The conditions last week were not good on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland with much milder weather at last bringing heavy rain, warm winds and a big snow melt sending the river into the fields however by Saturday it subsided and superb catches returned to fill everyone with more optimism for the coming weeks. The weather is now much milder again for this week but hopefully this will continue to give us great prospects and will maintain early spring sport on this marvelous river and spread it throughout the whole river.
The Spring Salmon fishing is never easy but when settled conditions prevail the sport can be magical as has proved this season so far with some outstanding catches and numerous spring salmon registered in the Tay system above expectation. This past week sport was curtailed due to the break in the weather however at the end of the week the catches took off again. The catches have been heartening mainly due to the cold weather but there is certainly a feeling now that there has been a far better run. Could this be down to most anglers’ efforts to return spring salmon over the past few seasons? Spring salmon were caught all week up to 20 pounds in weight and throughout the river as temperatures began to rise which was tremendous news. 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 and temperatures have now risen hopefully to encourage more salmon to run the river and spread out. 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.
Beat catches reported
SALMON & GRILSE: Upper Redgorton 1, Benchil and Catholes 6, Upper Scone 2, Pitlochrie and Catholes 5, Burnmouth 10, Stobhall 1, Taymount 5, Islamouth 1, Upper Islamouth and Meikleour House 5, Kercock 2, Glendelvine 2, Murthly 2 3, Lower Kinnaird 3, Upper Kinnaird 1, Coupar Grange 4, Portnacraig Pitlochry 5.
Total: 56 Largest: Coupar Grange 20lbs
SEA TROUT: Upper Scone 1.
Total: 1 Largest: Upper Scone 4lbs
Spring salmon have been caught throughout the system this past week encouraging everyone and there has also been the emergence of some larger multi sea winter spring salmon up to 20 odd pounds, which is superb news. The Upper reaches are now encountering more fresh salmon now as warmer conditions appear. The Upper river registered 1 spring salmon from Upper Kinnaird caught by Peter Judson weighing 13 pounds. This was Peters first ever salmon which he carefully released back to the river.
The Tummel system registered 5 spring salmon. After the current spate calms down the catches on the Tummel should soar. All the salmon came from the Pitlochry Angling stretch at the Dam. Martin Schaffield landed a 10 pounds salmon at the start of the week fly fishing. Then as levels relaxed Innes Smith and Davie Stewart caught fish up to 12 pounds at the end of the week.
On the Middle river 10 spring salmon were caught this past week that is a marked improvement. When the water starts to warm up the middle river will fair even better.
Glendelvine and Murthly caught along with Meikleour on Friday and Saturday. On Kercock Ian Marshall and Ian Nimmo both caught fly fishing from the bank.
The Lower River dominated the catches understandably with maintained colder conditions and a tremendous run coming through the beats on Saturday with 34 spring salmon for the week. The beats around Stanley had superb catches after the spate calmed down. Burnmouth landed 10 salmon for the last two days in the week.
Taymount had a good Saturday with 5 landed and George McKinlay had the pick of the fish with a superb 18 pounds beauty.
Catholes went one better with 6 for the day with Charles Martin, Danny Fulton, Jason Stratton and Eddie Slaven all catching with salmon up to 15 pounds.
Pitlochrie also had a good day with salmon up to 15 pounds falling to James McKay, Phil Black, Richard Collins and Ian Watson with Pitlochrie pool doing well. Hopefully the catches will be maintained this coming week.
The Isla registered 4 salmon from Coupar Grange. Rod Lumsden landed 2 superb fish on a Toby, one was 18pounds and the other 20 pounds. Steve Cooksley had an 18pounds beauty on the fly and Craig Masson landed a 15 pounds springer on a floating devon out of the bottom pool.
It was certainly another superb spring week to remember with some great stories, very cold weather and springers caught with good conditions but now as we entering the second half of April with warmer weather and good river levels the spring catches should improve further over the coming weeks assuming the run continues and spread throughout the entire system.
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.
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