Tay - Reports

FIRST CAST SUCCESS, FIRST FLY CAUGHT SALMON AND A HOME TIED TRIUMPH! 

(River Tay weekly report week ending 4th May 2024) 

We have now moved into mid-May, which is a prime spring month on many Scottish rivers. Before our eyes, the seasons are changing as we move deeper into spring. With the days getting longer, it is only a matter of time before we experience those magical balmy summer evenings, with the dark winter nights being a distant memory. 

The landscape is changing around us, and in Perthshire, the banks of the River Tay are becoming a sea of colour. There is more foliage on the trees, and vibrant greens are replacing the dull greys as nature has its relentless paintbrush out once again. This is the time of year when many purists of our sport start their salmon fishing season. With the weather getting warmer and river levels dropping, small dressed flies and floating lines can often be the order of the day. 

River levels were quite settled last week, apart from a slight lift on Tuesday. Some lovely springers were caught from the Tay system, but anglers still had to work hard for their fish. It was good to see some of the upper beats on the river enjoy some success. Both Farleyer beats caught fish last week and there was also fresh silver landed at Pitnacree and Upper Kinnaird. 

Some cracking fish were caught at Portnacraig on the River Tummel last week. On Monday, Mr Steve Watt landed a fresh fourteen pounder from the Pitlochry Bank. Mr Matti Rautio also landed a superb twenty pounder from the Pitlochry Bank. On Tuesday, successful anglers included Mr. Jonathan Dent, who caught a sea liced fishing weighing fourteen pounds from the Portnacraig Bank, and Mr. Alun Williams. 

Next on the scoresheet at Portnacraig was Mr Jim Fisher, who had initially lost a fish on Thursday on the fly but then went on to land a superb eight pounder from the Pitlochry Bank. The Portnacraig Beat finished with six fish for the week.

Mr Ronnie Blair had a great day at Dunkeld on Wednesday when he caught a lovely twelve pounder on his first cast of the day. Mr Blair hooked another fish on his second cast of the day, but unfortunately, the fish was lost. You cannot beat a first cast salmon!

It was a happy Monday for Ms. Tara Spiers at Newtyle when she landed a magnificent springer from the Boil on the fly. Mr Richard Henderson then went on to catch his first ever salmon on the fly at Newtyle, also from the Boil. A very special fish and a moment Mr Henderson will never forget! 

There was more success at the Boil on Newtyle on Friday, this time for Ms Geraldine Gaffney, who caught a sparkling springer weighing fifteen pounds, which gave an excellent account of itself. What a fish!

Both Murthly beats produced nice fish during the first half of the week, and fish were also caught at Stenton on Monday and Wednesday. On Thursday, Mr Stuart Lang caught a lovely fish at Murthly on a Banana fly.

Kercock regular Mr. Scott Sykes had a happy Saturday fishing the beat. He hooked a strong fish and after a great fight, landed a sparkling springer. 

It was a great story at Meikleour on Monday. Angler Jane was fishing on the beat when she hooked a powerful fish on the fly. After a great tussle, Jane landed the lovely twelve pounder. What made the moment even sweeter was the fact that Jane caught the fish on Stoats Tail, which she had tied herself. Well done Jane and nothing beats a home tied triumph!

Further downstream, a cracking eighteen pounder was caught at Taymount on Wednesday, and Upper Redgorton had success on Friday. Other fish were caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.

With only a few weeks of the spring season remaining, time is running out to make contact with that big Tay springer. So why not book a day on one of Scotland’s most famous and prolific salmon rivers next week? You might just have that May day to remember!

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. 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 feel free to contact us at [email protected] 

Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.

Tight lines,

Samantha & Sandy Datta

Beat catches reported (only for beats that wished to be mentioned in the TDSFB report)

(week ending 4th May)

SALMON & GRILSE: Upper Farleyer 3, Lower Farleyer 2, Pitnacree & Balnabeggan 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 6, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 3, Murthly 1, 2 Murthly 2, 1, Stenton 2, Kercock 1, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, West Grange 3, Taymount 1, Upper Redgorton 1

Total:29 Largest: Portnacraig Pitlochry 20lbs

MORE STUNNING SPRING SALMON TO BE LANDED IN THE DAYS AHEAD?

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 6th May 2024)

Apart from some light showery rain, it has been mainly dry over the past few days across Perthshire. Last week, river levels were mainly settled, apart from a slight lift on Tuesday. The river was at a good height for many beats. This is traditionally the prime spring period for many beats, especially on the middle river, and hopefully, anglers will taste success on the Tay over the next few weeks. There were some stunning spring salmon caught last week and hopefully, there will be more to come in the days ahead.

Apart from a few showers, it has been mainly dry over the weekend. There will be some widespread showers during the first half of the week, and winds will be light. Temperatures will be around the mid-teens. Towards the end of the week, there is a chance of high pressure building, bringing primarily dry and settled conditions. 

Again, catches were well spread on the Tay system from Upper Farleyer down to Upper Redgorton last week. A number of the fish caught were sea liced, which was good to see. In the upcoming days, fresh fish could be caught almost anywhere on the river, as well as Loch Tay and Loch Faskally. 

There is good availability on the river next week to suit all budgets and the variety of fishing on offer on the River Tay system is second to none. With some nice fish recently caught from the river, why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay next week? You might just experience some May magic!

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 spring period (April-May)

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 April and May water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. As river levels start to drop and water temperatures rise often heavy sinking lines and big tube flies are no longer needed. Instead sink tip lines or even floating lines coupled with a sinking polyleader can be more than adequate.
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 ideal.
In April and May depending on the water height and temperature smaller tube flies of various weights can work well.  If the water temperatures are low weighted copper, brass or even tungsten tubes will allow your fly to get well down. Usually by late April and into May depending on the water height dressed flies can also be considered as a good alternative to the tube.

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. In April and May, the Floating Devon can also work well. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. These lures can be excellent during the spring months. Once the water temperature rises sufficiently the Flying C is also a great lure and one which can produce the goods.

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 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 15^th to 1^st 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.

Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.

Tight lines,

Samantha & Sandy Datta