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(River Tay weekly report week ending 17th June 2023)
We have now moved into mid-June and hopefully, in the days and weeks ahead the summer run on the River Tay will start to gain momentum. There have already been grilse and larger summer salmon caught from the system in recent weeks as well as the odd late running springer. As we move through June and into July more summer fish should enter the river and hopefully catches will improve.
A beautiful summer scene at Cargill
It was another week of very warm and sunny weather across much of Scotland including Perthshire. It was mainly dry with light winds and temperatures soared with the mercury reaching the dizzy heights of twenty five degrees in some spots. Unfortunately, the thundery showers forecast at the beginning of the week did not amount to much and had negligible impact on river levels. The weather made fishing tough for anglers and many opted to fish early in the morning and again in the evening.
A lovely fish caught from Dalguise on Monday
On the middle river, there was a fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Thursday. It was good to see a cracking thirteen pounder caught from the Bridge Pool at Dalguise on Monday. There was no shortage of action on both the Murthly Beats on Tuesday. The Murthly 1 Beat produced a nice fish and there were three caught from the Murthly 2 Beat including a lovely fifteen pounder. There was fish caught on most days from the Murthly beats last week with the beats finishing with a combined tally of twelve which was no mean feat given the tough conditions.
A sparkling salmon caught at Cargill on Wednesday
Mr Tony Bosomworth had a great day in the sun at Cargill on Wednesday. Mr Bosomworth hooked and landed a lovely sea liced fish from the Rumbling Stone. Towards the lower end of the river, there was a nice fresh fish caught at Benchil by Mr James McKay on Monday.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
A pattern to tempt a Tay salmon next week?
It was nice to see some lovely fresh fish caught from the Tay system last week but in all honesty, catches were limited and the weather certainly did not help. Hopefully, the numbers of summer salmon and grilse should start to build in the river in the upcoming weeks, so why not wet a line on the Tay 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 beats that wish to be included in this report)
(week ending 17th June)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 1, Murthly 1, 4, Murthly 2, 8, Cargill 1, Benchil 1
Total: 16 Largest: Murthly 2, 15lbs
A LIFT IN WATER IN THE UPCOMING DAYS?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 19th June 2023)
We are now into mid-June and more summer salmon should be entering the Tay system on every tide. Over the next few weeks, the summer run on the Tay should begin to gain momentum. Last week saw very warm and sunny weather across much of Scotland including Perthshire. It was mainly dry with light winds and temperatures soared with the mercury reaching the dizzy heights of twenty five degrees in some spots. These conditions were hardly conducive for good salmon fishing and it proved to be tough for anglers fishing the Tay as it did on most other rivers across Scotland.
Over the weekend the high pressure that has dominated our weather for so long slipped away to the north and this allowed low pressure to take control. This resulted in some widespread heavy showers on Sunday night.
Looking ahead to next week the showery theme is set to continue. Monday and Tuesday will see widespread showers and these could be slow moving in the light winds. The rest of the week will remain unsettled with sunny spells and showers. Temperatures next week will be in the high teens or low twenties making it feel slightly cooler than of late.
The river would really benefit from a decent lift in water not only to encourage any fish lying in the estuary to run but also to freshen conditions and bring down the water temperature. Whether the showers forecast will be enough only time will tell.
There is a chance of a fresh fish almost anywhere on the Tay system next week but especially on the beats located on the middle and lower river. As always, there are some fantastic salmon fishing opportunities on the river next week to suit all budgets and the great variety of fishing on offer on the Tay system is second to none. So why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay next week? Nothing beats landing some Tay mid-summer silver!
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 summer period (June-August)
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 summer months water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. Often river levels are low but on the River Tay they are never too low that fresh fish cannot run the system. At this time of year full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well.
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 water during the summer months a sink tip or intermediate 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 summer period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there are some big summer salmon that run the Tay. Usually a breaking strain between twelve and fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the summer months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. Don’t forget how effective flies like the Sunray Shadow can be at this time of year. These flies fished close to the surface can really do the business especially if the fish are keen on chasing a fly and in an active mood.
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 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 summer months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive. The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures start to rise 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. These lures can be excellent during the summer months.
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 summer months, the water is too low to harl on many beats. However, if there is a decent spate this method can be highly productive. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practiced at the beat ghillies 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 of 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. It is important that anglers treat their quarry with the utmost of respect at all times.
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