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(River Tay weekly report week ending 9th September 2023)
We have now moved into September and the first month of autumn. However, the weather was far from autumnal last week with high pressure influencing our weather. There were long sunny spells coupled with light winds and as the week progressed it became hotter with temperatures peaking in the mid to high twenties in some parts of Perthshire. However, in some parts of Scotland, the mercury rose to in excess of thirty degrees on Friday which is very unusual for September. This made for far from ideal salmon fishing conditions. It was certainly a case of a late season heatwave making it hard going on the Tay. Despite this, there were some nice fish caught from the Tay system. Unsurprisingly anglers that fished early in the morning and then again in the evening enjoyed the best of the sport last week.
It was far from ideal fishing weather for most of last week
It was good to see a fish caught at Upper Kinnaird on Wednesday. Further downstream there were fish caught on both the Dunkeld and Newtyle beats on Monday. There was success on the Dalmarnock Beat on Tuesday and Thursday and there were a total of three fish caught from the Murthly 1 Beat on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Mr Colin Morgan lands a nice fish at Cargill on Tuesday
It was a magical Monday at Cargill with three fish landed including a magnificent sixteen pounder. There was a total of eight fish lost and with a bit more luck there could have been many more fish landed for the day. On Tuesday there were three more fish caught at Cargill. Mr Colin Morgan was one of the successful anglers catching a nice fish on the fly despite the challenging weather conditions.
Returning a salmon at Cargill last week
Other successful anglers at Cargill last week included Mr Jonathan McNeish who caught a lovely fish on the fly.
A fine salmon caught at Cargill last week on the fly
There were five fish caught from the Taymount Beat last week including a fine sixteen pounder on Friday.
Mr Hector Rawson playing a powerful fish at Benchil
There was success at Upper Scone on Saturday. Mr Hector Rawson, long time Tay angler was rewarded for his perseverance in the hot weather when he was fishing at Benchil on Friday. Mr Rawson caught a lovely fish on the fly from the Little Shot. It was good to see a fish caught at Upper Redgorton on Tuesday and Wednesday. At Fishponds there was success on Monday. Mr Jim Ferry caught a lovely ten pounder on the fly from the Red Brae.
A lovely fish caught from the Fishponds Beat
It was good to also see a fish caught at Luncarty on Saturday.
There were some nice fish caught from the Waulkmill Beat last week and the beat finished with six fish for their week.
A fine salmon caught at Benchil on Friday
There were also fish caught from the Tay system, on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
It ended up being a tough week on the Tay as it did across many of Scotland’s salmon rivers and this was hardly surprising considering the extreme weather conditions. Hopefully, the weather will be kinder in the days and weeks ahead so anglers can enjoy some good sport before the season finally draws to a close.
A fine salmon caught at Benchil on Friday
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 wishing to be included in this report only)
(week ending 9th September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Kinnaird 1, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 3, Cargill 14, Taymount 5, Upper Scone 1, Benchil 1, Upper Redgorton 2, Fishponds 1, Luncarty 1, Waulkmill 6,
Total: 39 Largest: Taymount 16lbs
A BETTER FORECAST IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 11th September 2023)
The weather was not very kind to anglers last week. There were long sunny spells and as the week progressed it got hotter with temperatures peaking in the mid to high twenties in Perthshire. This definitely seemed to impact catches. September can often be a decent month on the Tay with good numbers of fish landed. Hopefully, once conditions improve there will be some good sport to be had.
It has been mainly dry and settled over the weekend and it has continued to feel very warm and humid. Looking ahead to next week the weather is set to change which will be welcome news for anglers. It will get much cooler with showers or longer spells of rain. Monday and Tuesday will see some showers or longer spells of rain affect many parts of Scotland including Perthshire. Temperatures will be in the mid-teens as a north westerly airflow develops. It will also be chilly at night with a chance of a grass frost in some isolated glens. Wednesday will be mainly fine and dry with light winds. Towards the end of the week, there is a chance that there will be further spells of rain.
There were fish caught last week from Upper Kinnaird down to Waulkmill.
There is good availability on the river next week and with an improving weather forecast why not enjoy a day on the river? There is no better way to start the autumn season than by landing a big Tay belter!
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 autumn period (September and October)
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 autumn months, water temperatures usually begin to fall on the river but much depends on the weather. The weather and water conditions can vary greatly during the autumn months with hot weather and low water coupled with high water temperatures especially if we have an Indian summer. Conversely, it can be quite cool with regular spells of wind and rain and even night time frosts. The fish also start to become a bit more aggressive especially when they turn their thoughts towards spawning. At this time of year, full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well especially if conditions are more akin to the summer months.
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, colder water a sink tip or intermediate line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got 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 autumn period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there can be some large fish around towards the end of the season. Usually, a breaking strain of around fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the autumn months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well if river levels are low and temperatures are high. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. If there are frequent night time frosts and high water, tube flies of various lengths and weights may be the order of the day.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven feet 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 autumn months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive.
The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures are higher 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. In high cold water, it can often be more about fishing the lure that bit slower and at an adequate depth.
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 autumn months, good conditions arise on many beats for harling, especially in higher water. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practised at the beat ghillies discretion.
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