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(River Tay weekly report week ending 20th January 2024)
A new season again dawned on the mighty River Tay as anglers made their first casts of the year last Monday. Mr Paul Whitehouse opened the river at Meikleour and the official opening ceremony was well attended. There were smaller ceremonies held on beats up and down the river to mark the special occasion.
It was bitterly cold last week
Anglers lucky enough to wet a line on opening day were blessed with good water conditions. The river was at a decent height for many beats and running clear and low for the time of year, although it was bitterly cold. Unfortunately, there were no fresh fish landed from the Tay system on opening day but some anglers got their rods bent from last year’s models.
Happy faces at Meikleour on opening day
It has been mainly dry and settled over the past week, with high pressure being in charge. There have been a few snow showers from time to time. The river has been in decent order on most days, with steady river levels. It has been bitterly cold for much of the week with daytime temperatures barely above freezing and hard frosts at night. Angling pressure on the river has been very light through the course of the last week which is hardly surprising as it is still very early in the season. A few kelts and baggots have been caught, but the elusive first salmon of the season has yet to be landed.
A good fight from one of last year’s models at Meikleour
The weather has started to get milder over the weekend with some showers and longer spells of rain. The milder theme is set to continue as we move through next week, so there will likely be a thaw and a lift in water.
Wetting a line on opening day at Newtyle
So, if you fancy chasing a spring salmon next week, why not enjoy a day’s fishing on the River Tay? There is no better way to start your season than by catching a big January Tay springer!
We want 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 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 (week ending 20th January)
SALMON & GRILSE
Total: 0
WILL THE RIVER TAY YIELD A SPRINGER NEXT WEEK?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 22nd January 2024)
We have had a settled spell of weather over the past few days with high pressure in charge. It has been bitterly cold, with snow showers in some parts of Perthshire. River levels have remained low for the time of year. Over the weekend, it has started to get milder, and there were some showers and longer spells of rain on Saturday. On Sunday night, Storm Isha brought heavy rain and gale force winds to much of the country. With all the snow on the ground, there will likely be a thaw and lift in water next week.
Looking ahead to next week, it will be very unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain as several low pressure systems race in from the Atlantic. It will be windy with gales on some days and it will feel much milder than of late. Monday will see showers across much of Scotland, which could be wintry over higher ground. It will be very windy. The unsettled theme will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday with showers or longer spells of rain. There is a chance of some drier weather as we move towards next weekend. It will feel much milder than of late.
We are still waiting for the first fish of the season to be landed from the Tay system and history tells us that this could happen any day. On the main river, there is a good chance of making contact with fresh fish almost anywhere. Loch Tay and the River Tummel are also well worth a cast. There should be a handful of fresh fish in the system now, you just need to find one. So why not wet a line on the Tay system next week? There is no better way to blow away those close season cobwebs than having a day on the river!
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 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 get in touch with your ghillie for up to date advice on tactics and what tackle to bring before visiting the River Tay.
Fly Fishing
During the early spring months, water temperatures are often low and river levels are high. In such conditions, the depth at which your fly moves 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, a powerful fifteen-foot rod with a ten-line rating usually covers almost any eventuality.
In terms of lines, whether a full Spey line or Shooting head system, a floating line coupled with a selection of polyleaders of various sink rates can work well. An intermediate or full sinking line may be required in higher water to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has 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 to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain during the early spring period. 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 will likely 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 cast lures comfortably, 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 that is very much dependent on water height 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 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 worth remembering when releasing fish to keep them in the water for as long as possible and use minimal handling. Please also give the fish plenty of time to recover before releasing them. Anglers must treat their quarry with the utmost respect at all times.
The post A BITTERLY COLD OPENING WEEK ON THE RIVER TAY! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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