Tay Report for week ending 27th February 2010.
The last week of February on the Tay was very disappointing as only 4 salmon were recorded from all over the district.
The river was running below 1 foot at the start of the week with night temperatures down to below -8C on the lower Tay. The river gradually dropped away as the week went on with good conditions for spring fishing, it remained cold. The river temperature dropped to 34F or 1C on Monday and was recorded lower in the mornings; it was bitterly cold and difficult to fish effectively. On Thursday we got heavy snow, which continued, into Friday. The snow turned to rain at low levels causing the lower river to go dirty on Friday and Saturday, which did not help. Hopefully the colour will clear for the start of the week and with 4 metre tides make a few spring salmon run.
The lower river produced 2 out of the 4 spring salmon caught. Taymount had a salmon on Monday. On Saturday Islamouth caught a lovely 14 pound springer. John McElroy caught the fresh springer on a Toby from the Donets pool from the bank.
The middle Tay produced only 2 salmon from Coupar Grange. They also caught the largest salmon of the week falling to Scottish ghillie Johnny Muller fly fishing from the bank.
Many thanks for all the pictures everyone sent me of opening week spring salmon and thanks to all who have sent me their individual fishing experiences over the last season on the river. I would be most grateful if you to do the same this season by emailing stanley.fishing@ukonline.co.uk to be included in this report.
Prospects for the week commencing 1st March 2010.
As of Monday the river is settled and running at a low level after last weeks cold weather.
The weather is to remain cold this coming week with a chance of milder conditions at the end of the week. There is 4 metre tides at the start of the week, which hopefully will encourage some early March spring salmon to run the river.
The water temperature is 34 degrees Fahrenheit or 1 degrees Celsius meaning you have certainly to spin or fish a fly slow and deep.
With very cold water recently it is likely that most springers will have been bottled up in the lower river. If there is a bit of fresh water and milder conditions this may enable some salmon to run further upstream. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the lower and middle river. There will no doubt be quite a few kelts about on many beats and possibly some later run fish which have yet to spawn. Hopefully the return to higher water conditions will see the spawning season wind up quickly but if you find such fish, please avoid gravelly areas where they might be spawning.
The Craigs on Upper Redgorton on the lower Tay below Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
The river is running low and cold, meaning the salmon will be running slowly and should favour the lower Tay beats.
There is good availability throughout the river so why not have a go.
As to methods, once the river settles fishing by any method will have to be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.
Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January - May 2010 is that all spring salmon should be released, i.e. the Tay has adopted a policy of 100% catch and release for spring salmon. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please help preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the recommendations.
If you have any news or pictures of catches or experiences on the Tay and you would like to share them please email me on stanley.fishing@ukonline.co.uk to be included in this report.
Tight lines.
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