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(River Tay weekly report week ending 9th March 2024)
We are now moving towards the middle of March and as each day passes there should be more hard fighting spring salmon running the Tay system. Over the next few weeks, we should be coming up to the prime spring period on the river, and hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had.
It was quite a settled spell of weather across Perthshire last week. Some showers at the beginning of the week led to small lifts in water. It was drier towards the end of the week, but a keen easterly wind made it feel raw at times. Some nice fish were landed last week in spite of very light fishing pressure on the Tay system. The fish that were landed were top quality and in excellent condition.
Fly fishing on the middle River Tay in March
On the upper river, fish were caught from the Upper Farleyer Beat on Monday and Friday. Mr Steve Watt landed a fine fifteen pounder on Tuesday. The fish was caught from the Portnacraig Beat of the River Tummel on the spinner. It was good to see the Murthly 2 Beat produce its first fish of the season on Saturday. The fine springer weighed a magnificent sixteen pounds.
It was a fantastic Friday at Kercock for Mr John Dewar. He was contemplating which lure to use and opted for a toby instead of a Vision 110 lure, as it was very windy. Mr Dewar made the right choice, as he hooked a powerful fish within a few casts. After a great fight, Mr Dewar went on to land a fine nine pounder. Well done, sir!
The ultimate spring prize a big River Tay March springer!
The Burnmouth Beat has fished well in recent weeks, and another fish was caught from the beat on Monday. Further downstream, it was great to see the Upper Scone Beat land a nice springer on Tuesday.
Other fish were also caught last week from the Tay system on beats, which do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Maybe a pattern for 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. 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 9th March)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Murthly 2, 1 Kercock 1, Burnmouth 1, Upper Scone 1,
Total: 7 Largest: Portnacraig Pitlochry 15lbs
HOPEFULLY CATCHES WILL IMPROVE ON THE TAY SYSTEM IN THE DAYS AHEAD
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 11th March 2024)
The Tay system continued to produce some nice spring salmon last week. During the first half of the week, there were a couple of small lifts in water, but generally, river levels were quite settled. It felt cold towards the end of the week as a keen easterly wind developed.
Over the weekend, it was mainly dry on Saturday but there was some rain on Sunday. Looking ahead to next week, the first half of the week should be mostly dry with light winds; however, the odd shower could plague the eastern side of the catchment area. Winds will be lighter and it will feel less cold as the east wind drops. From midweek onwards, there is a chance of more showers and the likelihood is that conditions will become more unsettled by next weekend.
It was hard going on the Tay system last week but fishing pressure was very light. Hopefully, the catches will improve in the days and weeks ahead. The fish that were caught were well spread on the system from Upper Farleyer down to Upper Scone. The River Tummel also produced fish last week. On the main river, there is a chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere in the days ahead. With a decent weather forecast and some cracking spring salmon currently in the Tay system, why not wet a line next week? Nothing beats hooking that big Tay spring salmon!
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.
The post SOME NICE FISH LANDED DESPITE VERY LIGHT FISHING PRESSURE ON THE TAY SYSTEM! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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