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(River Tay weekly report week ending 8th July 2023)
We are now moving towards the middle of July and are in the height of the Scottish summer. Thankfully compared to the previous week, the weather last week was much more favourable to anglers although it became quite warm and humid towards the end of the week and into the weekend. The river remains low but there was a lift in water on Friday of around two feet which helped freshen conditions.
Catches improved on the Tay last week and it appears that the summer run is now beginning to gain momentum which is welcome news for anglers. The quality of the fish caught last week was second to none with some lovely fresh grilse caught as well as larger summer salmon which was good to see. The water temperature last week was 58.6 degrees Fahrenheit which is 14.8 degrees Celsius.
It has been a quiet few weeks at Portnacraig on the River Tummel with the lack of water proving to be a real issue. However, Mr John Muir decided to wet a line on Monday and was rewarded for his efforts when he landed a lively fish on the fly from the Pitlochry Bank.
Mr Ronnie Blair lands a Dunkeld sparkler on Wednesday!.
On the middle river, there was a fish caught on both Tuesday and Wednesday last week at Lower Kinnaird. There was success at Dalguise and Dalmarnock on Wednesday. The Dalmarnock Beat produced another fish on Thursday. It was a good start to the week at Dunkeld where a nice fish was landed on Monday. Mr Ronnie Blair had a day to remember at Dunkeld on Wednesday when he landed two fish including a stunning fifteen pounder. Both were very fresh and put up a great tussle. There were two more fish caught from the Dunkeld Beat on Friday including a lovely fourteen pounder.
A lovely fish caught at Dunkeld on Friday
There was success at Newtyle on Thursday. It was good to see a fine brace landed from the Murthly 2 Beat on Tuesday with another fish caught from the beat on Wednesday and Thursday. The Murthly 2 Beat finished with eight fish for the week.
Mr Jim MacDonald banished away those Monday morning blues at Delvine when he caught a lovely twelve pounder from Sparrowmuir on a Vision 110 lure. There were also a couple of decent fish lost at the net from the beat on Monday.
A cracking fish landed from the Kercock Beat
At Kercock there were some nice fish caught last week. Mr Damien Lawless from Ireland landed three crackers and Mr Scott Sykes also enjoyed some good sport. It was a happy Monday for Mr Hampel who was fishing at Meikleour. Mr Hampel was able to tempt a lovely sea liced seven pounder. The fish was caught from Boxwood Bush. There were three more fish caught at Meikleour towards the end of the week.
Mr Hampel lands Meikleour silver on Monday!
The Cargill Beat has fished well in recent weeks and last week was no different with anglers enjoying some good sport. On Monday Mr Wayne Cronshaw caught a nice fish and Mr Iain Jardine landed a lovely fifteen pounder. There was a total of three fish caught from the beat on Monday.
Magnificent Cargill silver caught on Wednesday!
On Tuesday Mr David Cronshaw caught a fine fish on the fly on his first cast of the day and Mr Iain Jardine was back in action landing a nice fresh salmon. Mr Keith Schofield who is eighty years young caught a lovely fish on the fly at Cargill on Wednesday. It just goes to show life on the River Tay can start at eighty!
The Taymount Beat finished with ten fish for the week.
A lovely fresh fish caught at Cargill on Thursday.
Further downstream Mr Robert White caught a nice fresh grilse on the fly at Pitlochrie on Saturday. It was good to see fish caught at Upper Scone as well as Waulkmill through the course of last week. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come as we move through July and into August for beats situated at the lower end of the river.
Mr Robert White playing a fish at Pitlochrie 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.
We are now moving towards what should be the prime summer period on the Tay system. With each tide, more fresh fish should be entering the river and hopefully, this will ensure good sport for anglers in the weeks ahead.
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 8th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Portnacraig 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 5, Newtyle 1, Murthly 2, 8, Glendelvine 1, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 5, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 4, Cargill 12, Taymount 10, Pitlochrie 1, Upper Scone 2, Waulkmill 3,
Total: 59 Largest: Cargill 16lbs
MORE UNSETTLED WEATHER IN THE WEEK AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 10th July 2023)
The weather was much more favourable to anglers especially at the start of last week with cooler temperatures although it was windy on Monday. It became quite warm and humid towards the end of the week and into the weekend. There was a lift in water of around two feet on Friday after rain on Thursday night and this helped freshen conditions.
Looking ahead to next week the weather is set to remain unsettled with low pressure firmly in charge. There will be frequent showers or longer spells of rain. Monday and Tuesday will be showery with a more prolonged spell of rain likely on Tuesday. The unsettled theme will continue during the second half of the week with more showers. It is also set to get cooler with temperatures in the mid to high teens.
Catches improved on the Tay last week and it appears that the summer run is now beginning to gain momentum which is welcome news for anglers. The quality of the fish caught last week was second to none with some lovely fresh grilse caught as well as larger summer salmon which was good to see.
Over the next few weeks more and more fresh fish should enter the river. Hopefully, this will ensure good sport for anglers in the days and weeks ahead. The fish caught last week were a mixture of hard fighting fresh grilse and larger summer salmon and many of these were sea liced which was good to see. There were also some nice Sea trout caught which is always a welcome bonus especially if the salmon fishing is proving tough.
Fish were caught last week from Lower Kinnaird down to Waulkmill on the main river. Probably the best chance of landing a Tay silver bullet next week would be on the beats located on the middle and lower river.
With beats on the River Tay offering fantastic value for money compared to many other rivers across Scotland, why not wet a line next week? Nothing quite beats landing some Tay summer silver!
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.
The post CATCHES IMPROVE ON THE TAY AS THE SUMMER RUN BEGINS TO GAIN MOMENTUM! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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