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(River Tay weekly report week ending 2nd September 2023)
We have now moved into September and this can potentially be a productive month on many of Scotland’s salmon rivers including the mighty Tay. Looking around us, the landscape is changing. The leaves on the trees are gradually transforming from bright, vibrant greens to pale yellows. On the moorland, the heather is blossoming into colour. The geese are returning to our shores once again having made their annual migration and the days are drawing shorter, with the nights getting a little cooler and longer. This can only mean one thing; the changing of the seasons, as we move from summer to autumn.
Traditionally the 1st of September marks the beginning of the autumn fishing period and soon the summer season will be a distant memory. Usually, autumn is when the numbers of salmon in our Scottish rivers peak and there is a chance of making big catches. Hopefully, the next few weeks will prove to be a productive time on the Tay system with plenty of anglers getting their rods bent.
A harvest moon which in the past would mark the start of the autumn run
Last week we witnessed the harvest moon. This is historically when big tides would signal the start of the autumn run on the River Tay. Unfortunately, these days, very few genuine clean autumn fishing are running our Scottish rivers but as anglers, we can live in hope.
After the unsettled water during the previous week thankfully river levels were steady last week. There was very little rainfall and the winds were generally light.
On the Upper river, there was a fish caught at Upper Kinnaird on Wednesday. It was good to see the Lower Kinnaird Beat produce some nice fish last week with fish caught on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There was a magnificent seventeen pounder caught at Dalguise on Saturday. Both the Dalmarnock and Newtyle beats also produced fish on Saturday.
A grilse caught at Delvine on Tuesday
The Murthly beats have produced some cracking fish in recent weeks and last week was no different with anglers enjoying some reasonable sport. There were fish caught every day during the first half of the week on the Murthly 2 Beat. On Monday there was a grilse caught at Delvine from the Burnbane Pool weighing five pounds. The fish was caught on a Vision110 lure.
A delighted Mr Peter Rickhauss with Kercock Head Ghillie Mr Gary Harkin
It was a day to remember for Mr Peter Rickhuss at Kercock on Tuesday. Mr Rickhuss was using his own tied fly similar to a Cascade tube when he hooked a nice fish. After a great fight, Mr Rickhuss went on to land a lovely fresh grilse. This was the first salmon Mr Rickhuss has caught on one of his own creations. What a great achievement!
A sparkling grilse caught at Kercock on Wednesday
On Saturday Mr Scott Sykes was fishing at Kercock and had a great day landing three lovely fish including a magnificent sixteen pounder. Three salmon in one day is great sport in anyone’s book!
One of three fish caught by Mr Scott Sykes at Kercock on Saturday
There was success at Meikleour on Friday and Saturday which was good to see.
A happy angler lands Meikleour silver!
At Cargill Mr Steve Gearhart from Iowa got the week off to a flyer when he landed a cracking fish from the beat on Monday. The American success continued at Cargill through the course of last week and on Thursday Mr Robert Peccia from Montana caught a nice fish and there was more success for Mr Steve Gearheart.
A big deep Cargill salmon caught on Thursday
The international theme continued at Cargill on Saturday when an angler from Columbia caught a lovely fresh fish. This was one of two fish caught at Cargill on Saturday.
A nice fish caught from Cargill on Thursday
It was a great start to the week for anglers fishing at Taymount with a total of six fish landed from the beat. The good sport continued through the course of last week at Taymount and the beat finished with seventeen fish for the week.
Further downstream there was a fish caught at Upper Scone on Friday and there was success at Pitlochrie on Tuesday.
A lovely fresh fish caught at Cargill on Saturday!
It was good to see a fish caught from the Upper Redgorton Beat on Monday followed by four more fish caught from the beat on Wednesday. At Waulkmill there was a fish landed on Monday with a couple more on Thursday and Friday. Waulkmill finished with five fish for the week.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Hopefully, going forward catches will build as we move through September so many anglers can get their rods bent on a regular basis. Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on many beats and some of the fish caught recently have been sea liced. So why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? It could be the place to provide you with that autumn 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 5th September)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Kinnaird 1, Lower Kinnaird 3, Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 2, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 6, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Kercock 5, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 2, Cargill 6, Taymount 17, Upper Scone 1, Pitlochrie 1, Upper Redgorton 6, Waulkmill 5,
Total: 59 Largest: Dalguise 17lbs
AN INDIAN SUMMER IN THE DAYS AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 4th September 2023)
We moved into autumn last week and the weather was a bit more settled than of late. It was mainly dry for much of the week except for the odd shower, winds were light and river levels were settled. The settled weather continued over the weekend as high pressure built. Looking ahead to the weather next week, high pressure is set to stick around with little or no rainfall forecast. There will be variable amounts of cloud with sunny spells. There is a chance of a few showers towards the end of the week and into next weekend. Temperatures next week are set to gradually rise peaking in the mid-twenties. Anglers will be hoping that there will not be an Indian summer in the days and weeks ahead.
There were some nice fish caught from the Tay system last week and some were very fresh which was great to see. On the main river, Salmon were caught from Upper Kinnaird down to Waulkmill. 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 so why not wet a line and chase some Tay autumn silver? There is no better way to start the autumn season than by landing a big Tay cracker!
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.
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