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(River Tay weekly report week ending 18th February 2023)
It was another week of quite settled weather across much of the country including Perthshire, especially during the first half of the week. There was some rain on Wednesday morning. On Thursday night Storm Otto which was named by the Danish meteorological service produced gale force winds and heavy rain. This led to a lift in water on Friday.
It was great to see some nice springers caught from the Tay system last week as catches improved significantly which was just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully, this trend will continue as we move through February and into March.
On the Dunkeld Beat, it was a day to remember for ten year old Finlay on Saturday. Finlay was fishing the Chestnut Tree Pool after lunch when his rod bent double. After a fabulous fight, Finlay landed a magnificent springer weighing twelve pounds. What an achievement for the young man. It’s just great to see the younger generation enjoying our sport and hopefully, Finlay will now be hooked for life!
A magnifcent springer caught at Dunkeld by 12 year old Finlay on Saturday
Glendelvine regular Mr Stuart Lang had a great day on Wednesday. Mr Lang caught a lovely nine pounder from the beat which was the first fish of the season caught at Glendelvine. The fish was in great condition and was returned safely to carry on with its journey upstream.
Mr Stuart Lang lands the first fish of the season at Glendelvine
It was a good start to the week at Meikleour & Upper Islamouth. On Monday Mr Alex MacPhee was fishing Boxwood Bush and got a strong take. After a good fight, Mr MacPhee landed a fine ten pounder which was also the first fish of the season from the beat. The fish was caught on a Toby Salmo lure. Mr MacPhee proved that lightening can strike twice on the Tay as he caught the first fish of the season on the same day from the same beat in 2019!
Mr Alex MacPhee lands the first fish of the season from the Meikleour Beat on Monday
The Taymount Beat has produced some nice fish in recent weeks and this trend continued last week. On Monday there was a magnificent twenty three pounder caught from the beat with further success on Tuesday when a fourteen pounder was landed.
Anglers will be hoping to bump into one of these next week!
There were several other nice springers caught from the Tay system last week however those beats the fish were caught on wish to remain anonymous.
There should be a few Tummel salmon beginning to enter the system in the upcoming weeks as well as the salmon destined for Loch Tay and beyond. With the quality of salmon currently being landed on the Tay system being second to none, why not chase some spring silver on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beats landing that February bar of silver.
Maybe a pattern to try next week?
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 only beats reporting on FishPal
(week ending 18th February)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Dunkeld 1, Glendelvine 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1,Taymount 2,
TOTAL: 5 LARGEST: Taymount 23lbs
WILL CATCHES CONTINUE TO IMPROVE NEXT WEEK?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 20th February 2023)
The weather was quite settled, especially during the first half of last week. There was some rain on Wednesday with more heavy rain coupled with strong winds on Friday associated with Storm Otto. Over the weekend it has been colder with some snow showers over higher ground.
The weather for the week ahead looks set to be quite changeable. There will be some light patchy rain on Monday. Tuesday should be mainly dry and it will feel mild in the southwesterly wind. Temperatures could reach the early teens in some places. On Wednesday a band of rain is set to cross the country and behind it, much colder conditions will prevail. Towards the end of the week, high pressure should start to build bringing mainly dry conditions with some wintry showers over higher ground. Temperatures will remain on the cool side with the possibility of night time frosts.
There were some lovely springers caught last week from the Tay system and hopefully this trend will continue as we move through February and into March. Next week there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere on the main river. Loch Tay could also be well worth considering at this time of year. As always there are no shortage of options when it comes to fishing on the Tay system, with fishing to suit all tastes. So why not wet a line on the Tay next week? There might just be a springer with your name on it!
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)
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 before visiting the River Tay.
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 LIGHTENING STRIKES TWICE AS CATCHES IMPROVE ON THE TAY SYSTEM! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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