Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 29th January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 29th January 2011.

Spring Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 29th January 2011.
The second week of the Tay season was very similar to the corresponding week last year with 27 spring salmon caught as opposed to 28 last year. A few others were caught but not recorded. It has been a slow start but certainly a positive one.

The river was settled and dropping all week, which resulted in success for some of the lower beats as well as some higher beats. Very cold water meant ideal conditions for the lower river. The river temperature was 36 degrees Fahrenheit or 2 degrees Celsius which meant fishing methods of spinning and fly fishing were slow and deep.

27 spring salmon were reported last week with the best salmon of 20 pounds being landed at Taymount and two 18 pounds salmon landed at Dunkeld House and Coupar Grange respectively. There are still a number of other salmon in the river from a late run at the end of the year, which makes identification difficult at times. These salmon should be handled extremely carefully as with springers to ensure their survival and hopefully enabling them to spawn.

On the lower river 14 fresh spring salmon were caught and most beats contributed.

The best salmon of the week was a 20 pounds beauty from the Taymount beat caught in the Aldrens from the boat on a Kynoch. This was a day to remember for Andy and Clair Cowburn. Another good springer was caught by Greig Thomson from Dundee with a lovely 17 pounds fish from Stobhall. Ghillie John Bennett was lucky at Luncarty with a couple of good fish from the boat. Catholes also had a couple during the week as did Upper Scone. Neil Lauchlin landed a lovely 13 pounds fish from the boat on the Benchil beat. Lastly James McKay caught a memorable spring salmon on his last cast on Saturday on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley.

Last week also marked the retiral of George Maitland on the Taymount beat after 40 years service. I am sure we will all with him well.

The middle river reported 11 spring salmon which also included 3 salmon from the Isla at Coupar Grange.

2 fresh spring salmon came off the Newtyle beat at Dunkeld to fly fishing enthusiasts Thomas Black and Stan Baird, the latter landing a 14 pounds fish. Kercock and Dunkeld House also landed 2 salmon a piece last week.

On the upper river 2 springers were reported and both were caught at Dalguise.

Many 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 me at
robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in this report.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing Prospects for week commencing 31st January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing Prospects for week commencing 31st January 2011.

Spring Salmon Fishing Prospects for week commencing 31st January 2011.
The river has dropped back to around 2 feet on the lower Tay but still at a good height with settled conditions.

The weather is to remain settled with high pressure until the middle of the week when there is a chance of rain and milder conditions. The water temperature is 36 degrees Fahrenheit or 2 degrees Celsius meaning you have certainly to spin or fish a fly slow and deep.

With very cold and low water recently it is likely that most springers will have been bottled up in the lower river. However, a rise in water should encourage them to move, but with water temperatures still low they might not run that far, i.e. race through to Loch Tay. 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 river is running at a good height and cold meaning the salmon will be running slowly and favour the lower Tay beats conditions permitting.

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 2011 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.

To help you follow our guidelines I have included these helpful pointers.

How to SAFELY Release a Salmon
“The best method of releasing a salmon is to leave it in the water
and touch nothing but the hook with fingers or pliers.
“Whatever the method, care combined with speed, will give the fish the best chance of survival.”
Lee Wulff, Atlantic Salmon Journal Winter 1964/65

• Use barbless or pinched hooks
• Retrieve your fish quickly; release it immediately
• Keep the fish in the water
• Use rubber or knotless cotton net, if one must be used
• Cut the leader if necessary
• Remove the hook carefully
• Hold the fish gently in natural swimming position, facing upstream until it revives
• Don’t pump the fish. That is, don’t move the fish back and forth in the water.

How should hooks be removed?
Very Carefully
In quiet water, bring the wild salmon quickly within reach. Leaving the salmon in water and without squeezing it, remove the hook carefully with pliers or thumb and forefinger. If a net must be used, it should be rubber or knotless cotton. If necessary, cut the leader near the fly and spare the fish.

James McKay from Perth about to release a spring salmon at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
The Science of Live Release
“Peer-reviewed science supports live release as a proven and effective conservation tool.”
Dr. Fred Whoriskey,
ASF Vice-President, Research & Environment

Studies in North America and Europe have shown live release works, and in some instances Atlantic salmon have been angled 2 and 3 times.
Science has shown that virtually all Atlantic salmon will survive when released, as long as the angler uses the proper techniques, refrains from angling in overly warm water, and does not overplay the Atlantic salmon.
Like athletes sprinting on a track, Atlantic salmon build up lactic acid in their muscle tissues when they are being played.
The Key is Oxygen – The fish need oxygen in order to recover and continue their journey.
To recover, Atlantic salmon need:
• careful handling by the angler to reduce stress
• to remain in the water where they can breathe and reduce the oxygen deficit in their tissues
• to be held in an upstream position for water to flow more easily across their gills

Photographing Your Spectacular Live Release Salmon.

Use a photo partner:

* Digital camera: make settings on the camera before you begin fishing or use a point and shoot film camera. Give it to your partner before the angling session.

* Whether a digital camera or a film camera, tell your partner to fill the frame, and take several images.

* If it is a film camera, be sure there is film in the camera. This may seem to be a simple matter, but mistakes do happen...

Let your Partner get into Position:

* Tell him/her what you are going to do. Alert your partner before you take the fish out of the water.

Support the Atlantic salmon:

* Carefully take the barbless hook out of the fish’s mouth. With rod tucked under your arm, move one hand to the base of the tail. With your other hand, support the fish under the forward part of its body. Keep it in the water, with the fish pointed upstream to help its recovery.

* If a third person is present, give him or her the rod to hold, so you can concentrate on the wild salmon.

Take the Picture Quickly:

* With your photo partner warned, raise the wild Atlantic salmon partially out of the water for less than five seconds - or consider leaving it semi-submerged for the photo instead!

Return the Fish to Continue its Spawning Run:

* Support the salmon underwater in a natural position facing the current, handling it as little as possible. Give it time to recover. The goal is for the wild salmon to swim away on its own.

* Digital cameras offer the opportunity to adjust the film speed to suit conditions. In low light, such as evening, morning, heavy cloud, or deep shadow, consider setting the speed to 400, to take care of both movement and the low light. Experiment beforehand on speeds above 400, as many digital images become heavily pixilated at greater sensitivity.

* Remember to adjust the white balance for deep shadow, to warm the image.

* Today’s print films even at 400 speeds are superb. Use 400-speed film at dawn, dusk or in shadow.

* Don’t forget to smile! Your photo is a valuable memory.

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 robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in this report.

Tight lines.


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Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fishing at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fishing at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland January 2011.

James McKay from Perth caught his first January spring salmon on the Pitlochrie beat of the Tay today on a devon at the tail of the Woodside. It was quite a cold January day with temperatures just above freezing all day however James persevered and caught this cracking Tay springer on his last cast late in the afternoon.

The 13 pounds spring salmon caught by James. Well done James. The salmon was carefully released back to the river.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Scottish Ghillie Retires.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Scottish Ghillie Retires.

Scottish Ghillie George Maitland receives a bronze salmon from Duncan Glass to mark his retiral from the river Tay in Perthshire, Scotland. George ghillied on the Taymount beat for over 40 years and was a popular character on the river. He will be badly missed.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2011.

John Anderson playing a Kelt on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

Jerry Moriarty playing a lively salmon on the fly in Horsey. Unfortunately it was a Kelt.

A lovely spring salmon caught on the Catholes just above Stanley.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay, Perthshire, Scotland January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay, Perthshire, Scotland January 2011.

Neil Lauchlin releasing a 13 pounds spring salmon on the Upper Scone beat at Benchil on the lower Tay just below Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. Neil caught his salmon harling a yellow Kynoch from the boat in the Todd Holes pool.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland January 2011.


Video of Salmon being caught but unfortunately not springers and the boat harling on the river at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Identification January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Identification January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Atlantic Salmon Identification.
These are all Atlantic Salmon which can be caught in the river at this time of year.
This is particularly important this season as we have a number of salmon after a strong late run in the river and identifying them can be difficult. It is very important to get it correct despite us returning them all unharmed.

Easy one to start. This is a spring run salmon which is what we are all after at this time of year.

This is a Kelt. Novices take note of the thin eel like look of the fish and the big head in proportion to the body. Once the season gets into late February and March the kelts turn very silver as they prepare to go to sea so identifying them against springers can be more difficult for the inexperienced.

This is a female unspawned salmon which is called a Baggot and can be very silver if not long in the river. The body still has a girth because it has still to spawn.

Lastly this is a male salmon still full of milt. The Kype tends to be well pronounced and you can catch these fish with sea lice at this time of year. This was termed a Kipper by the Ghillies or a Rawner. Possibly this has been a late runner as it is still quite silver and would widely accepted as a good fish in the Autumn.

Who said Salmon fishing is easy! Tight lines.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay 2011.

Newtyle beat at Dunkeld, Perthshire had a good day yesterday landing 2 Spring Salmon fly fishing.

Mr Thomas Black with a 10 pound Springer landed fly fishing from the Cotter.

Mr Stan Baird with his stunning 14lb sea liced springer landed on the fly.

Stan Baird carefully returning his beauty back to the river.
Thanks Martin.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland January 2011.

Spring salmon caught on the lower Tay today in Perthshire, Scotland

An 8 pounds spring salmon caught in the Horsey pool on the Pitlochrie beat on a harled lure from the boat.

This was a 12 pounds spring salmon caught at Luncarty, Perthshire, Scotland today.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland January 2011.

These were some successful anglers on the Tay Spring Salmon fishing today.

This was the Spring salmon of the day from the river. A 20 pounds beauty from the Taymount beat caught in the Aldrens from the boat on a Kynoch. This was a day to remember for Andy and Clair Cowburn.

Greig Thomson from Dundee caught this 17 pounds spring salmon on the Stobhall beat from the boat at the Root.

This was a spring salmon from the home beat at Meikleour caught by Stewart Montgomery.

The sun goes down on another day on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland. This was the view looking down from Benchil to Upper Redgorton at last light.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland 2011.


Video a Spring Fishing action last week. Spring salmon fishing on the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. Views of Benchil on the lower Tay and salmon being played including Ian Kettles playing and landing a 16 pounds spring salmon.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Spring Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 22nd January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Spring Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 22nd January 2011.

River Tay Spring Salmon fishing report for week ending 22nd January 2011.
After all the excitement of the opening day ceremonies it was down to the real act of fishing and the first whole week of the season. It was a slow start after the massive river last weekend with the big thaw and torrential rain however by the end of the week some good spring salmon were landed and there was a great feeling of expectation.

The dirty water last weekend cleared by Wednesday making good conditions for the end of the week, which resulted in success for some of the lower Tay beats as well as some higher beats. Very cold water meant ideal conditions for the lower river. The river temperature was 36F or 2C which meant fishing methods of spinning and fly fishing were slow and deep.

12 spring salmon were reported last week with the best salmon of 16 pounds being landed on Dunkeld and at Pitlochrie. There are a number of other salmon in the river from a late run at the end of the year, which makes identification difficult at times. These salmon should be handled extremely carefully as with springers to ensure their survival and hopefully enabling them to spawn.

On the lower river fresh spring salmon were caught at Stobhall, Upper Scone, Pitlochrie and Benchil and on Upper Redgorton. Keith Greenweel caught his first spring salmon from the Linn pool on the Stobhall beat on Friday on a toby. John Murray caught 2 springers in 2 days on Upper Scone, the best one weighing 12 pounds from Aitken Head on Saturday. The Pitlochrie beat at Stanley caught 2 on Saturday. Ian Kettles landed a superb 16 pounds salmon from the Wash House on a devon and Danny Fulton caught a sea liced 12 pounds fish in Horsey fly fishing with a tube fly. Jock Tait got off to a good start on Upper Redgorton with 2 springers, the best one was a 12 pounds fish on a harled tube fly landed by Jim Kilgour.

Ian Kettles playing a 16 pounds spring salmon at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

The middle river featured as well after the spate. Dunkeld House got off to a good start with 2 lovely salmon including a 16 pounds springer. Kercock and Newtyle caught their first salmon. Mr Rory Campbell, on his birthday caught a 12lb Springer on the fly from the Fiddlers Pool at Newtyle, Dunkeld.

A good spring salmon from the Dunkeld House beat on Saturday.

On the upper river Dalguise got of the mark on Saturday. There have not been any reports from Loch Tay as yet.

Many 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 me at
stanley.fishing@ukonline.co.uk to be included in this report.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Spring Salmon Fishing prospects for week commencing 24th January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Spring Salmon Fishing prospects for week commencing 24th January 2011.

River Tay Spring Salmon fishing prospects for the coming week 24th January 2011.
The river is flowing at a good height with settled conditions.

The weather is to be settled with a high pressure for the week but remaining fairly cold. The water temperature is 36 degrees Fahrenheit or 2 degrees Celsius meaning you have certainly to spin or fish a fly slow and deep.

Lower Tay Aitken Head pool on the Benchil beat just below Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
With very cold water recently it is likely that most springers will have been bottled up in the lower river. However, this rise in water should encourage them to move, but with water temperatures still low they might not run that far, i.e. race through to Loch Tay. 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 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 river is running at a good height and cold meaning the salmon will be running slowly and favour the lower Tay beats conditions permitting.

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 2011 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.

To help you follow our guidelines I have included these helpful pointers.

How to SAFELY Release a Salmon
“The best method of releasing a salmon is to leave it in the water
and touch nothing but the hook with fingers or pliers.
“Whatever the method, care combined with speed, will give the fish the best chance of survival.”
Lee Wulff, Atlantic Salmon Journal Winter 1964/65

• Use barbless or pinched hooks
• Retrieve your fish quickly; release it immediately
• Keep the fish in the water
• Use rubber or knotless cotton net, if one must be used
• Cut the leader if necessary
• Remove the hook carefully
• Hold the fish gently in natural swimming position, facing upstream until it revives
• Don’t pump the fish. That is, don’t move the fish back and forth in the water.

How should hooks be removed?
Very Carefully
In quiet water, bring the wild salmon quickly within reach. Leaving the salmon in water and without squeezing it, remove the hook carefully with pliers or thumb and forefinger. If a net must be used, it should be rubber or knotless cotton. If necessary, cut the leader near the fly and spare the fish.

The Science of Live Release
“Peer-reviewed science supports live release as a proven and effective conservation tool.”
Dr. Fred Whoriskey,
ASF Vice-President, Research & Environment

Studies in North America and Europe have shown live release works, and in some instances Atlantic salmon have been angled 2 and 3 times.
Science has shown that virtually all Atlantic salmon will survive when released, as long as the angler uses the proper techniques, refrains from angling in overly warm water, and does not overplay the Atlantic salmon.
Like athletes sprinting on a track, Atlantic salmon build up lactic acid in their muscle tissues when they are being played.
The Key is Oxygen – The fish need oxygen in order to recover and continue their journey.
To recover, Atlantic salmon need:
• careful handling by the angler to reduce stress
• to remain in the water where they can breathe and reduce the oxygen deficit in their tissues
• to be held in an upstream position for water to flow more easily across their gills

Photographing Your Spectacular Live Release Salmon.

Use a photo partner:

* Digital camera: make settings on the camera before you begin fishing or use a point and shoot film camera. Give it to your partner before the angling session.

* Whether a digital camera or a film camera, tell your partner to fill the frame, and take several images.

* If it is a film camera, be sure there is film in the camera. This may seem to be a simple matter, but mistakes do happen...

Let your Partner get into Position:

* Tell him/her what you are going to do. Alert your partner before you take the fish out of the water.

Support the Atlantic salmon:

* Carefully take the barbless hook out of the fish’s mouth. With rod tucked under your arm, move one hand to the base of the tail. With your other hand, support the fish under the forward part of its body. Keep it in the water, with the fish pointed upstream to help its recovery.

* If a third person is present, give him or her the rod to hold, so you can concentrate on the wild salmon.

Take the Picture Quickly:

* With your photo partner warned, raise the wild Atlantic salmon partially out of the water for less than five seconds - or consider leaving it semi-submerged for the photo instead!

Return the Fish to Continue its Spawning Run:

* Support the salmon underwater in a natural position facing the current, handling it as little as possible. Give it time to recover. The goal is for the wild salmon to swim away on its own.

* Digital cameras offer the opportunity to adjust the film speed to suit conditions. In low light, such as evening, morning, heavy cloud, or deep shadow, consider setting the speed to 400, to take care of both movement and the low light. Experiment beforehand on speeds above 400, as many digital images become heavily pixilated at greater sensitivity.

* Remember to adjust the white balance for deep shadow, to warm the image.

* Today’s print films even at 400 speeds are superb. Use 400-speed film at dawn, dusk or in shadow.

* Don’t forget to smile! Your photo is a valuable memory.

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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Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Spring Salmon on the Tay 2011.

More spring salmon were caught today on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland which is great news for the river.

This was a lovely 12 pounds springer caught on the Upper Scone rod John Murray on a Kynoch harled from the boat. This was John's second fresh spring salmon in 2 days. He also landed a 10 pounds springer yesterday in Pitlochrie pool. Both salmon were released.

This is Scottish ghillie John Tait with a lovely fresh 12 pounds salmon landed on the Upper Redgorton beat on a harled tube fly by Jim Kilgour.

Danny Fulton fly fishing in the Horsey pool at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland on the Pitlochrie beat. Earlier in the afternoon Danny successfully landed a 12 pounds spring salmon which was also released on a tube fly from the bank.

Ian Kettles with a cracking 16 pounds spring salmon caught in the Wash House on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. Ian caught his beauty on a devon spun from the boat. The salmon was released.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon caught Fly Fishing on the Tay.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon caught Fly Fishing on the Tay.

This was another spring salmon caught fly fishing from the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland.

This is Mr Rory Campbell with a 12lb Springer caught on the fly from the Fiddlers Pool at Newtyle, Dunkeld, On this day last season Rory also caught a springer on the fly and to make it an even more special occasion was Rory's birthday.
A huge well done and Happy Birthday to Rory, enjoy your party.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay January 2011.

The spring fishing on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland picked up a bit today with a few spring salmon being caught.

This was an 8 pounds spring run salmon caught at Stobhall by Keith Greenwell in the famous Linn pool. The salmon was caught on a silver and copper toby and was released back to the river.

This was the the scene on the lower Tay at Benchil at the Aitken Head pool on a cold January day.


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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland 2011.

Spring Salmon fishing at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland on an extremely cold day in January 2011.

John Anderson hooks the first salmon of the day in the Wash House. It was successfully landed but not a springer.

A powerful salmon comes to the bank in the famous Pitlochrie pool at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

James Moriarty lands a Baggot from Pitlochrie pool.

The winter sun goes down on a cold January day on the Wash House at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon on the Tay.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon on the Tay.

First fresh spring salmon caught after the weekend flood.

This was a superb 16 pounds spring salmon caught on the Dunkeld House beat today at Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland. The salmon was caught in the boat by the Tay traditional method of Harling in the Fyffe.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2011.

A male late run salmon known as a rawner.

Scottish Ghillie Dave Barwick about to net a salmon in Pitlochrie pool at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland on the Upper Scone fishings. Unfortunately it was not a spring run salmon for angler Arnot McWhinnie.


Video of Aitkenhead pool on the Benchil beat of the river Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. This is a very good high water pool and was flowing at a good height. Perfect for Spring fishing.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland 2011 Salmon Season on River Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland 2011 Salmon Season on River Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.

The river Tay Opening day on the 15th January 2011 was spoiled by a deluge of rain and melting snow which meant there was not many casts made.

This was the Wash House at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland on Sunday after all the rain. The river was running at around 15 or 16 feet.

The boat had to be pulled in to prevent it being washed away.

2 days later and the river level has dropped considerably. The river has cleared as well which should make the river perfect for tomorrow.


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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day Evening Gathering at Dunkeld January 2011.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day Evening Gathering at Dunkeld January 2011.


Video of Pete Clark and Steve Ghillies playing their music to the Evening Gathering for the river Tay Opening Day 2011 at the Baronial Hall, Birnam Hotel, Birnam, Perthshire, Scotland. The evening was a tremendous success after the terrible weather during the day.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Cold Winters bring back Atlantic Salmon.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Cold Winters bring back Atlantic Salmon.

It seems that freezing temperatures mean more salmon on all major Scottish beats.
This is an article in the Scotsman today which is very interesting written by Kenneth Stephen. Published Date: 17 January 2011

In recent years, the first day of the salmon fishing season on the River Tay has tended to bring as many bad news stories to the surface as fish. However, today, when the pipes and drums lead the anglers to the banks of the river at Dunkeld for the first cast of 2011, the tune might just be a bit jauntier than usual.
For 2010 was a good one and autumn, in particular, a bumper time for landing salmon. Interestingly, if you chase the king of fish, probably the best thing to do is to pray for snow, for scientists believe one of the reasons for last year's successes
was the bitterest winter in Britain for 31 years.

Jackknifed lorries, school closures and burst pipes might not have been everyone's cup of tea. For the scaly kind, however, the weather was lovely.

Scientists believe Atlantic salmon or salmo salar have been returning to our rivers in lower numbers and in poorer shape in recent years because something has been changing out at sea - and not for the better.

Because salmon generate millions of pounds for economies, cross-country scientific collaborations like SALSEA, put in place by the International Atlantic Salmon Research Board, have been ploughing resources into finding causes for the change.

One of the most quoted, and probable, theories is that rising sea temperatures, caused by global warming, have led to the plankton eaten by salmon moving further north to cooler water. This is believed to cause the salmon to prolong their already improbable journeys to reach food. As a result, more are suffering, risks are higher and some believe the fish are not genetically programmed to tap these more northerly feeding grounds.

"The general decline of recent times coincided with milder winters and this has affected other fish as well," says Dr David Summers, director of the Tay Salmon Fisheries Board.

"The last two winters have been different and much more severe. Some beats in 2010 on the lower half of the Tay did their best for a number of years and this was borne out by other rivers, too, like the Tweed. What it points to is better conditions at sea," he says.

Of the 16 lower Tay beats in 2010, almost all reported catches significantly higher than in 2009. Almondmouth, near Scone Palace, had increased from 322 fish in 2009 to more than 700, while at Cargill, three miles north of Stanley, 419 fish were landed compared to 245 the year before. This was up almost 80 fish on the five-year average.

It was here, at Cargill, that the biggest salmon of the year was hooked.
The 34lb hen fish - the biggest taken from the Tay in five years - was caught, then returned, on the very last day by Alistair Sheach.

"At Cargill, we were probably in line with everyone else; up on the five year average and a fantastic summer and autumn after a poor spring," comments David Godfrey, chairman of the Tay Ghillies Association.

"The harder winter has got to have helped. There is a direct link to sea temperatures and the cold winter probably helped to keep the salmon's food source in the right place, which meant the salmon came back earlier than in recent years, and fatter.

He adds: "I think there has been a bit of a downward spiral on the Tay but I believe we are on the way back again."

Despite this return of confidence, the controversial 100 per cent catch-and-release policy, introduced last year, will not be lifted this season. All salmon caught until June will have to be returned.

Still, if winter continues to freeze everyone to a halt, at least it may save some ghillies from going part-time and fishermen might fork out the cash again to fish one of the most famous salmon rivers in the world. That, surely, can only be a good thing.

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