TWENTY POUNDERS GALORE, A TAY HIDDEN GEM AND FIRST SALMON!

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(River Tay weekly report week ending 24th September 2022)​



We have now moved into the middle of September and there are only three weeks of the Tay salmon fishing season remaining. Hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had on the river in the upcoming weeks for anglers to enjoy.
The weather was mainly settled last week across Perthshire apart from some rain on Thursday. Temperatures were around average for the time of year and river levels were steady. The water temperature last week was 53.6 degrees Fahrenheit which is 12 degrees Celsius.

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A stunning early autumn scene on the lower Tay

The phrase “twenty pounders galore” springs to mind last week with numerous decent sized fish caught from the system. There were fish caught weighing over twenty pounds on almost a daily basis which is why the Tay has such a reputation for being a big fish river.
On the upper river, it was good to see a fish caught from Edradynate on Saturday. It was a great start to the week at Lower Bolfracks on Monday when three fish were landed including a twenty three pounder.

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A successful Saturday at Edradynate

Mr Nicholas Munro Ferguson had a day to remember on the River Tilt on Thursday. Mr Munro Ferguson was fishing the Forest Lodge Beat on the Upper Tilt. The river was slowly rising and Mr Munro Ferguson landed two fish and lost two more by 1130am. To add to the enormous sense of achievement the fish were caught on a fly tied by Mr Munro Ferguson. Just great to see! The Tilt is a truly tremendous spate river and like a hidden gem on the Tay system, well worth a visit!

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Good sport on the River Tilt on Thursday

On the middle river, there was a fish caught from the Dalguise Beat on Thursday and two more on Saturday and there were a couple of fish caught from the Dalmarnock Beat during the first half of the week. Further downstream it was good to see a fish caught from the Dunkeld Beat on Wednesday and there was a fish landed at Newtyle on Tuesday.
At Kercock there was a magnificent twenty pounder caught on Wednesday.
At Meikleour & Upper Islamouth it was good to see a fish caught from the beat on Tuesday with three more caught on Friday.
At Islamouth there were fish caught on most days. The Cairns party were fishing on the beat during the first half of the week and landed four fish biggest weighing fourteen pounds. The good sport continued as the week progressed at Islamouth with fish up to fifteen pounds being landed.

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Mr Ian Irons enjoys success at Cargill last week

The Ballathie Beat finished with eight fish for the week including a cracking twenty one pounder on Friday. Anglers at Cargill have enjoyed some great sport recently and this continued last week with thirteen fish caught from the beat on Monday weighing up to twenty four pounds.

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Mr Steve Cunroe with a decent fish caught at Cargill on Monday

There were eight fish caught at Cargill on Tuesday with Mr Ian Irons catching his first ever Tay salmon followed quickly by two others. The good sport continued throughout the week at Cargill. Successful anglers included Mr Steve Cunroe who caught three on Wednesday morning by 10am Mr Nick Webster and Mr Gavin Mason. Cargill finished with fifty two fish for the week. Well done to all involved.

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An old Tay warrior caught at Cargill last week!

There were some nice fish landed by anglers fishing on both the Stobhall and Taymount beats last week. There was success at Upper Scone on Friday when a couple of fish were landed from the beat with another fish taken on Saturday. Anglers fishing at Benchil caught a nice fish on Thursday. It was good to see four fish landed at Upper Redgorton on Monday and two more on Thursday. There was success at Fishponds on Tuesday when a nice fish was caught from the head of the Luncarty Pool.
Sandy Datta caught a couple of fish from the Luncarty Beat on Monday. Both fish were hooked in the tail of the Luncarty Pool and put up a decent fight.

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A salmon caught at Luncarty on the fly on Monday

With only three weeks of the salmon fishing season remaining time is running out to land that last big Tay salmon of the year, so why not have cast? Nothing beat’s landing a big Tay Salmon!
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 24th September 2022)​



SALMON & GRILSE: Edradynate 1, Lower Bolfracks 4, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 3, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 1, Kercock 2, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 4, Kethick Streams 4, Kethick Mains 2, Islamouth 10, Ballathie 8, Cargill 52, Stobhall 7, Taymount 18, Upper Scone 3, Benchil 1, Upper Redgorton 6, Luncarty 2, Fishponds 1, Almondmouth 4.

Total: 137 Largest: Cargill 25lbs

A TASTE OF AUTUMN IN THE DAYS AHEAD?​


(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 26th September 2022)​



The weather was mainly settled last week across Perthshire apart from some rain on Thursday. Temperatures were around average for the time of year and river levels were steady apart from a small lift on Friday. It has been mainly dry over the weekend but it is set to turn much colder next week as a strong north-westerly wind develops and we will all get a taste of autumn. Temperatures at the beginning of the week may barely reach double figures. A drop in temperature at this time of year can almost be as good as a lift in water as often fish in the river become more aggressive and are more inclined into taking a fly or lure. Anglers will have their fingers crossed that this is the case.
In terms of the weather in the days ahead, Monday and Tuesday will feel really cold in the strong raw north westerly wind. There will be some widespread showers with even some snow possible on the highest peaks. Winds should drop midweek and it should feel a little warmer and it will be mainly dry. Towards the end of the week, it is set to get unsettled as winds pick up and low pressure moves in from the Atlantic bringing with it showers or longer spells of rain.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of hard fighting grilse and larger salmon. In the upcoming weeks, hopefully, more salmon will enter the Tay system giving anglers the chance of making contact with the king of fish before we draw the curtains on another Tay season.
Last week there were fish caught from Edradynate down to Almondmouth with the majority of fish caught on the lower river. There were also fish caught on the River Tilt and Isla. Probably the best chance of success next week is likely to be on beats situated on the middle and lower river.
As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system in the upcoming days with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. So why not chase some Tay salmon next week? With only three weeks of the season remaining, you could have that Tay day to remember!
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.

During the autumn months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well if river levels are low and temperatures are high. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. If there are frequent night time frosts and high water, tube flies of various lengths and weights may be the order of the day.

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.

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