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(River Tay weekly report week ending 14th October 2023)
The River Tay finally closed its banks to anglers on Saturday. The weather was typically autumnal fare last week for mid-October with some blustery showers and temperatures also fluctuated. After a reasonably mild start with values into the mid to high teens a northerly wind developed through the middle part of the week and by the weekend values dropped to single figures and it felt cool in the brisk wind. Thankfully it was a drier week which was a great relief for ghillies on the river following the devasting floods last weekend where many huts were flooded, boats sunk and significant amounts of damage caused.
Devastation caused by the flood!
Ghillies started the very difficult clean-up operation once the water started to drop. The water last Sunday peaked on the Ballathie gauge at almost nineteen feet and so it was unsurprising that there was very little fishing done at the beginning of the week. However, as the week progressed the water gradually dropped and conditions improved. The river was still too high on Monday for fishing but a few hardy souls braved the high water from Tuesday onwards with a few fish starting to get caught from midweek onwards.
A fish on Friday at Edradynate!
On the upper river, there was success at Edradynate where there was a nice five pounder caught on the fly on Friday evening. Other beats that produced fish on the upper river included Upper Farleyer and Lower Bolfracks.
A lovely deep fish caught on the fly at Newtyle on Thursday
It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Dalguise on Wednesday with more fish landed from the beat towards the end of the week. There was success on the Dalmarnock Beat on Thursday and Saturday and there were a couple of fish caught at Dunkeld on Friday and Saturday.
Mr Dave Maxwell with a Newtyle cracker caught on Friday
At Newtyle it was great to see a magnificent twenty pounder caught on the fly from the Steps Pool on Thursday. The fish put up a great tussle and was in magnificent condition. On Friday afternoon Mr Dave Maxwell caught a fine fish at Newtyle from the Cotter Pool. On Saturday Mr John Jackson landed a nice fish from the Steps at Newtyle.
Mr John Jackson lands a nice fish at Newtyle on Saturday
Anglers enjoyed some decent sport on Friday from both the Murthly beats with a total of seven fish landed for the day. On Saturday there were a total of six fish caught from both Murthly beats which made it a productive final two days of the season. Further downstream there was a fish caught at Delvine on Thursday and Saturday.
fine Kercock salmon caught last week
At Kercock Mr Ernie Donnell braved the high water on Tuesday and was rewarded for his efforts when he caught a nice fish from the beat. There were another couple of fish caught at Kercock on Wednesday and three more on Thursday.
Kenny Milne with a nice fish caught at Kercock
On Friday Mr Pete Creswick caught a magnificent fresh nineteen pounder on the fly at Kercock. There were quite a lot of fresh fish showing at Kercock on Saturday and there were six fish landed for the day. On Saturday afternoon one of Kercock’s regular guests insisted that head ghillie Gary Harkin have a cast, as he had not fished the beat all season. Mr Harkin was fishing the Gean Tree pool when he got a savage take. A tremendous battle ensued and it became apparent the fish was a good size. After several powerful runs, Mr Harkin went on to land a magnificent twenty pounder. Other successful anglers at Kercock last week included Mr Scott Sykes, Mr Charles Saunders and Mr Kenny Milne who landed four fine fish.
Playing a powerful fish at Cargill
There was a fine brace landed at Meikleour once the water dropped on Wednesday including a magnificent nineteen pounder. On Thursday anglers Adrian and Claire had a great day landing a good fish each. On Friday at Meikleour Mr Chris Plank and Mr Andrew Sutherland both caught fish. Meikleour finished with eight fish for the week.
One of the fish caught at Cargill by Mr Barry Ward on Wednesday
At Cargill, it was a great day for Mr Barry Ward on Wednesday when he landed a total of five fish for the day as well as a Sea trout. The good sport continued for Mr Ward at Cargill on Thursday when he landed four more fish. It was a brilliant couple of day’s sport and it just goes to show how much better the catches could have been last week if the conditions had been favourable. Other successful anglers at Cargill last week included Mr Gavin Mason and Mr David Taylor. Cargill finished with twenty four fish for the week.
. Mr Gavin Mason with a Cargill cracker!
There were three fish caught at Taymount on Wednesday and there were a few more nice fish caught from the beat towards the end of the week.
There was success at Upper Redgorton on Thursday and Saturday. At Fishponds there was a fine brace landed on Friday and Saturday.
Mr John Coughlan with a decent fish caught at Fishponds last week
It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Luncarty on Thursday with five more fish landed from the beat on Saturday including a twenty pounder. Waulkmill finished the final week of the season with four fish.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Everyone associated with the River Tay could have done without such a massive flood towards the end of the season which has caused such disruption for so many people. The only saving grace is that the flood has hit before the fish have spawned. Hopefully, there will be no more big floods over the close season.
The 2023 season draws to a close
As the sun has now finally set on the 2023 season many anglers will be hoping for better things next year. Let us hope that there will be good numbers of fresh fish running the Tay system throughout next year so anglers fishing the river can experience the wonderful delights the mighty River Tay has to offer.
We would like to thank all the ghillies and beat owners on the River Tay system who have contributed to this report throughout the season by providing their time and information as the weekly report would not be possible without your help and support. The next weekly report will be published in mid-January 2024.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Beat catches reported (For beats wishing to be included in this report only)
(week ending 14th October)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Edradynate 1, Lower Bolfracks 1, Dalguise 5, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 4, Newtyle 5, Murthly 1, 7, Murthly 2, 6, Delivne & Burnbane 2, Kercock 14, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 8, Cargill 24, Taymount 14, Pitlochrie 1, Upper Redgorton 2, Fishponds 4, Luncarty 7, Waulkmill 4, Lochlane & Laggan 1
Total: 113 Largest: Newtyle 21lbs
The post THE MASSIVE FLOOD LEAVES UTTER DEVASTATION ON THE TAY BUT SOME NICE FISH ARE LANDED BEFORE THE SEASON DRAWS TO A CLOSE! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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