(River Tay weekly report week ending 28th August 2021)
It has been noticeable over the past few weeks that the shadows have been growing longer and the evenings becoming darker. On some recent early mornings, there has been an unmistakable chill in the air. The hand of autumn is beginning to tighten its grip as we say goodbye to the Scottish summer.
We are now at the end of August when the traditional summer salmon fishing season in Scotland draws to a close. In the past, September and October have been prime autumn months on the River Tay and historically this is when the largest catches of salmon have been made. In more recent years the lack of clean autumn fish has been a problem on many of Scotland’s rivers including the Tay. Let us hope that this season bucks that trend.
High pressure was firmly in charge of our weather last week with dry settled conditions for most. Winds were light and temperatures were closer to average values. After the lift in the water, last weekend river levels remain settled. The water temperature last week was 15.8 degrees Celsius which is 60.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the upper river, it was good to see both Lower Farleyer and Upper Kinnaird produce a fish last week. Further downstream there was success at Dalmarnock on Tuesday. It was a happy Monday for Mr Austin Hall who was fishing at Newtyle. Mr Hall was fly fishing the Boil when his line tightened. After a good fight, Mr Hall landed a lovely fresh grilse.
There were two more fish caught at Newtyle on Wednesday. First on the scoresheet was Mr Peter Brown who landed a nice grilse on the fly from the Steps Pool. Not to be outdone Mr Mark Mitchell caught the second fish of the day from the Trap.
It was nice to see success on both Murthly beats at the beginning of the week including three fish from Murthly 2 on Monday and three more on Wednesday. It was a good start to the week at Glendelvine on Monday when a fine brace was landed. Other successful beats on the middle river through the course of last week included Delvine & Burnbane and Kercock.
At Islamouth the McGowan party enjoyed some good sport during the first half of the week landing twelve fish. The fish caught were mainly salmon with just a few grilse amongst them with the biggest fish weighing in at nineteen pounds. The action was a bit slower during the second half of the week but there were still some nice fish landed from the beat. Islamouth finished with twenty one fish for the week.
There were some nice fish caught at Ballathie last week including a cracking fifteen pounder on Thursday. Mr Alex Johnson banished away those Monday morning blues when he caught a lovely fourteen pounder from Cargill.
On Tuesday there was a stunning eighteen pounder caught from the beat. There was more success at Cargill for Mr Alex Johnson on Wednesday when he landed four beautiful salmon weighing up to fifteen pounds. A great day’s sport in anyone’s book!
On Thursday Mr Henry Johnson caught a sparkling fresh salmon from Cargill which made his day, the smile says it all!
Mr Billy Mulqueen had a great day at Pitlochrie on Saturday. Mr Mulqueen was fishing the Corner Pool when he got a savage take. After a great fight, Mr Mulqueen landed a lovely fresh grilse.
Mr Jeremy Tuite caught a nice fish on the fly from the Long Shot at Benchil on Monday. There was another fish caught from the beat on Wednesday and Friday.
It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Upper Redgorton on Monday. At Waulkmill there were some nice fish landed through the course of the week. Anglers at Almondmouth landed fourteen fish during the first half of the week and the good sport continued with the beat finishing with seventeen fish for the week.
Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on several beats and many of the fish caught in recent days have been sea liced. 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 that riverbank fairy-tale!
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 28th August 2021)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Farleyer Lower 2, Upper Kinnaird 1, Dalmarnock 1, Newtyle 3, Murthly 1, 2, Murthly 2, 6, Glendelvine 2, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 1, Islamouth 21, Ballathie 7, Cargill 14, Stobhall 3, Taymount 9, Pitlochrie 1, Benchil 3, Upper Redgorton 2, Luncarty 1, Waulkmill 3, Almondmouth 17,
Total: 100 Largest: Islamouth & U Redgorton 19lbs
WHAT WILL SEPTEMBER HAVE IN STORE FOR ANGLERS ON THE MIGHTY RIVER TAY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 30th August 2021)
We are now moving into September and this is traditionally the beginning of the autumn salmon fishing season in Scotland. Historically many beats on the River Tay start to make big catches at this time of year. Hopefully in the next few weeks, the autumn run will start to gain momentum so anglers can enjoy some good sport up until the end of the season.
High pressure was firmly in charge of our weather last week with dry settled conditions for most. Winds were light and temperatures were close to average values. After the lift in water last weekend, river levels remain settled. It has been mainly dry and settled over the weekend.
Looking ahead to next week, high pressure should remain in charge leading to more settled weather. Monday and Tuesday should be mainly dry and settled with variable amounts of cloud. From midweek onwards it is likely the settled weather will continue with mostly light winds. There is a chance that towards next weekend conditions may turn more unsettled.
There were some lovely fish caught from the river last week with numerous salmon weighing well into double figures. The fish caught were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse and many were sea liced which was great to see. Salmon were caught from Lower Farleyer down to Almondmouth on the main river with the bulk of the action coming from beats situated on the middle and lower river. As we move through September and into October the beats located on the lower river should come into their own. Traditionally this is when these beats 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 silver? There is no better way to start September than by landing that big Atlantic Salmon!
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 autumn period (September and October)
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.
Fly Fishing
During the autumn months, water temperatures usually begin to fall on the river but much depends on the weather. The weather and water conditions can vary greatly during the autumn months with hot weather and low water coupled with high water temperatures especially if we have an Indian summer. Conversely, it can be quite cool with regular spells of wind and rain and even night time frosts. The fish also start to become a bit more aggressive especially when they turn their thoughts towards spawning. At this time of year, full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well especially if conditions are more akin to the summer months.
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, colder water a sink tip or intermediate line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got 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 autumn period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there can be some large fish around towards the end of the season. Usually, a breaking strain of around fifteen pounds is ideal.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven feet 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.
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 autumn months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive.
The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures are higher 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. In high cold water, it can often be more about fishing the lure that bit slower and at an adequate depth.
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.
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 autumn months, good conditions arise on many beats for harling, especially in higher water. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practised at the beat ghillies discretion.
TDSFB conservation policy
All anglers fishing on the River Tay system are reminded that the TDSFB’s policy from January 15th to 1st of April is that all spring salmon must be released. This means that the TDSFB has a 100% mandatory catch & release policy of all salmon caught. This is in line with the Scottish Government Statutory Conservation Regulation. Even if the fish dies it must still be returned to the river.
It is also worthwhile remembering when releasing fish to keep them in the water for as long a period as possible and to use minimal handling. Please also give the fish plenty of time to recover before releasing them. It is important that anglers treat their quarry with the utmost of respect at all times.
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