W
WebEditor
Guest
(River Tay report for January 2023)
A new season dawned once again on the River Tay as anglers made their first casts of the year on Monday 16th January. The main opening day ceremony was held at the Meikleour & Upper Islamouth Beat and was very well attended. There were smaller ceremonies held on other beats on opening day and a good time was had by all. There were several kelts and baggots caught up and down the river but the opening day springer proved to be elusive.
Opening day 2023 at Meikleour & Upper Islamouth
However, it did not take too long for the first salmon in Scotland to be landed and again this season it was caught from the River Tay. On the 22nd of January, Mr Arnot Mcwhinnie was fishing in the boat with long serving Tay ghillie Mr David Barwick on the Upper Scone Beat when he hooked a decent fish in the Tar Tank harling. After a great fight, a magnificent fresh twenty one pound springer was landed. What a fish to kick off the 2023 Tay season!
A magnificent January springer caught from Upper Scone
In the subsequent days, angling pressure has been generally light on the river which is hardly surprising as it is still very early in the season. Despite this, there were two nice fish caught from the Taymount Beat including a fine eight pounder caught by Mr Steve Brown from the Linn Pool on the 24th of January. Well done sir!
Last week river levels were high. It was great to see the Dalmarnock Beat get off the mark for the season on Wednesday. Mr Jim Lamb was fishing the Scallop when he hooked a powerful fish. After a great fight, Mr Lamb went on to land a fine eleven pounder. Hopefully, this will be the first of many fish caught from the Dalmarnock Beat this season.
Mr Jim Lamb lands a fine fish at Dalmarnock
We have now moved into February and with each day there should be more and more fresh fish entering the Tay system. Hopefully, the weather gods will be kind so anglers can enjoy some decent sport in the upcoming days and weeks.
Early season springer hunting at Catholes!
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
(From 16th January until week ending 4th February 2023 )
SALMON & GRILSE:
Dalmarnock 1, Taymount 2, Upper Scone 1
Total: 4 Largest: Upper Scone 21lbs
THE PROSPECT OF A SETTLED WEATHER FORECAST IN THE WEEK AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 6th Feb 2023)
We have now moved into February and gradually more fish should start to enter the Tay system in the upcoming days and weeks. The weather has been generally settled over the weekend and conditions for next week at this stage look decent.
Looking ahead to next week a large area of high pressure will dominate our weather for most of the week and into next weekend. This will mean it will be mainly dry with variable amounts of cloud. There is a chance of mist and low cloud on some mornings and there could also be some widespread frosts. Temperatures will hover around the mid-single figures for much of the week.
On the main river, there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere. Loch Tay is also well worth considering as it is likely that there will be a few fresh fish in the loch already. As always there is 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? You might just make contact with some early season 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 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 <strong>SOME NICE EARLY SPRINGERS CAUGHT DURING THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF THE 2023 TAY SEASON!</strong> appeared first on Tay Rivers.
Continue reading...