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(River Tay weekly report week ending 23rd September 2023)
We have now moved into the middle of September and there are only three weeks of the Tay salmon fishing season remaining. It would be fair to say that it has been a tough season on many rivers across Scotland including the River Tay and the common consensus is that across the country there has been a distinct lack of fish this year. Hopefully, there will be some nice fish caught on the Tay system before the season finally draws to a close.
It was an unsettled week of weather last week with frequent spells of heavy rain and wind and this led to unsettled river levels, especially during the first half of the week. Heavy rain on Sunday and Monday led to a lift in water at the beginning of the week. On Tuesday night there was more heavy rain courtesy of ex Hurricane Lee and this led to a flood on Wednesday with river levels peaking on the Ballathie gauge at over ten feet. There was also a lot of colour that accompanied the lift in water on Wednesday and this made fishing a non-event for all intents and purposes. Fortunately during the second half of the week river levels gradually dropped and there was some decent sport to be had.
The river was very high and coloured on Wednesday
On the upper river, there was success at Upper Farleyer on Thursday. It was good to see a couple of fish caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat during the first half of the week as well as a fine brace landed on Friday. There was success at Dalguise and Dalmarnock last week. The Murthly 1 Beat produced four fish last week including three on Saturday.
Anglers fishing at Kercock enjoyed some good sport. There were a couple of fish landed from the beat on Monday with four more fish caught on Tuesday. The decent sport continued towards the end of the week. Successful anglers at Kercock included Mr Roddy Bramwell who had three fish up to fifteen pounds, two of the fish were caught on the old classic Silver Doctor salmon fly. Ms Tracey Wood landed a fine brace and Mr David Edwards caught his first ever salmon. Mr Keith Lovell, Mr Chris Tindall and Mr David Webster also got on to the scoresheet at Kercock last week.
The lift in the water seemed to do the trick at Meikleour. There were six fish landed from the beat on Monday and Tuesday. The good sport continued during the second half of the week and on Friday Mr Cahill caught his first ever salmon at Meikleour when he landed a fine thirteen pounder. Well done Sir, you never forget your first fish!
Mr Don Bell lands a nice fish at Cargill on Thursday
It was a happy Monday at Cargill with a total of six fish landed from the beat. Things got even better at Cargill on Tuesday when twelve fish were caught. Successful anglers during the first half of the week included Mr Jonathan McNeish amongst others. There was more good sport at Cargill on Thursday with ten fish landed as the water dropped and cleared. Mr Ian Irons and Mr Don Bell both caught nice fish in the morning. Mr Bell landed a magnificent fish weighing seventeen pounds.
A nice salmon caught at Cargill on Friday
On Thursday evening Cargill regular Mr Steve Curnow hooked into a powerful fish. Quite soon into the fight, it became apparent that the fish was a decent size. After several powerful runs, the fish was landed and tipped the scales at thirty pounds. This was a personal best for Mr Curnow and what a great achievement. It just goes to show why the River Tay has such a reputation for producing big fish! Cargill finished with thirty seven fish for the week
At Taymount there were some nice fish landed last week with fish caught on most days.
There were a couple of fish caught from Upper Scone during the first half of last week including a cracking salmon weighing twenty one pounds on Tuesday. It was good to see a fish caught from Benchil on Monday. At Upper Redgorton there were two nice fish landed from the beat on Saturday.
A lovely fish caught at Fishponds on Monday
At Fishponds it was a happy 60th birthday for angler Adrian from Canada when he caught a lovely fish from Hedge End on Monday. What a great way to celebrate a 60th birthday. Do birthday presents get any better than this?
Mr Alan Minnet also enjoyed success at Fishponds on Monday when he caught a nice fish from Cochrane’s. There were four more fish caught from the beat on Tuesday. On Thursday after a great fight, Mr Robert Harvey landed a cracking twenty one pounder at Fishponds from Lodge End on a Salmo lure. Mr Jim MacDonald caught a magnificent twenty two pounder from the Five Trees at Fishponds on Friday. Two twenty pounders at Fishponds in two days can’t be bad!
Mr Robert Harvey with a nice deep fish caught at Fishponds on Thursday
Further downstream there was a fish caught at Waulkmill on Thursday with a couple more landed on Friday.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Maybe a pattern to tempt a Tay salmon next week?
With only three weeks of the salmon fishing season remaining time is running out to land that final Tay salmon of the year, so why not have cast? Nothing beats landing a big Tay cracker!
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 23rd September 2023)
SALMON & GRILSE: Upper Farleyer 1, Lower Kinnaird 4, Dalguise 2, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 4, Kercock 10, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 8, Kethick Streams 3, Cargill 37, Taymount 9, Upper Scone 2, Benchil 1, Upper Redgorton 2, Fishponds 8, Waulkmill 3, Crieff Angling Club 4, Lochlane & Laggan 1
Total: 103 Largest: Cargill 30lbs
THREE WEEKS OF THE SEASON NOW REMAINING!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 25th September 2023)
It was an unsettled week of weather last week with frequent spells of heavy rain coupled with strong winds from time to time. This led to unsettled water levels, especially during the first half of the week. On Wednesday river levels peaked on the Ballathie Gauge at over ten feet with the river carrying a lot of colour. As the week progressed, river levels gradually dropped and fishing conditions became more favourable and anglers enjoyed some decent sport.
Over the weekend Saturday was mainly dry but there was more rain on Sunday. Looking ahead to next week the unsettled weather theme is set to continue with multiple low pressure systems set to race in from the Atlantic through the course of the week. This will bring spells of heavy rain and wind. Monday should be mainly dry apart from the odd shower. On Tuesday a band of heavy rain will spread east accompanied by a strengthening south westerly wind. The unsettled weather will continue for the rest of the week. It will feel mild with temperatures in the mid to high teens for most.
Last week there were fish caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill with the majority of fish caught on the lower river. There also were some nice fish caught from the River Tummel, Ericht and Earn with the lift in water helping.
The best chance of success next week is likely to be on beats situated on the middle and lower river. As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system in the upcoming days with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. So why not chase a big Tay salmon next week? With three weeks of the season remaining, you could have that day to remember!
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 autumn period (September and October)
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 autumn months, water temperatures usually begin to fall on the river but much depends on the weather. The weather and water conditions can vary greatly during the autumn months with hot weather and low water coupled with high water temperatures especially if we have an Indian summer. Conversely, it can be quite cool with regular spells of wind and rain and even night time frosts. The fish also start to become a bit more aggressive especially when they turn their thoughts towards spawning. At this time of year, full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well especially if conditions are more akin to the summer months.
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, colder water a sink tip or intermediate line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got 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 autumn period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there can be some large fish around towards the end of the season. Usually, a breaking strain of around fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the autumn months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well if river levels are low and temperatures are high. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. If there are frequent night time frosts and high water, tube flies of various lengths and weights may be the order of the day.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven feet 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 autumn months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive.
The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures are higher 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. In high cold water, it can often be more about fishing the lure that bit slower and at an adequate depth.
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 autumn months, good conditions arise on many beats for harling, especially in higher water. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practised at the beat ghillies discretion.
The post EX HURRICANE LEE, A THIRTY POUNDER AND THE PERFECT 60TH BIRTHDAY PRESENT! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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