Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon Fishing Report for W/E 28th March 2015.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon Fishing Report for W/E 28th March 2015.

The salmon fishing on the Tay in Perthshire has improved in recent weeks with good conditions for fishing and settled water levels prevailed. March traditionally sees good spring runs and good conditions may have been the catalyst for even better catches which hopefully will continue over the next few weeks. Expectation is high on the river for 2015 after successful springs in 2014 and 2013 and hopefully favourable conditions may trigger off improving runs and catches as we approach April to give everyone a chance of landing a spring “Bar of Silver” as the last 2 years have proved.

Spring salmon were landed last week in continued better numbers with superb conditions until the end of the week. Good numbers were landed daily from all over as the river receded and the quality of the salmon caught remains outstanding with fish caught in the late teens and early twenties. There is a lack of kelts that maybe reflects the poor autumn run and early big spates.

Beat catches reported
(week ending 28th March)
SALMON & GRILSE: Catholes Stanley 2, Upper Scone 1, Pitlochrie 2, Stobhall 5, Taymount 9, Ballathie 2, Cargill 2, Islamouth 9, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 7, Glendelvine 3, Murthly 2 3, Newtyle 3, Dunkeld House 8, Dalmarnock 1, Lower Kinnaird 1, Findynate 1, Loch Tay Fish n' Trips 3, Coupar Grange 4, River Ericht 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 11.
Total: 78 Largest: Portnacraig Pitlochry 22lbs
SEA TROUT: Waulkmill 1, Upper Redgorton 1.
Total: 2 Largest: Waulkmill & Upper Redgorton 2lbs

Salmon have been caught throughout the system this past week in reasonable numbers, which is understandable with the superb conditions making it ideal as fish are running slowly due to the colder water temperatures currently however this is changing with the temperatures rising and fish are spreading throughout the river. The mandatory government catch and release restrictions are about to stop on Wednesday however the river would ask everyone to still release all spring fish to preserve what we have for future years. Return rates are at an all time low and spring salmon are a precious resource to the Tay and all rivers in Scotland. If an area of the river starts to kill salmon to excess the mandatory policy will ultimately increase beyond the spring and maybe for the whole season that would not be a popular concept for our fragile rural economy. Thank you for all who preserve the recommendations and shame on the few who cannot, their shortsighted outlook will bring everyone down and cost jobs throughout Scotland’s river systems. Handling fish is extremely important as well as people look from afar. Please try not to hold fish and keep them in the water to ensure their safe release. For guidance see this link.

on the Lower river unfortunately below Stanley there were no fish recorded however in the Stanley area Upper Scone had a quieter week but caught a superb 20 pounds fish from Horsey on the Pitlochrie beat landed by Arnot McWhinnie from the boat. Stanley Fishings had a reasonable week with fish from Pitlochie and Catholes. The fly proved the most successful method for Phil Walkers party.

Alastair Dunbar caught a couple of fish including a superb 16 pounds beauty from Horsey.

Fraser Gillespie kept the fish a day record going with a 10 pounds beauty from the Catholes stream.

Guy Smedley caught an 8 pounds springer from in front of Stanley Mills on a Toby. Strangely nothing was reported from Burnmouth. Taymount and Stobhall had good weeks catching most days including some high teen beauties. On Taymount Willie Cummings, Mick Cartledge, Spud Graham,

Anne and Patrick Hill caught good fish. Ballathie and Cargill caught odd fish in the week. On Ballathie a cracking 14 pounds fish was landed from the boat by 84 year old Ian Preston from Glasgow.

On Cargill Jennifer Johnston caught her first ever salmon. Islamouth had a fairly productive week with several fish landed mostly on fly. This included fish caught by Neil Tong,

Martin Ferrie and Charlie Martin. On Upper Islamouth and Meikleour it was a “ very encouraging week with 7 fish up to 16 pounds landed by their guests. The Meikleour Beat above the bridge came into its own, especially for the bank rods and fish were landed in the March Pool, Meadows, Boxwood Bush and the Rushes. Fish were seen in good numbers throughout the week, so encouraging signs for the days ahead.” Thanks Calum McRoberts for your input.

The anglers having success were Charlie Stone, Craig Drever with his first ever salmon, Stephen Murdoch and Eric Marszol.

The Middle river is seeing more fish and this should improve over the coming weeks in rising temperatures. The Murthly and Glendelvine beats having picking up fish on a regular basis.

Newtyle landed a few including a superb 15 pounds beauty for Alex Baron from the Trap on a Toby Salmo.

The Dunkeld House beat had a good week including 4 in a day on Friday. Allan Dow caught his first ever salmon weighing 7 pounds from the Ivy Tree and Andy Baker also achieved the same result after loosing a good fish but landed and 8 pounds fish in the Chestnut Tree pool. On Dalmarnock Ben Marshal caught a 9 pounds fresh fish. Lower Kinnaird reported one fish in the week.

The Tummel has started to produce fish on a regular basis as fish make their way up to Pitlochry dam. All the beats below the dam have been producing fish over the last week, which has been good news. Earlier in the week Donny Black caught a couple on the fly from the lower Tummel on the Tummel monkey. Up at the Dam some good fish arrived and were caught.

Kenny Horne had an outstanding 18 pounds beauty on a spinner from Port-na-Craig. Other good fish were caught by Craig Cowan, Saul MacKay, Gordon Nichol, Ben Thompson and Steve Watt with fish up to 22 pounds on fly and spinner.

The Upper area is also starting to see odd fish. Salmon were reported from Findynate beat as they run up to Loch Tay.

On Loch Tay fish are continuing to be caught in reasonable numbers.

Fish n’ Trips reported a few this week with Alan Fonda being successful with fish up to 17 pounds.

The Isla is continuing to see salmon run the river with the Coupar Grange beat producing on a more regular basis. They registered a few fish for last week.

The Ericht is also seeing fish run up the river with a few fish caught in the week.

The Spring Salmon fishing season is nearly into April and expectation is very high after previous seasons and poor overall catches last year. Last weeks catches hopefully encouraged everyone after fish were caught in the system in continuing better numbers. Let us hope with improving conditions after big water and an upturn in catches will continue as last year proved. Tight lines!

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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