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(River Tay weekly report week ending 24th June 2023)
The summer solstice has now come and gone and we are currently in the midst of the Scottish summer with July almost upon us. With the passing of the summer solstice, this means the days will gradually start to get shorter once again. In the past couple of weeks, the weather has certainly felt like summer with bright cloudless skies, sunshine and temperatures regularly in the mid-twenties. However, there was a change last week. Through the early hours of Monday, a spell of heavy rain which was thundery in places brought fresher conditions for a time. Unfortunately, the rain did not amount to much and river levels only rose a few inches. There were a few showers during the rest of the week but with the ground being so dry and hard after such a prolonged dry spell there was very little impact on water levels. There were some nice summer salmon caught from the Tay system last week as well as some sparkling hard fighting grilse.
A Dunkeld cracker caught on Monday!
On the middle river there was a lovely fourteen pounder caught at Lower Kinnaird on Wednesday with another fish landed from the beat on Friday. It was a fantastic start to the week at Dunkeld when a magnificent twenty five pounder was caught from the Lady Pool on the fly. The fish put up a great fight and was in excellent condition.
Mr Ronnie Blair with a fine grilse caught at Dunkeld
There was more action at Dunkeld on Friday when Mr Ronnie Blair caught two lovely grilse in quick succession from the Lady Pool.
Mr Matthew Quinn lands his first ever salmon!
Mr Matthew Quinn had a day to remember at Newtyle on Tuesday. Mr Quinn was salmon fishing for the first time and it did not take him long to taste success. Mr Quinn got a savage take in the Boil in the afternoon and after a great fight, Mr Quinn landed his first ever salmon. A massive well done to Mr Quinn, the smile says it all. You never forget your first salmon and hopefully, this will be the first of many for Mr Quinn!
It proved to be a week of first salmon at Newtyle as on Thursday Mr Iain Margerison caught his first ever salmon on the fly from the Boil which was great to see.
Mr Iain Margerison lands his first salmon on the fly!
It was a productive week at Kercock. On Monday it was nice to see a fine eight pounder caught by Mr Andy Harrison. On Wednesday Mr Donald Cameron had a cracking fish from the beat. Next on the scoresheet at Kercock was Mr Richard Chambers who caught a lovely grilse on the fly on Thursday. The fish took a Cascade.
One of two fish caught from the Kercock Beat for Scott Sykes
There was two more grilse caught on the fly from the beat on Friday. The Kercock Beat finished with a very creditable seven fish for the week in tough conditions.
Playing a powerful salmon at Cargill last week!
There have been some cracking fish caught at Cargill in recent weeks and last week was no different when Mr Stewart Scott caught a lovely fresh fish from the beat on Monday. There was more success at Cargill on Tuesday when a fine brace was landed. There were two more fish caught from Cargill on Thursday successful anglers included Mr Ian Mitchell and Mr Dylan Dunbar.
A lovely fish caught at Cargill on Monday
At the bottom end of the river, it was good to see a lovely sixteen pounder caught at Waulkmill on Friday.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Mr Dylan Dunbar with a Cargill cracker!
With many people on holiday in the next few weeks it could prove to be the perfect time to book a few days fishing on the River Tay, so why not have cast? There is no better way to start July than landing some fresh 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 24th June)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Lower Kinnaird 2, Dunkeld 4, Newtyle 2, Kercock 7, Cargill 5, Taymount 1, Waulkmill 1
Total: 22 Largest: Dunkeld 25lbs
SOME GOOD SPORT TO BE HAD IN JULY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 26th June 2023)
There were some fine fish caught from the river last week. River levels were steady for much of the week apart from a small lift on Monday. It remained warm often hot at times. Some of the anglers that fished unsociable hours did well with some evenings being particularly productive. This is often the case when it is very hot and sunny throughout the day.
The fish caught were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard fighting grilse. In the upcoming weeks, more salmon should enter the Tay system daily giving anglers the chance of making contact with the king of fish. Hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had as we move into July.
There have been a few showers over the weekend as low pressure has dominated the weather. It also felt very humid, especially on Saturday. Looking ahead to next week the unsettled theme is likely to continue with showers or longer spells of rain on most days and the showers could be heavy. There will be a fresher feel to things with temperatures peaking in the high teens.
Last week there were fish caught from Lower Kinnaird down to Waulkmill. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on beats situated on the middle and lower river.
As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay in the upcoming days with fishing to suit even the most discerning of anglers’ tastes. So why not chase some summer silver on the Tay next week? You could have a July day 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 THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, GRILSE IN QUICK SUCCESSION AND TWO FIRST SALMON! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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