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 Tay salmon anglers accused of harassing canoeists.
This was an article in the Dundee Courier today written by Mark MacKay and Ken Bell following the Tay Salmon AGM at Birnam last week. Your comments on this would be welcome.
Tay salmon anglers accused of harassing canoeists.
TAY SALMON anglers drove fishing boats at canoes and cast lines at children according to complaints made in the wake of this year’s Tay Descent.
The harassment allegedly took place in October as more than 400 paddle sports enthusiasts of all ages took part in the mass participation outing between Dunkeld and Perth.
Significant efforts were made by the Scottish Canoe Association (SCA) to avoid conflict with other river users, but it appears that failed to placate a minority of anglers.
The allegations led the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board to ask some Tay salmon anglers to apologise for their behaviour. Chairman Bill Jack made the call during the board’s annual meeting, at which he revealed the Perth and Kinross Access Forum had written a letter of complaint.
He condemned the actions of a few beat anglers who, the forum claimed, had harassed canoeists by casting lines and lures at and over canoes, some containing children.
It was also alleged that in one case a fishing boat was driven at canoes by Tay anglers.
The SCA had arranged for the 2012 Descent to take place after the end of the salmon season. Since its launch it has become one of the sport’s biggest participation events and contributes a significant amount to the local economy.
However, an experimental two-week extension to the angling season – agreed with the Scottish Government after the canoe event had been organised – moved the goalposts.
And despite the SCA’s efforts to publicise the change and ensure that angling interests, landowners and its members were aware of their responsibilities, it appears there was conflict between the two groups.
With the trial extension set to continue in 2013, Mr Jack suggested riparian owners should consider curtailing fishing on their beats on the day of the Tay Descent next year.
In turn, it was proposed by some anglers that canoeists consider switching the day of their event to a Sunday, when there is no salmon fishing.
One Tay ghillie said some canoeists had “failed to take guidance” to avoid going through pools on their beats.
A report on the trial extension will be prepared for next year’s meeting and could lead to a long-term extension of the season past October 15.
The trial extension applies only to the main Tay system from the Dalguise beat between Ballinluig and Dunkeld to Perth.
During the meeting the importance of catch and release on the system was underlined by Mr Jack, who said he did not want to see mandatory rules brought in.
He noted there had been a drop in figures last season with 89% of spring fish released, compared to 93% the previous year.
Some board members were strongly critical of anglers who felt the catch and release rules did not apply to them.
In particular, they mentioned results from Loch Tay where only 30-33% of the spring salmon caught are released.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Game Shooting on a cold December day at Dungarthill, Dunkeld, Perthshire.
Dungarthill on a cold wintery day.
Shooting for Game on the Dungarthill Estate near Dunkled, Perthshire, Scotland on a cold December day. Pipe playing at lunchtime and a birthday presentation to George Milne.
I am on the Malloch Trophy Committee and can confirm this decision. Well done Jim!
This article was posted by Fish Wild Scotland.
2012 winner of Scotland’s most prestigious angling award, the greatest honour in British gamefishing, announced
The 2012 winner of the Savills Malloch Trophy – for the largest salmon caught by an angler on the fly and
safely returned during the year in Scottish waters – has been announced. The successful angler is Jim Reid of Edinburgh for a fish, estimated at “comfortably in excess of 40 lb”, landed in the River Tweed.
Mr Reid commented on being told of the decision of the Savills Malloch Trophy Committee on December 12th: “I am greatly honoured to have won the Trophy and I am delighted that after several years it has returned to the Tweed, particularly after all the conservation work on the river over the last decade. I am also very grateful to Ian Farr, head boatman at Bemersyde, and pleased for the beat's owner, The Earl Haig”.
Mr Reid’s magnificent cock salmon was caught on the Bemersyde beat of the Tweed on October 24 and measured, before being carefully released back into the river. To be eligible for the trophy a fish must be caught on a fly in a sportsmanlike manner and be returned unharmed in accordance with best catch and release practice.
The fish was 50 inches long with a girth of 25.5 inches. Using four of the formulae for calculating weight from length and girth and then taking the average, the weight came to 44 lb, but the committee agreed to err on the conservative side and record its weight as “comfortably in excess of 40 lb”. It is likely that when the fish entered the river (probably in late spring) it would have weighed 51 lb.
The Tweed monster.
Mr Reid’s salmon was hooked on a self-tied gold-bodied Willie Gunn fly on a G Loomis 15 ft rod from the boat in the Top Corbies pool. It took off downstream for 150 yards before finally being landed after 40 minutes despite it being almost too large for the net.
At the Savills Malloch Trophy Committee meeting on December 12th seven possible contenders, all in excess of 30 lb, landed by both male and female anglers in a wide range of rivers between the north Highlands and the Borders, were considered. Mr Reid’s entry, which fulfilled the relevant criteria including best evidence and careful handling, was after lengthy consideration unanimously endorsed as the winner for 2012. His name will be engraved on the Tay Foundation’s trophy, joining an illustrious list of previous winners which stretches back four decades.
The 2012 runner-up was Kate Pelham Burn with a salmon caught in the Home pool on the lower section of the River Shin; using the same four formulae and taking the average, the weight of her fish came to 40 lb.
Roddy d’Anyers Willis of Savills, a member of the Savills Malloch Committee, said: “The Bemersyde cock salmon of over 40 lb was outstanding amongst this year’s Malloch contenders. Not the prettiest of fish but a monster that gave Tweed angler Jim Reid and boatman Ian Farr a catch of a lifetime and brought glory to the splendid Bemersyde beat on one of the finest salmon rivers in the world. A real accolade for the owner of Bemersyde, The Earl Haig”.
The encouraging number of heavy salmon over 30 lb entered for this year’s Savills Malloch Trophy is consistent with the continuing increase seen in the last three years in the numbers of larger salmon – fish that have remained at sea for three or even four years before returning to their rivers of origin.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fly Fishing History on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.
This is a very interesting bit of salmon fishing history on the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. I got this from a picture framed in the Catholes hut at Stanley and it shows an extract from the Duke of Portlands book on Salmon Fly, Spinning Lure etc which is very interesting.
This was a Lady that caught all these spring salmon and using an 18 foot rod that would be incredibly heavy compared to the wands we use now.Just imagine how many fish must have been in the pools.
M Bedford Letter to Duke of Portland Nov 9th 1913.
Dear Sir,
There were two days when I landed thirteen salmon last spring, and, as generally happens, the one least written and talked about was the best.
The first day, April 2nd, they were taking very short, and fish after fish dropped off directly it had spun the reel out. I finished the day very depressed, as instead of thirteen, I felt I ought to have at least twenty, though I honestly don’t think it was my fault. On the 5th. I again landed thirteen fish, and I think I only had two other rises. The first thirteen weighed 191 ½ pounds, those on the 5th 191 pounds.
April 2nd – 6 ½, 9, 7 ½, 10, 19, 16 ½, 19, 15, 22, 16, 13, 22, and 17 pounds.
April 5th – 13, 18, 11, 10 ½, 10, 14, 22 ½, 23, 16, 13, 17 ½, 14, and 8 ½ pounds.
The whole of the above were taken casting from the boat, and all but three on the “Black Dog.” They were caught at Stanley, I forgot what the pools wee called, but I think Pitlochry and Washing Pools. Below the pool is a big rush of water, which the boat cannot go down, but down which it is always supposed that the fish can escape. The banks are high and wooded. The pool is not dark, but the sun goes off it fairly early.
My rod is an eighteen foot one.
I landed 102 fish in 23 days fishing all casting, total weight 1503 ½ pounds, larges fish 29 pounds, 18 of these weighed 20 pounds and over, and 51 weighed 16 pounds and over. I had three blank days between 21st March and 29th April.
I should probably not have made these good catches but for my lessons in casting, and a hint I helped myself to when watching a very well known angler, Sir H Maxwell. After making his cast he slipped the handle of the rod back so that the rod balanced evenly. Oh! The exhaustion this has saved me. When I asked him to improve my casting, by giving me hints, he said he could not teach me anything, but the hint I stole just made all the difference in a long days casting, in fact made it possible for me.
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Salmon fishing Review July 2012.
After a good June, July saw further improvement with a registered catch of 810, which was well above the 5 year average. The weather started to deteriorate which saw 3 spates in the month but reasonable periods between them allowing good fishing. Grilse and summer salmon were running the river in increasing numbers giving good sport throughout the month and everyone was optimistic of a good prolonged period of sustained improving catches.
On the Lower river week one saw all the lower beats having success with Almondmouth catching consistently and further upstream Lower Redgorton had success with Howard Jones enjoying good sport on the fly. Fishponds and Waulkmill also caught fly fishing fresh salmon up to 15 pounds with a few being lost as well as the salmon run quickly through the lower reaches. Perth and District members had success at Upper Scone with Robert Russell landing a fish of a lifetime on Benchil weighing an estimated 28 pounds from the Plain Water on a flying C. On Pitlochrie and Benchil fly fishing accounted for 3 salmon during the week. Further above Stanley, Stobhall had a reasonable week but the higher water did not help Cargill and Ballathie. Islamouth produced a few fish but could also do with the river levels dropping and settling. On Islamouth at the end of the week a Norwegian enjoyed good sport with
Bjorn Wicklund landing a superb 25 pounds beauty caught on the fly in the Longhead pool and colleague Anders Hoen, catching his first Tay salmon weighing 16 pounds fly fishing from the boat in the Newshot pool. Week two was a more encouraging catch for the week and it was spread throughout the whole lower river from Almondmouth to Islamouth. All the lower beats had success as conditions settled. Almondmouth caught consistently with good days at the start and end of the week. Jayne and Simon Rutherford enjoyed their week at Waulkmill. Francis Jennings had success on Pitlochrie and Benchil landing a lovely fresh grilse fly fishing from the boat in the Long Shot on Benchil. Stobhall and Taymount caught on most days with salmon up to 23 pounds landed. Ballathie and Cargill caught well at the start of the week but increased river levels did not help them at the end of the week. Islamouth had a much better week landing consistently and enjoying a good day on Saturday catching 7. Week three saw 112 landed. Almondmouth continued their recent success with a steady week. The beats further up are now producing on a regular basis.
July salmon fly fishing at Stanley.
Pitlochrie and Benchil had a good week with Tom Jennings enjoying success on Benchil. Stobhall and Taymount had caught in the early part of the week and Ballathie and Cargill consistently landed salmon throughout the week with Cargill catching 7 on Tuesday plus a 22 salmon on Thursday mostly to the Lidster Party. Islamouth was returning to its early season successes landing 33 for the first 3 days of the week. Week four saw 134 slamon landed. Almondmouth continued their recent success with a steady week and a best day of 12; they also had the largest fish of the week weighing 23 pounds. Waulkmill, Lower Redgorton, Fishponds and Upper Redgorton all produced fish. Upper Scone and Pitlochrie and Benchil had reasonable weeks catching on most days. On Upper Scone George Maison enjoyed good success at the end of the week on the fly landing 2 from the Long Shot on Benchil then catching a cracking 17 pounds salmon from Horsey on the Pitlochrie beat. On the opposite days Tom Jennings party also enjoyed success. Sam Halliday landed his first ever salmon on Monday on a spinner then on Wednesday caught his first ever salmon fly fishing from the boat in Horsey on the Pitlochrie beat.
Tom Jennings also landed salmon on the fly and spinner. Taymount and Stobhall caught consistently throughout the week landing salmon on most days. Kath Giles enjoyed a good day on landing salmon on the spinner and fly on Taymount. Sport was improving at Ballathie and Cargill with dropping water levels. Rob Campbell from South Africa had an eventful week on Cargill landing salmon up to 16 pounds and loosing several others. Islamouth had another good week landing several salmon fly fishing.
On the Middle river in week one the beats produced on a regular basis. At Kercock there was 5 caught during the week. Tony Griffiths accounted for two salmon fly fishing with the biggest a lovely sea liced 12 pounds salmon. Both fish fell to a Tay Raider fly. At Newtyle Calum McRoberts was successful catching an 11 pounds beauty on a Rapala. Further upstream Dunkeld House continued their good spell landing 6 for the week. Dalmarnock also did well catching 3 on two days running. Week two was encouraging with 43 registered, Kercock had four fish for the week with Jeff Biggams landing two at 8 pounds and Gary Harkin, who ghillies on the beat had a good evening landing salmon weighing 10 and 22 pounds both on the fly. The Murthly beats have been fishing well with Murthly 2 landing 18 for the week from the Upper beat and Stenton. Dunkeld House continues to enjoy good sport on most days. Further upstream at Dalmarnock Gordon Pollock caught the largest salmon of the week weighing 26 pounds harling with a Tay lure. Euan Johnston landed his first ever salmon weighing 9 pounds with the aid of his Grandfather John. Week three registered 44. Kercock had a good week landing 6 salmon on one day. Steve Banks had an 8 pounds salmon, Jeff Biggams caught three fish with the biggest weighing 11 pounds and Fergus Critchley had his first ever fly fishing which, was a 4 pounds grilse. The Murthly beats are having reasonable sport as well. Newtyle had an encouraging week with Mark Parris and Graham Fyfe landing salmon fly fishing in the boil. Nick Baird also had success with the fly in the Cotter catching a 14 pounds salmon. Earlier in the week
Calum McRoberts landed 3 grilse fly fishing in the Trap and St Marys stream. Dunkeld House continued their good spell landing 9 throughout the week. Dalmarnock also had a reasonable week. Week four registered 47. Kercock had 7 for the week with Richard Goddard catching his first on fly at 7 pounds, Robert Sneddon had a bigger fish at 15 pounds and Graham Fyffe with a 17 pounds beauty. Murthly 2 enjoyed a good week landing 25 salmon for the week from the Upper beat and Stenton. At Newtyle Ian Hendry and Mark McGillivray caught their first salmon from the beat. At Dalmarnock Billy Marsland landed 2 salmon up to 16 pounds from the boat with ghillie Gordon Pollock.
The Upper river were certainly benefiting from all the rain and good water levels with the Edradynate and Farleyer beats continuing to enjoy good sport. The Tummel has seen sport increase with the water coming up, the Portnacraig beat below the dam caught several salmon during the week. Gordon Nichol caught salmon 4 days in a row, which is good going and Steven Watt caught 3 to his own rod all fly fishing. The counter was now way over 3000 at the Pitlochry Dam. Week two produced 30 which was benefiting from all the rain and good water levels. The Kinnaird beats, Dalguise, Farleyer, and Edradynate all enjoyed success. On the Tummel the Pitlochry Angling club stretch has had a revival with the increase of river levels and salmon running hard up the system to the headwaters with no temperature barriers at this time of year. Several salmon were caught below the dam during the week with Gordon Nichol, Steve Watt, Wan Hussein, Duncan Webster and Saul MacKay landing fish up to 12 pounds mostly on fly. Week three produced 15. Dalguise, Kinnaird and Farleyer all caught this past week. On the Tummel grilse are being caught on a regular basis.
The Pitlochry Angling club produced a few salmon this past week with Innes Smith, John Graham, Steve Dora, Dave McPherson and the Joseph’s all catching mostly on fly salmon up to 10 pounds. Week four produced 28. Dalguise enjoyed a good start to the week landing 5 on Monday. The Kinnaird beats continue to enjoy good sport landing salmon up to 13 pounds this past week mostly on fly. Further salmon were landed from Edradynate, Weem and the Farleyer beats. The fish ladder on the Tummel at Pitlochry was now over 3500 and salmon continue to be caught on the club water at Portnacraig.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Anglers row with Salmon Farmers.
Both sides in salmon row must work together
This was an article in the HeraldScotland today highlighting tensions between Salmon Anglers and Farmers and this was their view on the issues.
Nature is infamously red in tooth and claw but the sustained battle between Scotland's salmon farmers and anglers who fish for the wild variety rivals any conflict in the natural world.
The conflict has resumed with a complaint to the European Commission that the district salmon fishery boards, which control fishing on Scottish rivers, and the Scottish Government are failing to comply with a European directive on conservation. The complaint by Dr Martin Jaffa, made through his fish-farming consultancy Callander McDowell, calls for an end to recreational angling of spring salmon to help preserve declining stocks.
The timing, as MSPs on the Rural Affairs Committee prepare to hear evidence on the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill from freshwater fisheries, is a further ratcheting up of tension between the fish-farming interests and the angling lobby.
The purpose of the Bill, according to the Scottish Government, is to ensure farmed and wild fisheries – and their interactions with each other – continue to be managed effectively, maximising their combined contribution to supporting sustainable economic growth with due regard to the wider marine environment. Illustrating just how contentious this is, the legislation has given new focus to the increasingly bitter dispute between the fish-farming industry and wild fisheries.
It is more complex than protection of the environment and conservation of species versus sustaining a significant contributor to the Scottish economy. The economic importance of the fish-farming industry's £540 million in exports is obvious. Farmed salmon is now Scotland's biggest food export, while salmon and sea trout angling contribute about £100m to the rural and tourism economy.
Dr Jaffa's complaint that district salmon fishery boards are failing in conservation responsibilities is a response to the angling lobby's accusation that the salmon farming industry takes a reckless attitude to the environment. Freshwater fisheries have blamed sea lice from fish farms for killing wild salmon and threatening to devastate fish stocks in Scottish rivers. Dr Jaffa says the boards should have restricted catches of spring salmon and calls for the angling season to be shortened and 100% catch-and-release to be imposed until stocks recover.
By using figures showing 46,000 spring salmon caught and killed from 11 conservation area rivers since 1992, he ignores the increase in catch-and-release in recent years. Last year, 70% of rod-caught salmon and grilse in Scotland were put back, including 91% of spring salmon, and the figures indicate stocks may be stabilising.
Spring Salmon fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.
The Fisheries Bill has alarmed the fish-farming industry with proposals that would give officials greater powers of inspection on salmon farms and require them to comply with stricter codes of practice involving control of sea lice.
Neither side of Scotland's farming industry can claim to have followed best environmental practice. Instead of recrimination they should recognise that conservation and environmental responsibility are in the interests of both.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Scone, Perthshire, Scotland Game Shooting December 2012.
Video and Stills of Game Shooting at Scone, Perthshire, Scotland. Great scenery, shooting, Labradors and Spaniels working on a cold December day. Photography also from Hazel Ferrie.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Game Shooting at Scone, Perthshire, Scotland December 2012.
Video and Stills of a game shooting day for Pheasants and Partridges at Scone in early December 2012. Stunning photography also by Hazel Ferrie from some earlier days this year.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Rafters and fishermen reach deal on river Tay.
This was on the BBC news yesterday. Your comments on this would be welcome.
Salmon fisherman Anglers and rafters have come to an agreement over activities on the River Tay.
Rafters and fishermen reach deal in River Tay dispute in Perthshire, Scotland.
Rafters have agreed to stay off a stretch of river in Perthshire for part of the week after reaching an agreement with anglers.
Perth Sheriff Court was told a compromise had been reached between rafters and salmon fishermen in a feud over activities on the River Tay.
Salmon fishermen had claimed the rafts made fishing impossible.
Rafters will now only use the river from 13:30 on Wednesdays until Sunday evenings during the salmon season.
Solicitor Kevin Lancaster represented all of the interested parties when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court to confirm that a deal had been agreed.
He confirmed that the rafters would only take to the water between Wednesday afternoon and Sunday evening during the official salmon fishing season.
Long dispute
They will be allowed to operate seven days a week during the close season.
The dispute between the two sides has gone on for several years and escalated earlier this year when the anglers started legal action to ban the "disruptive" rafters.
Sheriff Michael Fletcher initially agreed that the rafters spoiled the fishing beat owners' ability to enjoy salmon fishing on a stretch of water in Highland Perthshire.
He outlawed the use of rafts and inflatable craft because they posed "an unreasonable interference with the rights of anglers."
However, the sheriff's decision to impose a ban was overturned when it was ruled that the rafting companies had not been given due notice of the legal action.
The new agreement was reached as a result of discussions that have been taking place since January.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Salmon Fishing Review June 2012.
June turned out to be an excellent month with nearly 600 salmon landed which was more than the previous year and up on the 5 year average. The river was fairly settled and at summer levels for most of the month but the weather became unsettled for the last week leading up to the Scone Gamefair when the Saturday and Sunday were cancelled due to flooding. Top quality salmon continued to be caught and
Islamouth had a tremendous month.
On the Lower River Islamouth dominated the catches with 133 salmon landed on the beat for the month. In the first couple of days in the month John McElroys party landed 25 salmon with fish up to 21 pounds in weight.
Ian Mitchell caught the 21 pounds salmon in the New Shot from the boat and John McElroy landed a sea liced beauty weighing 18 pounds. Gordon Fleetwood, Steven Watt and Neil Tong also enjoyed great sport on the fly. Ballathie and Cargill had good weeks as well benefiting from lower water. On Ballathie Fred and Dorothy Harrison and on Cargill it was a similar story when the ladies struck! Claire Wylie landed a stunning 29 pounds sea liced salmon from the boat at Clocksden. Alistair Ross was also successful landing a 15 pounds salmon on the fly.
Sun Ray action from Islamouth.
The third week was particularly good with 85 off the lower river with Islamouth catching 46 and Coupar Grange on the Isla registered 43. James McKay landed the only salmon below Stanley from the Skellies on the Benchil beat. Stobhall and Taymount had good weeks as the first Grilse made their appearance. Cargill and Ballathie also did well landing salmon up to 19 pounds. Islamouth continued its superb spell of consistent weeks with 46 salmon for the week and all caught fly fishing. Earlier in the week the Meikleour party had good success with Steven Hogg from Edinburgh landing 2 on Monday and Jane Mercer Nairne enjoying a good day landing 2 from the boat in Donnits and the Long Head.
At the end of the week Martin Deacon landed a 17½ pounds beauty also in Donnits and other members of the party including Jim Ferrie and Simon Furniss caught fish up to 20 pounds. The week ending 23rd June was good but we started to see unsettled weather curtail sport. Catches from the lower river were disappointing apart from Islamouth that continues to enjoy fantastic sport until the river came up.
The Middle River was doing well also in June. On Kercock Jeff Jukes caught a lovely 10 pounds fish and Douglas McIntosh landed a 9 pounds salmon both fly fishing in the first week. At Dunkeld House Ray Baileys party had a successful week landing several fish up to 14 pounds on fly and spinner. Dalmarnock had a good week as well landing fish on most days. Kercock, Newtyle, Dunkeld and Dalmarnock all caught in the third week. Kercock had 5 fish, which included Alex Hendery with a 7 pounds salmon, and Ian Bain landed 2 up to 14 pounds in weight. At Newtyle James Holder had a lovely 10 pounds salmon fly fishing the Cotter. Dunkeld House had a reasonable week with Sandra Robins being successful with the fly. Most beats caught on the forth week. Kercock, Newtyle, Dunkeld and Dalmarnock all caught. Kercock landed 7 fish with Donald Cameron catching 6 for his two days up to 12 pounds in weight. Newtyle had reasonable sport from fresh salmon running up the river with Bruce Campbell landing 2 up to 15 pounds. Andy Gunns father landed a 6 pounds fish on a devon. Scott Gordon had a 13 pounds beauty from the Trap and Vic Harvey caught a 15 pounds fish both fly fishing. Further up river at Dunkeld House there continued to be good sport. That was certainly the case with a red letter day for Donald Cameron landing 4 salmon for his day up to 19 pounds on various methods. The beat finished with 6 for the day.
Jim Ferrie landed a superb 21 pounds salmon when the rest of the river was struggling.
In the first week the Upper River produced 33. The upper river continued to enjoy good sport. Edradynate produced a good fish for the river at 21 pounds. Lower Kinnaird had aproductive week landing several salmon and Dalguise did well particularly at the start of the week. Salmon continued to stream through the fish ladder at Pitlochry with the total over 1700. Despite the very low water at Portnacraig salmon were still caught. Successful anglers included Robert Spiers, David Cronshaw and Lee Thompson landing fish up to 13 pounds. The third week saw Dalguise doing well and further upstream
Lower Kinnaird continued their successes landing 14 salmon for the week. The last week saw Dalguise having a reasonable week catching 8 until the rain came and unsettling the river. The other areas were disappointing. Paul Carter landed one of the few from Pitlochry fly fishing from the town bank on a self tied shrimp pattern. Salmon continued to stream through the ladder with over 2200 counted so far for the month.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland 2013.
Bookings can be made for Spring Salmon fishing on the Stanley beats 2013.
The beats are available as follows:-
Pitlochrie and Catholes
Five year average: 26 spring salmon
1.5 miles double bank fishing
22 pools, 2 gillies, 2 boats depending on number of rods booked.
2 huts with WC, disabled access/facilities
Price range: £30 to £50 plus vat per rod/day
Spring fishing
Day lets are available, however, in addition spring syndicate rods are available at a cost of £300 plus VAT (15 days) allowing anglers to fish the same day each week until 1st May. Apply on Application.
Pitlochrie is fished on both banks on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and Catholes is fished on both banks on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Benchil and Catholes
2 miles of double bank fishing
2 huts with wc
Price range: £30 - £50 + VAT per rod/day
Spring fishing
Day lets are available, however, in addition spring syndicate rods are available at a cost of £300 plus VAT (15 days) allowing anglers to fish the same day each week until 1st May. Apply on Application.
Catholes is fished on both banks on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and Benchil is fished on both banks on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Luncarty Spring Only
0.5 mile double bank fishing on alternate days each week, 5 named pools
Price: £25 + VAT per rod/day
Spring Bank Permit available £100 + VAT for one day per week until the end of April-Apply on Application.
The beat is fished on alternate days and in 2013 is fished on both banks on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Should you wish to make any inquiries for any of these beats please contact
Robert White
Office : 01738 827416
Mobile : 07979 528134
Email : robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring and Autumn Salmon Flies.
30 Spring and Autumn Fly Selection and C & F Tube Fly Box.
12 different top quality Salar Salmon Fly Tubes, Temple Dogs and Pot Belly Pigs designed by a Scottish Ghillie in different sizes in a New C & F 1401 Tube Fly Waterproof Box. This unique 30 Salmon Fly Selection is available in a variety of sizes for all occasions. The fly selection includes successful proven patterns on several Scottish and Foreign rivers over the last few years such as the Monkey, Orange and Yellow Mouse Tubes in 2, 1.5 and 1 inches, The Spring Special in 2, 1.5 and 1 inches, Black and Yellow Temple Dog in 1.5, 1 and 1/2 inches, Willie Gunn Temple Dog in 1.5, 1 & 1/2 inches and Pot Belly Pigs in Yellow and Orange Firelighters, Bob's Orange and Black Shrimps, Cascaders and Raiders all in 12 and 20mm. These flies have the X Factor and are a truely all round selection for any salmon fishing experience. Total Cost £90 and it is post free.
This is now available in the Salmon Fly Shop for a limited period.
This is my range of Spring Salmon flies which are available from the Salmon Fly Shop. You can also deal directly with myself at robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com. Simply click on the link and I can email you a cost by return. You can send a cheque or I can invoice you through Paypal and you can pay by credit card.
There is something available for all conditions. Tight lines.
Monkey Aluminium Tube. Available in 2, 1 1/2 and 1 Inches.
Cost £3.00
The Yellow Aluminium Mouse. Available in 2, 1 1/2 and 1 Inches.
Cost £3.00
The Orange Aluminium Mouse. Available in 2, 1 1/2 and 1 Inches.
Cost £3.00
Spring Aluminium Tube. Available in 2, 1 1/2 and 1 Inches.
Cost £3.00
The Goldie Aluminium Tube. Available in 1 and 3/4 Inch Tubes.
Cost £3.00
The Crewsader Aluminium Tube. Available in 1 and 3/4 Inch Tubes.
Cost £3.00
The Carron Aluminium Tube. Available in 1 and 1/2 Inch Tubes.
Cost £3.00
The Raider Aluminium Tube. Available in 1 and 3/4 Inch Tubes.
Cost £3.00
Willie Gunn Temple Dog. Available in 1.5, 1 & 1/2 inches aluminium tubes which are easy to cast.
Cost £3.00
The Black and Yellow Temple Dog. Available in 1.5, 1 & 1/2 inches aluminium tubes which are easy to cast.
Cost £3.00
The Cascader Pot Belly Pig. Available in 12mm and 20 mm.
Cost £3.00
The Raider Pot Belly Pig. Available in 12mm and 20 mm.
Cost £3.00
The Orange Firelighter Pot Belly Pig. Available in 12mm and 20 mm.
Cost £3.00
The Yellow Firelighter Pot Belly Pig. Available in 12mm and 20 mm.
Cost £3.00
Winter is now arriving in Perthshire, Scotland with plummeting temperatures and snow on the way.
Sun rise over the river Tay at Stanley.
A cracking view looking south on a November winter morning after a hard frost. The Salmon in the river will be starting their spawning so let us hope they are successful to give us good runs in future years.
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Review May 2012.
May was a good month on the river in 2012 with nearly 500 salmon registered on Fishtay and the appearance of some large multi sea winter salmon. Weather wise the month started off fine with the river falling away then in the middle of the month the river rose dramatically after torrential rain encouraging salmon to run the river. The river then dropped steadily towards the end of the month giving settled conditions and good catches. Isalmouth dominated the returns catching 95 salmon during the month.
Islamouth on the Tay.
On the Lower River the first week produced 29 fish and a superb 32 pounds caught on the Ballathie beat by 12 years old James Meakin. Islamouth started the month off landing 16 salmon all caught fly fishing. Perth angler Neil Tong landed 4 in a day up to 17 pounds from bank and boat. Ian Mitchell caught a 21 pounds salmon from the tail of the Long Head. Week 2 saw 39 salmon landed. On Benchil local angler George McKinlay caught a lovely sea liced 15 pounds salmon on a Toby. Taymount and Stobhall caught salmon with Mark Scruton landing a cracking 25 pounds salmon fly fishing from the boat on Stobhall at Tams Corner and Sandra Robbins was successful on Ladies day at Taymount catching a 15 pounds fish again on the fly and at Tams corner.
32 pounds cracker from Ballathie earlier in the month.
Islamouth continued to be very productive landing 22 salmon for the week, which included 7 in a day. Week 3 was a poor week for the lower river with 19 due to the continued unsettled water levels. Local angler George McKinlay caught a couple of salmon on Benchil including a 17 pounds beauty. Cargill and Ballathie continue to work away quietly and produce large salmon. Ballathie landed a superb 24 pounds fish on Friday. Islamouth again caught throughout the week. Good weather arrived for the last week and catches improved with 43 registered and over half the total came from Islamouth. The beat had a great end to the month with 11 in one day for John McElroys party on the 31st.
The Middle River had 21 in week one with Kercock having a good week with several salmon landed on fly and spinner. Successful anglers included David Crosbie and Norman Wood landing 2 salmon in 2 days up to 12 pounds on the fly and Dougie McLean and Dennis Robb catching fresh salmon. Jim McEwan also had a 7 pounds fish on a Salmo. At Newtyle the Bowmans were successful and the Dunkeld House beat had a better week with Simon Furniss catching 3 himself. Week 2 was better with 34 fish. On Kercock Jim Lamb and Jim McEwan landed salmon up to 16 pounds. The Murthly 2 beat fishing Stenton and the Upper beat had its best week of the season with 13 salmon caught mostly fly fishing. At Newtyle there was a first Tay spring salmon for Norrie McLeod fly fishing in the Trap. Not content with that he promptly caught another from the same place on a deadly Golden Willie Gunn. Dave Cargill was also successful landing a 16 pounds beauty on a Salmo. Dunkeld House had a reasonable week with Bill Robbins landing a 17 pounds beauty on the fly and American visitor Mark Guidry landing a colourful fish on a Salmo.
Further upstream at Dalmarnock it was a red letter day for Dr Sandip Datta and his new wife Sam on Friday. Sam was fishing the Clacken Taggart pool in the morning. She landed a beautiful 26 pounds spring Salmon that was expertly netted by ghillie Colin Mcfadden. It was her biggest salmon to date, a fish of a lifetime. The fish was carefully released to continue its journey. Sandip then caught a 7 pounds springer, and Sam had great satisfaction in telling him it was a tiddler! 16 came from the third week with Chris Metzner from Australia catching his first ever salmon fly fishing in the Cathederal Stream and Brian Joseph catching an 11 pounds salmon on a Toby Salmo in the Ferry Pool on Dunkeld House. On Newtyle John Gunn was successful harling landing a 15 pounds salmon in the Ferry pool. Regular Allan Rennie, caught a cracking sea liced 9 pounds fish fly fishing the Deans Burn and later in the week the Flying C was the favoured bait of David Bryce landing a 15 pounds beauty from the Trap. Only 10 came from the middle beats on week 4 due to clear skies. At Kercock Kenny Milne caught an 11 pounds fresh fish and David Hudson caught his first Tay spring salmon weighing 15 pounds. At Newtyle John Coupland landed 2 spring salmon in under half an hour up to 10 pounds. Further upstream Jim Ferrie and Peter Sproston were successful at Dunkeld House Hotel. Peter landed 2 throughout the week; an 8 pounds fish from the Lady’s pool and a cracking 8 pounds fish from the Cathedral stream fly fishing from the boat.
The Upper River started a good month with 28. Despite low water fish were caught in reasonable numbers and there was over 300 salmon through the fish ladder at Pitlochry. On Loch Faskally Shaun Camburn landed a 24 pounds salmon trolling a pink Kynoch, which brought their tally up to 8 for the season. Below the Dam the Portnacraig beat landed salmon up to 20 pounds on fly and spinner. Successful anglers included Gordon Hanslip, Davie Stewart, Stephane Bovy and visiting father and son Tony and Anthony Churchill. Dalguise, Kinnaird, Farleyer and Findynate also caught with a notable 25 pounds fish coming from Lower Kinnaird. The second week was again productive with 24. Dalguise had a salmon of 23 pounds with 2 others caught in the same day. Kinnaird were again successful and Raymond Doonan caught a cracking 10 pounds spring salmon fly fishing on the Upper Farleyer beat earlier in the week. 500 fish were now through the ladder. At Portnacaig Dean McGowan landed 2 salmon up to 13 pounds and other successful anglers included Neil MacLellan, Gordon Nichol and Patrick Hammond. The Pitlochry Club had the lower Tummel as well and Alistair Stephen landed a 10 pounds fish on the Greenbank fly fishing. The third week was superb producing 42 due to increasing water levels after rain. Dalguise had an excellent week with a high point when John Cameron caught 4 salmon to his own rod on the fly up to 19 pounds from the Otterstone Pool. Further upstream Eddie Higgins caught his first spring salmon on Upper Farleyer with John McCallum. On the Tummel the extra water made it a week to remember at Portnacraig for the Pitlochry Angling Club. 11 salmon were landed in one day up to 16 pounds on fly and spinner. The successful rods included Matthew Currie, Mark Currie, Rory MacNab, Steve Watt and Gordon Nichol. Catch of the club season so far fell to Blackpool fisherman Gary Westhead landing 6 salmon to his own rod fly fishing from both banks up to 17 pounds. He will remember that day for a time. There was 26 salmon landed for the club for the week with the vast majority fresh run salmon. Week 4 saw 23 from this area. Upper Farleyer continued to have success. At Lower Kinnaird
Mark Sabin had a lovely 8 pounds sea liced fish fly fishing the Junction pool. The beat finished with 5 salmon for the week up to 20 pounds in weight. It was a quieter week at Pitlochry as salmon stream through the dam with the counter at over 1000 with the warmer conditions. Marc Wriggleworth landed 2 salmon on the fly and Gordon Hanslip, Anthony Rusher, Davy Stewart and Steven Watt reported other successes. Jimmy Ross also opened his account with a 10 pounds salmon on the fly.
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Review April 2012.
April saw temperatures come back to normal after the extremely warm end to March and the river dropped to summer levels until the last 10 days of the month. The very lower part of the river below Stanley found it hard going after the water temperature increased dramatically in March but salmon continued to be caught from Stanley upwards and Islamouth started to come into their own continually being the best beat week on week. April finished up with 310 for the month.
On the Lower River the first week saw 33 fish reported. Peter Gifford landed a lovely fresh 12 pounds springer fly fishing on the Catholes in the Black Stones casting from the boat. Stobhall and Taymount produced excellent spring sport on fly and spinner landing salmon up to 20 pounds. Cargill had success with Claire Wylie landing a lovely 11 pounds salmon.
Islamouth started the month with locals Jim Ferrie, Simon Furniss and Sandra Robins landing good fish fly fishing from boat and bank. The second week produced 36. 17 spring salmon were landed on Islamouth up to 20 pounds and were all caught on fly. The Gifford party landed 4 fish for a memorable spring day. At the end of the week the Morritt party had good sport with Paul Dolman, Nigel Ryley and Jamie Bennett enjoying success. The third week saw more unsettled weather and a bit more water. 23 were caught in the third week with Stobhall and Taymount continuing their good spring catching salmon up to 18 pounds.
Jamie Bennett with a 16 pounds springer from the Long Head on Islamouth.
Islamouth again proved the place to be with consistent catches throughout the week. Patrick Gordon's party did well at the end of the week under very difficult conditions and landed 6 salmon fly fishing. Amongst the successful anglers Chris Hume landed an 11 pounds salmon from the Castle pool and John Rich caught 2 salmon weighing 8 and 14 pounds. The last week saw 26 fish landed and again Islamouth proved the place to be with consistent catches. 19 salmon were landed on the beat with John McElroys party catching 11 in the last 3 days with several being lost as well.
The Middle River caught 17 in the first week with Murthly 2 landing a 21 pounds salmon. At Kercock David Bryce landed a 7 pounds springer. Adam Joseph had a lovely springer from the Gauge pool on a Salmo at Dunkeld House fishing’s and Newtyle and Dalmarnock also had success. The second week saw 17 with the Murthly area doing well. At Newtyle Stephen Roberts, Peter Dobson and Nik Hope had good sport landing springers up to 17 pounds. The third week produced 17. At Kercock David Makin caught a 7 pounds salmon and Kenny Milne had a lovely 16 pounds salmon.
Berwyn Morris landed his first spring salmon from Newtyle weighing 15 pounds from the Steps pool. Further up river at Dunkeld Iain Howie caught a 13 pounds spring salmon on a fly out of the Cutty. The last week produced 26.
Ron Dadswell had his first ever trip to the Tay and landed this beauty on the fly at Stenton with Tony Black.
Murthly 2 had a good week catching 10 from Stenton and the Upper beat just below Newtyle. At Kercock Steve Banks had an 8 pounds salmon and Bob Burns had a nice 15 pounds fish on a copper Toby. It was a very frustrating week for Kercock as 8 other salmon were hooked and lost mostly on the fly. Most of the beats were encountering similar statistics due to unsettled conditions. Newtyle had a better week with James Bowman, Neill Scrimgeour, Allen Rennie, Jess Miller, David and Andy Morris all landing good salmon by various means. The biggest fish was landed by Newtyle regular Allen Rennie fly fishing St Marys stream weighing 17 pounds. Further upstream at Dunkeld House salmon were landed throughout the week with Willie Cummins catching a 16 pounds springer on a Rapala in the Lady pool.
The Upper River landed 10 on the first week from Dalguise, Kinnaird, Farleyer, Edradynate and Portnacraig on the Tummel. John Cameron caught a lovely 20 pounds Salmon in The Guay Pool on Dalguise fly fishing with a Cascade tube fly. At Kinnaird Greg Stephens landed his first ever salmon from the Guay pool weighing 14 pounds and Hugh Coulson landed an impressive 18 pounds beauty in the Junction pool. Portnacraig continued to be productive with Billy Davidson catching 3 spring salmon on the fly. Other successful anglers included Gordon Hyslop with a lovely 16 pounds springer on a Monkey and Clint Doig with an estimated 19 pounds beauty on a Posh Tosh. The second week accounted for 16 salmon as fish ran through the system. Brian Joseph was again successful at the Dam along with Robert McKenzie who landed a 16 pounds fresh salmon on a self-tied tube. Salmon have also been landed on the lower Tummel with Alistair Stephen catching an estimated 18 pounds salmon. Salmon were now running the dam at Pitlochry with over 100 through the counter. Only 10 were registered on week 3 with the Tummel is producing consistently. Fish up to 20 pounds were landed at the Portnacraig beat below Pitlochry Dam. Successful anglers included Roy Maddox, Rab Brown and David Bryce. On Lower Kinnaird a delighted Alex Ramsay caught his first ever River Tay salmon weighing 11 pounds in the Guay pool. The last week saw 21 registered as Salmon continued to bolt up the Tay to the upper areas with over 200 salmon now through the Salmon ladder at Pitlochry and the first salmon caught on Loch Faskally. The Pitlochry Angling Club Portnacraig beat continued to produce salmon but could do with a bit more water. The locals were showing their experience with Andy Walker, Davy Stewart and Gordon Hanslip all catching good salmon. John Richmond also caught a cracking 18 pounds salmon. There will be several other salmon coming from the Tummel but not reported. Back on the Tay Farleyer, Findynate and the Kinnaird beats continued to feature.
