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(River Tay weekly report week ending 5th August 2023)
We have now moved into August which can be a prime summer month on many of Scotland’s rivers including the mighty Tay. Given decent conditions, it is usually when the runs of summer salmon and grilse peak.
It was another week of unsettled weather with showers or longer spells of rain from time to time. Some heavy rain on Monday led to a lift in water at the beginning of the week. Towards the end of the week, it felt cooler in the northerly wind. There was a lift in water on Tuesday after the rain and this led to the water being coloured especially on the lower river. Despite the tricky conditions at the beginning of the week, there were some top quality salmon caught from the Tay last week which was great to see.
A tranquil summer scene on the Lower Tay
On the upper river, it was nice to see a fish caught from the Upper Farleyer Beat on Monday. On the River Tummel at Portnacraig Mr John Muir enjoyed some success on Tuesday when he caught a nice eight pounder from the Pitlochry bank on the spinner.
It has a happy Monday at Lower Kinnaird where a lovely summer salmon was landed. There was another fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Thursday. It was good to see a few nice fish caught from the Murthly 2 Beat last week including five on Tuesday and another couple on Wednesday.
It was good to see a fish caught at Delvine on Friday. There was success at Kercock on Thursday and Saturday. Successful anglers included Mr Darren Kaye who had a nice grilse weighing six pounds and Mr Mark Thomson who had a lovely eight pounder.
Some fine Cargill silver landed on Monday
It was good to see fish caught at Meikleour on Monday and Saturday. The Cargill Beat has produced some cracking fish in recent weeks and last week was no different. On Monday Charlie who is currently doing work experience on the beat landed the beat’s 50th salmon of the month which was great news.
Mr Chris Bowmer lands a fish at Cargill on Friday
Mr George Baines enjoyed some great sport at Cargill on Tuesday landing three cracking fish. Three salmon in one day is a great result in anyone’s book! The decent sport continued at Cargill through the course of last week. Other successful anglers included Mr Chris Bowmer who caught some nice fish.
The Taymount Beat produced fish on most days last week and finished with eighteen fish for the week which included a magnificent eighteen pounder on Friday.
A fine salmon caught at Cargill on Saturday
It was a productive week at Upper Scone. Mr George Mason has seven fish up to sixteen pounds all caught on the fly. Mr Garry Perks landed six fish up to fifteen pounds. Mr Alex Mason had a fine brace best weighing sixteen pounds. Great sport had by all with the Upper Scone Beat finishing with a very creditable fifteen fish for the week.
Mr Peter Thomas lands a fresh grilse at Benchil on Friday
On the Stanley beats, there were some fine fish landed. There were a couple of fish caught from the Catholes Beat on Wednesday. On Tuesday there was a fish caught at Pitlochrie. On Friday Mr Peter Thomas caught a lovely fresh fish at Benchil from Cawnpore.
Mr Frank Muller lands Luncarty silver on Tuesday
Mr Frank Muller landed a Luncarty double last week. Mr Muller was fishing the beat on Tuesday when he caught a lovely fresh eight pounder. On Thursday Mr Muller went one better when he landed a cracking seventeen pounder from Luncarty.
More success for Mr Frank Muller at Luncarty on Thursday
On Thursday Mr Neil Tong and his party enjoyed great success at Fishponds. The team managed to land five fish up to seventeen pounds. Successful anglers for the day included Mr Tong himself who landed two fish from the Craigs. Mr Martin Ferrie had a nine pounder from the Craigs. Mr Mike Miller also landed a fish from the Craigs. Mr Charlie Martin landed a cracking seventeen pounder on a Vision110 lure from Lodge end. A great day’s sport had by all. It was a good end to the week at Fishponds with a fish caught from the beat on Saturday by Mr Andy Heindmarsh.
There was a fine brace landed on Monday at Waulkmill. The decent sport continued at Waulkmill through the course of last week including seven fish being caught from the beat on Friday. Waulkmill finished with fifteen fish for the week.
Playing a nice salmon at Fishponds on Thursday
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Let us hope that good numbers of fresh fish enter the river throughout August so many anglers can enjoy that magical experience of landing some hard fighting Tay silver!
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 5th August 2023 (For beats wishing to be included in this report only)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Murthly 2, 11, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 2, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 2, Kethick Streams 1, Cargill 8, Taymount 18, Catholes 2, Pitlochrie 2, Benchil 1, Upper Scone 15, Luncarty 2, Fishponds 7, Upper Redgorton 3, Waulkmill 15,
Total: 94 Largest: Taymount 18lbs
A PRODUCTIVE AUGUST AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 7th August 2023)
We moved into August last week which can often be one of the most productive months on the Tay system. Usually, there are good numbers of summer salmon and grilse entering the system and towards the end of the month, some of the larger autumn fish also start to run upstream. So, everyone will be keeping their fingers crossed for a productive month ahead.
Last week was cooler compared to recent weeks, especially at the end of the week. The river was unsettled during the early part of the week after rain on Monday. The lift in water was accompanied by some colour, especially on the lower river. The water cleared quite quickly which was good news for anglers. There were a few showers over the weekend.
Looking ahead to next week it should be a little more settled than of late. The first half of the week should be mainly dry with a few showers possible on Tuesday. It will also feel warmer. By Thursday temperatures will rise to the mid-twenties in some spots. As we head towards next weekend there is a chance the weather may turn a little more unsettled once again with some showers or longer spells of rain.
Fish were caught last week from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill with the majority of fish caught on the middle and lower river. There were also fish caught on the River Tummel and Isla last week. With the recent lift in water probably the best chance of success next week would be on beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is an excellent variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system next week including fishing on some very prestigious beats. As always, the River Tay offers great value for money so why not chase some August silver next week? You might just have one of those midsummer days 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 summer period (June-August)
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 summer months water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. Often river levels are low but on the River Tay they are never too low that fresh fish cannot run the system. At this time of year full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well.
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 water during the summer months a sink tip or intermediate 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 summer period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there are some big summer salmon that run the Tay. Usually a breaking strain between twelve and fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the summer months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. Don’t forget how effective flies like the Sunray Shadow can be at this time of year. These flies fished close to the surface can really do the business especially if the fish are keen on chasing a fly and in an active mood.
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 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 summer months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive. The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures start to rise 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. These lures can be excellent during the summer months.
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 summer months, the water is too low to harl on many beats. However, if there is a decent spate this method can be highly productive. 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.
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