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(River Tay weekly report week ending 2nd March 2024)
We have now moved into March and this is often when many anglers decide to pick up a rod for the first time in the new season. In March, the days get notably longer and the weather improves. Usually, more fresh fish start to enter many of Scotland’s salmon rivers, including the Tay. Salmon fishing in March can often be a much more pleasurable experience than in January and February.
A sparkling spring day at Cargill
There were several first salmon caught last week, with several beats getting their first fish of the season, which was great news. On the upper river, it was good to see a fish caught from the Upper Farleyer Beat on Monday and Saturday. The first fish of the season was caught by Mr. Steve Watt from the Portnacraig Beat of the River Tummel on Wednesday. The fish weighed sixteen pounds and was caught on a spinner from the Pitlochry bank. Hopefully, this will be the first of many caught from the beat this season.
It was great to see the first fish of the season caught from the Newtyle Beat on Tuesday. The fish was caught from the Deans Burn and tipped the scales at eighteen pounds.
It was a super Saturday for Mr Don Wallace, who caught a magnificent fifteen-pounder from Glendelvine. The fine springer was Mr Wallace’s first fish from the beat on his first day fishing the beat. What a result and well done Sir!
A magnificent springer caught at Newtyle on Tuesday
On Tuesday, Mr Jim McDonald caught the first fish of the season at Delvine. The fish was a sparkling springer weighing twenty pounds. The fish took a Tay lure.
A fine springer caught at Delvine on Tuesday
Mr Peter Stevenson had a fantastic day at Meikleour on Tuesday. Mr Stevenson hooked and landed a magnificent nine pounder. The fish was caught on a weighted Devon Minnow lure. On Saturday, another fine fish was caught at Meikleour, this time from the March Pool on a pink & white Kynoch lure. There was also success on the Taymount Beat on Wednesday.
A Meikleour sparkler caught on Saturday!
The Burnmouth beat has fished well in recent weeks, and last week was no different, with a couple of fish being caught from the beat on Tuesday and another fish landed on Wednesday.
Further downstream, Mr Robert White was fly-fishing from the boat on the Catholes Beat on Friday when he hooked a powerful fish in Woodside. The fish made numerous surging runs and put up a great fight before it was landed. The magnificent springer weighed sixteen pounds and was the first fish caught from the Stanley beats this year. What a fish to start the season!
Mr Robert White lands a cracking salmon on the fly at Catholes on Friday
There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
With some fine fish being landed recently, why not chase Scottish spring silver on the Tay next week? You could have that magical March day to remember!
We want 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 feel 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 (only for beats that wished to be mentioned in the TDSFB report)
(week ending 2nd March)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Newtyle 1, Glendelvine 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 2, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Taymount 1, Burnmouth 3, Catholes 1
Total: 13 Largest: Delvine & Burnbane 20lbs
WHAT WILL THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH HAVE IN STORE FOR ANGLERS?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 4th March 2024)
Some cracking springers were caught from the Tay system last week, which was great to see. It was good to see fish caught from the upper river and the River Tummel in addition to fish caught on the main system. The quality of some of the fish landed was second to none and it just goes to show the calibre of fish the Tay system is capable of producing at this time of year.
Over the weekend, it has felt quite cold, and there have been a few showers, some of which have been wintry in nature, especially over the higher ground. Looking ahead to next week, the weather during the first half of the week is due to be quite settled, apart from the odd shower and some patchy rain across Perthshire. An easterly wind is likely to develop from midweek onwards and it will feel cooler. However, at this stage, it does look mainly dry with variable amounts of cloud and maybe the odd shower.
Catches on the river were well spread last week, with some lovely springers being landed. It now appears that the fish are gradually beginning to spread throughout the system, so anywhere on the main river could produce that elusive springer next week. Loch Tay and the River Tummel are also worth considering. It will be interesting to see what the first week of March will have in store for anglers on the Tay system. Hopefully, catches will improve as we move through March.
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 get in touch with 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 are high. In such conditions, the depth at which your fly moves 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, a powerful fifteen-foot rod with a ten-line rating usually covers almost any eventuality.
In terms of lines, whether a full Spey line or Shooting head system, a floating line coupled with a selection of polyleaders of various sink rates can work well. An intermediate or full sinking line may be required in higher water to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has 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 to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain during the early spring period. 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 will likely 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 cast lures comfortably, 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 that 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 that is very much dependent on water height 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 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 worth remembering when releasing fish to keep them in the water for as long as possible and 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.
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