(River Tay weekly report week ending 25th September 2021)
Last week saw us reach the autumn equinox. This is the time of year when the days and nights are of roughly the same length. This means going forward we will start to see the days getting shorter quite quickly and this is a sure sign that winter will be upon us in the not too distant future. However, before then there are still a few weeks of the Tay salmon fishing season remaining and it is hoped that there will be some good sport to be had for many of the anglers intending to wet a line before the curtains are finally drawn on another season.
We got a taste of autumn last week when on Wednesday and Thursday gale force winds affected many parts of Scotland. There was a spell of rain which accompanied the strong winds but unfortunately, it do not amount to much and there was not the big lift in water that we had all hoped for. In terms of river levels, there was a small lift in water at the start of the week and this did appear to help catches as they improved on the previous week. The water temperature last week was 55.8 degrees Fahrenheit which is 13.2 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river there it was good to see a fish caught from the Upper Bolfracks Beat on Tuesday and Saturday. On Friday there was success at Edradynate where a hard fighting seven pounder was landed.
Further downstream there was a fine brace landed at Lower Kinnaird on Friday with fish caught from the Junction Pool as well as Guay Pool. Head Ghillie Mr Martin Edgar reported that small flies seemed to be doing the trick. It was good to see fish caught at Dunkeld on Wednesday and Friday. It was a great end to the week at Kercock when four fish were landed from the beat on Saturday. Other successful beats on the middle river through the course of last week included Dalmarnock and Meikleour.
The Cairns Party were wetting a line on the famous Islamouth Beat last week and managed to land four fish weighing up to seventeen pounds. There were also a few lost. The fish caught were mostly older models. On Friday Mr Nigel Bolton had a savage take on the fly rod at Islamouth. What ensued could only be described as a terrific battle during which the fish made several powerful runs. Eventually, the fish weighing twenty and a half pounds was landed. The fish took a Willie Gunn. Well done Mr Bolton!
The Ballathie Beat has produced some lovely fish recently and last week was no different with fish caught on most days.
At Cargill, anglers enjoyed some excellent sport. Mr Steve Cunrow landed three fish on Monday including a magnificent twenty two pounder. A total of six fish were caught from the beat that day.
On Tuesday Mr Bill Dungavel had a cracking fourteen pounder on the fly. Mr Jonathan McNeish had a fantastic afternoon landing three nice fish. Other successful anglers included Mr Don Bell.
On Wednesday Mr David Purvis braved the gale force winds at Cargill and caught a nice fish from the Cradle, this was one of three fish caught from the beat that day.
On Friday Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason fished hard all day and was rewarded with his perseverance just before the final whistle was blown. Mr Mason hooked a powerful fish on the fly and after a great fight landed twenty four pounds worth of pure Tay muscle. What a fish! This was one of three fish caught at Cargill on Friday.
At Stobhall there was also good sport to be had on most days. There were thirteen fish landed during the first half of the week including five on Monday. The good sport continued for much of the week.
Anglers at Taymount had a productive day on Tuesday landing four fish from the beat. Taymount finished with seven fish for the week.
At Upper Scone, there were a couple of fish caught during the first half of the week with another fish landed on Saturday. It was good to see a brace caught at Benchil on Monday. There was success at Fishponds on Monday and on Saturday, Jim Ferrie landed a 10 lb fish showing his Autumn colours on the fly from the Craig’s.
On Saturday Mr John Barr caught a grilse on the fly from Luncarty. Fish were caught at Waulkmill on most days last week. Anglers at Almondmouth got their rods bent regularly through the course of last week and the beat finished with fifteen fish for the week.
Despite the lack of water, there were some decent fish caught from the river last week with many landed weighing in excess of the magical twenty pounds mark. Let us hope that we get that big lift in water before the season ends as this could be the real gamechanger!
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 25th September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Edradynate 1, Lower Bolfracks 2, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalmarnock 3, Dunkeld 2, Kercock 6, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 3, Islamouth 8, Ballathie 5, Cargill 20, Stobhall 17, Taymount 7, Upper Scone 3, Benchil 2, Upper Redgorton 1, Fishponds 2, Luncarty 1, Waulkmill 5, Almondmouth 15
Total: 105 Largest: Cargill 24lbs
WILL THE DROP IN TEMPERATURES MAKE THE TAY SALMON MORE AGGRESSIVE IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 27th September 2021)
We are now moving towards the end of September and the weather has felt more autumnal with some cooler days. On Wednesday and Thursday, some gale force winds affected much of the country. Unfortunately, the heavy rain that we need so badly did not materialise and so river levels remained steady for much of the week.
It was mainly dry on Saturday apart from the odd shower and it felt very mild with temperatures widely in the high teens. There was a spell of heavy rain which spread across the country late on Sunday. Looking ahead to next week it is set to turn much colder with temperatures only in the low teens as the jet stream dives to the south of the UK. Monday will see some showers after the rain clears east. Tuesday will see a further spell of heavy rain move up from the south and affect much of the country. At this stage, Wednesday and Thursday are looking drier but there could be more unsettled weather on the way as we move towards next weekend. Hopefully, the forecast drop in temperatures will make the fish more aggressive next week and more inclined into taking a fly or lure.
Most of the fish caught last week were older and appear to have been in the river for some time. Once there is a lift in water hopefully more fresh fish will enter the Tay system so anglers can enjoy some decent sport before the curtains are drawn on another Tay season.
Last week, on the main river, there were fish caught from Edradynate down to Almondmouth with the bulk of the action being on beats situated on the lower river. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats located on the middle and lower river.
We are quickly moving towards the end of another season on the River Tay so why not book a few days next week and catch those last few Tay salmon of the 2021 season? Perthshire is awash with colour at this time of year and provides a stunning backdrop to chasing the king of fish!
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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