(River Tay weekly report week ending 4th September 2021)
We have now moved into September and this can potentially be a productive month on many of Scotland's salmon rivers including the mighty Tay. Looking around us, the landscape is changing. The leaves on the trees are gradually transforming from bright, vibrant green to a pale yellow. On the moorland, the heather is blossoming into colour. The geese are returning to our shores once again having made their annual migration and the days are drawing in, with the nights getting cooler. This can only mean one thing; the changing of the seasons, as we move from summer to autumn.
It was another mainly settled week of weather across much of Scotland including Perthshire as high pressure remained stubbornly in charge. In actual fact provisionally the highest pressure ever in August was recorded in Scotland last week registering at a whopping 1038.5mb. Winds were light and cloud amounts varied. On some days however it was particularly bright and this made fishing difficult. Temperatures were around average values for the time of year. The water temperature last week was 14.9 degrees Celsius which is 58.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was a good start to the week at Lower Farleyer when two fish were landed from the beat on Monday and two more on Thursday. On Friday Mr Tomas Kolesinskas caught a nice twelve pounder on the fly from the Edradynate Beat.
Mr Gordon Daniels enjoyed his two days fishing at Dunkeld. Mr Daniels caught a lovely ten pounder from the Lady Pool on Monday on a Cascade. On Tuesday it was the same pool, same fly and the same result when Mr Daniels landed another fish this time weighing eight pounds. At Newtyle Mr David Gardener caught a grilse on Thursday from the Deans Burn on a small Stoats Tail.
The Kercock Beat finished with seven fish for the week. Successful anglers included Mr Kevin Houston and Mr Ben Richards. Mr John Ross Tucker had a savage take on the fly rod at the Croys. After a great tussle, he went on to land a fresh sixteen pounder. Mr Scott Sykes and Mr Simon Littlejohn were also successful at Kercock last week. Other beats on the middle river which produced fish last week included Dalmarnock, Murthly 1 and Meikleour & Upper Islamouth.
At Islamouth Mr John McElroy’s party were fishing during the first half of the week. They landed seven fish the biggest weighing nineteen pounds. The fish caught again last week were bigger fish rather than grilse. Islamouth finished with nine fish for the week.
Further downstream anglers at Ballathie landed four fish during the first two days of the week including a cracking seventeen pounder on Tuesday. There were more fish caught from the beat towards the end of the week.
On Thursday Olympic medallist Ms Anne (Moore) Curtis was fishing at Cargill. Ms (Moore) Curtis was fishing the Cradle and hooked a powerful fish on the fly. After a good fight, the lovely fifteen pounder was landed. It was just great to see an Olympic medallist land silver!
At Stobhall there were fish caught on most days and Taymount finished with ten fish for the week, which included a magnificent twenty seven pounder which was caught on Wednesday. It was a good start too the week at Upper Redgorton on Monday when two fish were landed with a further brace landed on Thursday and Friday.
Mr Nick Lenson had a day to remember at Fishponds on Tuesday. Mr Lenson was fishing the productive Craigs Pool using a Rapala when he got a savage take. After a long battle, Mr Lenson landed his first ever salmon, a nice fourteen pounder. Well done sir!
There were some nice fish caught at Waulkmill through the course of the week and Almondmouth finished with eleven fish for the week.
The river could do a with a lift in the water now and this would help to freshen up conditions somewhat. Hopefully, mother Nature will be on the side of anglers fishing the Tay next week. Once there is a decent lift in the water there is every chance that there will be good numbers of fish caught.
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 4th September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Farleyer Lower 4, Edradynate 1, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 2, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 1, Kercock 7, Meikleour & U Islamouth 1, Islamouth 9, Ballathie 6, Cargill 9, Stobhall 5, Taymount 10, Upper Scone 3, Upper Redgorton 6, Fishponds 1, Waulkmill 3, Almondmouth 11
Total: 80 Largest: Taymount 27lbs
WHAT WILL THE AUTUMN PERIOD HAVE IN STORE?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 6th September 2021)
We moved into September last week but the weather lacked that autumnal flavour as high pressure continued to dominate. This brought a lot of settled and dry weather. September can often be a prime month on the River Tay and in years gone by when the famous Tay autumn run starts. Unfortunately, in more recent times the lack of genuine autumn fish has been a problem that has affected many of Scotland’s rivers including the River Tay. Hopefully, this season will buck that trend and there will be some nice fresh entering the river in the upcoming weeks.
The river could really benefit from a lift in water now and this would also lead to fresher conditions. It has been mainly dry over the weekend and looking ahead to next week there does not seem to be much rain in the forecast at the beginning of the week. The first half of the week looks mainly dry and settled with high pressure in charge. Winds will be light and temperatures are also set to rise and peak in the mid-twenties. However, from midweek onwards there is a chance of some showers or longer spells of rain and hopefully, this will lead to that lift in water.
Last week on the main river, salmon were caught from Lower Farleyer down to Almondmouth. Probably the best chance of some good sport next week will be on the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability on the river in the upcoming days, so why not wet a line and chase some Tay autumn silver? There is no better way to start the autumn season than by landing a big Tay belter!
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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