Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Salmon Fly Fishing on Tay, Perthshire late July 2015.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Salmon Fly Fishing on Tay, Perthshire late July 2015.

The summer salmon fishing is improving week on week on the Tay, Perthshire with fresh water and more fish running the river. So far this week over 100 salmon have been caught and we should see an improvement on last weeks catches which is encouraging.

John McCallum plays a lively summer grilse fly fishing in the Long Shot from the Benchil beat just below Stanley on the lower Tay.

A lovely sea liced 3 pounds grilse is successfully landed prior to release. A grilse is a valuable fish for our system as well when salmon returns are at an all time low.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire July 2015.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire July 2015.

This is the Horsey pool on the Pitlochrie beat of the Tay in Perthshire. The recent rains have risen the river levels in July and it makes Horsey and ideal pool for fly fishing and that was the case on Saturday.

Danny Fulton plays a fish from Horsey.

A superb sea liced 9 pounds summer salmon prior to release.

15 foot G Loomis NRX, Mackenzie DTX Shooting Head Fly Line with sink tip attached plus the correct fly.

Another superb fish landed on the fly prior to release.

The sun sinks as last light signals the end of a great day on the river. Hopefully more to come.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon Fishing Report for W/E 25th July 2015.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon Fishing Report for W/E 25th July 2015.

The salmon fishing on the Tay in Perthshire has slowed down after an excellent period for some time especially in the middle river with improving conditions for fishing and reasonably settled water levels have prevailed to give the river an excellent late spring period with the river equaling last years catches so far and improving on the 5 year average. The current trend continued in June but has slowed up in the last couple of weeks with slight signs of improvement. Recent heavy rain causing a massive summer spate last week, has triggered off an improvement in the summer run. The spring period has ended but steady conditions have spread fish throughout the system in the last few weeks, this may be the catalyst for even better catches which hopefully will continue over the next few weeks as we go deeper into summer. This past few weeks seemed to have confirmed the end of the 2015 spring run but the river is holding a good stock of fish especially in the middle areas. We now await a good summer run of salmon and grilse. Expectation remains high on the river for 2015 after consistent catches recently and hopefully favourable conditions may trigger off improving runs as we go into Summer to give everyone a chance of landing a Tay “Bar of Silver”.

Late spring and summer salmon were landed last week in better numbers due to fresh water earlier in the week. We recorded an improving catch as the week went on and hopefully that will bring even more success this week. There was good cloud cover and it was warm. Fish were landed daily from all over as the river level receded and the quality of the salmon caught remained outstanding with fish caught in the late teens and early twenties. Rain during last week may just spice things up for the coming week. Grilse are starting to run with odd ones caught and in excellent condition. Sea trout are making an appearance as well with some top quality fish caught. On the nature front the Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows are all over the skies, Ospreys are being seen, Kingfishers dart past, Ducks have their second broods of young and Sand Pipers are on the riverbank. It is a magical time of year with the wild flowers coming out everywhere with Rhododendrons and Azaleas in bloom and Lupines everywhere as well as many others. It is true what they say, “ a salmon is a bonus!”

Beat catches reported (week ending 25th July)
SALMON & GRILSE: Almondmouth 4, Waulkmill 2, Lower Redgorton 2, Upper Redgorton 2, Fishponds 1, Upper Scone 1, Pitlochrie 7, Stobhall 5, Taymount 13, Ballathie 6, Cargill 5, Islamouth 6, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 8, Kercock 16, Murthly 1 1, Murthly 2 8, Newtyle 4, Dunkeld House 4, Dalmarnock 1, Lower Kinnaird 4, Findynate 1, Farleyer Lower 5, Ericht Fishing 10, Portnacraig Pitlochry 2, Loch Faskally 2.
Total: 120 Largest: Kercock 21lbs
SEA TROUT: Waulkmill 1, Lower Redgorton 5, Fishponds 1, Pitlochrie 2, Stobhall 1, Taymount 2, Ballathie 1, Lower Kinnaird 1, Lochlane and Laggan 7.
Total: 21 Largest: Lochlane and Laggan 4lbs

Salmon have been caught throughout the system this past week in steadily improving numbers and conditions at times making it ideal as fish run harder due to the warmer water temperatures and fish are spreading throughout the river. Bigger and fresh water may have encouraged more to run. The mandatory government catch and release restrictions have ended however the river would ask everyone to observe the TDSB recommendations to preserve what we have for future years. Return rates are at an all time low and wild salmon are a precious resource to the Tay and all rivers in Scotland. Handling of fresh salmon in particular is a big issue now if we are serious about successful release to enable as many salmon as possible to survive to spawn. 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 and is bad practice. Further information on the policy and good release practice. 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.

The Lower Tay below Stanley are seeing more fish recorded this past week and Sea Trout are about, also the beats just above the Stanley area were showing signs of improvement in warm water temperatures as fish race up the system. Almondmouth continued to see odd fish caught with 4 and fish have been caught on the Stormont Angling club water. Lower and Upper Redgorton also recorded a couple of fish apiece. Waulkmill and Fishponds also registered fish in the week. On Upper Scone David Mitchell caught a salmon from Horsey.

On Stanley 9 fish were caught during the week with 4 being landed from the Pitlochrie beat on Saturday. The fly seemed to be the answer as Danny Fulton and Bob White landed a couple of fish apiece on the fly from Horsey and the Woodside. Earlier in the week Calum King caught a 12 pounds fish from Pitlochrie pool in bigger water on a flying C. Taymount and Stobhall had improving weeks with 18 fish between them. Brian Giles was one of the successful rods on Taymount on Thursday when 6 fish were landed. Ballathie and Cargill had a steady week with 11 fish.

On Ballathie Dave Cochrane caught an 11 pounds fish in the boat with George McInnes. Cargill were rewarded with 5 lovely fish up to 20 pounds in weight.

Roy Frost had two on the worm both safely returned and lost another two. Nick Allen had three crackers, all fresh fish, up to 20 pounds. Pat Ingram hooked fish on the fly as did Vic Frost and Simon Murphy. Islamouth accounted for 6 fish in the week but should see more action as the water drops.

Upper Islamouth and Meikleour had 8 cracking fresh fish up to 17 pounds. It was particularly encouraging to greet the arrival of the grilse on Saturday, with their rods landing three long-tailed sea-licers up to 4 pounds in weight. Particular mention should go to Mr. Michael Freeman who landed his very first fish at his very first attempt at fishing!

The Middle river is fishing reasonably well with consistent catches but experienced a quieter week mirroring the rest of the river. Kercock had a superb week with 16 fish. Amongst their successful rods were

Matt Blake with a 14 pounds fish and

James Lang with a 21 pounds cracker. Murthly and Glendelvine had a reasonable week recording 9 fish from all the beats. Newtyle had 4 during the week. Dunkeld House also recorded 4 fish in the week up to 16 pounds. Dalmarnock had one and four came from the Kinnaird beats.

The Tummel is continuing to produce fish but in far lesser numbers as fish make their way up to Pitlochry dam and through it with the counter is now showing in excess of 3300 with rising temperatures, which is ahead of last years total at the same time. All the beats below the dam including East and West Haugh have been producing fish over the last week or so, which has been good news. It was a much quieter week on the Pitlochry Angling club stretch as fish escape through the dam in numbers.

Martin Wilson and Paul Carter caught on the fly and Peter Stewart landed a 6 pounds fish at the dam. Rab Crowther caught further fish down at the Sawmill stream on the fly as well. Loch Faskally reported a couple of fish With Campbell Dixon catching 2 on a Zebra Toby up to 11 pounds in weight.

The Upper areas are seeing fish on their beats. Six salmon were reported from the Farleyer and Findynate beats during the week as they run up to Loch Tay.

On Loch Tay fish are running and must be staring to go up the Dochart but nothing was reported last week.

The Isla is starting to see salmon run the river with no fish registered.

The Ericht is also seeing fish run up the river in bigger water with 10 reported.

The Earn were also seeing salmon and Sea Trout run with 7 sea trout being reported last week from Lochlane and Laggan due to the increased water levels.

The Spring Salmon fishing season is now over as we now into summer and expectation remains high after great catches recently and poor overall catches last year. Late spring catches have been tremendous and June continued to encourage everyone after fish were caught in the system in continuing better numbers. Recent rain and fresh water is encouraging more salmon to run the river so let us hope with improving conditions and the upturn in catches will continue. 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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Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 27th July 2015.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 27th July 2015.

The Salmon fishing season is now seeing July disappear on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland and we have had some summer weather and a big summer spate to help us in the pursuit of that magical salmon with some warmer conditions. The weather is remain fairly unsettled over the coming week with a chance of rain and continue warmer, but hopefully this will not deter the chances of producing good sport and some "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to have a go. Catches have improved last week in good conditions especially at the end of the week and the quality of the salmon caught remains outstanding and as we go through Summer hopefully conditions will remain favourable and there will be a further improvement in the run to give even more success.

Currently the river is fairly settled after the recent heavy rain and falling back generally with improving conditions (around 3’ on the Ballathie gauge). This hopefully may encourage more salmon to run.

The weather is to continue reasonably unsettled at the start of the week with more rain and settle towards the end. In other words sunshine and showers to cover all the boxes! We have been seeing summer conditions prevail but with more water than usual which may just help sport in the long term for all. The tremendous spring run is over but warmer conditions have enabled spring salmon to run hard up the river and spread rapidly with hopefully the arrival of some summer fish to follow and maintain sport after recent rains. The milder weather forecast at times and recent bigger water triggered off salmon to run the river in improving numbers. Expectation remains very high. The general forecast should continue to drop river levels and hopefully maintain sport and make ideal summer fishing conditions. The water temperature has dropped with the fresh water and is around 56 degrees Fahrenheit or 13.5 degrees Celsius. These are typical temperatures for this time of year.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method should enable you to catch the elusive Tay Salmon. The water temperature has warmed up enabling floating lines to come out with the addition of a sink tip being a favoured tactic and using normal dressed flies. It is still worth a go with sinking lines as well depending on water heights and stripping a Sun Ray Shadow is always worth a go. When spinning, Tay favourites include Toby Salmos, weighted and floating devons, flying C’s and Visons or Rapalas. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year on many beats.

Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy from June to the end of 2015 Season is that
• All hen fish of any size and all cock fish over 10 pounds should be released.
• All coloured and gravid fish to be released.
• No more than one clean fish weighing, where possible, less than 10 pounds should be retained per angler per day.
• Anglers should not use worms in September or October in any part of the district.

Please help preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the recommendations. It is vital the river system follows these guide lines to ensure the draconian new Scottish Government Statutory Conservation Regulation rules do not get extended in seasons to come.
The Tay Ghillies Association are continuing their popular FISH OF THE MONTH AWARD to encourage good catch and release practice on the Tay. Each month the winner will receive 2 personalised crystal Whisky glasses engraved with details of the catch and they will automatically be entered into the fish of the year competition for a Stylish Crystal Engraved Decanter. Full details of this initiative.

Return rates are at an all time low and wild salmon are a precious resource to the Tay and all rivers in Scotland. Handling of fresh salmon in particular is a big issue now if we are serious about successful release to enable as many salmon as possible to survive to spawn.

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 and is bad practice. Further information on the policy and good release practice. 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.

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.

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.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Licence to Kill Salmon.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Licence to Kill Salmon.

Come on every one interested register and get involved by putting your views forward.

This was released last week through a number of national newspapers, Scottish Ministers advertised their intention to create a licensing system and carcass tagging regime as well as a prohibition on the killing of salmon out-with estuary limits through regulations. This follows the public consultation earlier this year on the proposed conservation measures to introduce a licensing system for the killing of any wild salmon in Scotland together with associated carcass tagging and baits and lures regulations.

You will recall that the proposal for a “kill licence” was one of the recommendations of the Wild Fisheries Review report published in October 2014.

In parallel with the public notices we have also launched a week long interactive discussion on the likely detail of the scheme and some of the common messages and themes emerging from the consultation process. This is an open forum where everyone with an interest should feel comfortable to share and discuss their views. We will exercise our judgement to moderate as appropriate any comments which are not presented in this spirit.
Over the course of the next week, we will look to use this platform to ask some specific questions which are contained within the various idea boxes although we anticipate the discussion will develop around related issues. Whilst we do not commit to answer all of the points raised, they will be taken into consideration as we finalise the way forward.

I would remind you that the text contained in each idea box represents current thinking on the way in which the kill licence and associated regulations would work should they be implemented.

I would encourage you to engage with this process.
Jeff Gibbons
Salmon and Recreational Fisheries
23 July 2015


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Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire July 2015.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Salmon Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire July 2015.

The Tay in Perthshire is just calming down nicely after a big 12 foot summer spate. Expectation is high but results have been slow so far. The quality of summer salmon caught remains very high.

This was a superb 12 pounds salmon caught at Stanley from Pitlochrie pool by Calum King. Hopefully lots more to come.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon Fishing Report for W/E 18th July 2015.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon Fishing Report for W/E 18th July 2015.

The salmon fishing on the Tay in Perthshire has slowed down after an excellent period for some time especially in the middle river with improving conditions for fishing and reasonably settled water levels have prevailed to give the river an excellent late spring period with the river equaling last years catches so far and improving on the 5 year average. The current trend continued in June but has slowed up in the last couple of weeks with slight signs of improvement. Over the last couple of days last week we endured very heavy rain causing a massive summer spate, which may trigger off a good summer run. The spring period has ended but steady conditions have spread fish throughout the system in the last few weeks, this may be the catalyst for even better catches which hopefully will continue over the next few weeks as we go deeper into summer. This past few weeks seemed to have confirmed the end of the 2015 spring run but the river is holding a good stock of fish especially in the middle areas. We now await a good summer run of salmon and grilse. Expectation remains high on the river for 2015 after consistent catches recently and hopefully favourable conditions may trigger off improving runs as we go into Summer to give everyone a chance of landing a Tay “Bar of Silver”.

Late spring and summer salmon were landed last week in lesser numbers due to a very unsettled river at the end of the week. We recorded an improving catch early in the week. There was good cloud cover and it was warm. Fish were landed daily from all over as the river level receded until Friday and the quality of the salmon caught remained outstanding with fish caught in the late teens and mid twenties. Rain during last week may just spice things up for the coming week. Grilse are starting to run with odd ones caught and in excellent condition. Sea trout are making an appearance as well with some top quality fish caught. On the nature front the Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows are all over the skies, Ospreys are being seen, Kingfishers dart past, Ducks have their second broods of young and Sand Pipers are on the riverbank. It is a magical time of year with the wild flowers coming out everywhere with Rhododendrons and Azaleas in bloom and Lupines everywhere as well as many others. It is true what they say, “ a salmon is a bonus!”

Beat catches reported(week ending 18th July)
SALMON & GRILSE: Almondmouth 5, Lower Redgorton 1, Upper Redgorton 1, Benchil 1, Upper Scone 1, Pitlochrie 1, Taymount 5, Ballathie 2, Cargill 2, Islamouth 7, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 3, Kercock 8, Murthly 1 5, Murthly 2 10, Newtyle 4, Dunkeld House 7, Lower Kinnaird 1, Upper Kinnaird 2, Farleyer Upper 2, Farleyer Lower 4, Ericht Fishing 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Loch Faskally 2.
Total: 76 Largest: Murthly 2 25lbs
SEA TROUT: Lower Redgorton 1, Upper Redgorton 2, Pitlochrie 1, Cargill 2, Newtyle 1.
Total: 7 Largest: Cargill 7lbs

Salmon have been caught throughout the system this past week but in disappointing numbers, despite superb conditions at times making it ideal as fish run harder due to the warmer water temperatures and fish are spreading throughout the river. Bigger water in the previous weeks may have encouraged more to run. The mandatory government catch and release restrictions have ended however the river would ask everyone to observe the TDSB recommendations to preserve what we have for future years. Return rates are at an all time low and wild salmon are a precious resource to the Tay and all rivers in Scotland. Handling of fresh salmon in particular is a big issue now if we are serious about successful release to enable as many salmon as possible to survive to spawn. 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 and is bad practice. Further information on the policy and good release practice. 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.

The Lower Tay below Stanley are seeing more fish recorded this past week and Sea Trout are about but the beats just above the Stanley area were showing signs of improvement in warm water temperatures as fish race up the system. The boats are back on the beats at Stanley and below for summer fishing. Almondmouth continued to see odd fish caught with 5 and fish have been caught on the Stormont Angling club water. Lower and Upper Redgorton also recorded a fish. On Upper Scone David Mitchell caught a grilse on the fly from Horsey.

On Stanley Stephen Pollock caught his first ever salmon fly fishing from the boat in the Long Shot on Benchil on his first ever days salmon fishing, not a bad start! Ian Kettles caught an 8 pounds fish also fly fishing from the boat in front of Stanley Mills. Taymount landed 5 fish prior to the big water and should see an up turn in sport over the next few weeks. Ballathie and Cargill had a couple of fish a piece. The high light at Cargill was James Kirkcaldy landing a 7 pounds sea trout on the fly. Islamouth had 7 fish before the spate and Upper Islamouth and Meikleour accounted for 3 fish on spinner and fly.

The Middle river is fishing reasonably well with consistent catches but experienced a quieter week mirroring the rest of the river. Kercock had a better week with 8 fish. Murthly and Glendelvine had a much better week recording 15 fish from all the beats. Newtyle had 4 during the week. Dunkeld House continue to produce fish with 7 during the week.

Brian Joseph landed a couple of fish up to 15 pounds from the Girnal and Cutty plus lost a good fish on the fly from the Cathedral stream. The Kinnaird beats recorded a couple of fish.

The Tummel is continuing to produce fish but in far lesser numbers as fish make their way up to Pitlochry dam and through it with the counter is now showing in excess of 3000 with rising temperatures, which is ahead of last years total at the same time. All the beats below the dam including East and West Haugh have been producing fish over the last week or so, which has been good news. It was a much quieter week on the Pitlochry Angling club stretch as fish escape through the dam in numbers. Ian Hyslop caught a 6 pounds fish on the fly at Port-na-Craig and further success on the clubs Sawmill stream fell to Jimmy Ross and Andy Khakoo both catching 10 pounds fish on the fly.

The Upper areas are seeing fish on their beats. Six salmon were reported from the Farleyer beats during the week as they run up to Loch Tay.

On Loch Tay fish are running and must be staring to go up the Dochart but nothing was reported last week.

The Isla is starting to see salmon run the river with no fish registered.

The Ericht is also seeing fish run up the river with one reported.

The Earn were also seeing a late spring salmon and Sea Trout run however no fish were reported last week possibly due to the water levels dropping.

The Spring Salmon fishing season is well and truly over as we now go into summer and expectation remains high after great catches recently and poor overall catches last year. Late spring catches have been tremendous and June has continued to encourage everyone after fish were caught in the system in continuing better numbers. Let us hope with improving conditions and the upturn in catches will continue. 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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Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 20th July 2015.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 20th July 2015.

The Salmon fishing season is now well into July on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland and we have had some summer weather and a big summer spate to help us in the pursuit of that magical salmon with some warmer conditions. The weather is remain fairly settled over the coming week with a chance of rain and continue warmer, but hopefully this will not deter the chances of producing good sport and some "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to have a go. Catches improved slightly last week in good conditions early in the week and the quality of the salmon caught remains outstanding and as we go into Summer hopefully conditions will remain favourable and there will be a further improvement in the run to give even more success.

Currently the river is unsettled after the recent heavy rain but falling back generally with improving conditions (around 6’ on the Ballathie gauge). This hopefully may encourage more salmon to run.

The weather is to continue reasonably settled with warmer weather all week and occasional rain. In other words sunshine and showers to cover all the boxes! We have been seeing summer conditions prevail but with more water than usual which may just help sport in the long term for all. The tremendous spring run is over but warmer conditions have enabled spring salmon to run hard up the river and spread rapidly with hopefully the arrival of some summer fish to follow and maintain sport after the current massive spate. The milder weather forecast at times and recent bigger water triggered off salmon to run the river in improving numbers. Expectation remains very high. The general forecast should continue to drop river levels and hopefully maintain sport and make ideal summer fishing conditions. The water temperature has dropped with the fresh water and is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 13 degrees Celsius but may rise with warmer weather during the week. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The colder weather has benefited the lower beats early in the season but is now holding fish in the middle river as the fish spread so there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river after slowly rising temperatures prevailed last week.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method should enable you to catch the elusive Tay Salmon. The water temperature has warmed up slowly enabling floating lines to come out with the addition of a sink tip being a favoured tactic and using normal dressed flies. It is still worth a go with sinking lines as well depending on water heights and stripping a Sun Ray Shadow is always worth a go. When spinning, Tay favourites include Toby Salmos, weighted and floating devons, flying C’s and Visons or Rapalas. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year on many beats.

Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy from June to the end of 2015 Season is that
• All hen fish of any size and all cock fish over 10 pounds should be released.
• All coloured and gravid fish to be released.
• No more than one clean fish weighing, where possible, less than 10 pounds should be retained per angler per day.
• Anglers should not use worms in September or October in any part of the district.

Please help preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the recommendations. It is vital the river system follows these guide lines to ensure the draconian new Scottish Government Statutory Conservation Regulation rules do not get extended in seasons to come.
The Tay Ghillies Association are continuing their popular FISH OF THE MONTH AWARD to encourage good catch and release practice on the Tay. Each month the winner will receive 2 personalised crystal Whisky glasses engraved with details of the catch and they will automatically be entered into the fish of the year competition for a Stylish Crystal Engraved Decanter. Full details of this initiative.

Return rates are at an all time low and wild salmon are a precious resource to the Tay and all rivers in Scotland. Handling of fresh salmon in particular is a big issue now if we are serious about successful release to enable as many salmon as possible to survive to spawn.

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 and is bad practice. Further information on the policy and good release practice. 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.

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.

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.

Salmon Fishing Scotland First ever Salmon on first days Salmon Fly Fishing.

Salmon Fishing Scotland First ever Salmon on first days Salmon Fly Fishing.

The summer salmon fishing is slowly improving on the Tay, Perthshire with more salmon registered this week so far and hopefully a strong run to come over the next few weeks.

This is the Long Shot on the Benchil beat just below Stanley where the fly is an ideal choice for catching a summer salmon.

Stephen Pollock was enjoying his first ever days salmon fishing on our mighty river and was determined to do it properly by learning to fly fish knowing a salmon would be a bonus. Stephen was not started long, casting a good line when the line tightened and a salmon was on!

After a fair struggle the fish was finally netted. What a start to salmon fishing, a fish on your first day. Stephen caught his fish on a size 8 Tay Raider which will now be framed at home. The 7 pounds hen fish was safely returned back to the river. Well done Stephen, a day to remember!

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Salmon Fishing Scotland How to catch an Atlantic Salmon.

Salmon Fishing Scotland How to catch an Atlantic Salmon.

This is a piece on how to catch a salmon and thought it may be helpful to people starting out or needing some help to secure that elusive Atlantic salmon. It is my take on it as others may have a different approach. I hope it is of some benefit to you.

Prepare yourself first of all.
Before you enter the river you should have checked your tackle whether spinning or fly fishing. Your reel should be set at a reasonable tension, which should not be too tight, or too free running so that your fish will be properly hooked when it takes. If spinning, never strike a fish under any circumstances, as it will drive it crazy and make playing it even more difficult. If you strike a fish while fly fishing you will probably lose it straight away. The hook will have been pulled out of its mouth. Let the salmon turn and run. The salmon takes you and you do not take the salmon if you understand what I mean.

The appropriate breaking strain of your leader is important as well. When spinning your leader should be of a lesser strength than your main line so if you get snagged and have to break you will just lose your bait and not a great chunk of main line as well. The strength of cast may vary according to the time of year, clarity of water and size of river. Maybe 15 pounds in spring and autumn and down as low as 10 pounds in high summer.

Before you enter a pool you should understand a bit about its geography so you can be prepared in the eventuality of hooking a fish. Are there any visible snags, overhanging trees? Where are the possible landing sites? If you are fly fishing it is extremely difficult to net a fish on your own so it is important to locate a good place to hopefully beach a fish. If you have a net locate it at an appropriate place to land a fish. It is easier to have the net set up rather than struggle to take it off your back and get it organised during the fight.

Improving your chances of catching a fish as well is important. Everyone says catching one is down to luck but believe it or not you can increase your chances if you do the right things. Understanding the water and potential salmon lies is important and if there is a ghillie you should ask his or her advice. Fishing at the correct depth is also important. In low water you may have to work the bait if spinning to avoid being snagged. In summer with higher water temperatures spinning fast can be effective. To give a salmon just a glimpse of a bait will make it chase and take well. Too slow and the fish will not respond. In early and late season fishing the correct weight of bait is important, as you want it to fish throughout the whole cast right into the bank. Choose the correct line if fly fishing. This may be the appropriate sinking rate according to the pool depth and flow in spring and autumn. In warmer conditions floating lines and the correct sinking tip is vital. There are so many variations nowadays and it can be difficult and confusing for less experienced anglers. Advice from the ghillie or an experienced friend again is important. Cast within your capabilities. Don't try to overcast as all you will achieve is a tangle or your fly will not be fishing properly! It is better to cast a good short line than a long bad line to increase your chances. The luck then is covering a taking fish.

Hooking the fish.
The pull of a fish on the end of the line is ultimately what we are after so it is vitally important to do this bit correctly! If you have followed the first points the fish should hook itself as it pulls the line away. You do not strike! All you have to do is raise your rod to about 2 o’clock to make the fish start to fight the rod and your tension on the reel that sets the hook. You should not have your tension too tight at this stage and you should allow the fish to take line if it wants as you can always increase the tension if need be later especially if it is a big fish. When fly fishing people have various methods and beliefs over the years. When I first started fly fishing I was told to hold a loop and when the fish pulled you were to let the loop go but every time I did that there was nothing at the end of the line when the loop went! Someone then told me to just let then pull against the tension of the reel and after that everyone was a coconut! I hold the line against my rod and when I feel a fish pull it let it go and raise the rod slowly and the fish is on. When salmon take they turn on the bait or fly so they will hook themselves straight away. You should notice with the fly especially that if you hook a fish on the fly on the left bank the fish will have the hook on the right hand side of its mouth as it turns out into the river in the take and visa versa on the other bank.

Playing the fish.
Once you have hooked the fish you do not want to loose it. If the river is at a settled height it is normal that salmon take well and you should land far more than you loose. When the river is unsettled, however, then loosing fish can happen more often as they do not take as well. I have all ready mentioned that it is important to let the fish run and not have your tension too tight. Do not panic if the fish takes a long run because it will stop and you will be able to get it back. Salmon are fairly predictable normally unless you foul hook one. They will not run out a pool unless you let them. If you are near the tail of a pool you should find they might go deep into the tail but should stop 9 times out of 10 and come back. If you are near the tail of a pool you should try to go back up stream and take them away from there when possible. If a fish goes to the tail do not start following them as they will not stop and keep going and going. I have seen people do that countless times and they have landed fish with great stress several pools down the river! Do not allow the fish to settle, in other words keep them on the move so you tire them out. You play the fish they don’t play you! In the case of very big fish they can often play you for a while until they are under control and you are at their mercy due to their size. When a fish has stopped running you need to get it back by raising the rod further up then dropping it slowly and winding in the slack. Try to do this as smoothly as possible and not jerk the line and drive the fish mad as you will make life more difficult for yourself. Early on in the fright you may find the fish will only come in a limited way then it will want to turn and run again. Be prepared for that as it can happen suddenly but do not be alarmed and let it run again before getting back and keeping it moving to tire it out. It is at this stage you may want to increase your tension if you feel the fish is taking line too easily and you are not making much headway. When fly fishing you can break runs by putting the palm of your hand on the reel rim and applying gentile pressure to increase tension. Stay out in the river until you have the fish well under control. I lower water if you come to the bank too early the line can get snagged especially if you have a lot of line out. Once the fish is on a shorter line then make your way to the bank.

Landing the fish.
Once the fish starts to tire it is nearly ready to land and you should now have the upper hand and be able to dictate to the fish what you want to do. If you are on your own then you should be taking the fish to the appropriate spot to land in a net or beach. Try not to do this too hastily as you will end up in trouble.

If you are with someone such as a ghillie you need to present the fish to the net and not have the netter trying to fish for the salmon under the water. When netting a fish the netsman should be standing downstream of the angler by a few yards. Once the fish is tired you should be able to bring the fish to the surface so the net can be put under the fish and safely raised to secure it. If you are going to release the fish do not take it out the water and touch it as little as possible.

Unhook it, take a picture if necessary in the net and release.

Tight Lines!

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