(River Tay weekly report week ending 16th October 2021)
The River Tay finally closed its banks to anglers on Friday. The weather had been quite unsettled last weekend with some heavy rain on Saturday. Thankfully there was very little rain during the final few days of the season so river levels were steady which was good news. The last day of the season dawned bright, cold and crisp with a light frost in some sheltered spots.
There were decent numbers of fish caught from the river last week but again the vast majority were older models. There does seem to be a distinct lack of genuine fresh autumn salmon again on many of Scotland’s rivers and not just the Tay. This has been worrying but an all too familiar trend over the past few seasons. The water temperature last week was 53.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 11.9 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river, there were fish caught on both Bolfracks beats as well as both Farleyer beats last week. At Edradynate it was good to see a couple of fish caught on Thursday including a nice thirteen pounder from the Church Pool.
Mr David Taylor caught a fifteen pounder on the fly at Portnacraig on the River Tummel on Tuesday. The fish was caught from the Pitlochry bank. He also managed to land a Sea trout weighing two pounds. A good days sport in anyone’s book!
Further downstream it was a fantastic day at Lower Kinnaird on Tuesday when six fish were landed which was great to see. Four of the fish were caught on the fly, the weapon of choice being a Willie Gunn tube. On Thursday there were four fish landed from the beat including an eighteen pounder from the Guay Pool. There were also five fish lost.
Mr David Gardner caught a fish from the Steps Pool on the fly at Newtyle on Monday. Mr Jon Amos was next on the scoresheet at Newtyle when he caught a fish on the fly from Trap on Wednesday.
On Thursday Mr Paul Carter had a good day at Newtyle landing an eighteen pounder from the Trap and fifteen pounder from the Steps. Both fish were caught on the fly. There were two more fish caught at Newtyle on the last day of the season.
It was good to see fish caught every day last week at Kercock including four on Monday. Kercock regular Mr Robert McFarlane had a productive few days on the beat landing six salmon for his three days weighing up to ten pounds. Other successful anglers at Kercock last week included Mr Scott Sykes and Mr Ernie Donnell who landed a fifteen pounder on Thursday.
On Friday Mr John Dewar landed a lovely sixteen pounder and there was also success for Mr James Redmond and Mr Dougie McLean.
It was a happy Monday at Meikleour with four fish landed from the beat including a magnificent twenty two pounder. There were a further two fish caught from the beat on Wednesday and Thursday. Other beats on the middle river that produced fish last week included Dalguise, Dalmarnock and both Murthly beats amongst others.
At Islamouth Mr David Mayhew’s party were fishing during the last few days of the season. They landed eight fish up to eighteen pounds. The good sport at Ballathie continued last week with plenty of happy anglers. There were seven fish caught from the beat on Tuesday with nine more on Thursday.
There have been excellent numbers of fish caught at Cargill in recent weeks and last week was no different. There were three landed by 11am on Monday morning. On Tuesday there were five fish caught at Cargill. On Friday Mr Anthony James caught his first ever salmon which was great to see. Other successful anglers last week included Mr Neil French and Mr Shane Elder amongst others.
The Taymount and Stobhall beats finished with fish eleven and twelve fish for the week respectively. At Catholes the last day of the season yielded a twenty four pounder which was caught from the Black Stones.
It was a memorable day for Ms Linda Carling at Benchil on Monday when she caught her first ever salmon. The fish was caught from the Long Shot. Well done…you never forget your first! This was one of two fish caught from the beat on Monday.
It seemed to be a week of first salmon at Benchil when on Wednesday Mr Chris Drake caught his first ever fish from Aitken Head. The fish gave a great account of itself before it was safely landed and returned. Well done Sir!
Mr Mark Ogilvie caught a hard fighting eight pounder from the Craig’s Pool on a salmo lure at Fishponds on Thursday. The last day of the season saw three more fish landed at Fishponds. Anglers at Waulkmill got their rods bent on a regular basis last week with four fish landed on both Monday and Tuesday. The good sport continued throughout the week. Almondmouth finished with six fish for the week.
So, the curtain was drawn on another Tay season on Friday. Hopefully it will be a productive spawning year and all of us will have our fingers crossed that there will be no devastating floods through the close season. We would like to thank all the ghillies and beat owners on the River Tay system who have contributed to this report throughout the season by providing their time and information as the weekly report would not be possible without your help and support. The next weekly report will be published in mid-January 2022.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Beat Catches Reported
(week ending 15th October)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 4, Lower Farleyer 2, Upper Bolfracks 4, Lower Bolfracks 2, Edradynate 2, Upper Kinnaird 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Lower Kinnaird 11, Dalguise 3, Dalmarnock 2, Newtyle 6, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 6, Glendelvine 2, Kercock 16, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 8, Islamouth 8, Ballathie 24, Cargill 25, Stobhall 12, Taymount 11, Burnmouth 2, Catholes 1, Upper Scone 4, Benchil 5, Upper Redgorton 1, Fishponds 4, Luncarty 2, Waulkmill 15, Almondmouth 6.
Total: 191 Largest: Waulkmill & Catholes, 24lbs
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.
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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