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(River Tay weekly report week ending 19th August 2023)
The vast majority of the Scottish public will have been disappointed with the weather on offer during the summer months especially in July and during the first half of August but the anglers amongst us have been happy. Thankfully there has been no prolonged heatwave since June and this coupled with some spells of heavy rain has helped to sustain river levels. We have to thank a helpful Jetstream for the recent favourable weather conditions as it has dived much further south than normal and so we have enjoyed cooler and wetter weather over the past few weeks.
A nice grilse being returned at Dalguise
Last week was no different as the week started on an unsettled note with low pressure in charge. There were frequent showers on Monday and this led to a lift in water at the start of the week. As the week progressed it turned more settled and warmer. However, there was another spell of wet weather on Friday night going into Saturday as Storm Betty produced a spell of heavy rain coupled with strong winds. This led to a rising river on Saturday.
It was great to see anglers on the Tay system landing some hard fighting grilse and larger summer salmon last week. The quality of some of the fish landed was second to none and many were sea liced. The water temperature last week was 15.9 degrees Celsius which is 60.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the upper river, there were fish caught from both the Lower Bolfracks and Edradynate beats on Friday. On the middle river, there was a fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Tuesday and immediately downstream there was success at Dalguise on Wednesday where a lovely grilse weighing eight pounds was caught from the tail of the Bridge Pool. It was good to see a fish caught from the Dalmarnock Beat on Monday.
Mr Stuart Viver lands his first ever salmon at Cargill
Mr Graeme Raffen was fishing at Newtyle Friday when he hooked a good fish in the Boil on the fly. After a great fight, the fish was duly netted by beat ghillie Mr David Gardner. Unfortunately, whilst the fish was being unhooked in the net the camera shy salmon did not want to hang around to get its picture taken and swam away strongly!
Mr Alan Lunardi doing battle with a Tay salmon at Cargill
There were a couple of fish caught at Murthly 2 on Tuesday. The decent sport continued on the Murthly 2 Beat with some nice fish landed through the course of last week. The Murthly 2 Beat finished with seven fish for the week. There was a fine brace caught at Kercock on Monday. Mr Phil Hampson caught a lovely fish on the fly on Friday at Kercock. On Saturday despite a rising river at Kercock Mr Scott Sykes decided to persevere with the fly and caught two cracking fish. It was a well-earned fly caught double for Mr Sykes. At Meikleour there were a couple of nice fish caught on Wednesday and Thursday as well as a fish landed from the beat on Saturday.
A lovely fresh grilse caught at Cargill on Monday
It was a great start to the week at Cargill with four fish landed from the beat on Monday. Mr Stuart Viver had a day to remember when he caught his first ever salmon on his first day salmon fishing. Well done Sir, you never forget your first! Other successful anglers at Cargill on Monday included Mr Frank Minopro and Mr Alan Lunardi. The good sport continued at Cargill as the week progressed with some fine fish landed.
A fresh grilse caught at Cargill on Thursday
On Tuesday Mr David Sands caught a lovely fresh fish from the Cradle. This was also a magnificent seventeen pounder caught from Cargill on the same day. Mr Ian Irons and Mr Steve Curnow enjoyed success last week at Cargill as well as many other anglers.
Mr William Sinclare lands a fine fish at Cargill on Friday.
The Taymount Beat produced some nice fish on most days including an eighteen pounder on Friday and finished with fourteen fish for the week.
At Upper Scone, there were some nice fish landed during the first half of the week and the decent sport continued as the week progressed.
Ms Wendy Box lands a lovely fresh grilse at Benchil on Wednesday
Ms Wendy Box caught a lovely fresh grilse on the fly on Wednesday at Benchil. The fish was caught from the Long Shot. Next on the scoresheet at Benchil on Wednesday was Mr Steve Peck who caught a nice grilse on the fly also from the Long Shot.
Mr Steve Peck with a Benchil cracker!
It was good to see a fish caught at Upper Redgorton on Wednesday. There was some lovely fresh grilse caught at Fishponds on Tuesday and Wednesday. The successful anglers included Chris from Signature Golf and Colin Whighton.
A lovely fresh grilse caught at Fishponds
Anglers at Waulkmill enjoyed some good sport towards the end of the week with six fish caught on Friday from the beat as well as a couple on Saturday.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on many beats and the prospects for the next few days look reasonable after the lift in water. So why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? You might just have that day to remember!
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 19th August)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Lower Bolfracks 1, Edradynate 1, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 2, 7, Kercock 5, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 3, Kethick Streams 1, Cargill 23, Taymount 14, Upper Scone 8, Benchil 2, Upper Redgorton 1, Fishponds 2, Luncarty 1, Waulkmill 11
Total: 84 Largest: Taymount 18lbs
WILL CATCHES IMPROVE AS WE MOVE THROUGH AUGUST?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 21st August 2023)
There were some fine fish caught from the river last week including a number weighing in the high teens of pounds. In addition to this, there were also some nice hard fighting fresh grilse landed and hopefully, this is a sign of things to come. It will be interesting to see whether catches will improve as we move through August. Anglers will certainly have their fingers crossed that this is the case.
In terms of the weather, there was some rain at the beginning of last week and this led to a lift in water and then it became drier but there was further rain on Friday night going into Saturday courtesy of Storm Betty. This led to a decent lift in water on Saturday. The showery cool theme has continued over the weekend.
Looking ahead to next week, the weather will continue to be unsettled as low pressure continues to dominate. Throughout the week there will be scattered showers or longer spells of rain. Temperatures will be mostly in the high teens.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting fresh grilse, with many being sea liced. Salmon were caught from Lower Bolfracks down to Waulkmill which shows that there are fish well spread throughout the system. As we move through August the beats located on the lower river should come into their own. Traditionally this is when the beats in this area of the river start to produce larger numbers of fish on a more consistent basis. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is good availability next week on some very famous and prolific beats, so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? You might just get a twenty pounder coming your way!
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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