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(Last Updated: Tuesday 04 February)

MAGICAL MONDAY’S AND SUPER SATURDAY’S!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 1st February 2025)

 

We moved into February last week and are now into the final month of winter. So far it has been a relatively mild winter with the odd cold snap. However, as we all know, February can be a bitterly cold month with extreme weather, including heavy snowfall, but hopefully, this will not be the case in the upcoming weeks.

 

A beautiful early spring scene on the middle Tay

A beautiful early spring scene on the middle Tay

 

It was quite an unsettled start to last week, with heavy rain last weekend, and this led to a rising river on Monday. The culprit was a large area of low pressure centred close to the UK. However, as the week progressed it became more settled and water levels gradually began to drop. Temperatures were around average for the time of year and towards the end of the week there were some night time frosts.

The Cargill cracker caught on Monday!

The Cargill cracker caught on Monday!

 

Fishing pressure was relatively light again on the Tay system but more anglers did venture out to have a cast towards the end of the week as conditions improved. There were reports of some good fish lost on the river, including a powerful fish at Glendelvine from the Boat Pool on Friday and a couple at Kercock throughout the week. Whether they were springers or not, we will never know, but what we can say for certain is that they were strong fish. The common consensus on the river is that if there had been more rods fishing, there would have likely been a few more fish caught.

The pink & pearly Tomic was the lure that produced the goods!

The pink & pearly Tomic was the lure that produced the goods!

 

It was great to see the second salmon of the season caught from the Tay system on Monday. The stunning twelve pounder was caught from the famous Cargill Beat. Mr. Stewart Scott and ghillie at Cargill Mr. Dyllan Dunbar headed out in spite of a rising river and were rewarded for their efforts with a sparkling springer from the Garden Pool. The fish took a pearly pink Tomich lure. What a fish and well done, gentleman. It was a truly magical Monday at Cargill!

 

On Saturday, Kinnaird Head Ghillie Mr Martin Edgar took his twelve year old son, Ewan, out for a cast on the upper beat. Father and son were fishing in the Meetings Pool when young Ewan hooked a powerful fish. After a terrific fight, Ewan went on to land a magnificent eighteen pounder. Well done young man! What a fantastic moment to share between a father and son.

Young Ewan Edgar lands this Kinnaird sparkler on Saturday!

Young Ewan Edgar lands this Kinnaird sparkler on Saturday!

 

Hopefully, as we move through February, more fresh fish will enter the system, and catches will gradually build. This should provide anglers a decent chance of catching that elusive Tay springer.

The ultimate prize!

The ultimate prize!

 

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 [email protected].

 

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

Tight lines,

Samantha & Sandy Datta

 

 

 

A FEW MORE SPRINGERS AS WE MOVE THROUGH FEBRUARY?

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 3rd February 2025)

Fishing pressure remains relatively light on the Tay system, which is unsurprising as it is still early in the season. However, it was good to see the second and third salmon of the season caught from the Tay system last week. As we move through February, hopefully, there will be a few more springers caught from the river.

Looking ahead to next week, Monday should be mainly dry, but there will be some rain on Tuesday. High pressure is set to build from midweek onwards, bringing dry and more settled conditions. Temperatures should be around or just above average values for this time of year.

There is a reasonable chance of finding that elusive springer almost anywhere on the Tay system in the upcoming days, so why not wet a line on the Tay next week? There might just be a springer with your name on it!

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

 

 

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 prior to 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 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 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.

 

Beat catches reported

(Last week)

Beat Catches
Catholes Salmon - 1, Sea trout - 0
Portnacraig Pitlochry Salmon - 1, Sea trout - 0