in charge for much of the week. This will lead to a lot of dry and fine weather. However, there is a chance that it might be slightly cooler with more cloud cover on some days. This will be music to the ears of anglers fishing the river.
Over the next few weeks, more and more fresh fish should enter the river as the summer run on the Tay begins to gain momentum. Hopefully, this will ensure some good sport for anglers in the days and weeks ahead. The fish caught last week were a mixture of hard fighting fresh grilse and larger summer salmon many of which were sea liced. There were also some nice Sea trout caught which is always a welcome bonus especially if the salmon fishing is proving tough.
Catches on the river were well spread last week from Upper Farleyer down to Almondmouth. With the river currently at a good height for fly fishing on many beats there is a decent chance of a fish anywhere on the river next week but particularly on the middle and lower river. Let us just keep our fingers crossed that there are no more landslides!
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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