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(River Tay weekly report week ending 30th March 2024)
We are now moving into April and are entering what should be the prime spring period on the Tay system for many beats, especially on the middle river. In the next few weeks, the number of fish heading up the main river should increase, as should the numbers of fish running the Lyon, Tummel and Isla. This should give anglers a decent chance of some good sport.
A Tay cracker landed at Upper Kinnaird on Tuesday
It was a very unsettled week of weather with showers or longer spells of rain courtesy of low pressure anchored in the Atlantic. Over higher ground, the old adage rang true that statistically, it is more likely to snow over Easter than at Christmas in Scotland. During the first half of the week, snow fell over the Perthshire mountains, with even a few flurries down to lower levels. It felt raw from time to time in brisk easterly wind and river levels were unsettled. Thankfully, towards the end of the week and into Easter weekend, the showers became less frequent and there were a few drier interludes. There were some cracking springers landed from the Tay system last week in the run up to Easter.
Mr Eric Neil lands a lovely springer at Dalmarnock
On the upper river, it was an exceptional day for twelve year old Joshua Shooshani, who was fishing at Upper Kinnaird on Tuesday. Joshua landed three lovely spring salmon under the guidance of Head Ghillie Mr Martin Edgar, the biggest of which weighed a magnificent twenty seven pounds. The feat was even more remarkable because the fish were all caught during a half day’s fishing. What a day! Well done, young man! There was another fish caught from the beat on Friday.
A Dunkeld spring cracker caught on Monday!
On the River Tummel at Portnacraig, Mr Ally Gowans caught a nice seven pounder on the fly on Thursday. It was a great start to the week at Lower Kinnaird, where two nice fish were caught on Monday, including a magnificent eighteen pounder. On Thursday, Mr Eric Neil landed a lovely fresh springer from the Dalmarnock Beat. The smile says it all!
More Dunkeld silver!
There were no Monday morning blues for Garry and Robbie, who were fishing at Dunkeld. Garry got proceedings underway when he caught a fine seven pounder on a Willie Gunn tube fly. Robbie then went one better when he landed a cracking thirteen pounder from the Gauge Pool on the harl. This was Robbie’s first springer. You never forget your first!
A silver bullet caught at Dunkeld on Thursday!
There was more success at Dunkeld on Thursday and Friday with a fish caught from the beat each day.
Mr Hari Formston with a nice springer caught at Newtyle
At Newtyle, Mr Hari Formston landed a lovely springer in the Ferry Pool on Friday morning. Shortly afterward, Mr. Kieran Spencer caught his first-ever salmon on the Tay from the Plain Trees Pool at Newtyle. There was more success at Newtyle for Mr Hari Formston on Saturday when he caught another springer, this time from the Deans Burn. It was good to see a fish caught from the Murthly 1 Beat on Saturday, and there was success at Stenton on Monday.
Kieran Spencer with more Newtyle silver!
It was a magical Monday for Mr Derek Brynes. Mr Brynes was fishing at Meikleour when he hooked and landed a fine twelve pounder. The fish was caught from Boxwood Bush on a 28g toby lure. Some nice fish were caught from the West Grange Beat on the River Ericht last week, which was good to see.
Mr Derek Brynes lands a stunning springer on Monday at Meikleour
At Cargill, a fine springer weighing eight pounds was caught from the beat on Wednesday, with more success on Thursday when another eight pounder was caught on a Tomic Lure.
A fine Cargill springer caught on Wednesday
Other fish were caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
A nice fish caught at Cargill on Thursday
It was encouraging to see some larger fish caught from the Tay system last week. As we move through April the number of fish entering the Tay system and heading for one of the many tributaries should continue to increase. This is in addition to the fish running the main river. Anglers should, therefore, stand a decent chance of hooking the ultimate prize in our sport, a hard fighting spring salmon, and there is no better place to do this than on the mighty River Tay.
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. 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 feel 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 (only for beats that wished to be mentioned in the TDSFB report)
(week ending 1st April)
SALMON & GRILSE: Upper Kinnaird 4, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalamrnock 1, Dunkeld 4, Newtyle 3, Murthly 1, 1, Stenton 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, West Grange 5, Kethick Streams 1, Cargill 2
Total: 26 Largest: Upper Kinnaird 27lbs
SOME SETTLED WEATHER IN THE WEEK AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 1st April 2024)
April can be a prime time of the year on many beats of the River Tay for spring salmon fishing and last week, there were more stunning springers landed from the Tay. Fish weighing up to twenty seven pounds were landed, which goes to show what the Tay system can produce at this time of year.
Last week saw quite unsettled conditions predominate. There were frequent showers as well as longer spells of rain, which fell as snow over higher ground. It felt raw in the gusty easterly wind, especially during the first half of the week and river levels were unsettled. Thankfully, the showers became less frequent as we moved towards Easter weekend. Hopefully, there will be some settled weather in the week ahead. Over the weekend, it has been mainly dry, apart from a few showers.
Looking ahead to next week Monday and Tuesday should be mainly dry. It will feel cold in the north easterly breeze. There is a chance of a few showers on Wednesday. Towards the end of the week, it is likely to become more unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain.
Catches were spread from Upper Kinnaird down to Cargill on the main river. The River Tummel continued its recent run of good form producing springers, with the Portnacraig Beat being productive again. Realistically, there is a decent chance of landing a fresh fish anywhere on the Tay system in the coming days.
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 spring period (April-May)
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 April and May water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. As river levels start to drop and water temperatures rise often heavy sinking lines and big tube flies are no longer needed. Instead sink tip lines or even floating lines coupled with a sinking polyleader can be more than adequate.
As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful 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 can work well. In higher water an intermediate or full sinking line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got an 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 early spring period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain. Usually a breaking strain between fifteen and eighteen pounds ideal.
In April and May depending on the water height and temperature smaller tube flies of various weights can work well. If the water temperatures are low weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes will allow your fly to get well down. Usually by late April and into May depending on the water height dressed flies can also be considered as a good alternative to the tube.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven foot is usually more than adequate to cover the River Tay. The rod should be able to comfortably cast lures weighing anything from eighteen to forty 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 forty grams. Devon Minnows can also be effective on the River Tay. In April and May, the Floating Devon can also work well. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. These lures can be excellent during the spring months. Once the water temperature rises sufficiently the Flying C is also a great lure and one which can produce the goods.
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 during the early spring months.
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. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practiced 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.
The post SOME CRACKING SPRINGERS LANDED FROM THE TAY SYSTEM IN THE RUN UP TO EASTER! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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