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(River Tay weekly report week ending 26th August 2023)
We are now moving towards the end of August with the traditional summer salmon fishing season in Scotland drawing to a close. In years gone by, September and October have been prime months on the River Tay and historically this is when the largest catches of salmon have been made. Unfortunately, this has not been the case in recent seasons due to the lack of genuine clean autumn fish. This a problem that has not only affected the River Tay but almost every other river in Scotland that once enjoyed a good autumn run. Hopefully, this season will buck that trend so anglers can enjoy some decent sport and can go home with a smile on their face after a successful day on the River Tay.
The weather continued to be quite cool and unsettled for much of last week with gusty winds and frequent showers or longer spells of rain. It felt quite autumnal from time to time. River levels were unsettled for much of last week following rain and heavy showers across the catchment area. This certainly did not help matters as there were multiple small lifts in water through the course of last week. The water temperature last week was 14.3 degrees Celsius which is 57.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
A beautiful summer scene on the Lower Tay
There were some lovely fish caught from the river last week. The fish landed were mainly a mixture of fresh grilse and larger summer salmon. The bulk of the fish were caught on the middle and lower river which is what is to be expected at this time of year.
On the middle river, it was good to see fish caught at Lower Kinnaird, Dalmarnock and Dunkeld last week. The Dunkeld Beat produced a couple of lovely fish on Thursday including a cracking fifteen pounder. There were two more fish caught from the beat on Saturday.
Mr Marcus Thompson had an amazing day at Newtyle on Saturday. Mr Thompson was fishing the Trap when he got a powerful take. After a great fight, Mr Thomson went on to land his first ever salmon a cracking fourteen pounder. Mr Thompson’s previous and only fish was a half-pound Mackerel, so to say the fight this time was a little different is a bit of an understatement! The smile says it all and well done Mr Thompson.
Mr Marcus Thompson lands his first ever salmon at Newtyle on Saturday
Anglers fishing at both Murthly Beats landed some nice fish last week. It was a fantastic start to the week for anglers on the Murthly 2 Beat landing five fish on Monday. The good sport continued through the week which was great to see with a total of eighteen fish caught from both beats. There was a fine brace landed on the Glendelvine Beat on Monday.
At Kercock, there were some nice fish caught through the course of last week. On Saturday John Scott Sykes Jnr had a day to remember catching his first ever salmon. Scott’s Dad, Scott Sykes senior is an accomplished angler himself catching a number of Tay salmon this year. This just goes to show that young Scott is a chip of the old block and hopefully, this will be the first of many. Well done young man! Other successful anglers on the Kercock included Mr Drew Murray, Tony Spratt, Malcolm Mills and Richard Chambers.
It was good to see a fish caught at Meikleour on Thursday and Saturday. There were some nice fish caught at Cargill last week. Successful anglers included Cargill regular Mr Gavin Mason who caught some lovely fish on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Playing a powerful fish at Cargill last week
On Wednesday there were also several fish lost from the beat. On Thursday Mr William Grant caught a sparkling fresh grilse from the Sands at Cargill.
Mr William Grant with a sparkling grilse caught at Cargill on Thursday
There were fish caught every day at Taymount last week including a cracking eighteen pounder on Monday. The beat finished with twelve fish for the week.
It was good to see a fish caught on the Upper Scone Beat on Monday, Thursday and Friday. There was success at Benchil on Wednesday. Anglers had some steady sport through the course of last week at Waulkmill with the beat finishing with five fish for the week.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Currently, the Tay is at a great height for fly fishing on many beats and some of the fish caught in recent days have been sea liced. So why not book a day’s salmon fishing on the famous River Tay next week? It could be the place to provide you with that riverbank fairy-tale!
Maybe a pattern to tempt a big Tay salmon 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 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 26th August)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Lower Kinnaird 3, Dalguise 2, Dalmarnock 3, Dunkeld 5, Newtyle 1, Murthly 1, 5, Murthly 2, 13, Glendelvine 2, Kercock 5, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 2, Kethick Streams 1, Cargill 10, Taymount 12, Upper Scone 3, Benchil 1, Waulkmill 5, Lochlane & Laggan 1, Crieff Angling Club 1
Total: 75 Largest: Cargill 20lbs
THE RIVER AT A GREAT HEIGHT FOR THE WEEK AHEAD!
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 28th August 2023)
There were some lovely fish caught from the river last week with numerous salmon weighing well into double figures. We are now moving towards the end of August and this is when historically many beats on the River Tay start to make bigger catches. Hopefully, over the next few weeks, there will be a decent autumn run so anglers can enjoy some good sport up until the end of the season. With only around six weeks left there is not long to go before the season finally draws to a close on the Tay system.
It was quite a mixed bag of weather especially during the first half of last week with frequent showers or longer spells of rain affecting many parts of the country including Perthshire. This led to multiple small lifts in water through the course of the week. Over the weekend there have been a few showers and it has felt a little cooler and fresher. Looking ahead to next week, the trend will continue to remain unsettled with low pressure influencing the weather. Monday should be mainly dry. Tuesday and Wednesday will see some showers across much of Perthshire. The showery theme is set to continue for much of the week with temperatures mostly in the mid to high teens. Winds will be generally light.
The fish caught last week were mostly a mixture of larger summer salmon and hard-fighting fresh grilse and some were sea liced which was great to see. Salmon were caught from Lower Kinnaird down to Waulkmill on the main river with the bulk of the action coming from beats situated on the middle and lower river. There were also salmon landed from the River Ericht and Earn last week which was good to see.
As we move into September and October the beats located especially on the lower river should come into their own. Traditionally this is when these beats start to produce larger numbers of fish on a more consistent basis. Probably the best chance of success next week would be on some of the beats situated on the middle and lower river.
After the recent multiple lifts in water, the river is running at a great height for the week ahead. There is good availability next week so why not wet a line and chase some Tay summer silver? There is no better way to end August than landing a big Tay Atlantic 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 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 UNSETTLED WATER, FIRST SALMON AND A CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK! appeared first on Tay Rivers.
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