W
WebEditor
Guest
(River Tay weekly report week ending 29th July 2023)
We move into August next week which can be a prime summer month on many of Scotland’s rivers including the mighty Tay. Given decent conditions, this is usually when the runs of summer salmon and grilse peak. There is also the chance of catching some of the early running autumn fish towards the end of the month and these usually tend to be much bigger in size. Let us hope that August is a productive month for anglers who wet a line on the mighty Tay.
It was a mainly dry start to last week and it felt cool in the north westerly wind. As the week progressed there was some rain over the catchment area but thankfully river levels remained steady for the most part. It also felt warmer and more humid as a southerly wind developed from midweek onwards.
There were some lovely fish caught from the Tay system last week with a mixture of fresh hard fighting grilse and larger summer salmon being landed. The water temperature last week was 13.5 degrees Celsius which is 56.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
A beautiful summer scene at Cargill on the lower Tay
Mr Billy Briggs caught a fresh grilse from the Bridge Pool at Dalguise on Tuesday. A fine hat trick was landed at Dalmarnock on Thursday. It was good to see a couple of fish landed from the Dunkeld Beat on Saturday. There were some nice fish caught from the Murthly Beats last week.
At Kercock anglers caught some nice fish last week. Mr Murdo McLennan caught a fine twelve pounder on Monday.
A lovely fish caught on the Kercock Beat by Scott Sykes
Kercock regular Mr Scott Sykes had a great day on the beat on Saturday landing a fine brace which included a magnificent summer salmon weighing twelve pounds.
Mr Ian Farnell lands a fine Tay salmon at Meikleour on Monday
It was a good start to the week for Mr Ian Farnell who was fishing at Meikleour on Monday. Mr Farnell hooked three fish but unfortunately lost two. However, Mr Farnell did go on to land a beautiful Tay summer salmon. On Tuesday, Jamie also a member of the Mr Ian Farnell party landed a magnificent sixteen pounder from the House Pool at Meikleour. There was another fish caught from the beat on Friday.
. Mr Mark Knowles lands a fresh grilse at Cargill on Monday morning
It was a happy Monday at Cargill as guests landed some lovely fish. Mr Mark Knowles was first on the scoresheet landing a fine fresh grilse on the fly. Mr Paul McIntyre enjoyed a great battle and landed a nice fish. There were a total of five fish caught from the beat on Monday with a couple more landed at Cargill on Wednesday.
A stunning summer salmon caught at Cargill on Monday
Other successful anglers at Cargill last week include Mr Iain Jardine who caught a nice fish on the fly from the Cradle and also Mr David Godfrey. Cargill finished with fish fourteen for the week. Further downstream at Taymount there were some fine fish landed with a total of eight for the week.
A nice big summer salmon caught at Cargill on Friday
The Upper Scone Beat produced four fish last week including a couple on Tuesday. It was good to see a fish caught at Pitlochrie on Tuesday. On Wednesday Mr Robert White caught a lovely ten pounder at Benchil. The fish was caught on the third cast of the day which for once showed perseverance was not the key, especially in this case!
Mr Robert White lands a lovely summer salmon on Wednesday at Benchil
There was a fish caught at Upper Redgorton on Monday. On the opposite bank there was success for Mr William Cumming who caught a nice thirteen pounder at Fishponds on Tuesday with another fish landed from the beat on Wednesday. The decent sport continued at Fishponds during the second half of the week and on Saturday Mr Cole Millar landed a magnificent twenty one pounder, very well done young man.
Mr Cole Millars twenty one pounder comes to the net
Anglers enjoyed some good sport at Waulkmill through the course of last week with four fish landed on Monday. On Wednesday there were eight fish caught at Waulkmill including a magnificent eighteen pounder. Waulkmill finished with eighteen fish for the week.
A tasty pattern to tempt a Tay salmon next week?
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Let us hope that good numbers of fresh enter the river throughout the course of August so many anglers can enjoy that magical experience of landing some hard fighting Tay silver!
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 29th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Dalguise 1, Dalmarnock 3, Dunkeld 2, Murthly 1 6, Murthly 2, 1, Kercock 3, Meikleour & U Islamouth 3, Cargill 14, Taymount 8, Upper Scone 4, Pitlochrie 1, Benchil 1, Fishponds 5, Upper Redgorton 1, Waulkmill 18
Total: 71 Largest: Fishponds 21lbs
A PRODUCTIVE AUGUST AHEAD?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 31st July 2023)
We will be moving into August next week which can often be one of the most productive months on the Tay system. Usually, there are good numbers of summer salmon and grilse entering the system and towards the end of the month, some of the larger autumn fish also start to run the river. So, everyone will be keeping their fingers crossed for a productive month ahead.
It felt cooler than of late, especially at the beginning of last week. It was mainly dry with a spell of rain midweek. River levels remained generally settled.
There have been a few showers over the weekend.
Looking ahead to next week, low pressure will remain in charge bringing more unsettled weather. Monday will see a spell of heavy rain affect much of Perthshire and this will be followed by some showers on Tuesday. From midweek onwards the showers will continue but it will feel much cooler as a brisk northerly wind develops. Temperatures will be widely in the mid-teens. The unsettled weather is set to continue into next weekend.
Fish were caught last week from Dalguise down to Waulkmill with the majority of fish caught on the middle and lower river. Probably the best chance of success next week should be on beats situated on the middle and lower river.
There is an excellent variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system next week including fishing on some very prestigious beats. As always, the River Tay offers great value for money so why not chase some August silver next week? You might just have one of those midsummer day’s to remember!
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.
The post SOME LOVELY FRESH HARD FIGHTING GRILSE AND LARGER SUMMER SALMON CAUGHT FROM THE RIVER TAY! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
Continue reading...