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(最近更新时间: 星期五 18 十月)

CATCHES HOLD UP WELL DURING THE FINAL DAYS OF THE TAY SEASON!

(River Tay weekly report week ending 19th October 2024)

 

The River Tay finally closed its banks to anglers on Tuesday. The weather was quite settled, with cold, frosty mornings, sunny spells, and variable amounts of cloud. River levels were steady for the final two days of the season after a modest lift in water over the weekend. Catches held up well during the final days of the Tay season, which was great to see.

It was a cold start to the morning on Monday at Delvine

It was a cold start to the morning on Monday at Delvine

 

On the upper river, visiting angler Tony from London had a day to remember at Edradynate when he landed a cracking sixteen pounder on the fly on Monday. On Tuesday, three fish were caught from the Lower Bolfracks Beat, which was good to see. During the final two days of the season, fish were caught from the Lower Kinnaird, Dalguise and Dalmarnock beats.

An Edradynate cracker caught on Monday

An Edradynate cracker caught on Monday

 

There was a fine brace landed at Dunkeld on Tuesday. At Murthly, there was a cracking twenty six pounder caught from the Murthly 1 Beat on Monday. The Murthly beats finished with a very creditable combined total of eighteen fish for the season's last two days. It was good to see a couple of fish caught at Stenton on Monday and there was a fine brace landed at Delvine also on Monday.

A nice salmon caught at Dunkeld on Tuesday

A nice salmon caught at Dunkeld on Tuesday

 

At Kercock, there was some good sport to be had. Husband and wife team, Mr Pete and Sue Creswick, enjoyed some fantastic action. Pete landed a cracking eighteen pounder on the fly.

A very happy Mrs Sue Creswick at Kercock!

A very happy Mrs Sue Creswick at Kercock!

 

Other anglers that did well at Kercock included Mr. Mike Goode, Mr John Dewar and Mr Magnus Gloak.

 

The Meikleour Beat produced some nice fish during the final two days of the season. There were three landed from the beat on the final day.

Mr Pete Creswick with a Kercock cracker caught on the fly!

Mr Pete Creswick with a Kercock cracker caught on the fly!

 

Five fish were caught at Cargill on Monday, and the decent sport continued on the last day, with thirteen fish landed from the beat. Successful anglers included Mr Gavin Mason and Mr Neil French, amongst others.

Casting a fly at Cargill on Monday

Casting a fly at Cargill on Monday

 

There was some nice fish caught at Taymount which included six being landed on Tuesday. On the Stanley beats there were fish caught at Pitlochrie and Luncarty on Monday. On Tuesday there was also success at Catholes and there were three fish landed at Benchil. It was good to see a couple of fish landed at Upper Scone on Monday and another on Tuesday.

A nice Cargill salmon being returned on Monday

A nice Cargill salmon being returned on Monday

 

Mr. Gary Scott and Mr. Nick Warren enjoyed some decent sport at Fishponds on Monday, with two fish being caught from the beat. There were five fish caught at Fishponds on Tuesday which marked a great end to the season. Mr Mike Elgie landed two nice fish and Mr Willie Cummins had a twelve and seven pounder. However, the cigar went to Mr Robert Harvey, who caught a magnificent fourteen pounder at the tail of the Luncarty Pool!

Mr Gavin Mason with a fine Cargill salmon

Mr Gavin Mason with a fine Cargill salmon

 

It was good to see a fish caught at Upper Redgorton on Tuesday. The Waulkmill Beat finished with nine fish for the final two days of the season, including a magnificent twenty six pounder caught on Tuesday.

Mr Neil French playing a powerful fish at Cargill on Tuesday

Mr Neil French playing a powerful fish at Cargill on Tuesday

 

It has been one of the strangest seasons on the Tay, especially after the desperately poor spring run. Not many people expected things to get much better. However, nature has an amazing way of surprising us. The summer run on the Tay has been excellent, and many anglers have enjoyed some great sport, especially during the second half of the season. We will all be hoping for a similar strong summer run in 2025 coupled with a better spring. 

 

We would like to thank all the ghillies and beat owners on the Tay system who have contributed to this report throughout the season by providing their time and information, as the weekly report would not be possible without your help and support. The next weekly report will be published in mid-January 2025.

Tight lines,

Samantha & Sandy Datta

 

 

 

Tactics for the River Tay during the autumn period (September and October)

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 autumn months, water temperatures usually begin to fall on the river but much depends on the weather. The weather and water conditions can vary greatly during the autumn months with hot weather and low water coupled with high water temperatures especially if we have an Indian summer. Conversely, it can be quite cool with regular spells of wind and rain and even night time frosts. The fish also start to become a bit more aggressive especially when they turn their thoughts towards spawning. At this time of year, full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well especially if conditions are more akin to the summer months.  

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, colder water a sink tip or intermediate line may be required to produce the best results.

Make sure that your fly reel has got 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 autumn period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there can be some large fish around towards the end of the season. Usually, a breaking strain of around fifteen pounds is ideal.

During the autumn months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well if river levels are low and temperatures are high. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. If there are frequent night time frosts and high water, tube flies of various lengths and weights may be the order of the day.

Spinning

A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven feet 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 autumn months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive.

The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures are higher 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. In high cold water, it can often be more about fishing the lure that bit slower and at an adequate depth.

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 autumn months, good conditions arise on many beats for harling, especially in higher water. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practised at the beat ghillies discretion.