Tay - Reports

MORE DAM SUCCESS AND TWO BIRTHDAY SALMON AS LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE ON THE TAY!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 20th April 2023)

We have now moved into mid-April and it seems like an age since we had a settled spell of weather. The recent heavy rain and strong winds have been relentless over the past two months, leading to very unsettled river levels. However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, as high pressure is set to build over the next week, which could lead to a more settled spell of weather.

It was good to see some cracking fish caught from the Tummel and Ericht last week. Hopefully, runs of fish entering the river and heading for these tributaries will grow from strength to strength as we move through April and into May.

There were further lifts in the water last week, which seems to be a recurring theme this spring. Despite this, some nice fish were caught from the tay system. On the Upper River, the Lower Bolfracks Beat produced a fine brace on Wednesday. The Portnacraig Beat on the River Tummel has produced some lovely springers in recent days and last week was no different with more dam success. There were three fish caught from the beat on Monday. First on the scoresheet on Monday was Mr Dave Stewart, who landed a magnificent sixteen pounder from the Portnacraig Bank. Not to be outdone, Mr. Craig Masson then went on to land another sixteen pounder, this time from the Pitlochry Bank. Mr Steve Watt also enjoyed success on Monday at Portnacraig. In addition to this, two fish were lost on the beat on Monday. On Wednesday, Portnacraig regular Mr Jim Fisher caught a sparkling springer weighing ten pounds from the Portnacraig Bank.

On Friday, Roger Collins had more success at the dam, this time catching a fine twelve pounder. The Portnacraig Beat finished with fish for the week.

Mr Dave Maxwell had a happy Tuesday at Newtyle. Mr. Maxwell landed a lovely sea liced fish on the fly from the Plain Tree Pool on the fly in the afternoon. On Wednesday, Mr Maxwell enjoyed more success at Newtyle when he landed another fine fish, this time from the Cotter Pool. Two springers in two days can’t be bad!

Birthday boy Mr Alan Coates had a memorable day on Wednesday at Newtyle. Mr Coates landed a fine springer from the Steps in the morning. Surely, his day could not have got any better, but it did! In the afternoon, Mr Coates caught his second birthday fish of the day, this time from Jocks Bank. Do birthdays get any better than this? The irony was that Mr Coates also caught a salmon last year on his birthday, proving that lightning can strike twice on the Tay!

The Murthly 1 Beat produced a nice fish on Wednesday. Mr James McDonald caught a lovely fish from Sparrowmuir at Delvine weighing nine pounds on Thursday. The fish took a Tay Lure.

Saturday saw the rod bent for Mr. Kenny Milne on the Kerock Beat when he successfully landed a lovely sea liced salmon on a Zebra Toby.

It was a happy Monday at Meikleour when two fish were landed from the beat. Ms Yvonne Berg landed a fine springer weighing ten pounds from the March Pool.

Not to be outdone, Ms Berg’s partner, Mr Chris Wong, landed a thirteen pounder from the Pumphouse Croy.

What an excellent result for the couple! There was another fish caught from the Meikleour Beat on Wednesday.

The West Grange Beat on the River Ericht produced a few nice fish last week, including a fine fifteen-pounder on Tuesday. Three more fish were caught at West Grange on Wednesday, bringing the total to eleven for the week.

On the lower river, Dr Richard Buckley enjoyed success at Cargill on Thursday. Mr Buckley caught a lovely fresh fish that was sea liced on the fly despite the strong winds.

There were also other fish caught last week from the Tay system on beats that do not wish to be mentioned in this report.

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 fishing the 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 20th April)

SALMON & GRILSE: Lower Bolfracks 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 5, Newtyle 4, Murthly 1, Delvine & Burnbane 1, Meikleour & U Islamouth 3, Cargill 1, West Grange 11

Total: 28 Largest: West Grange 15lbs

A MAINLY DRY WEEK AHEAD?

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 22nd April 2024)

There were some lovely springers caught from the Tay system last week, but again, anglers were hampered somewhat by unsettled water levels and a high river, especially during the first half of the week. The good news is that it has become drier over the weekend as high pressure has started to build. If the weather forecast is to be believed, it might be mostly dry next week with very little rainfall and light winds. If this turns out to be accurate, it will be music to the ears of anglers and ghillies alike, as it has been such a wet March and April thus far. What we need now is for a period of settled weather and for river levels to drop gradually.

Over the weekend, apart from the odd shower, it has been mainly dry. Looking ahead to next week, high pressure is likely to be in charge, bringing mostly dry and settled weather. Cloud amounts will vary, although the north-westerly wind will feel chilly. There is also the chance of some nighttime frosts.

We are moving now into what should be the prime spring period on the river, especially for beats situated on the middle river. Hopefully, some nice Tay springers will be caught in the weeks ahead. There is a decent chance of catching a fish almost anywhere on the main river next week, as well as the River Tummel and Ericht.

Good luck to all those fishing on the 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.