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(River Tay weekly report week ending 3rd June 2023)
We have now moved into June which heralds the beginning of the summer salmon fishing season across Scotland. In the next few weeks, grilse and summer salmon will hopefully start running our rivers in ever-increasing numbers. Summer is a fantastic time of year to be out in the great Scottish outdoors. The leaves on the trees are green and vibrant and there are signs of life everywhere you look. The longer nights at this time of year also offer more angling opportunities with evening fishing becoming possible. In addition to salmon fishing, June and July can also be good months for Sea trout fishing. Traditionally the runs of Sea trout peak within the next six weeks and a nice hard fighting sea trout can brighten up any angler’s day, especially if the salmon are playing hard to get!
A magnificent summer scene at Cargill
It certainly felt like summer last week across much of Scotland including Perthshire as high pressure brought settled weather across the region. It was bright and sunny for the most part with variable amounts of cloud. As the week progressed it did get a little cooler close to the east coast with some low cloud and haar making fishing conditions a little more conducive. Winds were light and temperatures rose to the mid-twenties in some spots during the early part of the week. This coupled with the low river levels made salmon fishing testing to say the least. The water temperature last week was 9.8 degrees Celsius which is 49.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the upper river, the Upper Farleyer Beat has produced some nice fish in recent weeks and this trend continued when fresh Tay silver was landed from the beat on Wednesday. It was a fantastic Friday at Lower Kinnaird when a couple of nice fish were landed from the beat including a fine ten pounder. It was a good start to the week at Loch Faskally when a fish was caught on Monday.
Mr Ian Mawby enjoys success at Newtyle
Mr Ian Mawby caught a lovely fish from the Cotter Pool at Newtyle on Friday. It was good to see a fish caught from the Murthly 2 Beat on Tuesday. The fish weighed in at ten pounds. There was also a nice twelve pounder caught from the beat on Saturday. At Kercock there was a cracking fourteen pounder caught on Thursday.
There was a fine brace landed from Cargill on Tuesday. Mr Matt Mott was one of the successful anglers at Cargill when he caught a sparkling fresh fish from the Cradle in bright sunshine and cloudless skies. This just goes to show there are no rules when it comes to salmon fishing! Further downstream there was a lovely ten pounder caught at Benchil on Friday.
There was also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Mr Matt Mott with a nice fish caught at Cargill on Tuesday
There were some nice fish caught from the Tay system last week despite the bright hot conditions. Let us hope that summer salmon and grilse start to make an appearance in decent numbers in the upcoming weeks, so anglers stand the best chance of making contact with some Tay summer silver.
Maybe a pattern to tempt a Tay salmon next week?
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 (week ending 3rd June)
(For beats reporting on Fishpal only)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Loch Faskally 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 2, 2, Kercock 1, Cargill 2, Taymount 1, Benchil 1
Total:12 Largest: Kercock 14lbs
MORE DRY WEATHER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 5th June 2023)
It felt like summer last week across much of Perthshire as high pressure brought settled weather across the region. It was bright and sunny for the most part with variable amounts of cloud. Winds were light and temperatures rose to the mid-twenties in some spots. On some days, it was a little cooler, especially towards the end of the week close to the east coast. The hot bright weather coupled with the low river levels made salmon fishing testing to say the least last week.
It was another disappointing week of catches on the Tay system. It would be fair to say the bright conditions did not help but the common consensus is that there has been a distinct lack of fish during the spring. This is not the case just on the River Tay but on many rivers across Scotland this season. Hopefully, the summer season will prove to be more productive in the upcoming weeks.
Looking ahead to the weather next week it appears high pressure will be centred to the north of the UK bringing largely dry and settled conditions. There will be variable amounts of cloud and winds for the most part will be light. There is the chance of some haar and low cloud from time to time towards the east coast. Temperatures will be in the high teens or low twenties for the most part.
Last week, fish were caught on the Tay system from Upper Farleyer down to Taymount. There was also success on Loch Faskally. Some of the fish caught were sea liced indicating that the fish entering the system were running hard. Hopefully grilse and summer salmon will start to run the system in reasonable numbers in the upcoming weeks. There is a chance of picking up a fresh fish anywhere on the main river next week. As always, the River Tay offers anglers fantastic value for money with a wide range of salmon fishing to suit all tastes. There is decent availability in the upcoming days on some fantastic beats, so why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most famous and iconic salmon rivers? There could be a big Tay salmon with your name on it!
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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