Salmon Fishing Scotland. Salmon fishing on the River Tay, Perthshire, Scotland, offer a good variety of Guided Salmon Fly Fishing and Spinning for Atlantic Salmon during spring, summer and autumn months. Quality Salmon Flies and Salmon Tackle. Bob White Scottish Ghillie and G.Loomis Pro Guide. Quality flies available from www.salmonfliesscotland.co.uk
Salmon Fishing Scotland Last day on the Tay October 2011.
This was the last day of the 2011 salmon season on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland. It has not been an easy season with extreme fluctuating river levels and a lack of grilse however there have been some positives to take forward to next season. The river has certainly benefited from all the multi sea winter salmon that have been caught and long may this continue into 2012.
This was a gathering at Benchil on the lower Tay just below Stanley. Malcolm Inness's party welcomed Arnot McWhinnie who presented Lee Conway with the Redford Trophy. Lee caught the largest opening day salmon in 2011. Now we look forward to the 2012 opening day.
A typical autumn scene at Benchil.
A sea liced 8 pounds salmon caught on the Catholes on the last day of 2011 season landed by Charlotte Gifford.
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 29th October 2011.
River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 29th October 2011.
The last full week of the late October experimental fishing on the Tay was reasonable despite fluctuating river levels and a maximum of effort to gain results. Hopefully the river will settle for the last day and let us go out on a high note.
The river temperature has dropped to around 46 degrees Fahrenheit or 8 degrees Celsius.
145 salmon were reported last week.
On the lower river 110 salmon were caught. The lower river is consistently producing however with difficult conditions last week with spate on Tuesday and rising water on Saturday the catches were again hard earned. The lower river produced a number of fresh salmon throughout the week, which was very encouraging for the extension experiment. There was also a continuation of large salmon being caught, which was another plus point. Stobhall and Islamouth had 22 pounds salmon during the week.
Hopefully the river will settle after the weekend spate for the last day.
A fresh late run grilse caught by Charles Gifford on the Catholes.
The middle river reported 24. The current conditions of higher river levels should push more fish up into the middle river. Most beats had some fish during the week with hopefully more to come. During the extension period fresh salmon continue to run into the middle river with the high water levels.
Jim McEwan with a lovely fresh autumn salmon caught at Kercock.
David Snowball with a fresh 15 pounds autumn run salmon from the Kercock beat on the middle river.
On the upper river 5 were reported, which was disappointing from recent weeks after the current spates and fresh water would have helped salmon filter up to the upper beats. Dalguise continued to have success, which was encouraging.
The count at the ladder in Pitlochry is now over 6500, which is superb news for future years.
The Isla reported 0.
The Earn reported 6 from Lower and Upper Aberuthven.
Many thanks for all the pictures everyone sent me of spring salmon and all who have sent me their individual fishing experiences this and 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.
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Prospects for the last day of October 2011. River Tay Prospects for the last day of October 2011.
The weather is to be unsettled. The current weather can be view here. The water temperature continues at 46 degrees Fahrenheit or 8 degrees Celsius. Floating lines with sink tips are the order of the day but with colder weather a sunk line may be required.
The Tay at Stanley in Autumn colours.
The river temperature has fallen but with fresh water; this will encourage salmon run throughout the river to be caught in all areas of the system. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the lower, middle and upper river.
Salmon fly fishing on the Tay.
The river is running high meaning that salmon and grilse will still be running and favour the lower, middle and upper Tay beats conditions permitting. A run of Multi-Sea winter salmon are also running the Tay with now several salmon are being caught in the 20 plus pounds range which is superb news. A Malloch Trophy salmon is a real possibility!
There is good availability throughout the river so why not have a go.
As to methods, spinning from the bank, fly fishing with sink tip floating lines and harling are the favoured Tay pursuits at this time of year. Currently we have excellent fly fishing conditions on the Tay with a number of salmon being landed on the fly recently.
Finally you are reminded that the Tay's requirements for the extension period that all salmon are returned and barbless hooks are used.
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.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing on the Tay October 2011.
Billy Davidson with a cracking late run autumn salmon caught on a Devon from the Long Shot on the Benchil beat of the lower Tay just below Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
An autumn scene in late October on the lower Tay at Benchil.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Autumn Salmon Fishing on the Earn October 2011.
Ray Gardiner with a large autumn salmon caught on the Earn at Trinity Gask. Ray caught this salmon on a Rapala and it was estimated at around 31 or 32 pounds.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay, Perthshire, Scotland October 2011.
Charles Gifford with a fresh run late autumn grilse caught on the Catholes beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. This was one of two salmon Charles caught spinning in the Back Dam pool of the Catholes today in fairly adverse conditions. Well done Charles.
An autumn scene in late October on the Tay at Stanley on the lower Tay.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Ghillies Long Service Awards.
At the recent River Tay Annual Awards dinner held at the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel 3 Tay Ghillies received long service awards from Roddy Willis of Savills and board chairman Bill Jack. The ghillies had 125 years service on the river between them and this was recognized at the dinner. They were Peter Keay of Scone Estates Almondmouth beat, Geordie Mainland of the Taymount beat and Bert Shearer of Glen Lyon Estates.
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 22nd October 2011.
River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 22nd October 2011.
The first week of the late October experimental fishing on the Tay was reasonable despite fluctuating river levels and a maximum of effort to gain results. Hopefully the river will remain settled for the current week and give us good prospects for the coming days with a reasonable weather forecast.
The river temperature has dropped to around 46 degrees Fahrenheit or 8 degrees Celsius giving the river favourable conditions but may drop with colder weather coming.
163 salmon were reported last week.
On the lower river 128 fresh salmon were caught. The lower river is consistently producing however with difficult conditions last week the catches were again hard earned. The lower river produced a number of fresh salmon throughout the week, which was very encouraging for the extension experiment. There was also a continuation of large salmon being caught, which was another plus point. A 32 pounds autumn salmon was caught at Ballathie although not registered and a sea liced 25 pounds fish was caught at Luncarty.
Hopefully the river will remain settled and continue to drop for this coming week, which should make for excellent prospects and improved catches.
25 pounds sea liced autumn salmon from Luncarty Pool.
A fresh run sea liced salmon caught at Stanley on ther lower Tay.
The middle river reported 27. The current conditions of higher river levels should push more fish up into the middle river. Most beats had some fish during the week with hopefully more to come. More information from this area would be welcome to expand on this report in the future.
On the upper river 4 were reported, which was disappointing from recent weeks after the current spates and fresh water would have helped salmon filter up to the upper beats.
The count at the ladder in Pitlochry is now over 6500, which is superb news for future years.
The Isla reported 0.
The Earn reported 4 from Lower and Upper Aberuthven.
Many thanks for all the pictures everyone sent me of spring salmon and all who have sent me their individual fishing experiences this and 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.
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Prospects for the week commencing 24th October 2011. River Tay Prospects for the week commencing 24th October 2011.
Currently the river is big after more rain but hopefully will settle for the start of the coming week and hopefully it will give the river a good week. Hopefully the autumn run will continue to improve and will build into a good run over the last week after the disappointing grilse run.
The weather is to be unsettled for the week with rain on Tuesday, which hopefully will not unsettle the river, and after that the weather is again to get much colder. The current weather can be view here. The water temperature continues at 46 degrees Fahrenheit or 8 degrees Celsius. Floating lines with sink tips are the order of the day but with colder weather a sunk line may be required.
The Tay at Stanley in Autumn colours.
The river temperature has fallen but with fresh water; this will encourage salmon run throughout the river to be caught in all areas of the system. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the lower, middle and upper river.
Salmon fly fishing on the Tay.
The river is running at a reasonable height meaning that salmon and grilse will still be running and favour the lower, middle and upper Tay beats conditions permitting. The encouraging grilse run in Summer 2010 might suggest that we will see more 2 sea-winter fish this year, so let’s hope that some of these turn out to be the early-running bars of silver that we are all hoping for. A run of Multi-Sea winter salmon are also running the Tay with now several salmon are being caught in the 20 plus pounds range which is superb news. A Malloch Trophy salmon is a real possibility!
There is good availability throughout the river so why not have a go.
As to methods, spinning from the bank, fly fishing with sink tip floating lines and harling are the favoured Tay pursuits at this time of year. Currently we have excellent fly fishing conditions on the Tay with a number of salmon being landed on the fly recently.
Finally you are reminded that the Tay's requirements for the extension period that all salmon are returned and barbless hooks are used.
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.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay October 2011.
Chris Moore hooks a good autumn salmon fishing from the bank on the Benchil beat just below Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
Chris successfully landed a sea liced 12 pounds salmon however it was badly marked by a seal coming up the river. The salmon was still managed to be returned with no more harm and hopefully will spawn later in the year.
John Mollison with a 25 pounds sea liced salmon caught on the Luncarty beat on a Devon.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Salmon Fishing on the lower Tay October 2011.
The river settled back to a good height today after recent rain and gave all the beats a chance of good sport.
This is young Jack Tong with his first ever salmon on his first day on the river. This is definitely one to remember as it weighed 32 pounds. Ghillie George McInnes holds the magnificent salmon for Jack. Well done.
Gavin Barwick releases a good autumn salmon on the Benchil beat. Gavin was fishing with his father, Ghillie Dave Barwick.
Ian Scruton with a sea liced 10 pounds autumn salmon caught fly fishing on the Pitlochrie beat.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fly Fishing on the lower Tay October 2011.
Autumn salmon being hooked, played, landed and released on the lower Tay fly fishing in the Horsey pool on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Quality Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay October 2011.
The extension period is now well under way on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland. Sport has not been easy to come by but some top quality salmon are still being caught especially on the lower Tay.
This was an estimated 28 pounds sea liced autumn salmon caught by Alistair Dunbar fly fishing on the lower Tay. Alistair also caught a 22 pounds bar of silver fly fishing on the same day. Hopefully as the river drops back again after all the rain on Monday the catches will increase over the next few days and there will be some more top quality salmon caught on all the beats.
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 15th October 2011.
River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for week ending 15th October 2011.
The second week of October on the Tay was much improved but still with a maximum of effort to gain results. Hopefully the river will remain settled for the current week and give us good prospects for the coming days with a reasonable weather forecast. We are now going into the experimental season extension until the end of the month.
The river temperature remains settled around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius giving the river favourable conditions but may drop with colder weather coming.
336 salmon were reported last week.
On the lower river 288 fresh salmon were caught. The lower river is consistently producing however with difficult conditions last week the catches were again hard earned. Quite a number of old salmon have been dropping back down the river over the last few weeks giving the lower beats resident fish which is a good foundation for the autumn fishing but extremely hard to catch. Hopefully now there will be an increase in the autumn run to give a good end of the season and give all the beats some good sport. Several good quality salmon continue to be caught throughout the river weighing in the 20 pounds plus range. Salmon in the mid twenties continues to be caught which has been a major plus this season. Almondmouth and Dalmarnock recorded salmon at 26 pounds this past week.
Hopefully the river will remain settled and continue to drop for this coming week, which should make for excellent prospects and improved catches.
Sandip Datta with an autumn salmon on the fly at Stanley.
James McKay with a fly caught salmon from Horsey on the Pitlochrie beat.
The middle river reported 36. The current conditions of higher river levels should push more fish up into the middle river. Most beats had some fish during the week with hopefully more to come. More information from this area would be welcome to expand on this report in the future.
On the upper river 9 were reported, which was disappointing from recent weeks after the current spates and fresh water would have helped salmon filter up to the upper beats.
The count at the ladder in Pitlochry is now over 6500, which is superb news for future years.
The Isla reported 0.
The Earn reported 3 from Lower and Upper Aberuthven.
Many thanks for all the pictures everyone sent me of spring salmon and all who have sent me their individual fishing experiences this and 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.
