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(River Tay weekly report week ending 29th April 2023)
We move into May next week which can be a prime month for spring salmon fishing on the middle River Tay. Usually at this time of year, runs of spring fish heading for the River Tummel and Lyon, peak as well as fish running up the main Tay system. Hopefully, there will be some decent sport to be had for anglers as we move through May.
It was a bit of a shock to the system weather wise last week as we all got lulled into a false sense of security that spring had finally sprung as during the previous week on some days the sun was shining and it felt glorious. As we all know April can be a fickle month and this proved to be the case last week as we got a taste of winter. Northerly winds brought a bitingly cold wind and this was coupled with snow showers over the hills. At times it felt raw. As the week progressed gradually temperatures rose and it started to feel more spring like once again. The water temperature last week 42.6 degrees Fahrenheit which is 5.9 degrees Celsius.
Mr Grant Tigwell lands a lovely fish from Loch Tay
It was the end of an era on Loch Tay last week for Mr Grant Tigwell. Mr Tigwell moved to Killin in 1998 and his love for fishing drew him to Loch Tay. In 2006 his company Loch Tay Fish N’ Trips was founded and Mr Tigwell ghillied on the loch until the present day. Mr Tigwell caught many of his clients some wonderful fish including two fish weighing over thirty pounds. All good things have to come to an end and Mr Tigwell has decided to swap Killin for warmer climes. On Tuesday Mr Tigwell had a fitting farewell when he landed his last salmon from Loch Tay. We would like to wish Mr Tigwell good luck in his move and thank him for all the wonderful memories he has been a part of on Loch Tay over the years.
Mr Graeme MacPhee lands his first ever salmon at Edradynate
On the upper river, it was a day to remember for Mr Graeme MacPhee who fishing the Edradynate Beat on Tuesday. Mr MacPhee was fishing the Church Pool when he got a solid take. After a good fight, Mr MacPhee went on to land his first ever salmon a stunning springer weighing eight pounds. Well done Sir! There were also fish caught from both Farleyer beats on the upper river last week which was good to see.
At Portnacraig on the River Tummel Mr Steve Watt caught a nice fifteen pounder on Monday from the Pitlochry bank. On Wednesday Mr Jim Fisher caught a fine nine pounder at Portnacraig from the Pitlochry bank. On Saturday Mr Allan Nicoll landed a nice sea liced springer from Portnacraig.
Mr Alan Nicoll lands a nice fish frpm Portnacraig on Saturday
It was good to see fish caught from Lower Kinnaird through the middle part of last week including a twenty pounder on Thursday and there was success at Dalguise on Wednesday with a fish also being caught at Dalmarnock on Friday.
A lovely Dunkeld springer caught on Monday
There was a lovely springer caught from the Lady Pool at Dunkeld on Monday weighing twelve pounds.
A fine fish caught at Newtyle on Monday
It was good to see a couple of fish caught from Newtyle on Monday. Both Murthly beats produced some lovely fish last week including a twenty two pounder caught from Murthly 1 on Monday.
Mr Ernie O Donnell lands a fabulous springer from Kercock
There were some happy faces at Kercock last week. Mr Ernie O Donnell caught a fine eighteen pounder and Mr John Laybourn landed a fine brace weighing ten and fourteen pounds. The fish were caught on a Posh Tosh and a Red Francis.
Mr John Laybourn lands Kercock silver
The Meikleour Beat has fished well in recent weeks and it was a happy Monday on the beat when two fish were caught on the fly. The fish were caught from the Castle and House Pool. One of the successful anglers had never fished before and so landed his first ever salmon. On Wednesday Mr Craig Foster caught a magnificent twenty two pounder from Meikleour on the fly. The fish gave a great account of itself.
A nice fish caught at Meikleour on Monday
It was a fantastic Friday for Mr Mick Lynch who caught a magnificent eighteen pounder at Cargill. I think the smile says it all! It was good to see a fish caught from the Taymount Beat on Tuesday.
There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
We are now moving into what should be traditionally the prime spring period for many beats on the River Tay. With some cracking spring salmon being landed from the Tay system last week, there is every chance that more nice fish will be caught in the days ahead.
Mr Mick Lynch with a Cargill sparkler!
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 29th April)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Loch Tay Fish n’ Trips 1, Edradynate 1, Farleyer Upper 2, Farleyer Lower 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 3, Lower Kinnaird 2, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld House 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 3, Murthly 2, 6, Kercock 3, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 3, Cargill 1, Taymount 1
Total: 34 Largest: Murthly 1 & Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 22lbs
SOME MAY MAGIC IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 1st May 2023)
The vagaries of the Scottish weather were highlighted in spectacular fashion last week with cold temperatures, northerly winds and snow showers over higher ground. This was in stark contrast to the previous week which felt positively spring like at times with cloudless blue skies and sparkling sunshine. It has been mainly dry over the weekend and river levels have been steady.
Looking ahead to next week high pressure is set to build bringing dry and settled weather for much of the week. Winds should be light with temperatures in low double figures.
Last week there were fish caught from Edradynate on the upper river down to Taymount, so catches were well spread on the Tay system. There was also success on Loch Tay as well as the River Tummel. Many of the fish caught last week were sea liced and this would indicate that as the water temperature gradually rises the fish are running hard upstream.
There is a good chance of a springer anywhere on the Tay system next week as catches in recent days would suggest. So why not book a day on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beat’s landing that big Tay springer and making a magical start to May!
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 END OF AN ERA ON LOCH TAY AND FIRST SALMON! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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