Prospects

Prospects for coming week

(Last updated: Monday 20th May)

The superb spring catches continued on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland this week with the river settling down to a good steady level and the weather was reasonably settled. Catches continued at good levels all week with also the emergence of some much larger multi sea winter salmon, which was very heartening. Milder weather has now arrived and there is a good settled forecast for this coming week, the catches have now spread as temperatures climb slowly maintaining good sport especially in the middle and Upper River.
Currently the river is dropping back and settling to a good height (about 2' and steady on the Ballathie gauge). The weather will remain milder over the next week with odd rain showers. This will benefit the whole river system as the salmon will spread with warmer temperatures and more water and hopefully this will maintain the chance of producing some sport for everyone.

The this link is set to be good with high pressure and much warmer over the coming week. Colder conditions are now gently disappearing and milder temperatures will encourage salmon to run up the river. The river is currently dropping, steady and at a good height. The water temperature has risen slightly to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The temperature may rise further with the warmer forecast and spread the catches throughout the system. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river now with less emphasis on the lower stretches.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method should enable you to catch the elusive Tay Springer. The water temperature has warmed up slowly enabling floating lines to come out with the addition of a sink tip being a favoured tactic and using normal dressed flies. It is still worth a go with sinking lines as well depending on water heights and stripping a Sun Ray Shadow is always worth a go. When spinning, Tay favourites include Toby Salmos, weighted and floating devons, flying C's and Visons or Rapalas. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year on many beats.

Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January - May 2013 is that all spring salmon should be released, i.e. the Tay has adopted a policy of 100% catch and release for spring salmon. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please help preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the recommendations. We have had a superb run and catch this season, which may just be down to the majority of anglers returning spring salmon over the past seasons. Thank you to all anglers who have this season so far returned their spring salmon to maintain our sport for the future, it is vitally important and is a great contribution by individuals who care for their sport and the river. Well done!

When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended.

How to Safely Release a Salmon

The best method of releasing a salmon is to leave it in the water and touch nothing but the hook with fingers or pliers. Whatever the method, care combined with speed, will give the fish the best chance of survival. Lee Wulff, Atlantic Salmon Journal Winter 1964/65.

• Use barbless or pinched hooks
• Retrieve your fish quickly; release it immediately
• Keep the fish in the water
• Use rubber or knotless cotton net, if one must be used
• Cut the leader if necessary
• Remove the hook carefully
• Hold the fish gently in natural swimming position, facing upstream until it revives
• Don't pump the fish. That is, don't move the fish back and forth in the water.

How should hooks be removed?

Very carefully. In quiet water, bring the wild salmon quickly within reach. Leaving the salmon in water and without squeezing it, remove the hook carefully with pliers or thumb and forefinger. If a net must be used, it should be rubber or knotless cotton. If necessary, cut the leader near the fly and spare the fish.

The Science of Live Release
Peer-reviewed science supports live release as a proven and effective conservation tool. Dr Fred Whoriskey, ASF Vice-President, Research & Environment.

Studies in North America and Europe have shown live release works, and in some instances Atlantic salmon have been angled 2 and 3 times. Science has shown that virtually all Atlantic salmon will survive when released, as long as the angler uses the proper techniques, refrains from angling in overly warm water, and does not overplay the Atlantic salmon. Like athletes sprinting on a track, Atlantic salmon build up lactic acid in their muscle tissues when they are being played. The key is oxygen: the fish need it in order to recover and continue their journey.

To recover, Atlantic salmon need:
• careful handling by the angler to reduce stress
• to remain in the water where they can breathe and reduce the oxygen deficit in their tissues
• to be held in an upstream position for water to flow more easily across their gills.

Photographing Your Spectacular Live Release Salmon.

Use a photo partner:

* Digital camera: make settings on the camera before you begin fishing or use a point and shoot film camera. Give it to your partner before the angling session.

* Whether a digital camera or a film camera, tell your partner to fill the frame, and take several images.

* If it is a film camera, be sure there is film in the camera. This may seem to be a simple matter, but mistakes do happen...

Let your partner get into position:

* Tell him/her what you are going to do. Alert your partner before you take the fish out of the water.

Support the Atlantic salmon:

* Carefully take the barbless hook out of the fish's mouth. With rod tucked under your arm, move one hand to the base of the tail. With your other hand, support the fish under the forward part of its body. Keep it in the water, with the fish pointed upstream to help its recovery.

* If a third person is present, give him or her the rod to hold, so you can concentrate on the wild salmon.

Take the picture quickly:

* With your photo partner warned, raise the wild Atlantic salmon partially out of the water for less than five seconds - or consider leaving it semi-submerged for the photo instead!

Return the Fish to Continue its Spawning Run:

* Support the salmon underwater in a natural position facing the current, handling it as little as possible. Give it time to recover. The goal is for the wild salmon to swim away on its own.

* Digital cameras offer the opportunity to adjust the film speed to suit conditions. In low light, such as evening, morning, heavy cloud, or deep shadow, consider setting the speed to 400, to take care of both movement and the low light. Experiment beforehand on speeds above 400, as many digital images become heavily pixilated at greater sensitivity.

* Remember to adjust the white balance for deep shadow, to warm the image.

* Today's print films even at 400 speeds are superb. Use 400-speed film at dawn, dusk or in shadow.

* Don't forget to smile! Your photo is a valuable memory.