(River Tay weekly report week ending 11th September 2021)
We moved deeper into autumn last week but unfortunately, nobody told the weather. Temperatures soared at the beginning of the week and peaked on Wednesday and were widely in the mid-twenties. Indeed, Wednesday saw the warmest September day in Scotland since 1906 with a temperature of 28.6 degrees Celsius recorded at Charterhall in Scottish Borders.
The high temperatures were accompanied by bright sunshine which made conditions hardly conducive to salmon fishing. Thankfully, it got somewhat cooler towards the end of the week and there were some widespread heavy showers some of which were thundery in nature. The change in weather led to somewhat improved catches however, the big spate that we are desperately in need of unfortunately did not materialise. The water temperature last week was 15.5 degrees Celsius which is 59.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the upper river, there was success at Edradynate on Tuesday when a nice six pounder was caught on a Sunray Shadow fly.
There was a cracking twelve pounder caught at Lower Kinnaird on Wednesday from the Kindallachan Pool. The fish took a small Black Shrimp fly. There was more success on the beat the following day, this time from the Ash Trees Pool when a lovely fifteen pounder was caught on a Tay Raider fly.
Mr Ronnie Blair had his first ever day fishing the Tay on Saturday. Mr Blair was fishing at Dunkeld and had a great experience fishing the Tay, landing two fish one from the Rock Pool and the other from the Lady Pool. A great day’s sport!
Other beats that produced fish on the middle river included the Murthly Beats, Kercock and Meikleour & U Islamouth amongst others. On the River Ericht, it was good to see a fish caught from the Keithick Streams Beat on Tuesday. The River Ericht could do with a lift in water now just like the rest of the Tay system.
Back on the main river At Islamouth, it was the turn of the Moffat party to wet a line. Just like everywhere else, it was hard going and the party finished with two fish for their three days. On Thursday there were a couple of Sea trout caught from the beat at Mr Stuart Lang had a nice fish on Saturday on a hitch fly. Islamouth finished with six fish for the week.
Mr Andrew French had a happy Monday at Cargill when he landed a nice eight pounder on the fly. This was one of two fish caught from the beat that day. There were fish caught at Cargill on most days last week which was impressive when taking into account the tough conditions.
It was a good day at Ballathie on Tuesday when four fish were landed on the beat including a cracking eighteen pounder. A fantastic five fish were caught on Thursday at Ballathie including a sixteen pounder as anglers enjoyed some great sport.
Fishers enjoyed a good start to the week at Stobhall on Monday when three fish were landed. As the week progressed some nice fish continued to be caught at Stobhall which was good to see including three on Thursday. Taymount finished with four fish for the week.
There was a fine fifteen pounder caught from Upper Scone on Monday and three more fish caught from the beat on Thursday including a sixteen pounder. It was a memorable day for Mr Lionel Young at Fishponds on Thursday. Mr Young was fishing the Craigs Pool from the left bank and caught three salmon weighing up to ten pounds all on the fly. All the fish took a Stoat’s Tail and Mr Young also went on to lose a fish. Three fish in a day is great sport in anyone’s book! Almondmouth produced fish on most days and finished with eight for the week.
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 11th September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Edradynate 1, Kethick Streams 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dunkeld 2, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 1 Glendelvine 1, Kercock 2, Meikleour & U Islamouth 1, Islamouth 6, Ballathie 13, Cargill 7, Stobhall 8, Taymount 4, Upper Scone 4, Upper Redgorton 1, Fishponds 4, Waulkmill 2, Almondmouth 8,
Total: 69 Largest: Ballathie 18lbs
COULD LARRY BRING A MUCH NEEDED SPATE?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 13th September 2021)
It was another week of at times very hot and mainly dry weather, which was not what the doctor ordered, as we are desperately in need of a good lift in water. Temperatures peaked widely in the mid-twenties on Wednesday before thankfully getting a little cooler.
Despite the tough conditions, there were some nice fish caught from the Tay system last week which was good to see and catches improved somewhat from midweek onwards. Saturday saw some showers affect the region but Sunday was drier. Looking ahead to the weather next week, Monday should be mainly dry and there is a chance of a few showers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures will be cooler than of late and in the mid-teens. On Thursday things are set to get much more unsettled as a large area of low pressure containing the remanence of Hurricane Larry is likely to bring strong winds and heavy rain to much of Scotland. The unsettled theme could continue into next weekend. Could Larry bring the spate we desperately need? Only time will tell.
Last week, on the main river fish, were caught from Edradynate down to Almondmouth with the bulk of the action on beats situated on the lower river. A big lift in water and consistently cooler temperatures would definitely help improve catches so let us hope that Mother Nature is kind to anglers fishing the Tay in the upcoming weeks. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats located on the middle and lower river.
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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