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(River Tay weekly report week ending 25th March 2023)
We are now moving towards the end of March and as each day passes more hard fighting spring salmon are running the Tay system. Over the next few weeks, we should be entering the prime spring period on the river and hopefully, there will be some good sport to be had. April and May are lovely months to visit beautiful Perthshire with signs of spring all around the countryside. It is also a great time of year to wet a line on the mighty River Tay and her tributaries as the runs of spring salmon gradually gain momentum.
It was quite an unsettled spell of weather last week with frequent showers or longer spells of rain. It was also quite windy through the middle part of the week and this coupled with multiple lifts in water made fishing conditions far from ideal. On Wednesday river levels on the Ballathie gauge peaked close to seven feet. Despite this, the Tay system continued to produce some stunning spring salmon which was great to see. The water temperature on the main river last week was around 40.3F (4.6C).
Mr Ronnie Blair lands spring silver at Dunkeld
On the River Tummel at Portnacraig Mr Steve Watt landed a cracking twenty one pounder on the fly from the Portnacraig bank on Thursday. It was a day to remember for Mr Ronnie Blair at Dunkeld on Monday. Mr Blair caught a fine eleven pounder which was in terrific condition. After a quick picture, the fish was safely returned.
Mr Steve Hamill had a happy Thursday at Newtyle. Mr Hamill was fishing the Cotter Pool when he got a solid take on the fly. After a good fight, Mr Hamill went on to land a nice fresh springer. There was also success on the Murthly 2 Beat on Thursday.
Mr Steve Hamill with a nice fly caught springer at Newtyle on Thursday
A magnificent eighteen pounder was caught from Glendelvine on Wednesday and on Friday a twenty-pounder was landed which just goes to show the quality of fish being caught from the River Tay at this time of year is second to none.
Mr George Hunter braved the gale force gusty winds on Wednesday whilst fishing on the Kercock Beat. Mr Hunter was rewarded for his efforts when he landed a lovely springer weighing nine pounds. The fish was caught on a gold bodied Willie Gunn tube fly.
There was another fish caught from Kercock on Saturday. This time the lucky angler was Simon Littlejohn.
A cracking springer caught from the Kercock Beat on Saturday
There were no Monday morning blues for Mr Tim Wood and Mr Derek Brynes at Meikelour. They both caught cracking springers which were in fin perfect condition. I think the smiles say it all!
A fine springer caught at Meikleour on Monday
There was another fish caught from the beat on Tuesday making it a great start to the week at Meikleour. On Thursday Mrs Irene Hall tasted success on the Meikleour Beat when she landed a magnificent fourteen pounder.
Mrs Hall enjoys success at Meikleour on Thursday
Mr Brian White was fishing at Cargill on Tuesday when he got a savage take on the fly. After a great fight, Mr White went on to land a lovely springer. The fish weighed thirteen pounds and was caught from the Grey Stone Pool. Well done Sir! It was good to see a fish caught from the Taymount Beat on Monday and a couple more on Thursday.
Mr Brian White lands a lovely Cargill springer on Tuesday
Mr Graham Yates had a fantastic Friday at Upper Scone. Mr Yates was fishing with his son Stuart and his friend Mr Stephen Paterson. Mr Yates hooked and landed a lovely fresh springer weighing seven pounds from the Wash House. This was Mr Yates first fish of the season and hopefully the first of many this year!
Mr Graham Yeats with a lovely springer from Upper Scone on Friday
There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on other beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
There now does seem to be a few springers around on the Tay system and with more fish entering the river daily anglers stand a decent chance of making contact with some early season silver. So why not cast a line on the magical River Tay next week? It could be the perfect way to end March on a high!
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 23rd March)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 1, Murthly 2, 1, Glendelvine 2, Kercock 2, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 4, Cargill 1, Taymount 3, Upper Scone 1
TOTAL: 17 LARGEST: Portnacraig Pitlochry 21lbs
IMPROVING CATCHES AS WE MOVE INTO APRIL?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 27th March 2023)
We move into April next week and hopefully catches will improve as we move through the month. April and May are usually prime spring months on the Tay system, especially for beats located on the middle river. Catches on many of the Tay’s tributaries including the Tummel and Isla usually also improve.
It was quite an unsettled week in terms of weather with frequent showers or longer spells of rain. It was also very windy through the middle part of the week and this coupled with multiple lifts in water made fishing challenging from time to time. Despite this, there were some lovely spring salmon caught from the Tay system.
Over the weekend the weather has been more settled but colder with a northerly airflow developing. There were a few showers and these were wintry over higher ground, especially on Sunday. Looking ahead to next week Monday should be mainly dry as a brief ridge of high pressure builds. Rain will spread in from the west on Tuesday and there could initially be some snow over the mountains as the rain hits the colder air. From midweek onwards there will be frequent showers or longer spells of rain as low pressure dominates. It will feel much milder with temperatures in the low double figures.
On the main river, there is a good chance of making contact with a fresh fish almost anywhere. The River Tummel and Isla are also worth a cast.
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the Tay system next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Tactics for the River Tay during the early spring period (January-March)
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 before visiting the River Tay.
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.
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