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 Spring Salmon Fishing on the Lower Tay, Perthshire, Scotland February 2013.
It was another superb spring February day with wall to wall sunshine and clear blue skies in Perthshire, Scotland today with perfect spring salmon fishing conditions.
Alan McCaig playing a lively spring salmon in the Black Stones on the Catholes beat at Stanley from the boat.
A superb 10 pounds spring salmon prior to release.
Freddie Sutherland caught this 16 pounds beauty under the Catholes Weir in the Little Head.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Memorable Spring Fishing on the Tay 2013.
We had wall to wall winter sunshine in Tayside today and the spring salmon fishing is certainly living up to expectation after last weeks good catches.
Ballathie veteran ghillie George McInnes with a lovely spring salmon caught on the Ballathie beat yesterday.
Kenny Scott with a superb 14 pounds spring beauty caught from the boat at the tail of Innernytie sands on the Upper Stobhall beat.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Superb Spring Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland February 2013.
The Tay in Perthshire, Scotland continues to fish well in late February with some superb spring salmon caught and in superb conditions. This was a very special day for me on the river. I finally managed to lure out Jim Last onto the river after he has had some troubled times with health which meant he had to retire off the river some years ago. Jim was a very much respected and loved ghillie on the river at Scone on the Waulkmill beat. Over the years I have fished with Jimmy and learned an awful lot from him as he was certainly in my opinion one of the best and most enthusiastic ghillies ever to fish the river. The boot was firmly on the other foot today and I certainly felt the pressure was on to catch and give back some of the knowledge I have learned from him over the years. What a day we had!
This is the picturesque Pitlochrie beat at Stanley in front of Stanley Mill.
Not long into the morning and the rod bends over. Is it a spring salmon?
It certainly was and the pressure was off! A cracking 15 pounds spring beauty.
We then dropped down to Horsey and the rod buckled over again.
A superb 16 pounds springer.
A typical deep Tay spring salmon. A truly special day for me, thanks Jimmy.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland February 2013.
It was an outstanding day weather wise on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland and the spring salmon fishing week got underway with yet more high expectation after last weeks great catches. Hopefully the week will not disappoint.
This was a 13 pounds cracker form Saturday caught by Eddie Slaven on the Catholes at Stanley in the Black Stones.
This was a superb 26 pounds springer caught in Loch Tay by Stuart Inglis last Saturday which was carefully returned. These fish are so valuable to the system and it is extremely important they are returned to maintain sport for the future on this magnificent system. Well done Stuart a true sportsman.
Steven Watt caught this 11 pounds beauty on a Rapala from the Portnacraig beat on the Tummel this morning getting the week off to a flying start.
Martyn John with a magnificent 18 pounds springer caught in Cawn Pore on the Pitlochrie beat with the Upper Scone fishings. The week has certainly got off to a flying start and the weather has been superb as well.
Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Report for week ending 23rd February 2013.
The conditions last week were superb on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland with ideal conditions but cold and improved catches followed filling everyone with more optimism for the coming week. The good news for this week is more settled conditions are to prevail with a colder weather forecast for the latter part of the week, which will maintain a settled river and early spring sport.
The Spring Salmon fishing is never easy but when settled conditions prevail the sport can be magical as proved this past week with some outstanding catches and over 50 spring salmon registered in the Tay system. Spring salmon were caught all week up to 20 pounds in weight and throughout the river. The Tay is fishing currently very well and is certainly a good destination to catch your first spring salmon of the season. The river offers a variety of possibilities for all standards of anglers with ghillies only too keen to teach the novices and this mighty river can produce a memorable salmon for the keen fly fisher. Levels have dropped and the pools can be easily covered from bank and boat with modern technology. Why not have a go and sample this magical river. The fishing is supreme and the scenery is not bad either.
Spring salmon have been caught throughout the system this past week encouraging everyone. The Upper reaches have encountered fresh salmon, as fish have been keen to run with good water levels earlier in the month despite cold temperatures. The Kinnaird beats have had success with a couple of fish and Farleyer have been the same.
On the Tummel at Portnacraig Gary Waugh caught a superb 20 pounds spring salmon on a flying C from the Green Bank. Further downstream
Derek Travis had a superb day at the Tomdachoil beat at the entrance of Pitlochry town landing 2 spring salmon up to 16.5 pounds.
On the middle river Dalmarnock continued their great start with spring salmon landed up to 20 pounds in weight. At Dunkeld Joe Stirling caught a lovely 13 pounds spring salmon from the Chest Nut pool on a copper Salmo. The Murthly beats also had a reasonable week landing odd salmon on most days. At Kercock three fish were caught with Bob Burns having a 15 pounds springer. He has fished the river for over 40 years savouring his catch. Dougie McLean got an 18 pounds salmon and Paul Wilkinson got his first ever Salmon, an 11 pounds sea licer, guided by Dougie Morrision, all fish were safely returned. Superb news Gary and thanks.
The lower river dominated the catches understandably with colder conditions and a dropping water. Islamouth had a reasonable week with the Gifford party landing 2 springers at the start of the week. Charle Martin had a lovely salmon at the end of the week. Stobhall and Taymount worked away with the latter doing well on Saturday.
John and Brendan Tumilty enjoyed success with salmon landed up to 11 pounds landed from the Linn pool. Burnmouth enjoyed a good week landing several spring salmon for the week. Catholes, just above Stanley also had a memorable week landing several salmon. Martin Lydan caught 2 beauties up to 13 pounds and Chris Drewitt landed an 11 pounds springer on Thursday. Chris McColl was lucky on Friday and Eddie Slaven caught a 13 pounds beauty on Saturday. The Pitlochrie beat had a red letter day on Saturday landing 4 spring salmon before lunchtime!
Rod Dixon from the borders had 2 in Horsey on the fly covered in sea lice to 10 pounds. In front of Stanley Mills David Brown and Ian Watson had a morning to remember landing salmon up to 16 pounds. Upper Scone also did well with Andrew Dennis landing a 12 pounds beauty on the fly casting from the boat under the tutelage of ghillie Dave Barwick.
The conditions last week were superb on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland with ideal conditions but cold and improved catches followed filling everyone with more optimism for the coming week. The good news for this week is more settled conditions are to prevail with a colder weather forecast for the latter part of the week, which will maintain a settled river and early spring sport.
video action from Stanley on Saturday after a superb day.
It was certainly a week to remember with some great springers caught under good conditions but now with more settled weather and river levels the spring catches should improve further over the coming weeks assuming the run continues. It helps to be optimistic!
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 the reports.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the river Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 25th February 2013.
There has been another even more successful week completed on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland despite some continued cold weather in the pursuit of that magical spring salmon. The weather was consistent and river levels settled back during the week, the catches continued to improve and the good news is that settled conditions should prevail over the next week to maintain good sport.
Some action from last week on the Pitlochrie beat.
Currently the river is running at a settled level after good cold weather and should drop back further with yet more colder weather forecast (2’7 and settled on the Ballathie gauge). The weather is set to remain settled over the next week and then get colder again which should benefit the river and maintain the chance of producing some sport and some early "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.
The Tay at Stanley.
The weather is settled and will get colder over the next week, which will keep the river in good order. Colder conditions certainly benefit the river at this time of year slowing the spring salmon run down and giving everyone a chance to catch as they run up the river slowly. Milder weather this past few days and plenty of water encouraged salmon to run the river, which has now benefited everyone as conditions settle. At the end of the week colder weather is set to return which should settle the river back further and give ideal spring fishing conditions. The water temperature is currently around 38 degrees Fahrenheit or 3.5 degrees Celcius but may drop back. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast at the end of the week ahead but there have been salmon running throughout the system after milder conditions and this resulted in fish being caught well up the system. 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. Should you require guidance on salmon identification at this time of year please see this link for some help.
A 16 pounds Tay beauty.
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 2013 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.
When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended.
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 the reports.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Catholes river Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland Feb 2013.
It was a memorable weeks spring salmon fishing on the Catholes beat at Stanley this past week with ideal conditions and a fish or two about.
Catching Spring salmon and lovely winter scenery on the Catholes, Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland. Chris McColl and Martin Lydon landing salmon on a cold February week on the river Tay.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Spring Salmon At Stanley in the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2013.
The salmon fishing conditions on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland have been superb this past week and catches have been improving despite cold weather.
There was no exception today on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley which is one of the most famous spring stretches of our mighty river. This was David Brown playing a spring salmon from the boat at the Tarr Tank.
After a lengthy struggle he landed this magnificent 16 pounds spring salmon.
A superb 16 pounds Tay spring salmon.
Ian Watson plays another lively spring salmon from the boat.
A cracking 9 pounds sea liced springer successfully landed. What a day, two other spring salmon landed fly fishing from the bank in Horsey. Pictures to follow.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland February 2013.
There are superb opportunities for spring fly fishing on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland currently after improved catches this week and continued good conditions. The river is at a sensible level and with the modern equipment casting over a spring salmon is not that difficult even on this mighty river. If you are a keen fly fisher why not give it a go, there is plenty of availability and you will be pleasantly surprised. The potential of hooking a Tay monster is always a possibility and winning the prestigious Malloch Trophy.
This was an example from today with Andrew Dennis casting a fly from an anchored boat on the Upper Scone beat at Stanley. Andrew caught this lovely 12 pounds beauty in the Minister on the Pitlochrie beat fly fishing from the boat under the expert guidance of Ghillie Dave Barwick. Great result, well done.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Spring Salmon on the Tay February 2013.
The Tay in Perthshire, Scotland continues to fish extremely well this week with a good number of spring salmon landed throughout the river and long may it continue.
This was Chris McColl with a lovely 8 pounds springer caught from the Woodside on the Catholes beat at Stanley.
Charlie Martin with an 11 pounds spring salmon from the Islamouth beat with ghillie Billy Campbell in the boat.
A superb 20 pounds spring salmon caught from Dalmarnock above Dunkeld earlier in the week.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Catholes, Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland 2013.
The Catholes beat at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland can be a magical spring beat on the mighty Tay.
On Monday Martin Lydon got off to a flyer landing his first spring salmon within a short time of starting. Could he catch again?
The answer was yes! This is him into another springer on the famous Slap pool under the Catholes weir.
Martin plays the fish skilfully while his colleague Chris Drewitt looks on.
A superb 13 pounds spring beauty is landed which was covered in long tailed sea lice. Well done Martin!
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fishing on the Catholes February 2013.
Martin Lydon catching his first Atlantic salmon, let alone his first spring Tay salmon. That's the way to go! Well done Martin! His springer was caught on the famous Catholes at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland February 2013.
The salmon fishing week started well on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland with frost and wall to wall sunshine. The river was easing back perfectly and prospects looked good.
This was the scene at the top of the Catholes beat first thing with a mist still lifting off the river.
After only a few casts Martin Drewitt was into his first ever spring salmon.
A superb 11 pounds bar of silver caught on a devon from the Woodside on the Catholes beat at Stanley. Well done Martin, it makes it all worth while.
Further downstream on the Upper Scone Pitlochrie beat Angus Wear caught this superb 18 pounds springer from the boat at the Five Trees.
Just above Stanley ghillie Ernie Duff landed this sparkling 12 pounds beauty at Bellymore on the Linn Pool while his colleague Bob Campbell played a salmon at the same time weighing exactly the same weight on the same pool but on the Green Bank.
The sun sets on another memorable day on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland and there has been evidence of a small spring run going through the river. Let us hope this improves as the week goes on.
Salmon Fishing Scotland river Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Report for week ending 16th February 2013.
The conditions last week were variable on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland with more unsettled conditions but catches followed filling everyone with more optimism for the coming week. Last week there were difficult conditions with more heavy snow fall and snow melt making the river at times unfishable due to river levels being unsettled. The good news for this week is more settled conditions are to prevail with a colder weather forecast for the latter part of the week, which will settle river levels and maintain early spring sport.
Some highlights of Spring Salmon fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland in the week ending 16th February 2013.
The Spring Salmon fishing is never easy but when settled conditions prevail the sport can be magical as proved this past week with some outstanding catches despite some unsettled conditions on some days. Spring salmon were caught throughout the week up to 20 pounds in weight and throughout the river. At the top of the system
Derek Travis landed a superb 18 pounds spring salmon on the Tummel at Portnacraig in Pitlochry fly fishing from the bank. At Dalguise the spring season continued after the good start with a 13 pounds beauty for Kenny Tragham on a 40 g toby from the Bridge pool.
At Dalmarnock Robert Hall landed an 11 pounds springer from the boat on a Kynoch and Tam Dorrian caught a superb 14 pounds beauty on a salmo. At Dunkeld House some lovely spring salmon were caught with Steve Whitehead landing the fish of the week from the beat weighing 17 pounds from the Chestnut Tree pool in the boat. The Murthly beats accounted for some good spring salmon up to 20 pounds in weight.
The conditions are set to improve further this coming week with a colder forecast that will settle the river and hopefully produce some more spring sport. On the lower river several spring salmon were landed during the week as a reasonable run continued. Islamouth caught during the week with Michael Gipson landind a 12 pounds springer from the Castle pool on Saturday. Taymount had a reasonable week with
Matthew Voce landing 2 salmon weighing 9 pounds and 13 pounds from the bank on a toby Salmo off the Linn Pool.
The Catholes again produced for Freddie Sutherland with his third springer of the year, a cracking 10 pounds beauty from the Back Dam.
On Upper Scone Guy Oliver landed a lovely springer from the boat in Aitken Head from the boat.
Further down stream Fishponds landed 3 spring salmon during the week on fly and spinner with Mr Christie accounting for a lovely 10 pounds beauty on Saturday. Lastly Lower Redgorton got off the mark with a superb springer for Mike Bridger harling a Rapala in the Hatton pool with Stuart Lean.
It was certainly a week to remember with some great springers caught despite unsettled conditions but now with more settled weather and river levels the spring catches should improve over the coming weeks assuming the run continues. It helps to be optimistic!
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 the reports.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the river Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 18th February 2013.
There has been another successful week completed on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland despite some more extreme weather in the pursuit of that magical spring salmon. The weather was difficult with melting snow and more heavy snow during the week, the catches continued to improve and the good news is that settled conditions should prevail over the next week to maintain good sport.
Currently the river is running at a fairly high level after snow melt but should settle back with colder weather forecast (5'6 and rising on the Ballathie gauge). The weather is set to remain settled over the next week and then get colder again which should benefit the river and maintain the chance of producing some sport and some early "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.
The weather is to get colder over the next week, which will settle the river. Colder conditions certainly benefit the river at this time of year slowing the spring salmon run down and giving everyone a chance to catch as they run up the river slowly. Milder weather this past few days and plenty of water encouraged salmon to run the river, which has now benefited everyone as conditions settle. At the end of the week colder weather is set to return which should settle the river back further and give ideal spring fishing conditions. The water temperature is currently around 38 degrees Fahrenheit or 3.5 degrees Celcius but may drop back. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast at the end of the week ahead but there have been salmon running throughout the system after milder conditions and this resulted in fish being caught well up the system. 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. Should you require guidance on salmon identification at this time of year please see this link for some help.
The Tay at Stanley.
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 2013 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.
The Tay at Dalmarnock.
When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended.
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 the reports.
Salmon Fishing Scotland Chamonix Valley February 2013.
Just arrived back from probably the most famous and disable area in the world to ski, the Chamonix valley, the mecca of the skiing world.
The condition throughout the week were immense with loads of snow falling, powder days and lots of fresh tracks. what more could you ask for? Happy days!
