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(River Tay weekly report week ending 6th May 2023)
We moved into May last week and the weather continued to see-saw between winter and spring across much of Scotland including Perthshire. River levels were steady for much of last week. This meant that many beats on the river were at a perfect height for fly fishing. However, catches on the Tay system were disappointing for early May. Hopefully, the number of fresh fish entering the system will start to increase in the days and weeks ahead, so anglers can enjoy some good sport on the Tay system before the spring season draws to a close. The water temperature last week was 44.6 degrees Fahrenheit which is 7.0 degrees Celsius.
As we reported last week we said farewell to Grant Tigwell who has retired from Loch Tay and we would like to welcome the new proprietor of Loch Tay Fish ‘n’ Trips, Mr Rob Jamieson. If you would like to book a boat with Loch Tay Fish ‘n’ Trips, Rob can be contacted on 07502 417355
Mr Greg Griffin with a fine springer from Farleyer
On the upper river, there was a fine sixteen pounder caught at Edradynate on Thursday. The fish was caught from the Church Pool on a Tay Warrior fly. On Friday there was a fine twelve pounder caught at Edradynate from the glide Pool.
More Farleyer silver!
There were also fish caught from both Farleyer beats last week with Mr Matt Griffin enjoying some good sport. It is good to see the upper river producing some nice fish.
A magnificent sixteen pounder caught at Edradynate on Thursday
Mr James Hyslop caught a fish on Loch Faskally on Wednesday on a toby lure which was good to see. This was the second fish of the season caught from the loch and weighed nine pounds.
More Edradynate silver caught on Friday
On the River Tummel there was some spring silver landed on Tuesday. Mr Jim Fisher was the successful angler when he caught a fine ten pounder on the fly from the Pitlochry bank. Mr Fisher also lost two fish on the same day so with a bit of luck he could have a hat trick!
Mr Dave Stewart with a fine springer caught from Portnacraig on Thursday
Next on the scoresheet at Portnacraig was Mr Dave Stewart who caught a lively nine pounder from the Pitlochry bank on Thursday morning.
Mr Jim Fisher lands Tummel silver at Portnacraig on Tuesday
It was good to see a fine twelve pounder caught from the Lower Kinnaird Beat on Friday.
One of two springers caught at Dunkeld on Tuesday
Mr Chris Allen had a day to remember at Dunkeld on Tuesday. Mr Allen was fishing the Grotto Croy when he landed two fish in quick succession weighing ten and twelve pounds. Both fish were landed within minutes of each other which goes to show Tay salmon can be like London buses!
More spring silver for Mr Chris Allen landed at Dunkeld
Mr James Graham had a happy Thursday when he was wetting a line at Newtyle. Mr Graham was fishing the Boil when he got a savage take on the fly rod. After a great fight, Mr Graham landed a fine springer.
Mr James Graham with a nice springer caught from the Boil at Newtyle on Thursday
There was success on the Murthly 2 Beat on Saturday. It was good to see a fish caught at Meikleour on Tuesday. It was a magical Monday for Mr Garry Waterhouse who was fishing at Cargill. Mr Waterhouse hooked a powerful fish and after a great fight landed a sparkling twenty pounder. Further downstream the Taymount Beat produced a fish on Saturday.
Mr Garry Waterhouse with a Cargill sparkler caught on Monday!
There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Hopefully, there will be decent numbers of hard fighting spring salmon entering the Tay system in the upcoming weeks, so anglers can enjoy some good sport.
With the weather getting better and the days getting longer why not book a day’s fishing on the mighty River Tay next week? With some big fish in the system, you just never know what you have hooked when that line tightens!
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 reporting on Fishpal only)
(week ending 6th May)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Edradynate 2, Upper Farleyer 3, Lower Farleyer 2, Loch Faskally 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 2, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dunkeld House 3, Newtyle 1, Murthly 2, 1, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 1, West Grange 2, Cargill 1, Taymount 1
Total: 21 Largest: Cargill 20lbs
WHAT WILL MAY HAVE IN STORE FOR ANGLERS ON THE TAY?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 8th May 2023)
We moved into May last week and catches were disappointing for the time of year. However, as anglers, we have to remain optimistic. Hopefully, the numbers of fresh fish entering the system will start to increase in the days and weeks ahead, so anglers can enjoy some good sport on the Tay system before the spring season comes to an end.
It was quite dry for much of last week, especially during the beginning of the week. As the week progressed there were some showers and it felt cooler in the brisk easterly wind. Over the weekend it has been mainly dry and felt a little milder with temperatures in the low double figures.
Looking ahead to next week, Monday and Tuesday will see some widespread showers and these could be heavy. It will feel mild with southerly winds with temperatures in the mid-teens. From midweek onwards temperatures may drop as a northerly airflow develops and there will still be a chance of a few showers. Towards next weekend there is a chance that high pressure will build leading to mostly dry and settled conditions.
The River Tummel continued its recent run of good form with the Portnacraig Beat producing some nice springers despite the low water conditions. On the main Tay, fish were caught from Edradynate down to Taymount with the beats located on the upper and middle river enjoying the best of the sport. So, there is a good chance of a fish anywhere in this area. It will be interesting to see what the rest of May will have in store for anglers on the Tay. Fingers crossed there will be some decent action in the upcoming weeks.
With good availability on the river next week, and the chance of a big salmon, why not book some fishing on the Tay in the upcoming days? There is no better way to start May than landing that big Tay springer! 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)
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 THE UPPER RIVER PRODUCES SOME NICE FISH, LONDON BUSES AND A SPARKLING TWENTY POUNDER! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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