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(River Tay weekly report week ending 30th September 2023)
We move into October next week and are now into the twilight of the 2023 Tay salmon fishing season. It was another week of unsettled weather and water levels last week. There was heavy rain last Sunday and this led to a lift in water at the beginning of last week. Indeed river levels on the Ballathie gauge peaked at over nine feet on Monday and the water was carrying a significant amount of colour, especially on the lower river. There was a further lift in water on Wednesday night as Storm Agnes, the first UK named storm of the autumn produced a spell of heavy rain and strong winds across Scotland. This led to river levels peaking on the Ballathie gauge at over ten feet. Despite the unsettled water it was good to see some nice fish caught from the Tay system last week. There were numerous fish weighing in excess of twenty pounds landed through the course of the week showing just why the River Tay has such a reputation for producing big fish.
On the upper river, there were some nice fish caught from both Farleyer beats last week. At Lower Bolfracks there was success on Monday and Friday. It was a productive first half of the week at Lower Kinnaird with five fish landed on the beat. It was good to see a fish caught at Dalguise on Wednesday with four more landed from the beat on Thursday. There were a couple of fish caught from the Dalmarnock Beat on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Dunkeld on Wednesday.
Mr Ian Duckitt lands a fine Kercock salmon on Saturday
Mr Lars Svendsen caught a nice fish in the Cotter Pool on the fly at Newtyle on Monday. Ms Ann Bennet also enjoyed success when she caught a fish from the Steps Pool. On Wednesday Mr Sergio Tavares caught nice fish on the fly from the Cotter Pool at Newtyle. On Thursday Mr Wayne Allen caught his first ever salmon also from the Cotter Pool at Newtyle. A magical moment that will live with Mr Allen forever!
Mr Lyall Dow lands his first ever salmon at Kercock
Both Murthly beats produced some nice fish last week including a magnificent twenty pounder caught from the Murthly 1 Beat on Tuesday. It was good to see a fish caught at Delvine & Burnbane on Saturday.
At Kercock anglers enjoyed some decent sport last week with some lovely fish landed. Successful anglers included Mr Ian Duckitt and Mr Scott Sykes amongst others. On Saturday Mr Lyall Dow caught his first ever salmon at Kercock. What a great moment for Mr Dow.
Mr Scott Sykes with a nice fish caught at Kercock
It was a happy Monday at Meikleour where a nice fish was caught from the beat at the start of the week. On Tuesday Mr Karl Goble caught a lovely nineteen pounder in the morning. There was also a nice eighteen pounder caught at Meikleour on Tuesday for angler Pete which was his first ever salmon. What a fish to get off the mark!
Playing a powerful salmon at Cargill
On Wednesday Mr Goble went one better when he landed a magnificent twenty five pounder from the Castle Pool and this smashed his previous personal best from the previous day. Meikleour finished with ten fish for the week.
A big Cargill salmon hits the net
Cargill has fished well in recent weeks producing some big fish and last week was no different. On Monday there were seven fish landed including a magnificent twenty one pounder. Successful anglers at Cargill on Monday included Mr Paul Crook amongst others. There were eleven fish landed from the beat on Tuesday. Successful anglers on Tuesday included Mr John Crook, Mr Jim Connel and Mr Lindsay Cripps. The good sport continued for the rest of the week at Cargill.
A deep Cargill salmon caught on Tuesday
Taymount finished with eleven fish for the week. It was good to see three fish caught from Upper Scone on Tuesday with another fish caught from the beat on Friday.
A nice fish is landed at Cargill
At Upper Redgorton there were a couple of fish caught from the beat on Wednesday with more success on Saturday. It was a happy Friday at Fishponds with three fish landed from the beat. There was good sport to be had for anglers at Waulkmill last week. The week got off to a flyer with eight fish landed from the beat on Monday and the decent sport continued as the week progressed. Waulkmill finished with twenty four fish for their week.
A nice deep Cargill salmon
There was also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
There are now only two weeks of the season remaining, so why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay? It could be the place to give you that season-ending fairy-tale!
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 30th September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 2, Lower Farleyer 2, Lower Bolfracks 3, Lower Kinnaird 6, Dalguise 7, Dalmarnock 3, Dunkeld 2, Newtyle 4, Murthly 1, 4, Murthly 2, 1, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 9, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 10, Cargill 41, Taymount 11, Upper Scone 4, Upper Redgorton 3, Fishponds 3, Waulkmill 24, Crieff Angling Club 2
Total: 142 Largest: Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 25lbs
TYPICAL AUTUMN FARE IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 2nd October 2023)
There are now only two weeks of the 2023 salmon fishing season remaining on the Tay so there will be some keen anglers looking forward to wetting a line for the final time this year. Hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had before the season finally draws to a close on the 15th of October.
It was another week of unsettled water levels with heavy rain last Sunday. River levels peaked on the Ballathie gauge at over nine feet on Monday. The rise in water was accompanied by a significant amount of colour, especially on the lower river. There was another flood on Thursday after Storm Agness battered Scotland.
Over the weekend there was some rain later on Saturday with some showers on Sunday. Looking ahead to next week Monday and Tuesday should be mainly dry apart from the odd shower. It will feel fresher on Tuesday in the north westerly wind. From midweek onwards there will be showers or longer spells of rain as low pressure influences our weather. So typical Scottish autumn fare!
Last week there were fish caught on the main river from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill with the bulk of the fish being caught from the beats situated on the middle and lower river. It was good to see that several twenty pounders were landed from the river. Probably the best chance of a fish next week would be on any of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability next week on some famous Tay beats so why not book a day? There is no better way to end the season on a high, than landing a big Tay salmon!
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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