MULTIPLE LIFTS IN WATER DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE!
(River Tay weekly report week ending 6th June 2026)
We are now in June, which heralds the start of the summer salmon fishing season across Scotland. In the next few weeks, grilse and summer salmon will hopefully start running our rivers in ever-increasing numbers. Summer is a fantastic time of year to be out in the great Scottish outdoors. The leaves on the trees are green and vibrant and there are signs of life everywhere you look. The longer nights at this time of year also offer more angling opportunities, with evening fishing becoming possible and also productive.
In addition to salmon fishing, June and July can also be good months for Sea trout fishing. Traditionally, the runs of Sea trout peak within the next six weeks and a nice, hard fighting sea trout can brighten up any angler's day, especially if the salmon are playing hard to get!
June can be a good month for Sea trout on the Tay
It was thankfully cooler last week and on certain days it did not feel very summer like. Heavy showers affected large parts of Perthshire for much of the week, and, accompanied by temperatures in the mid-teens, made it feel more akin to late April than early June. The heavy, sometimes thundery showers led to multiple water lifts last week, which did affect the fishing somewhat.
It was good to see some nice fish caught from the upper river last week. The Findynate Beat produced a fish on Monday. There were also fish caught at Upper Farleyer, which included a magnificent twenty pounder caught on Tuesday. The Upper Kinnaird Beat produced three fish at the beginning of the week, which included a sixteen pounder. Other beats that produced fish on the upper river last week included Lower Bolfracks.
At Portnacraig on the River Tummel, Mr. Jack Pollard caught a nice twelve pounder on Tuesday from the Pitlochry bank. Mr Scott Walton also caught a good fish weighing ten pounds again from the Pitlochry bank on Tuesday. Both fish were caught on the spinner.
Mr Hari Formston lands a Newtyle cracker!
On the middle river, there was success at Lower Kinnaird on a number of days, with the beat finishing with five fish for the week. It was a fantastic start to the week at Dalmarnock, where five fish were landed from the beat on Monday. It was good to see a fish caught at Dunkeld on Saturday.
Mr. Hari Formston landed a fine fish at Newtyle from the Steps Pool on Monday morning. There was more success at Newtyle on Tuesday when a lovely fish was caught from the Boil. The fish was caught on an Aurora Cascade fly.
There was more success at Newtyle on Tuesday!
Mr. Robert Peetz from Denmark caught a cracking sixteen pounder at Newtyle on Wednesday evening. The fish was caught on a Sunray Shadow from the Steps Pool
Mr Ian Hodgson lands a Kercock sparkler!
Mr Ian Hodgson had a fantastic Monday at Kercock when he caught his first ever Tay salmon. Well done, Sir.. hopefully the first of many! There was more success at Kercock on Saturday.
A fine fish caught by Ryan at Meikleour on Monday
It was a day to remember for angler Ryan at Meikleour on Monday when he caught his first ever salmon. What a great achievement!. Angler Craig enjoyed success at Meikleour on Thursday.
Meikleour silver landed by Craig on Thursday
On Saturday, angler Kirsty caught a magnificent seventeen pounder from the House Pool at Meikleour.
A magnificent seventeen pounder caught at Meikleour on Saturday
At Islamouth, Mr. Jonathan Fenwick caught a nice fish in Sandyford on Monday morning.
Mr Jonathan Fenwick with a nice fish caught at Islamouth on Monday
Mr. Neil Mitchell caught two lovely fish from Islamouth on Thursday. The fish were caught from Sandyford and the Longhead.
A cracking fish caught by Mr Neil Mitchell at Islamouth on Thursday
On Friday, Mr. Stuart Lang landed Islamouth’s hundredth fish of the season. Mr. Barry Ward also caught a fish from the Longhead. On Saturday, Mr. Neil Mitchell enjoyed more success when he landed a fine brace. The Islamouth Beat finished with eight fish for the week.
Mr Barry Ward catches a a nice fish from the Longhead on Friday at Islamouth
Mr Ian Bowler’s party was fishing at Ballathie last week and they got off to a fast start when on Monday, one of the party members landed a fine fifteen pounder from the Rumbling Stone.
Success for Mr Ian Bowlers party at Ballathie on Monday
Mr. Mark Wadland caught a lively fourteen pounder at Ballathie on Tuesday from the Cradle. Mr. Keith Coles caught a nice fish at Cargill on Thursday. There was more success for Mr. Keith Coles on Saturday at Cargill.
Mr Mark Wadland lands a Ballathie cracker!
A fish was caught at Stobhall on Friday. On Saturday, Mr. Ed Collins caught a lovely deep fish from the Linn Head at Stobhall. It was good to see fish caught at Taymount on Monday and Tuesday. On Friday, there was a magnificent sixteen pounder caught from the Taymount Beat.
Mr Ed Collins lands a fine fish at Stobhall on Saturday
Further downstream at Fishponds, there were a couple of fish caught on Saturday. Mr Damian Geneau caught a ten pounder from the Knowes Bank on a Vision lure and Ms Sonia Grenier caught her first ever salmon, weighing fifteen pounds, from the Luncarty Pool. Well done to both anglers!
A nice fish caught at Fishponds on Saturday carrying some seal damage
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 feel free to contact us at [email protected] .
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Beat catches reported
(Last week)
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Beat
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Catches
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Fishponds
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Salmon - 2, Sea trout - 0
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Benchil
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Salmon - 0, Sea trout - 1
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Stobhall
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Salmon - 2, Sea trout - 0
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Taymount
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Salmon - 5, Sea trout - 0
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Ballathie
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Salmon - 2, Sea trout - 0
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Cargill
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Salmon - 3, Sea trout - 0
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Islamouth
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Salmon - 8, Sea trout - 0
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Meikleour and Upper Islamouth
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Salmon - 3, Sea trout - 0
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Kercock
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Salmon - 2, Sea trout - 0
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Stenton
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Salmon - 0, Sea trout - 1
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Newtyle
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Salmon - 3, Sea trout - 0
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Dunkeld
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Salmon - 1, Sea trout - 0
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Dalmarnock
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Salmon - 5, Sea trout - 0
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Lower Kinnaird
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Salmon - 5, Sea trout - 0
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Upper Kinnaird
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Salmon - 3, Sea trout - 0
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Findynate
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Salmon - 1, Sea trout - 0
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Lower Bolfracks
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Salmon - 1, Sea trout - 0
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Farleyer Upper
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Salmon - 3, Sea trout - 0
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Lochlane and Laggan
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Salmon - 2, Sea trout - 0
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Portnacraig Pitlochry
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Salmon - 3, Sea trout - 0
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WHAT WILL THE SECOND WEEK OF JUNE HAVE IN STORE?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 8th June 2026)
Heavy, prolonged showers were a theme last week, with temperatures in the mid-teens for the most part. The showers led to unsettled river levels, with multiple water lifts, especially in the middle part of the week. This did appear to affect the catches somewhat as the river was carrying some colour. Over the weekend, there was further rain on Saturday with more showers on Sunday.
Looking ahead to next week, the unsettled weather theme is set to continue. Monday and Tuesday will see showers affect many parts. There is a chance of some longer spells of rain on Wednesday. Towards the end of the week, there will be more showers as low pressure remains firmly in charge. Temperatures will be in the mid-teens for the most part.
Catches on the Tay system were again well spread last week, from Findynate down to Fishponds. There were also fish caught from the River Earn and Tummel. Many of the fish caught were sea liced, indicating that the fish entering the system were running hard. Hopefully, grilse and summer salmon will start being caught regularly in the coming weeks, giving anglers some optimism for the summer season. There is a good chance of catching a fresh fish anywhere on the main river next week, as the spread of recent catches suggests. Probably the best chance could be anywhere on the middle or lower river. The River Tummel and Isla could also be worth a cast following recent lifts in water. It will be interesting to see what the second week of June will have in store for anglers fishing the Tay.
As always, the River Tay offers anglers fantastic value for money with a wide range of salmon fishing to suit all tastes. There is decent availability in the upcoming days on some fantastic beats, so why not wet a line on one of Scotland’s most famous and iconic salmon rivers? There could be a big Tay salmon with your name on it!
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 summer period (June-August)
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 summer months water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. Often river levels are low but on the River Tay they are never too low that fresh fish cannot run the system. At this time of year full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well.
As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful fourteen or 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 is perfect for the job at this time of year. In higher water during the summer months a sink tip or intermediate 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 summer period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there are some big summer salmon that run the Tay. Usually a breaking strain between twelve and fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the summer months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. Don’t forget how effective flies like the Sunray Shadow can be at this time of year. These flies fished close to the surface can really do the business especially if the fish are keen on chasing a fly and in an active mood.
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 thirty 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 thirty grams. Devon Minnows can also be effective on the River Tay. During the summer months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive. The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures start to rise and often salmon will chase the lure before taking it. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. These lures can be excellent during the summer months.
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.
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. Often during the summer months, the water is too low to harl on many beats. However, if there is a decent spate this method can be highly productive. 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.
