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(River Tay weekly report week ending 15th April 2023)
We are now moving towards the end of April which is traditionally a prime time for spring salmon fishing on many of Scotland’s rivers. Usually, spring catches start to build from early March and peak over the next few weeks. On the River Tay, April and May are often the most productive spring months, especially for beats located on the middle river. This usually coincides with larger runs of salmon entering the Tay destined for rivers like the Lyon and Tummel. Hopefully, good numbers of hard fighting spring salmon will enter the Tay system over the next few weeks ensuring that there is good sport to be had for anglers.
There was a small lift in water at the beginning of last week. However heavy rain on Tuesday night led to a much more substantial lift in water on Wednesday with river levels peaking on the Ballathie gauge at over seven feet. The river was also carrying a lot of colour on Wednesday associated with the lift in water and any meaningful fishing was limited. As the week progressed water river levels remained quite unsettled. The water temperature last week was 45.0 degrees Fahrenheit which is 7.2 degrees Celsius.
Mr Dave West lands a nice springer from Loch Tay on Monday
It was a great start to the week on Loch Tay for the Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips team when Mr Dave West landed a fine eight pounder. On Thursday Mr Dave West enjoyed more success on the loch when he landed another fish. This was one of two fish caught by the Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips team that day. On the upper river, there was success on the Upper Kinnaird Beat on Tuesday.
Mr Dave Stewart with a Tummel cracker!
It was a dam quadruple at Portnacraig on the River Tummel on Thursday when four fish were landed. Mr Gordon Hanslip was first on the scoresheet when he landed a fine eight pounder from the Portnacraig bank. Mr John Muir was next in action when he caught a lovely seven pounder from the Pitlochry bank.
Mr Ally Gowans enjoys success at Portnacraig on Thursday
Mr Dave Stewart got his rod bent next when he landed a cracking sixteen pounder from the Portnacraig bank. Last but not least, Mr Ally Gowans landed a fine fifteen pounder. An excellent day had by all at Portnacraig. The week ended well at Portnacraig when Mr Jim Fisher caught a lively nine pounder on Saturday from the Portnacraig bank.
Mr John Muir lands more silver at Portnacraig on Thursday
It was good to see a fish caught from the Dunkeld Beat on Tuesday. On Thursday fifteen year old Charlie McKay had a day to remember at Dunkeld. Charlie had already caught a springer weighing eight pounds from the beat earlier in the season. This time young Charlie went one better when he landed a magnificent seventeen pounder from the Chestnut Tree Pool. Well done young man and it just goes to show life on the Tay catching salmon starts at fifteen!
Young Charlie McKay with a cracking seventeen pounder caught at Dunkeld on Thursday!
It was good to see a fish caught from Newtyle on Monday. On Saturday Mr Richard Graves landed a nice fish from the Ferry Pool at Newtyle.
Richard Graves lands a nice fish at Newtyle on Saturday
The Murthly Beats have produced their fair share of larger fish recently and Tuesday was no different when the Murthly 1 Beat produced a cracking twenty pounder. There was also a fish caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Thursday.
It was a happy Monday for Mr Cockburn who caught a lovely springer from the Meikleour Beat. The fish weighed nine pounds and was caught from the House Pool on a Vision 110 lure. Well done Sir!
Mr Cockburn with a lovely springer caught at Meikleour on Monday
On Friday Ms Lyndsay Wilson struck gold at Meikleour. Ms Wilson landed a cracking twenty two pounder carrying sea lice from the Castle Pool. This was Ms Wilson’s first ever salmon. What a stunning fish to catch as your first!
Further downstream on Saturday there was a fish caught at Taymount and a fine brace landed at Upper Redgorton.
There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Ms Lindsay Wilson lands her first ever salmon at Meikleour!
We are now moving into what should be traditionally the prime spring period for many beats on the River Tay. With some nice spring salmon being landed from the Tay system last week, there is every chance that anglers will enjoy more decent sport in the days ahead. There is some decent availability on the river next week with salmon fishing to suit all tastes. So why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most prolific salmon rivers in the upcoming days? You might just land that April spring sparkler!
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 (For beats reporting on Fishpal only)
(week ending 17th April)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 3, Upper Kinnaird 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 5, Dunkeld 2, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 2, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 2, West Grange 2, Taymount 1, Upper Redgorton 2
Total:23 Largest: Murthly 1, 21lbs
A SPRING LIKE FEEL IN THE DAYS AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 17th April 2023)
The weather was a real mixed bag last week with showers or longer spells of rain. The rain led to a lift in water on Monday but there was more heavy rain on Tuesday which resulted in a much more substantial rise on Wednesday. River levels peaked on the Ballathie gauge at over seven feet on Wednesday. The water was also quite coloured. Towards the end of the week river levels gradually dropped and cleared and it also turned drier. Over the weekend it has been mainly dry apart from the odd shower. It has also started to feel milder. Looking ahead to next week a large area of high pressure centred over Scandinavia is set to influence our weather. It will be dry for much of the week with bright sunny spells and variable amounts of cloud. It will feel mild with temperatures in the mid-teens however temperatures may be pegged back a little towards the east as a cool easterly breeze develops. Overall, it should certainly feel springlike in the days ahead.
Fish were caught last week from Loch Tay down to Upper Redgorton so catches were well spread on the Tay system. The River Tummel continues to fish well and the River Ericht also produced fish which was good to see. Many of the fish caught last week were sea liced and this would indicate that as the water temperature gradually rises the fish are running hard upstream. There is a good chance of a springer anywhere on the Tay system next week as catches in recent days would suggest. So why not book a day on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beats landing that big Tay springer!
Tactics for the River Tay during the early spring period (January-March)
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 which 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 practised at the beat ghillie’s 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 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. Anglers must treat their quarry with the utmost respect at all times.
The post A DAM QUADRUPLE, LIFE ON THE TAY STARTS AT FIFTEEN AND STUNNING FIRST SALMON! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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