(River Tay weekly report week ending 24th July 2021)
We are now moving towards the end of July and into the height of the Scottish summer. Over the past few days, it has certainly felt like summer as the mercury across the British Isles soared courtesy of a large area of high pressure. Even in Perthshire temperatures in the mid to late twenties were recorded and this coupled with bright cloudless skies on many days made fishing challenging to say the least. What added to anglers woes further was the very high water temperatures.
It was therefore hardly surprising that catches on the Tay suffered somewhat. Anglers that fished early in the morning and then again at dusk enjoyed the best of the sport during the very hot days.
It was another hot week across Perthshire
On the upper river, there was success at Upper Kinnaird on Monday. There was a lovely fourteen pounder caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat also on Monday which was great to see. There was another fish also caught from the beat on Wednesday. Both the Dalguise and Dalmarnock beats produced fish on Thursday and Friday. It was great to see success on the Murthly 2 Beat on Friday. A stunning sixteen pounder was caught from Kercock on Thursday with another fish landed from the beat on Saturday. It was good to see a nice fish caught from the Meikleour Beat on Wednesday. At Islamouth there were nine fish caught on Monday and Tuesday with the biggest weighing sixteen pounds.
A lovely grilse for Jamie Mcerlain caught on Thursday
Anglers at Ballathie enjoyed some good sport on Tuesday landing three fish including a lovely fifteen pounder. On Wednesday evening, Head Ghillie at Ballathie Mr Gary Mcerlain and his son Jamie created some fantastic memories. Gary gave his son a brief Spey casting lesson. Jamie then decided to fish the Cradle. Shortly afterwards Jamie hooked and landed his first ever salmon, a lovely fresh grilse. If one was not enough he then went on to catch a cracking ten pounder on the fly. Well done young man and it would be fair to say that Jamie is a chip off the old block!
Jamie Mcerlain with his first salmon
It was a great family double at Cargill on Monday. Mr Graham Ritchie landed a nice fish and not be outdone his son Mr David Ritchie also caught a salmon.
A salmon caught at Cargill on Monday
The father and son duo also lost a couple of fish during the course of the day.
Mr Tom Adams had a memorable day at Cargill on Friday evening when he caught his first ever Tay grilse on the fly. The smile says it all!
Mr Tom Adams with his first Tay grilse caught at Cargill
Anglers at Stobhall landed a fine brace on Tuesday with another fish caught from the beat on Friday. There was success at Taymount on Tuesday and there was a lovely sixteen pounder landed from the beat on Wednesday. The week finished well with two more fish caught from the beat on Saturday.
It was nice to see a fish being caught from the Pitlochrie Beat on Saturday. Further downstream there was a couple of fish caught at Upper Scone during the first half of the week. There was success at Upper Redgorton on Friday. It was a great start to the week for anglers at Waulkmill landing three fish. The Waulkmill Beat finished with five fish for the week. It was good to see the Almondmouth Beat produce a couple of fish through the course of last week.
Maybe a fly for next week?
Understandably catches suffered last week due to the extreme conditions. The river is currently very low and a lift in water and a general freshen up would not go a miss. Hopefully, temperatures will drop somewhat next week and with it, there will be some more cloud on offer. If this happens, there could be some good sport to be had on the Tay system as we move towards August. With many people still on holiday, it could prove to be the perfect time to book a few days fishing on the river.
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 24th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Kinnaird 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 2, Dalmarnock 2, Kercock 2, Murthly 2, 1, Meikleour & U Islamouth 1, Islamouth 11, Ballathie 6, Cargill 3, Stobhall 3, Taymount 4, Pitlochrie 1, Upper Scone 2, Upper Redgorton 1, Waulkmill 5, Almondmouth 2
Total: 49 Largest: Kercock & Taymount 16lbs
A BREAK IN THE WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 26th July 2021)
Temperatures soared across Perthshire as well as the rest of the UK last week. The heat reached its peak in most places on Thursday with temperatures in Scotland hitting the late twenties in many places including Perthshire. The extreme weather definitely impacted on catches.
The river could now do with a decent lift in water which should lead to fresher conditions and also hopefully allow the current high water temperatures to drop.
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. As we move towards August more salmon should enter the Tay system daily giving anglers the chance of making contact with the king of fish.
It has felt slightly cooler and fresher over the weekend and thankfully the cooling trend is set to continue next week as lower pressure begins to dominate with the jet stream diving south of the British Isles. Monday and Tuesday will see the chance of some widespread showers and some of these could be thundery in nature. There is a chance of prolonged heavy rain through the middle part of the week. Temperatures will be much cooler and closer to average values for the time of year or even slightly below average. The unsettled theme is set to continue as we move towards next weekend.
Last week there were fish caught from Upper Kinnaird down to Almondmouth with the majority of fish caught on the lower river. 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 that 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
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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