(River Tay weekly report week ending 21st August 2021)
We are now moving through August and this is traditionally one of the most productive months on the river. Usually, at this time of year, there are decent numbers of grilse and larger salmon caught. This has certainly been the case in the past couple of weeks with many anglers fishing the river enjoying some good sport.
It was another productive week on the Tay system. Water levels were steady for much of last week and the water temperature was 15.2 degrees Celsius which is 59.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the upper river, there were some nice fish landed which was good to see. Successful beats included Upper Farleyer and Upper Bolfracks. At Edradynate Mr Tomas Kolesinskas tasted success on Monday when he caught a lovely six pounder.
Mr Frank Nugent had a day to remember at Newtyle on Wednesday. Mr Nugent was spinning when he got a savage take. A great fight ensued and Mr Nugent finally landed a nice eight pounder. On Saturday Mr Keith Laidlaw landed a lovely fresh grilse on the fly from the Cotter Pool at Newtyle.
Other successful beats on the middle river included Dalmarnock, Murthly 2, Glendelvine and Kercock where two fish were landed on Saturday. Anglers at Delvine & Burnbane enjoyed some good sport during the course of last week landing seven fish. Mr James Macdonald landed two grilse from the tail of Sparrowmuir. Mr Fraser Bruce caught two salmon during his first ever day salmon fishing. Mr Ian Morrison and Mr John Patterson also caught fish from the beat.
It was good to see the Meikleour Beat produce a fish on Wednesday and Saturday. At Islamouth there were seventeen fish caught during the first half of the week by Mr Martin Hunters party. Mr Hunter himself had a good day landing four himself including two fifteen pounders. Mr Barry Ward and his party were fishing during the second half of the week and enjoyed some great sport landing twenty six fish up to twenty one pounds. The Islamouth Beat has now produced over three hundred fish so far this season.
There were a couple of fish caught at Ballathie during the first half of the week with more good sport to be had towards the end of the week. There were plenty of bent rods at Cargill through the course of last week.
There were eleven fish caught from the beat on Monday. Successful anglers included Mr David Sands and his son Gregor, Mr Steve Cunrow and Mr Graham Hey amongst others.
Anglers at Stobhall enjoyed some good sport with some cracking fish landed through the course of the week including a lovely sixteen pounder on Tuesday. The Taymount Beat finished with twenty two fish for the week. It was good to see the Burnmouth Beat produce a fish on Monday. The Upper Scone Beat produced fish consistently through the week with a mixture of salmon and grilse landed.
At Pitlochrie Mr John Peck enjoyed some good sport during the first half of the week. Mr Peck caught a lovely fresh grilse on the fly from Kirkie.
At Benchil there were some lovely fish caught including six on Wednesday. Mr Steve Peck was one of the successful anglers amongst others. Upper Redgorton produced fish consistently and finished with eleven for the week. Across the river at Fishponds anglers got their rods bent on most days with Tuesday proving to be particularly productive when four fish were landed for the day. There was no shortage of action at Waulkmill with the beat finishing with eleven fish for the week. Anglers at Almondmouth enjoyed a happy Monday with thirteen fish landed. The good sport continued as the week progressed which was great to see.
It was another productive week on the river with well over two hundred fish landed and as we move through August and into September long may it continue. Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on many beats and the prospects for the next few days look good. So why not book a day's salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? You might just have that day to remember!
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 21st August)
SALMON & GRILSE: Upper Bolfracks 1, Upper Farlayer 3, Edradynate 1, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 2, Newtyle 2, Murthly 2, 4, Glendelvine 3, Delvine & Burnbane 7, Kercock 6, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 3, Islamouth 44, Ballathie 7, Cargill 19, Stobhall 16, Taymount 22, Burnmouth 1, Pitlochrie 4, Upper Scone 9, Benchil 10, Upper Redgorton 11, Fishponds 6, Luncarty 5, Waulkmill 11, Almondmouth 39, Lochlane & Laggan 2,
Total: 239 Largest: Cargill 22lbs
A SETTLED WEEK’S WEATHER AHEAD AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 23rd August 2021)
The River Tay produced well over two hundred fish last week and this was on the back of over three hundred fish being landed the previous week. There were some fine fish caught from the river including several fish weighing around 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 continue to gain momentum as we move through August and into September ensuring good sport for anglers.
In terms of the weather, the showery cool theme has continued over the weekend and the river started to rise on Saturday. Looking ahead to next week, the weather should turn more settled in nature as high pressure starts to build. Temperatures are also set to rise as we move through the week. Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry with light winds. The dry theme is set to continue for the rest of the week with variable amounts of cloud and winds will remain light. Temperatures will be in the mid-teens for the most part.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse, with many being sea liced. Salmon were caught from Edradynate down to Almondmouth which shows that there are fish well spread throughout the system. There were also fish caught from the River Earn. 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 on some very famous and prolific beats, 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
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.
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.
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 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.
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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