Tay - Reports

 

TROPICAL TEMPERATURES MAKE IT TOUGH GOING ON THE TAY!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 11th July 2026)

We are now moving towards the middle of July and are in the height of the Scottish summer. The weather last week felt like summer, especially during the second half of the week. After a relatively cloudy start to the week, high pressure built from the south and temperatures climbed. By the end of the week, temperatures were in the mid-twenties and there were some long spells of strong sunshine. This did seem to impact catches somewhat, which was hardly surprising. Thankfully, Saturday was a cloudy and cooler day. River levels were steady for much of the week. The tropical temperatures made it tough going on the Tay system.
There were fish caught from both Farleyer beats on the upper river last week. At Lower Kinnaird, there was a cracking eighteen pounder caught on Saturday. On Monday, it was good to see a couple of fish caught at Dalguise. There were also fish caught at Dalmarnock and Dunkeld last week on the middle river.
On the Murthly beats, there were a couple of fish caught at Murthly 2 on Monday, with three more fish caught from the beat on Tuesday. The Murthly beats finished with a creditable combined total of thirteen fish for the week.

There was a fine brace landed at Kercock on Monday. Successful anglers included Mr Graham Sutherland, who caught the first grilse of the season from the beat and Mr Rudi Kopczyk, who caught a lovely nine pounder.

There was further success at Kercock on Tuesday when a fine ten pounder was landed. On Saturday, Mr John Dewar caught a lovely fresh grilse at Kercock.

It was good to see a fish caught at Meikleour on Friday. At Islamouth, a fish was caught from the beat on Monday. On Tuesday, three fish were caught at Islamouth.

Mr Mike Stevenson caught a cracker from the Longhead in the morning. In the afternoon, Mr Giles Moffat landed a fine brace from the Ringstone. On Saturday, Mr Allan Ferrie caught a nice fresh fish from the Longhead at Islamouth.

There was success at Ballathie on Monday and Wednesday. Mr David Cronshaw caught a nice summer salmon at Cargill in spite of the hot weather on Thursday.

On Friday, Mr Keith Coles caught a decent fish from the Cradle at Cargill. There were a couple more fish caught from the beat on Saturday.

It was a good start to the week at Stobhall with a couple of fish landed from the beat on Monday. There was more success at Stobhall on Wednesday despite the hot, sunny conditions. The Taymount Beat finished with three fish for the week.

On the Stanley beats, there was a fish caught at Pitlochrie on Monday.

It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Benchil on Tuesday, with more success on Saturday.

On Friday, the Luncarty Beat produced its first fish of the season.

Mr David Wood had a happy Monday at Fishponds when he caught a lovely seventeen pounder on the fly from the Craigs despite the gusty upstream wind.

On Tuesday, Mr Ronnie Fraser caught a cracking fifteen pounder from the Five Trees at Fishponds. In the afternoon, Mr Fraser landed his second fish of the day, this time weighing twelve pounds again from the Five Trees. Mr Simon Furniss landed a twelve pounder from the Red Brae and there were also a couple of fish lost. All in all, a good day at Fishponds.
Further downstream, there was a magnificent nineteen pounder caught at Waulkmill on Monday.

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].
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta

Beat catches reported
(week ending 11th July)
SALMON & GRILSE: Upper Farleyer 1 Lower Farleyer 1, Lower Kinnaird 1, Dalguise 2, Dalmarnock 3, Dunkeld 1, Murthly 1, 1, Murthly 2, 12, Kercock 4, Meikleour & Upper Islamouth 1, Islamouth 5, Ballathie 2, Cargill 4, Stobhall 3, Taymount 3, Pitlochrie 1, Benchil 3, Fishponds 4, Luncarty 1, Waulkmill 1
Total:54

Largest: Waulkmill 19lbs                                                        

PLENTY OF DRY WEATHER ON OFFER IN THE WEEK AHEAD!

(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 13th July 2026)

It was a settled week, weather wise, across Perthshire, with high pressure steadily building throughout the week. From midweek onwards, it became quite bright and sunny and temperatures started to rise. Indeed, by the end of the week, temperatures were in the mid-twenties in some spots, which affected the fishing.
Over the weekend, it remained dry but thankfully felt a little cooler as an easterly breeze developed. Looking ahead to next week, high pressure is set to remain in charge with plenty of dry weather on offer. Cloud cover will vary daily and temperatures will be in the high teens or low twenties on most days. Towards the end of the week, it is likely to feel quite warm again as temperatures could rise once again.
Over the next few weeks, more and more fresh fish should enter the river and hopefully this should ensure some good sport for anglers.
In spite of the hot weather towards the end of last week, there were some lovely fish landed from the Tay system. The fish caught last week were a mixture of hard fighting fresh grilse and larger summer salmon, of which many of these were sea liced which was good to see. Catches on the river were well spread last week from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill on the main river. There is good availability on the Tay system next week for anglers wishing to wet a line.
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 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 always treat their quarry with the utmost of respect.