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(River Tay weekly report week ending 7th October 2023)
We are now moving towards the end of the salmon fishing season on the Tay system. Last week was the penultimate week of the fishing season and it was another week of unsettled water with multiple lifts in water especially during the second half of the week. Further heavy rain on Friday night and most of Saturday led to another massive flood on the river over the weekend. River levels on the Ballathie gauge peaked at over eighteen feet on Sunday. As we all know unsettled water is not conducive to good salmon fishing and so it was a frustrating time for anglers. Despite this, there was some decent sport to be had for some anglers fishing the river last week which was good to see.
A massive flood on Saturday
On the Upper river, there was a fish caught at Lower Bolfracks on Tuesday and Upper Farleyer on Friday. The Lower Kinnaird Beat finished with three fish for last week. There was a magnificent twenty four pounder caught from the Dalguise Beat on Wednesday with another fish caught from the beat on Thursday. It just goes to show the stamp of fish the Tay can produce at this time of year. There was success at Dalmarnock on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was good to see some nice fish caught on the Dunkeld Beat during the first half of last week. On Friday Mr Brian Joseph caught a cracking twenty eight pounder caught at Dunkeld. The Murthly beats finished with five fish for the week.
Ms Kirsten Torres puts a pin on the map mrking where she caught her first ever salmon!
There was a fish caught at Glendelvine on Wednesday. Mr Tony Lawson caught a nice eight pounder from the Leaning Tree at Delvine & Burnbane on Monday. The fish was caught on a salmo lure. On Thursday Ms Kirsten Torres from Arizona enjoyed success at Delvine & Burnbane when she caught her first ever Atlantic Salmon from the Burnbane Pool. In time honoured tradition at Delvine she had great pleasure in putting a pin on the beat map marking where the fish was caught. At Kercock there was some good sport to be had last week with some nice fish landed by anglers. The Kercock Beat finished with fourteen fish for the week.
There were some nice fish caught last week at Meikleour
There were a couple of fish caught during the first half of the week at Meikleour. There was more success at Meikleour on Thursday when two more fish were landed. On Saturday in spite of the river being in flood and rapidly rising, angler James landed a nice fish from the beat. It just goes to show you can never say never when it comes to salmon fishing! On the River Ericht the West Grange Beat produced some nice fish during the first half of the week.
Success at Meikleour on Saturday in spite of the river being in flood!
Anglers enjoyed some decent sport at Cargill last week. Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason landed some cracking fish through the course of last week.
Playing a nice fish at Cargill last week
Other successful anglers at Cargill included Mr Jake Herman and Mr Steve Curnow. Taymount finished well with five fish for the week. It was good to see a fish caught at Catholes on Monday with two more landed from the beat on Friday. There was a fine brace landed at Upper Scone on Tuesday with another fish caught from the beat on Wednesday. At Upper Redgorton there were a couple of fish landed from the beat on Monday with three more caught on Wednesday. The decent sport at Upper Redgorton continued on Thursday when five fish were landed from the beat. It was good to see a fish caught at Fishponds on Thursday and Friday.
Playing a fish at Luncarty on Thursday
Mr Stuart Cape enjoyed some decent sport at Luncarty on Thursday morning when he landed two nice fish on the fly despite the high water. Waulkmill finished with nine fish for the week.
Mr Stuart Cape lands a fine fish at Luncarty on Thursday
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
With only one week remaining of the Tay salmon fishing season remaining there is still time to land that last big Tay salmon of 2023, so why not have a cast? There seems to be no shortage of larger fish around and who knows, once the river drops to a fishable height the river might just produce another thirty pounder before the season finally draws to a close!
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 7th October 2023)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Lower Bolfracks 1, Lower Kinnaird 3, Dalguise 3, Dalmarnock 2, Dunkeld 4, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 2 Murthly 2, 3, Glendelvine 1, Delvine & Burnbane 3, Kercock 14, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 6, West Grange 4, Cargill 21, Taymount 5, Upper Scone 3, Catholes 3, Upper Redgorton 10, Fishponds 2, Luncarty 2, Waulkmill 9, Crieff Angling Club 3.
Total: 106 Largest: Dunkeld 28lbs
STILL TIME REMAINING TO CATCH THAT LAST TAY SALMON OF 2023!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 9th October 2023)
There is one week remaining of the 2023 Tay salmon fishing season, so there is still time for that final cast on the river. It was a week of unsettled weather last week with low pressure dominating proceedings. This brought spells of heavy rain and strong winds across much of Perthshire leading to rising river levels on multiple days, especially towards the end of the week. Saturday saw more heavy rain affect most of Perthshire and there was another flood on the Tay system with the river peaking at over eighteen feet on the Ballathie gauge. Looking ahead to next week Monday should be mainly dry with a few showers on Tuesday. It will continue to feel mild for the time of year. From midweek onwards the weather will turn more unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain. It will also start to feel cooler.
Salmon were caught last week from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill on the main river with the majority of fish caught on the middle and lower river. There were also fish caught on the River Tummel, Ericht and Earn which make up part of the Tay system. Probably the best chance of success once the river drops to a fishable height during the final week of the season is likely to be on beats situated on the middle and lower river. As always, there is a good variety of salmon fishing available on the Tay system, so why not have that final Tay foray of 2023?
Good luck to all those anglers intending to wet a line before the season ends.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Tactics for the River Tay during the autumn period (September and October)
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 autumn months, water temperatures usually begin to fall on the river but much depends on the weather. The weather and water conditions can vary greatly during the autumn months with hot weather and low water coupled with high water temperatures especially if we have an Indian summer. Conversely, it can be quite cool with regular spells of wind and rain and even night time frosts. The fish also start to become a bit more aggressive especially when they turn their thoughts towards spawning. At this time of year, full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well especially if conditions are more akin to the summer months.
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, colder water a sink tip or intermediate line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got 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 autumn period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there can be some large fish around towards the end of the season. Usually, a breaking strain of around fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the autumn months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well if river levels are low and temperatures are high. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. If there are frequent night time frosts and high water, tube flies of various lengths and weights may be the order of the day.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven feet 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 autumn months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive.
The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures are higher 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. In high cold water, it can often be more about fishing the lure that bit slower and at an adequate depth.
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 autumn months, good conditions arise on many beats for harling, especially in higher water. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practised at the beat ghillies discretion.
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