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(River Tay weekly report week ending 27th May 2023)
We move into June next week which will mark the end of the spring salmon fishing season on many rivers across Scotland. In the past, June had been a bit of an enigma in terms of salmon fishing on the Tay. Often there would be a lull in the action as the spring run had travelled up the river and reached the headwaters and the grilse and summer salmon run had not arrived in any great numbers. However more recently, June has proved to be quite a productive month on the Tay system. There appears to be more late running springers entering the river and this coupled with a few early summer fish has led to anglers enjoying some decent sport.
A beautiful late spring scene at Cargill
In all honesty it has been a very disappointing spring salmon fishing season on most of Scotland’s rivers including the Tay with catches a shadow of what they were in previous years. Anglers have not only struggled on the Tay this spring but it has been hard going on many other rivers across the country including the River Spey and Dee as well as some of the smaller rivers. Let us hope that catches improve over the summer months.
It was another mainly dry and settled week of weather across Perthshire with high pressure in charge. Winds were light for the most part and temperatures were in the mid-teens. The water temperature last week was 54.0 degrees Fahrenheit which is 12.2 degrees Celsius.
One of two fish caught from Loch Tay on Friday
The season on Loch Tay is now coming to an end but it was good to see a couple of fish caught from the loch on Friday. On the upper river there were a few fish caught from the Upper Farleyer Beat last week and there was also a fish caught from the Lower Bolfracks Beat on Friday. At Portnacraig on the River Tummel Mr Kenny Hyslop caught a cracking sea liced springer weighing fourteen pounds from the Pitlochry bank on Tuesday morning.
A sparkling Newtyle salmon caught on Monday
There was a fish caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat on Tuesday. It was a great start to the week at Newtyle when a lovely springer was caught from the Island Pool on Monday evening. The fish gave a great account of itself and was in magnificent condition weighing ten pounds. On Friday Mr Vitalij Kovalysin had a nice fish caught from the Boil at Newtyle.
Mr Vitalij Kovalysin lands Newtyle silver on Friday
There were fish caught from both the River Ericht and Isla last week which was good to see. Successful beats included Kethick Mains and West Grange.
Back on the main river it was a magical Monday morning for Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason. Mr Mason was fishing the upper beat at Cargill when he hooked a powerful fish. After a great fight Mr Mason landed a fine springer. This was all before 0930 in the morning. Monday morning’s don’t get much better than that!
Mr Gavin Mason lands a Cargill cracker on Monday!
On Saturday Mr Adam Mapals had a day to remember at Cargill. Mr Mapals was fishing the Cobble Croy when he got a powerful take. After a great tussle Mr Mapals went on to land a lovely springer.
There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
So, it was another tough week on the river and in all honesty, catches were disappointing on the river for late May. In spite of this there were some lovely salmon landed. Hopefully catches on the river will improve as we move into the summer season. In the upcoming weeks there is a chance of landing a late running springer or even a summer salmon or grilse, so why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay next week? You might just experience some early June magic!
Mr Adam Mapals with a fine fish caught at Cargill on Saturday
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 27th May)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips 2, Upper Farleyer 4, Lower Bolfracks 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Lower Kinnaird 1, Newtyle 2, Kethick Mains 1, West Grange 1, Cargill 2,
Total:15 Largest: Portnacraig Piltochry 14lbs
MORE SETTLED WEATHER AS WE MOVE INTO JUNE!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 29th May 2023)
It was another settled week of weather across Perthshire with high pressure in charge. Winds were mostly light and it felt warm in the sun. However, a cold front moved south on Saturday and it felt notably cooler in some spots on Sunday. Water levels were steady for the week but in fairness catches were disappointing for the time of year.
It looks like there will be more settled weather in the week ahead as we move into June. Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry with sunny spells and variable amounts of cloud. There is a chance of some haar close to the east coast. It will feel warmer than of late with temperatures rising into the low twenties in some spots. The settled weather will continue as we move towards next weekend. Winds will be light for much of the week.
As we move into June next week there is a chance of encountering a late running springer as well as a summer salmon and hopefully this will be the case in the days ahead. It will be interesting to see what June will have in store. Anglers will have their fingers crossed that the summer season will be much more productive than spring 2023.
Catches were again well spread last week from Loch Tay down to Cargill. There were also fish caught from the River Tummel, Isla and Ericht. Many of the fish caught were sea liced, indicating that the fish entering the system were running hard. There is a chance of picking up a fresh fish almost anywhere on the main river next week as the spread of recent catches would suggest.
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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