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(River Tay weekly report week ending 22nd April 2023)
We are now moving towards the end of April and there has been very little rainfall across Scotland over the past week. Indeed, away from the east coast where on some days stubborn haar and low cloud took time to clear it felt positively spring like with temperatures in the mid-teens. The reason for all the fine and settled weather this week has been courtesy of a large area of high pressure centred over Scandinavia. The water temperature last week was 43.5 degrees Fahrenheit which is 6.4 degrees Celsius.
Mr Steven McLaren lands his first salmon on the fly at Portnacraig!
On the upper river, there were fish caught on the Upper Farleyer and Upper Kinnaird beats amongst others last week.
On the River Tummel at Portnacraig there were three fish caught on Thursday. Mr Steven McLaren got proceedings underway when he caught a fine fourteen pounder from the Piltochry bank. This was Mr Mclaren’s first salmon on the fly and what a great achievement. Well done Sir!
Mr John Muir with a stunning twenty two pounder caught at Portnacraig on Thursday
Next on the scoresheet at Portnacraig was Mr John Muir when he caught a magnificent twenty two pounder also from the Pitlochry bank. Last but not least Mr Ally Gowans got in on the act when he landed a seven pounder from the Portnacraig bank. All in all, a great day’s sport at Portnacraig. Further downstream on the River Tummel it was good to see the first fish caught from the Sawmill Beat when Mr Paul Carter caught a lively nine pounder on the fly. Mr John Muir was back in the action again on Friday at Portnacraig when he caught a lively sea liced seven pounder on the fly.
Mr John Muir lands a nice springer at Portnacraig on Friday
It was good to see a fish caught at Dalguise on Saturday and there was a fish caught from the Dalmarnock Beat on Thursday.
Mr Ian Clulow had a super Saturday at Dunkeld. Mr Clulow was fishing the Lady Pool when he got a savage take. After a good fight, Mr Clulow went on to land a fine ten pounder. This was Mr Clulow’s first ever salmon. Well done, you never forget your first!
Mr Clulow lands his first ever salmon at Dunkeld
It was a magical Monday and a day to remember for Mr Alan Coats who was fishing at Newtyle. Mr Coats has been salmon fishing for forty years and was fly fishing the Deans Burn. Mr Coats got a solid take and after a great fight went on to land his first salmon in 40 years. To top it all off it was Mr Coats 57th birthday on Monday. It was probably the best birthday present Mr Coats has had in forty years. Well done Sir and happy birthday!
Mr Alan Coats lands his first salmon in 40 years on his birthday at Newtyle
There was a fish caught from the Murthly 1 Beat on Monday and one from the Murthly 2 Beat on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mr Stuart Lang caught a nice fish at Glendelvine on Wednesday.
It was good to see some success on the River Isla last week with fish caught on both the West Grange and Kethick Streams beats. In actual fact the West Grange Beat produced three fish on Thursday.
Mr Stuart Lang lands Glendelvine silver!
The Meikleour & Upper Islamouth Beat has produced some nice fish in recent weeks and Tuesday was no different when a lovely springer was caught from the beat with a couple more landed on Friday. Further downstream it was good to see a fish caught from the Taymount Beat on Tuesday.
On Monday Mr Jim MacDonald was fishing on the Fishponds Beat on his wedding anniversary. Mr MacDonald was fly fishing the Five Trees when he got a good take. After a great battle, Mr MacDonald went on to land a lovely fresh ten pounder. This now gave Mr MacDonald a reel conundrum, away fishing on his wedding anniversary… salmon caught… what was he going to get his wife on the way home?
Mr Jim MacDonald lands a lovely ten pounder from Fishponds on Monday.
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 towards 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 anglers will enjoy good sport in the days ahead. There is some decent availability on the river next week with salmon fishing to suit all tastes. So why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most prolific salmon rivers in the upcoming days? You might just end April on a high!
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 23rd April 2023)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 2, Lower Farleyer 1, Upper Kinnaird 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 5, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 2, Glendelvine 1, West Grange 6, Kethick Streams 2, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 3, Taymount 1, Fishponds 1
Total:31 Largest: Portnacraig Pitlochry 22lbs
WINTER BITES BACK!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 25th April 2023)
Courtesy of a large area of high pressure centred over Scandinavia the weather was mainly dry and settled last week. It felt spring like on some days away from the east where stubborn haar and low cloud took time to clear. It also felt much cooler towards the east. Over the weekend it has been mainly dry apart from a few showers and it has started to feel cooler as a north-easterly airflow has developed.
Looking ahead to next week the cooler theme looks set to continue as it appears that winter will bite back. There will be a cool and brisk northerly wind on Monday and Tuesday feeding in frequent showers and these could fall as snow over higher ground. It should be drier through the middle part of the week. Towards next weekend it is set to get milder with some rain possible.
There were more stunning spring salmon caught from the Tay system last week and a number of these were sea liced which was great to see. Fish entering the river seem to be running hard with sea liced fish being caught regularly on the middle river. Catches on the system were well spread last week from Upper Farleyer down to Fishponds. The River Tummel continues to fish well especially at Portnacraig. It was also good to see anglers have success on the River Isla through the course of last week. The number of fish entering the Tay system and heading for one of the many tributaries should continue to increase in the upcoming weeks so hopefully, there will be some decent sport to be had. There is a good chance of catching 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!
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 FIRST FISH, THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT IN FORTY YEARS AND A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY SALMON CAUSES A REEL CONUNDRUM! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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