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(River Tay weekly report week ending 1st April 2023)
We have now moved into April and are entering what should be the prime spring period on the Tay system for many beats, especially on the middle river. In the next few weeks, the number of fish heading up the main river should increase as well as the number of fish running the Lyon, Tummel and Isla. This should give anglers a great chance of some good sport.
It was bright, cold and in some places a frosty start to the week on Monday but from Tuesday onwards the weather turned more unsettled. There were frequent showers or longer spells of rain as low pressure started to dominate the weather. From midweek onwards it felt much milder and by Thursday temperatures in some parts of Perthshire were in the mid-teens. The water temperature last week was around 4.0 degrees Celsius which is 39.2 Fahrenheit.
In recent weeks there have been several big fish caught consistently from the Tay system. With numerous fish being landed above the twenty pounds mark and one over the magical thirty pound mark earlier in the month. Last week this trend continued with fish in the high teens landed as well as a fish weighing twenty seven pounds and a fish of twenty four pounds. It just goes to show why the Tay has such a reputation for being a “big fish” river. Hopefully, this trend will continue as we move through April and into May.
A nice fish caught on Loch Tay on Thursday
It was good to see the Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips team get off the mark for the season on Thursday. The team had already lost a few fish this season but finally one stuck on. Successful angler Brad was a happy man! The following day Mr Liam Campbell caught a lovely sixteen pounder from the loch when he was fishing with the Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips team.
A beautiful springer caught by Alun Williams at Portnacraig
On the River Tummel, there was success at Portnacraig on Tuesday. Mr Alun Williams caught a stunning springer weighing twenty four pounds on the fly from the Pitlochry bank. Next on the scoresheet was Mr Ally Gowans who caught a ten pounder on the fly this time from Portnacraig bank. A good day’s sport all around. There were two more springers caught from the Portnacraig on Wednesday.
Mr Ally Gowans cathces a lovely springer at Portnacraig on Friday
On Friday Mr Dave Stewart had a nice eight pounder on the fly from Portnacraig. Shortly afterwards Mr Ally Gowans struck silver when he caught a nine pounder on the fly. Both fish were caught from the Portnacraig bank.
Stunning spring silver caught at Dunkeld at Tuesday
There was a nice fish caught at Dalmarnock on Saturday. It was great to see a couple of fish caught from the Gauge Pool at Dunkeld on Tuesday. One of the fish caught tipped the scales at twenty pounds.
A lovely fish caught at Dunkeld
There was more success at Dunkeld on Wednesday when Mr Brian Joseph caught a lovely sea liced nine pounder from the Gauge Pool.
Mr Brian Joseph with a nice fish caught at Dunkeld on Wednesday
The Dunkeld Beat produced another fish on Thursday this time from the Ferry Pool weighing eleven pounds. Four springers in three days is a great result for the Dunkeld Beat.
A magnificent spring salmon caught from the Ferry Pool at Dunkeld on Thursday
At Newtyle Mr Lynn Means was harling the Plain Trees Pool on Tuesday when he got a powerful take. What ensued was a monumental battle during which the fish tried to leave the pool three times. After numerous powerful runs, a magnificent twenty seven pounder was landed. The fish was caught on a pink Tomic lure.
Mr Lynn Means with a Newtyle cracker caught on Tuesday
Mr Ben Drew caught the second fish of the day at Newtyle when he landed a lovely silver bullet from the Cotter Pool.
Mr Ben Drew lands the second springer of the day at Newytle
It was a great start to the week on the Murthly beats. There was a fish caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Monday and a couple more on Tuesday. There was also success on the Murthly 1 Beat on Tuesday.
A fine springer caught by Mr Jim Ferrie at Delvine
It was a super Saturday for Mr Jim Ferrie. Mr Ferrie was fishing the Devine & Burnbane Beat when he caught a cracking sixteen pounder from Sparrowmuir on a Vision 110 lure. Well done Sir!
It was a fantastic Friday for Mr Martin Moyers who was fishing the Meikleour Beat. Mr Moyers landed a fin perfect springer above the bridge in the afternoon which was great to see.
Mr Martin Moyers enjoys success at Meikleour on Friday!
There was more success for Mr Moyers on Saturday at Meikleour when landed a fine sea liced eight pounder. All in all, great sport at Meikleour!
There were three fish caught from the Taymount Beat on Tuesday. Three springers in one day from the same beat is good sport in anyone’s book! There was another fish caught from the beat on Thursday.
There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
More Meikleour silver caught on Saturday!
It was encouraging to see so many larger fish caught from the Tay system last week. As we move through April the number of fish entering the Tay system and heading for one of the many tributaries should continue to increase. This is in addition to the fish running the main river. Anglers should therefore stand a decent chance of hooking the ultimate prize in our sport a hard fighting spring salmon and there is no better place to do this than on the mighty River Tay.
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 1st April)
SALMON & GRILSE: Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 6, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 4, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 3, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 2, Kethcik Mains 1, Taymount 4
Total:27 Largest: Newtyle 27lbs
MORE TWENTY POUNDERS AS WE MOVE TOWARDS EASTER WEEKEND?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 3rd April 2023)
April can be a prime time of year on the River Tay on many beats for spring salmon fishing and last week there were more stunning springers landed from the Tay. There currently seems to be a few fish in the system. These fish will be joined by more fresh fish entering the system on a daily basis, so anglers stand a decent chance of making contact with that elusive springer.
Last week saw quite unsettled conditions predominate after a dry and cold start. As the week progressed there were frequent showers or longer spells of rain. It also felt quite mild. Over the weekend it has been mainly dry apart from the odd shower but there has been a nagging easterly wind.
Looking ahead to next week Monday should be mainly dry. There is a chance of a few showers on Tuesday. As we move deeper into the week and towards easter weekend it looks like high pressure will build leading to mainly dry and settled conditions. Temperatures will be in the low to mid-teens.
It was nice to see anglers enjoying some good sport last week on the Tay system with several big fish landed including at least three over the magical twenty pounds mark. Hopefully, there will be more twenty pounders caught as we move towards easter weekend. Catches were well spread from Loch Tay down to Taymount on the main river. The River Tummel continued its recent run of good form producing springers on a regular basis with the Portnacraig Beat being productive once again. Realistically there is a good chance of landing a fresh fish anywhere on the Tay system in the upcoming days.
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)
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 BIG FISH CONSISTENTLY BEING CAUGHT FROM THE TAY SYSTEM! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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