2023 Salmon Season

[Anne Woodcock]

River Tay weekly report w/e 22nd January​

Over 90 anglers welcomed the 2023 Tay salmon season, Monday 16th January, at Meikleour Fishing and raised over £1,300 for Angling For Youth Development and the Tay Rivers Trust.

Special guests included Burn Gorman, David Profumo and the Provost, who talked about the importance of salmon.

DavidProfumo had the honour of casting the first line (pictured).

David said “Salmon are linked with the cycle of seasons. In modern times considering all it has to contend with this creatures reappearance is noting short of miraculous. It is still vital to many rural economies in Scotland and it must not disappear on our watch!

Its 55 years since David caught his first Scottish salmon and during the intervening years as a journalist he has been lucky to fish 40 different countries, but his spiritual home is Scotland. Each season he spends 100’s of hours plying the water of Scotland trying to lure the fish of 10,000 casts.

Burn Gorman blessed the river with Pol Roger Champagne (pictured) and presented the John Moses trophy to ClaireMercer Nairne who caught the largest fish on the beat in 2022. Claire said “John was a wonderful person who found in fishing the power of healing”.

Burn mentioned that Monday 16th January is sometimes known as blue monday, arguably the most depressing day of the year after the Christmas festivities.

He said “It can be a tough time of the year, but occasions like this can bring a little light and hope and fun, because fishing is the very definition of hope, its one of the most hopeful pastimes than any one can do. Hope the weather holds, hope you have the right tackle, hope your on the best spot of the beat and the hope that today perhaps might yield the biggest catch of a lifetime”

“Lets also consider that even if no fish are caught we have spent time, peaceful hours, in the beauty and tranquility next to the mighty tay and a brief escape from the phonetic business of life.”

“We have become more aware of taking care of ourselves and each other both physically and mentally. The science is clear that being together, outdoors in nature enjoying pursuits like fishing is beneficial in so many ways.”

Watch the opening ceremony and listen to the speeches here:

During opening day anglers had a chance to chat with Jim Fearn from Guide Fly Fishing and Ian Gordon from Cadence Fly Fishing about fly rods and lines. Paul Little tied flies in the Meikleour fishing hut.

Many thanks to Burn Gorman, David Profumo, the Provost, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, The Glenturret Distillery, Cadence Fly Fishing, Pol Roger Champagne, Meikleour Arms Hotel and Guide Fly Fishing

Meikleour Fishing Report

After all the excitement of opening day it was back to business as usual for the remainder of the week.

A chilly week on the river with temperatures down to -5°C on occasions and it rarely made it into positive figures. Water temperature were typically around 38°F or 4°C and the height which started at 5’ on Monday dropped slowly all week to finish up at 2’ 11” today.

We welcomed anglers throughout the week, but special mention to Tom and Felix who came over from the Netherlands to fish a few beats on the river. No springers for them this time, but they did manage several kelts and enjoyed their experience and the hospitality of Perthshire!

Temperatures for next week are looking a bit more conducive to better sport so fingers crossed

Dunkeld Fishing Report

A lovely but cold first few days out on the river, no fresh fish yet., but the river is looking good for the next few days. Mild weather forecast is for next week.

Dalmarnock Opening

Anglers had a great day on opening day at Dalmarnock beat, and rods connected with a few kelts.

Edradynate Opening

Edradynate beat opened with a traditional ceremony, a piper, speech, and blessing of the water and the ceremonial ‘Tom’s first cast of the 2023 season.’

Extract from the blessing. A season of hope, fishing and friendship.

The mighty river Tay is ever changing, flowing along from its source in the hills, ever seeking its path to the sea. Passing through the countryside, villages, towns and cities till it reaches the Forth and its peaty waters meet the salt of the North sea. We are all but custodians and stewards entrusted with its care. In a deep sense this river can become a metaphor to us all that noting in this life is static, nothing stands still, a journey passing through this life until our journey is compete and life is over.

Fish Caught

On opening day a few kelts were caught, including the first sea trout on Upper Kinnaird. The first spring fish in Scotland was caught on Wednesday at 21lb on Upper Scone Beat (pictured). Lower Bolfracks got their season off the mark with a sea trout on Friday.

Summerhill Hatchery

9th January – planting of eyed maiden ova has commenced on the rivers Tilt, Garry and Erochty.

If you would like to support our work, including sponsoring parr and salmon eggs in the Summerhill Hatchery, temperature loggers and PIT tag detectors you can find out how to and much more here.

Availability

There is a good selection of fishing available across the Tay system on FishPal for this week and during Spring.

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 ainfo@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 21st January)​

SALMON & GRILSE:

Upper Scone 21lb

Total: 1 Largest: Upper Scone 21lb

Tactics For The River Tay During The Early Spring Period (January-March)

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 early spring months water temperatures are often low and river levels high. In such conditions, the depth at which your fly is moving through the water column can be the key to success. Often you may be required to use floating lines coupled with sinking polyleaders, intermediate or even full sinking lines. It is therefore important that you have a fly rod that can work in harmony with a heavy line. 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 is ideal.

During the early part of the season, tube flies often work well. If the water temperatures are low, weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes of a decent length will allow your fly to get well down and close to where the fish are likely to be lying. In cold weather, the fish are unlikely to be keen on moving fast so it is better that your fly moves through the water column at an adequate depth and not too quickly.



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 during the early spring months. Vision 110s and Rapalas are also lures that are well worth considering.



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 16th to 1st of April is that all spring salmon must be released. This means that the TDSFB has a 100% mandatory catch & release policy for 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 respect at all times.




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