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(River Tay weekly report week ending 11th March 2023)
We have now moved into March and this is often when many anglers decide to pick up a rod for the first time this season. In March the days get notably longer, and the weather starts to improve. Usually more fresh fish start to enter many of Scotland’s salmon rivers including the Tay. Compared to January and February, salmon fishing in March can often be a much more pleasurable experience.
March heralds the beginning of the meteorological spring but no one told the weather gods that as we got a bitterly cold arctic blast from the north last week. In the Scottish Highlands, a temperature of minus 16 degrees Celsius was recorded on Wednesday night which made it the coldest night since 2010. It was dry and bright on many days with some snow showers. These fell mainly over higher ground but not exclusively. It felt raw in the northerly wind with hard night time frosts for many.
River levels were steady for most of the week and the Tay is currently running at a very low level for the time of year making it ideal fly fishing conditions on many beats. For anglers that braved the elements, some were rewarded handsomely with some fine Tay springers which was great to see. The quality of some of the fish caught last week was second to none. The water temperature last week was 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit which is 4.0 degrees Celsius.
It was a great start to the week on the River Tummel at Portnacraig. On Monday morning Mr Steve Watt caught a fine twenty one pounder on the spinner from the Portnacraig Bank. There was more action at Portnacraig on Tuesday this time for Mr Alun Williams when he landed a cracking eighteen pounder on the fly also from the Portnacraig Bank.
On Wednesday Mr Russ Paton enjoyed some great action at Portnacraig when he landed a fine fish weighing twenty pounds. The fish was caught on the fly from the Portnacraig bank in the afternoon. Well done Russ!
Mr Russ Paton with a dam cracker!
It was a super Saturday for Mr Ray Higney who caught a lovely springer from the Guay Pool at Dalguise. The fish took a Flying C lure. The was the first fish of the season caught from the beat. It was good to see both the Lower Kinnaird and Dalmarnock beats also produce fish last week.
Mr Ray Higney lands Dalguise silver on Saturday!
Visiting angler Mr Hasse Larsson from Sweden had a great time on Newtyle at the beginning of last week. Mr Larsson lost a good fish on Monday from the beat. Unfortunately, the feat was repeated on Tuesday morning. However later that day Mr Larsson was third time lucky when he landed a beautiful springer from the Steps Pool. Well done Sir!
.Mr Hasse Larsson with a lovely fish caught at Newtyle on Tuesday.
There was some lovely springers caught from the Murthly Beats last week including a cracking twenty five pounder from the Murthly 1 Beat on Saturday. This just goes to show the calibre of fish the Tay system is capable of producing on a regular basis at this time of year.
On Tuesday it was great to see Mr James Pinder getting his season off to a good start when he caught a lovely ten pounder from the Cradle at Cargill. This was Cargill’s first fish of the season and hopefully, there will be plenty more to come.
Mr James Pinder lands Cargill’s first fish of the season!
The Taymount Beat produced a nice fish on Monday. Mr Gary Bruce had a day to remember at Catholes on Tuesday. Mr Bruce hooked a powerful fish and after a long fight which included some powerful runs he went on to land a stunning twenty pounder. What a fish!
Mr Gary Bruce lands a cracking springer at Catholes on Tuesday
The Upper Scone Beat also produced a couple of nice fish on Monday. Mr Dave Downie from South Tyneside was the successful angler landing a fifteen and eight pounder. The fish were caught from Pitlochrie Pool in the morning and then Horsey in the afternoon. Two springers in a day can’t be bad! It is good to see the beats around Stanley enjoying a productive start to March.
There were also numerous other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Mr Dave Downie landed two springers at Upper Scone on Monday
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 11th March)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 3, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 2, Murthly 2, 1, Cargill 1, Taymount 1, Catholes 1, Upper Scone 2
Total:16 Largest: Murthly 1 25lbs
MILDER CONDITIONS IN THE WEEK AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 13th March 2023)
We got a bitterly cold arctic blast from the north last week. It was dry and bright on many days with some snow showers. These fell mainly over higher ground but not exclusively. It felt raw in the northerly wind with hard night time frosts for many. River levels were steady last week and akin to summer levels which made it perfect for fly fishing on many beats.
There were some fine spring salmon caught from the Tay system last week with the quality of fish landed second to none. As we move through March hopefully catches will continue to improve on the river as we enter the prime spring period on the river.
It was mainly dry on Saturday but on Saturday night some rain and snow pushed in from the west. Sunday saw temperatures rise and this was coupled with some rain which fell as snow on higher ground.
Looking ahead to next week, Monday will see showers or longer spells of rain affect many parts and it will feel milder than of late. On Tuesday the winds will swing back to a northerly direction leading to a return to colder conditions. There will be frequent wintry showers even down to lower levels. The colder weather is set to continue for much of the week with the chance of possibly some milder conditions developing into next weekend.
Catches on the river were well spread last week with some lovely springers being landed. On the main river, fish were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Upper Scone. The River Tummel also produced fish. It does now appear that the fish are gradually beginning to spread themselves throughout the system, so anywhere on the main river could produce that elusive springer next week. Loch Tay and the River Tummel could also be well worth considering.
With catches improving, will there be some more March magic in the days ahead? The only way to find out is by wetting a line on the mighty River Tay next week!
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)
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 before visiting the River Tay.
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 BRAVE ANGLERS BATTLE THE ELEMENTS AND SOME ARE REWARDED HANDSOMELY FOR THEIR EFFORTS! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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