Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing at Stanley on the Tay 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing at Stanley on the Tay 2012.

Freddie Sutherland with a cracking 14 pounds spring salmon caught in the Back Dam pool of the Catholes beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Middle Tay January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Middle Tay January 2012.

These are some more cracking spring salmon from the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland.

This was the first spring salmon from the Newtyle beat at Dunkeld this season. This magnificent springer was caught by Sandy Gilchrist fly fishing with a copper cascade tube fly. Well done Andy Gunn (new ghillie on Newtyle) and thank you for sending the picture.

Simon Furniss with the Dunkeld House Hotels first spring salmon of the year. A cracking 20 pounds beauty caught in the Gauge pool on a harled pink Tomic.

A 15 pounds spring salmon caught at Kercock and again their first of the 2012 season. Well done Gary.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Lower Tay 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Lower Tay 2012.

Stephen Patterson playing a very lively salmon at the tail of the Horsey pool on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. The salmon took a harled Kynoch at the tail of Horsey in the boat then bolted off down the rough water below the pool known as the Skellies. After a bit of manoeuvering we managed to coax the salmon back into the pool and land it!

Stephen with the 14 pounds "bar of silver". A superb Tay spring salmon.

Stephen carefully returns the salmon back to the river. A memorable catch and Stephens first January springer.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for the Week ending 28th January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for the Week ending 28th January 2012.

After all the excitement of the opening week ceremonies it was down to the real act of fishing and the second whole week of the season. The catches were quite slow this week but the quality of spring salmon remained high with salmon caught up to 18 pounds in weight. There has been far less Baggots and Rawners this year and a good number of Kelts which has meant a good spawning season.

Good conditions prevailed for the week with the exception of Thursday when the river rose rapidly from rain on Wednesday but it settled back for the end of the week. Success was limited and most fish came from the lower river around Stanley. The river temperature dropped to around 38F or 3C due to colder weather and this probably slowed the salmon down and favoured the lower river. However 2 spring salmon were caught in the Dunkeld area meaning a few are still running through to the middle river.

Ray Gardiner with a 9 pounds spring salmon caught harling in the Girnal on the Lower Redgorton beat.

12 salmon were reported last week with the best salmon of 18 pounds being landed by Alan McCaig on Upper Scone and also Ian Kettles landing one of the same weight on Catholes on Saturday.

Alan McCaig with a magnificent 18 pounds Tay Springer.

Stobhall continue to show everyone the way by landing another 3 spring salmon this past week taking their total to 7 for the season. Hopefully with more settled and colder weather this coming week catches will improve. Fish have run on up the river with the recent milder conditions and it was good to see Newtyle and Dalmarnock landing their first fish of the season.

Support the river Tay with a Tay Dram.

Many thanks for all the pictures everyone sent me of opening week spring salmon and thanks to all who have sent me their individual fishing experiences over the last season on the river. I would be most grateful if you to do the same this season by emailing robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in this report.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Prospects for week commencing 30th January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Prospects for week commencing 30th January 2012.

Currently the river is running at good height following a rise on Thursday last week. Colder and more settled weather will continue over the next few days giving the river a great chance of producing some good sport and some early "Bars of Silver".

The Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

The weather is to get colder and remain settled. The water temperature is around 38 degrees Fahrenheit or 3 degrees Celcius, which is ideal for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast during the week ahead but any salmon that are running may be spread throughout the system after milder conditions prior to the opening day giving everyone a good chance for the coming week. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the 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.

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.

Harling on the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January - May 2012 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 Spring Fishing January 2012 on the Tay.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fishing January 2012 on the Tay.

Dawn breaks on a cold January morning in Tayside.

Graham Fyfe with a 14 pounds spring salmon caught on the lower Stobhall beat in the Linn pool at Bellymore on a Toby Salmo.

Benchil beat on the lower Tay just below Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland on a cold January morning after a hard frost.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Sunset on the Tay January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Sunset on the Tay January 2012.

A lovely sunset on the river Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland on a cold January day. Alas no spring salmon today but a cracking day to be out on the river.


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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland January 2012.

The Tay continues to produce early run spring salmon in the second week of the 2012 salmon fishing season.

A superb 17 pounds spring salmon caught by John Murray from the boat in the Wash House on the Upper Scone fishings at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

Alan McCaig caught this cracker from the boat on the Upper Scone fishings. Alan caught his fresh run fish in the Tarr Tank on a Harled fly and it weighed 18 pounds.

Karen Grant with an 11 pounds fresh run spring salmon caught on a Devon in the Wash House from the boat on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley.

This was another beauty caught at Upper Stobhall by ghillie Ernie Duff on a harled Copper Kynoch in the Woodside from the boat.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Spring Salmon on the Tay in January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Spring Salmon on the Tay in January 2012.

The beats around Stanley were successful today landing 4 fresh run spring salmon.

This was a 13 pounds beauty from the Stobhall beat caught in the Linn pool. David Murray caught this beauty casting a Toby on the Bellymore.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Week Salmon Fishing Report January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Week Salmon Fishing Report January 2012.

The 2012 Salmon Season opened on the Tay on Monday past with great publicity in the press and on television. The various issues and activities appeared on Television, Radio and Press giving the river high exposure.

There were opening day events throughout the Tay district with the larger ceremonies taking place at Dunkeld and Kenmore. Steve Lomas, Manager of St Johnstone FC and former Manchester City, West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Northern Ireland midfielder, opened the salmon fishing season on the Tay at Dunkeld House in front of a large gathering on Monday. The ceremony was organised by the Dunkeld and Birnam Tourist and Angling Associations and was supported by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board marking the start of the 2012 season. MP’s and MSP’s were also in attendance and the event was televised by STV news.

Some video footage of the Opening Day ceremony at Dunkeld on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.

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. I am pleased to say the river got off to a flying start with some good spring salmon landed and there was a great feeling of expectation. There has been far less Baggots and Rawners this year and a good number of Kelts which has meant a good spawning season.

Good conditions prevailed for the week, which resulted in success for beats throughout the river as well as some higher beats. The river temperature of around 40F or 4C meant salmon could be expected anywhere in the system rather than only on the lower river as in the past couple of years and this proved to be the case for the opening week.

20 salmon were reported last week with the best salmon of 22 pounds being landed by former Islamouth ghillie Brian Brogan on the opening day.

This won him the coveted Redford Trophy for the largest opening day fish. 2 other fresh salmon were also landed on the Islamouth beat on the opening day. A few other top quality early run spring salmon were landed during the week. Stobhall had a good opening week landing 4 springers. Tommy Andrew and David Cargill landing 2 cracking salmon on Saturday despite a rising river.

Ghillie John Bennett had a 17 pounds beauty on Benchil, John Murray landed a fresh salmon from the famous Pitlochrie pool on Upper Scone and Alum Williams had the first salmon from Lower Redgorton. It was also encouraging to see a couple of spring salmon being caught in the upper river at Edradynate and Findynate. Spring salmon have also got up to the Isla with Coupar Grange landing a couple in the week.

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.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Prospects for Week commencing 23rd January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Prospects for Week commencing 23rd January 2012.

Currently the river is running at good height following a rise at the end of last week. Colder and more settled weather will continue over the next few days giving the river a great chance of producing some good sport and some early "Bars of Silver".

The weather is to remain cold and settled. The water temperature is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celcius, which is ideal for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast during the week ahead but any salmon that are running may be spread throughout the system after milder conditions prior to the opening day giving everyone a good chance for the coming week. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the 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.

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.

Harling on the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January - May 2012 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 Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay January 2012.

The first spring fishing week finished on the Tay today with some very encouraging catches. There are a few good fresh fish running the river but it is a case of being in the right place at the right time and having some luck on your shoulder. The Stobhall beat finished the opening week on a high landing 2 lovely fresh spring salmon and completing a superb opening week with 4 fresh fish.

This was Tommy Andrew with a 14 pounds beauty caught from the boat in Finford Head on the lower Stobhall beat just above Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

A superb 16 pounds Tay spring salmon caught by David Cargill harling in the boat at Tams Corner on a Copper Tomic.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Conflict on the river Tay.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Conflict on the river Tay.

Whitewater rafters vow to fight ban on using top salmon river.

A sheriff ruled adventure river sports pose an 'unreasonable interference' with anglers' rights.

An adventure company has vowed to appeal a ruling which banned whitewater rafting from one of Scotland's top salmon rivers.

Anglers, including the 150-strong Aberfeldy Angling Club, have won a legal bid to limit the time rafters can use a stretch of the River Tay in Highland Perthshire.

At Perth Sheriff Court on Thursday, sheriff Michael Fletcher ruled that whitewater rafters posed "an unreasonable interference with the rights of anglers".

Adventure sports on the river will be banned on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week during the salmon season, a decision which companies say will cost jobs.

Jason Mason-Strang, of adventure company Nae Limits, said moves to challenge the ruling overturned were already under way.

He said: "We are taking legal advice at present because we feel this process has not been conducted in a fair manner.

"For many years, rafting groups and anglers and landowners have been able to sit around the table and discuss possible agreements about use of the river and about conduct and behaviour.

"Yes, the talks have not always been easy but we have managed to discuss things and try to find workable solutions. This has not happened at all here.

"We were given no opportunity to defend ourselves or discuss the issues and the repercussions for the area, employment-wise will be significant."

In their legal action, anglers argued: "The River Tay is the premier angling river in Scotland.

"Salmon fishing rights are, and have long been, a valuable property right in Scotland. Both the pleasure to be obtained from the fishing, and the value of these rights, are substantially dependent on the quality of the fishing and on the peace and quiet of the river environment.

"They are reduced if the fishing is disturbed. There has long been some use of the river by canoeists and kayakers; unlike rafters such users retain control of their vessels and are generally respectful of the rights of others."

Rafters and anglers reached an agreement about river usage in 1994 but the number of rafts increased and the agreement broke down, according to court papers.

In recent years the river could be used by up to 70 rafts in one morning, anglers say.

The new decision will cut the number of days rafting can be done on the river from 365 to 248 in a year.

Mr Mason-Strang said: "We have trained our staff with a strict code of conduct which takes into account the rights of other river users.

"It has taken us lots of talking to the fishing groups to have them operate anything near similar standards.

"This part of the story has not been told. All we are looking for is an opportunity to speak up on behalf of our industry, our customers and employees who will have their jobs threatened."

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay January 2012.

A cracking 17 pounds spring salmon caught by Ghillie John Bennett on the Lower Tay Benchil beat below Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. John caught his salmon spinning a Betwood Spey devon from the bank in the Long Shot.

John carefully releasing the salmon back to the river.

This was Lower Redgortons first spring salmon of the 2012 season caught by Alum Williams. Alum was harling with ghillie Stuart Lean in the Hummel Hole when the salmon took a harled tube fly.


Spring Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay on the Benchil beat below Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland using a G Loomis NRX fly rod and a Skagit fly line. Unfortunately this was not a spring salmon but a Kelt.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay January 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay January 2012.

John Murray with a fresh run 11 pounds spring salmon caught on the Upper Scone beat in the famous Pitlochrie pool at Stanley.


Ian Mercer playing and landing a lively salmon on the Opening day in the Wash House on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. The salmon weighed 20 pounds but unfortunately was not fresh run. This salmon was a Rawner which is an unspawned male fish.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Ceremony 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Ceremony 2012.

Salmon season gets under way on banks of River Tay.

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas was given the honour of making the first cast of the year.


The salmon season has got under way with a traditional ceremony on the banks of the River Tay.


Some video footage of the Opening Day ceremony at Dunkeld on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.

Crowds of anglers and local residents gathered in Dunkeld for the traditional blessing on Monday.

Experts are predicting a bumper season following some of the best conditions the Tay has seen for several years.
Salmon season gets under way on banks of River Tay

The honour of making the first cast of the year fell to St Johnstone football manager Steve Lomas.

He said: "I haven't fished in 20 years and it showed.

"It was thoroughly enjoyable and I think it's very important as somewhat as an outsider to try and embed yourself in the local community.

"They are two years into a catch-and-release scheme to get the stocks back up and it seems to be working well."

William Jack, chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, said it was a "great day" for everyone interested in angling.

He said: "At long last those of us who are really keen on angling are allowed to start fishing again. This is the opening of the 2012 season and anybody involved in angling at all is excited about today.

"It's been an excellent turnout and so many different facets of the local community have been involved. A lot of that is down to the efforts of all the people who've laid on such a terrific facility for us."


STV News clip on the Tay Opening Day 2012.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing 2012.

These were some more Opening Day images from Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland and a fresh Spring salmon caught on the Catholes on the second day.

Ian Mercer playing a lively Rawner in the boat in the Wash House on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley.

Looking down the river Tay towards Stanley Mills on a cold first day.

The tail of Horsey at last light on the opening day.

A 14 pounds spring salmon caught on the Catholes in the Byers pool just above Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.


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Salmon Fishing Scotland First Spring Salmon form the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland First Spring Salmon form the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2012.

At last the 2012 Tay Salmon Season opened on the river today with great expectation.

After a very cold start to the day but ideal conditions the river Opened for 2012.

Tommy McLean from Dumblane with an 18 pounds spring salmon caught in the famous Pitlochrie pool at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

Scottish Ghillie Martin Ritchie holds a 22 pounds springer from the Islamouth beat caught by former Islamouth ghillie Brian Brogan who moved up to the Cairnton beat on the Dee. This was the largest Tay Spring salmon from the Opening day and won the Redford Trophy 2012.

Islamouth Ghillie Martin Ritchie with another first day Tay Springer weighing 15 pounds.
All the spring salmon today were returned to the river. A great start to the river, well done everyone and let us hope this is a start to a great season on the river Tay.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Ceremony 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Ceremony 2012.

The river Tay Salmon Season opened at Dunkeld, Perthshire today with great excitement.

A view of the river from Dunkeld prior to the opening.

Tay District Salmon Fishery Board Chairman Bill Jack addressing the opening gathering at the Dunkeld Hilton Hotel.

Local MP Pete Wishart addressing the gathering.

Steve Lomas, St Johnstone manager about to make the first cast on the Tay for the 2012 opening of the Salmon season.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day Prospects 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day Prospects 2012.

The river Tay Salmon fishing season 2012 Opening day is now only a few hours away until the first day and the magical first cast. The excitement is building to the opening day ceremonies up and down the river with the best conditions for a number of years.

Steve Lomas, Manager of St Johnstone FC and former Manchester City, West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Northern Ireland midfielder, will “open” the salmon fishing season on the Tay at Dunkeld House on Monday January 16th. A ceremony, organised by the Dunkeld and Birnam Tourist and Angling Associations supported by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board (TDSFB), will mark the start of the 2012 season. Other ceremonies will be organised throughout the river including the traditional Kenmore opening on Loch Tay.


Video of the famous Stanley Salmon Beats on the river Tay prior to the 2012 Opening Day. Included is the Wash House, Pitlochrie pool, the back of the Mill and Horsey on the Pitlochrie beat, the tail of the Catholes and the Back Dam on the Catholes beat and Todd Holes, Aitken Head and the Long Shot on the Benchil beat.

Currently the river is running at an ideal height following heavy rain and unseasonal high temperatures melting the snow in the hills over a week ago. Colder and more settled weather over the last few days have improved conditions remarkably giving the river a great chance of producing some good sport and some early "Bars of Silver".

The weather is to remain cold and settled. The river has dropped back down to a more realistic level for the opening day. The water temperature has dropped as well sitting now below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celcius which is ideal for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast during the week ahead but any salmon that are running may be spread throughout the system giving everyone a good chance on the first day. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the 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.

As to methods, in settled conditions 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 2012 is that all spring salmon should be released, i.e. the Tay has adopted a policy of 100% catch and release for spring salmon. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please help preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the recommendations.

If you have any news or pictures of catches or experiences on the Tay and you would like to share them please email me on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in this report.

Tight lines for 2012.

Celebrate the Tay Opening with a Dalmore Tay Dram.


Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.