Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 1st August 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 1st August 2016.

The Salmon fishing season on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland is now entering August and we have been encountering yet more unsettled weather yet again last week with some rain and varying conditions for anglers with unsettled river levels at times to enjoy the elements in pursuit of that magical salmon. Hopefully that will improve and maintain catches in the coming week. The summer run has started with grilse sprinkled in amongst some heavy summer salmon and the prospect of improving catches continues to be maintained from last month giving a much better week after conditions settled. The weather is to remain settled in the coming days with the chance of some rain which will hopefully not unsettle conditions and continue to benefit and enable a greater chance of producing some sport and some "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.

On the nature front the Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows are all over the skies, Ospreys are being seen, Ducks have broods of young, Sand Pipers are on the river banks and Kingfishers dart past. Wild flowers are still visible but some are over again for another year, it is truly magical to be salmon fishing in Perthshire on the banks of the silvery Tay.
Currently the river has settled after more heavy showers in the week and continues at a height just above summer levels (Just above 1’ on the Ballathie gauge) and hopefully will remain settled at a lower level for the Tay.

The weather has been more unsettled earlier last week but has settled down to good conditions which should remain this coming week. Some heavy downpours have given the river some water from rain last week but the river has dropped back to just above summer levels again with better weather forecast. This current week looks better at the start with some rain forecast later in the week. Calmer weather will settle the river back to good levels and make ideal summer fishing conditions. The water temperature is hovering around or just above 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15.5 degrees Celsius last week and should remain at that level in the current weather conditions. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The temperature has risen encouraging more salmon to run resulting in fish being caught well up the system. The middle river is currently the hot spot in the warmer conditions and this confirms historical results in the past but as the temperature rise and fish run further the catches will spread. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be a bit quicker with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. 20 pounds main line with a 15 pounds leader plus favoured lures include Devons, Toby Salmos, Vision 110’s and Rapalas, for spinning and smaller Temple Dogs, Tubes, normal dressed flies and Monkies for fly fishing. The Tay is a large river but modern lines such make turning over and casting larger flies easier and the fish tend to be near the bank in larger waters. Floating lines and sink tips are now on the agenda as we go over the magical 48 degrees and into summer. Harling is also a favoured method on the river to cover the lies for the less experienced.

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.

Popular hotels to stay in the area are the Tayside Hotel in Stanley, Ballathie House, The Meikleour Arms, The Anglers Inn in Guildtown, Murrayshall Hotel, Scone and the Royal Dunkeld Hotel.

The Tay in Perthshire is a prime spring salmon fishing destination so why not give it a go?

Finally, you are reminded that the Tay's policy from June to the end of 2016 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.

Salmon are a scarce and precious resource. 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 guides to ensure the draconian rules do not get extended in seasons to come.

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. Further information on the policy and good release practice.

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 - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fly Fishing on Tay, Perthshire July 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fly Fishing on Tay, Perthshire July 2016.

Summer can provide some great fly fishing for Atlantic salmon on the Tay, Perthshire with large summer salmon and girlse sprinkled in to the equation. This is certainly the case currently on the mighty river with a good summer run developing under settled conditions. Catches are improving rapidly and the quality of salmon being caught is incredible.

A superb summer salmon caught on Benchil on the lower Tay just below Stanley by a visiting fly fisher from Boston, USA Bruce Bauman.

Bruce Bauman with Guide and casting expert Andy Murray.

A small fresh girlse caught by Bruce in the Long Shot at Benchil.

Denise Bauman plays a lively summer salmon caught casting the fly from the boat on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley.

A superb 12 pounds summer beauty!


Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Fly Fishing on Tay, Perthshire July 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Fly Fishing on Tay, Perthshire July 2016.

The weather has settled down and conditions on the Tay, Perthshire have improved giving some great opportunities for fly fishing on this truly magnificent river. Catches are suddenly soaring.

Denise Bauman plays her first Tay salmon on the fly at Cawn Pore on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley.

A superb 12 pounds fish and a very pleased Denise. Well done

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Report for W/E 23rd July 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Report for W/E 23rd July 2016.

The salmon fishing season on the Tay in Perthshire is now in Summer although the weather is not ideal but a run is developing and catches are improving in July after another steady June if we could only get some settled conditions. The river has had fresh water and is hovering around or just above summer levels despite some heavy localized rain giving reasonable conditions at times for fishing plus warming temperatures are seeing catches maintained. Expectation is high on the river for 2016 with now over 2000 fish recorded so far and after successful springs in 2015, 2014 and 2013 plus hopefully settled weather will continue with an improving run in July to give everyone a chance of landing a Tay “Bar of Silver”.

Salmon and now odd grilse were landed throughout last week with more unsettled weather and catches have continued to spread with higher river temperatures. It was another steady productive week with around 100 fish landed and the biggest one recorded was around 20 pounds on several beats. Spring has now transferred into summer and steady runs are coming into the river plus better weather is making fishing easier with lower water and a bit of fresh water last week may have encouraged more fish to run the river as the summer run develops. The fish that have been caught so far have been superb quality and of a good size overall and now summer awaits.

On the nature front the Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows are all over the skies, Ospreys are being seen, Ducks have broods of young, Sand Pipers are on the river banks and Kingfishers dart past. Many wild flowers are in bloom but a good few are now past their best for another year, it is truly magical to be salmon fishing in Perthshire on the banks of the silvery Tay.

Beat catches reported (week ending 23rd July)
SALMON & GRILSE: Almondmouth 11, Waulkmill 1, Lower Redgorton 2, Upper Redgorton 2, Fishponds 2, Benchil 4, Upper Scone 2, Pitlochrie 3, Stobhall 15, Taymount 12, Ballathie 2, Cargill 5, Islamouth 7, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 3, Kercock 4, Murthly 1 3, Murthly 2 5, Newtyle 2, Dunkeld House 1, Dalmarnock 1, Dalguise 4, Lower Kinnaird 4, Farleyer Upper 1, Ericht Fishing 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 4, Loch Faskally 2, Ruan Ruarie 1.
Total: 105 Largest: Fishponds 21lbs
SEA TROUT: Waulkmill 1, Lower Redgorton 2, Fishponds 1, Taymount 1, Dalmarnock 1.
Total: 6 Largest: Lower Redgorton 4lbs

The majority of the salmon were caught in the lower river in early spring, which is understandable with the cold conditions but that has changed with warmer water allowing fish to run further giving improving results up the river including fish from Loch Tay, Loch Faskally and beyond now as fish spread in the system. The middle river is now the barometer for the runs as water temperatures rise to around 60F, however more fish are now starting to be caught in the lower river with the start of a summer run.

This past week saw a more fish from the lower river scattered throughout the beats encouraging everyone as a summer run starts to develop in earnest. The beats at Stanley and below are seeing improving sport as a summer run enters the river and towards the end of the week earlier run fish have started to drop back towards their final destinations of Almond, Shochie and Ordie which can only help sport on the lower beats. The area just above the tide has started to produce fish on a regular basis with Almondmouth, Lower Redgorton and Waulkmill catching around 20 fish between them. This figure would have been a lot higher had it not been from a very dirty spate on Thursday from a landslide further up the system. Saturday saw Bill and Sandra Robbins have a good morning on Almondmouth with 3 fish between them. Fishponds also saw success on Saturday with a couple of fish including a superb 21 pounds fresh cracker.

Upper Redgorton had a good fish on Saturday falling to dad Ross McGregor casting a fly from the boat, hooking the prize 17 pounds beauty and handing the rod to his 12 year old son Harry to play and successfully land the fish! Superb stuff. The Perth and District Angling Club enjoyed success on Upper Scone from the Benchil and Pitlochrie beats. On the Stanley Fishing rotation 7 fish were caught in the week from the same beats. Monday saw Bob White have a very memorable moring with 3 fish up to 16 pounds from Kirkie on the fly. Tuesday saw further success with 3 fish landed from Benchil on fly and spinner up to 15 pounds.

On Saturday Malcolm Anderson caught a 14 pounds fish from the Little Shot on Benchil. Stobhall and Taymount are having much better sport with over 20 fish caught between them. The increased water heights and unsettled conditions have not helped Ballathie and Cargill with only 7 fish between them.

On Cargill Charles Hill landed a couple of fish up to 20 pounds on the fly. Rob Campbell and Martin Wilson had further fish up to 9 pounds. Islamouth had a quieter week with 7 due to unsettled water levels.

Meikelour and Upper Islamouth had 3 in the week which included an 8 pounds fish for French visitor Gaelle Courtois and a 15 pounds fish for Harold Critchlow.

The middle river has slowed down with rising river temperatures over recent weeks but the recent rain must help in the weeks to come. Kercock had a quieter week with 4 fish which included the odd grilse. The Murthly beats had 8 between them. The Dunkeld area is much quieter with 2 on Newtyle, 1 from Dunkled and 1 off Dalmarnock.

On Dunkeld an Australian visitor caught a lovely grilse from the Cathedral stream. Dalguise and the Kinnaird beats had 4 a piece in the week.
The upper river was seeing sport with a fish caught on the Farleyer beat and recent fresh water should improve activities in the weeks to come.

The Tummel is continuing to see limited sport from the Port-na-Craig beat administered by Pitlochry Angling Club with 4 landed last week and there is now over 5000 fish through the Dam resulting in fish being recorded in Loch Faskally and fish are running the Garry. This is a high figure in recent years caused by the temperature coming up quickly earlier in May and encouraging the fish to run. Recent water saw success for Gary Waugh, Brian Joseph and Martin Wilson had a couple on the fly from the Pitlochry beat but there has not been a lot of rods fishing recently. Further success was achieved on the Ruan Ruarie beat on the Garry for Dave Wilson on a spinner. Loch Faskally also reported a couple of fish in the week including an 8 pounds fish for James Hyslop on a Toby.

The Isla are seeing salmon run up the river and progressing to the Ericht with 2 fish being reported last week from the lower Ericht.

Fish have been reported running the Lyon as well but low water levels have curtailed sport. No news from that part of the river last week.

Fish have also been running the Earn but no fish were reported.

The Spring Salmon fishing season is now over as we enter into July and expectation of a summer run. Last week’s catches were again heartening and more fish are running with warmer weather and some fresh water. Let us hope this is a sign of an upturn in catches as we go into July. It has been a reasonable start with well over 2000 fish recorded so let us hope the season lives up to every one’s expectations over the coming weeks and months. Tight lines!

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 25th July 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 25th July 2016.


The Salmon fishing season on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland is now well into July and we have been encountering yet more unsettled weather yet again last week with some rain and varying conditions for anglers with unsettled river levels at times to enjoy the elements in pursuit of that magical salmon. Hopefully that will improve and maintain catches in the coming week. The summer run has started and the prospect of improving catches continue to be maintained from last month giving another reasonable week. The weather is to settle more in the coming days with the chance of some rain which will hopefully not unsettle conditions and continue to benefit and enable a greater chance of producing some sport and some "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.

On the nature front the Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows are all over the skies, Ospreys are being seen, Ducks have broods of young, Sand Pipers are on the river banks and Kingfishers dart past. Wild flowers are still visible but some are over again for another year, it is truly magical to be salmon fishing in Perthshire on the banks of the silvery Tay.
Currently the river is slightly unsettled after more heavy showers in the week and continues at a height just above summer levels (Below 2’ on the Ballathie gauge) and hopefully will settle a lower level for the Tay.

The weather has been more unsettled over the last week but should settle down in the coming days with some rain forecast but hopefully things start to calm down again. Some heavy downpours have given the river some water from rain last week but the river should drop back to just above summer levels again with better weather forecast. This current week looks better with less rain forecast. Calmer weather will settle the river back to good levels and make ideal summer fishing conditions. The water temperature is hovering around or just above 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15.5 degrees Celsius week and should remain at that level in the current weather conditions. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The temperature has risen encouraging more salmon to run resulting in fish being caught well up the system. The middle river is currently the hot spot in the warmer conditions and this confirms historical results in the past but as the temperature rise and fish run further the catches will spread. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be a bit quicker with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. 20 pounds main line with a 15 pounds leader plus favoured lures include Devons, Toby Salmos, Vision 110’s and Rapalas, for spinning and smaller Temple Dogs, Tubes, normal dressed flies and Monkies for fly fishing. The Tay is a large river but modern lines such make turning over and casting larger flies easier and the fish tend to be near the bank in larger waters. Floating lines and sink tips are now on the agenda as we go over the magical 48 degrees and into summer. Harling is also a favoured method on the river to cover the lies for the less experienced.

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.

Popular hotels to stay in the area are the Tayside Hotel in Stanley, Ballathie House, The Meikleour Arms, The Anglers Inn in Guildtown, Murrayshall Hotel, Scone and the Royal Dunkeld Hotel.

The Tay in Perthshire is a prime spring salmon fishing destination so why not give it a go?

Finally, you are reminded that the Tay's policy from June to the end of 2016 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.

Salmon are a scarce and precious resource. 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 guides to ensure the draconian rules do not get extended in seasons to come.

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. Further information on the policy and good release practice.

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 - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire 2016.

Summer has arrived momentarily on the Tay, Perthshire with settled conditions and a summer run of salmon building after a few quieter weeks and unsettled water levels.

Catches are improving rapidly and there is superb conditions for fly fishing on the mighty river.

A superb 15 pounds summer salmon caught at Benchil just below Stanley.

a typical teenage summer Tay salmon.

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Report for W/E 16th July 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Report for W/E 16th July 2016.

Spring salmon fishing on the Tay in Perthshire is now at an end as we encounter the start of a summer run in July after another steady June. The river has had fresh water and is hovering around or just above summer levels despite some heavy localized rain giving reasonable conditions at times for fishing plus warming temperatures are seeing catches maintained. Expectation is high on the river for 2016 with now over 2000 fish recorded so far and after successful springs in 2015, 2014 and 2013 plus hopefully settled weather will continue with an improving run in July to give everyone a chance of landing a Tay “Bar of Silver”.

Salmon and now odd grilse were landed throughout last week with more unsettled weather and catches have continued to spread with higher river temperatures. It was another steady productive week with around 100 fish landed and the biggest one recorded was just under 20 pounds. Spring has now transferred into summer and steady runs are coming into the river plus better weather is making fishing easier with lower water and a bit of fresh water last week may have encouraged more fish to run the river as the summer run develops. The fish that have been caught so far have been superb quality and of a good size overall and now summer awaits.

On the nature front the Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows are all over the skies, Ospreys are being seen, Ducks have broods of young, Sand Pipers are on the river banks and Kingfishers dart past. Many wild flowers are in bloom but a good few are now past their best for another year, it is truly magical to be salmon fishing in Perthshire on the banks of the silvery Tay.

Beat catches reported (week ending 16th July)
SALMON & GRILSE: Almondmouth 6, Waulkmill 9, Lower Redgorton 2, Fishponds 1, Benchil 3, Upper Scone 1, Pitlochrie 1, Stobhall 1, Taymount 12, Ballathie 4, Cargill 7, Islamouth 11, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 1, Kercock 17, Delvine Burnbane 2, Murthly 2 9, Dunkeld House 3, Dalguise 2, Lower Kinnaird 2, Upper Kinnaird 2, Farleyer Upper 1, Keithick Mains 2, Ericht Fishing 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 2, Loch Faskally 1.
Total: 104 Largest: Murthly 2 18lbs
SEA TROUT: Waulkmill 1, Taymount 1, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 1, Lochlane and Laggan 2, Keithick Mains 1.
Total: 6 Largest: Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 4lbs

The majority of the salmon were caught in the lower river in early spring, which is understandable with the cold conditions but that has changed with warmer water allowing fish to run further giving improving results up the river including fish from Loch Tay, Loch Faskally and beyond now as fish spread in the system. The middle river is now the barometer for the runs as water temperatures rise to around 60F, however more fish are now starting to be caught in the lower river with the start of a summer run.

This past week saw a more fish from the lower river scattered throughout the beats encouraging everyone as a summer run starts to develop in earnest. The beats at Stanley and below are seeing improving sport as a summer run enters the river. The area just above the tide started to produce fish on a regular basis with Almondmouth, Lower Redgorton and Waulkmill catching around 20 fish between them. Fishponds recorded on fish.

Benchil continues to produce fish with John Lessels catching a superb 16 pounds fish on Monday on the Upper Scone ticket, meanwhile Francis Jennings had further success on the fly from the Long Shot on the Stanley rota.

Saturday saw further success with Donny Gow and Malcom Anderson landing further fish up to 15 pounds on fly casting from the anchored boat in the same pool.

Francis Jennings had further success from the Pitlochrie beat catching a small grilse in Kirkie on fly. Stobhall had a quiet week however Taymount fared much better with fish everyday including 6 on Wednesday. Cargill and Ballathie continue to fish well with 11 between them.

On Cargill Jillian and Tom Hunter caught early in the week and Graeme Ritchie had success. The unsettled water saw Islamouth have a quieter week with 11 fish but still consistently catch each day. Upper Islamouth and Meikleour had a single fish in the week.

The middle river has slowed down with rising river temperatures over recent weeks but the recent rain must help in the weeks to come. Kercock had a superb week with 17 fish as a good run of summer fish arrived in the beat.

This included 7 on Saturday with Jim Lamb landing a superb 16 pounds fish on the fly. Delvine and Burnbane had a couple in the week and Murthly 2 had a better week with 9 fish.

Up at Dunkeld House Andrew Kasprzycki enjoyed a visit to the hotel and landed a 15 pounds fish from the Cathedral stream in the boat. Dalguise and both the Kinnaird beats managed 2 each during last week.

The upper river was seeing sport with a fish caught on the Farleyer beat and recent fresh water should improve activities in the weeks to come.

The Tummel is continuing to see limited sport from the Port-na-Craig beat administered by Pitlochry Angling Club with 2 landed last week and there is now over 4750 fish through the Dam resulting in fish being recorded in Loch Faskally and fish are running the Garry. This is a high figure in recent years caused by the temperature coming up quickly earlier in May and encouraging the fish to run. Recent water saw success for Alan Booker, Gordon Nichol and Andrew Khakoo from the Sawmill on the fly from the Pitlochry beat but there has not been a lot of rods fishing recently.

The Isla are seeing salmon run up the river and progressing to the Ericht with 4 fish being reported last week from the Keithick Mains and lower Ericht.

Fish have been reported running the Lyon as well but low water levels have curtailed sport. No news from that part of the river last week.

Fish have also been running the Earn but no fish were reported.

The Spring Salmon fishing season is now over as we enter into July and expectation of a summer run. Last week’s catches were again heartening and more fish are running with warmer weather and some fresh water. Let us hope this is a sign of an upturn in catches as we go into July. It has been a reasonable start with well over 2000 fish recorded so let us hope the season lives up to every one’s expectations over the coming weeks and months. Tight lines!


Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 18th July 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 18th July 2016.

The Salmon fishing season on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland is now in July and we have been encountering some unsettled weather yet again last week with some rain and varying conditions for anglers with unsettled river levels at times to enjoy the elements in pursuit of that magical salmon. Hopefully that will improve and maintain catches in the coming week. The summer run has started and the prospect of improving catches continue to be maintained from last month giving another reasonable week. The weather is to settle more in the coming days with the chance of some rain which will hopefully not unsettle conditions and continue to benefit and enable a greater chance of producing some sport and some "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.

On the nature front the Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows are all over the skies, Ospreys are being seen, Ducks have broods of young, Sand Pipers are on the river banks and Kingfishers dart past. Wild flowers are still visible but some are over again for another year, it is truly magical to be salmon fishing in Perthshire on the banks of the silvery Tay.
Currently the river is slightly unsettled after more heavy showers in the week and continues at a height just above summer levels (Below 3’ on the Ballathie gauge) and hopefully will settle a lower level for the Tay.

The weather has been more unsettled over the last week but should settle down in the coming days with some rain forecast but hopefully things start to calm down again. Some heavy downpours have given the river some water from rain last week but the river should drop back to just above summer levels again with better weather forecast. This current week looks better with less rain forecast. Calmer weather will settle the river back to good levels and make ideal summer fishing conditions. The water temperature is hovering around or just below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15.5 degrees Celsius week and should remain at that level in the current weather conditions. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The temperature has risen encouraging more salmon to run resulting in fish being caught well up the system. The middle river is currently the hot spot in the warmer conditions and this confirms historical results in the past but as the temperature rise and fish run further the catches will spread. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be a bit quicker with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. 20 pounds main line with a 15 pounds leader plus favoured lures include Devons, Toby Salmos, Vision 110’s and Rapalas, for spinning and smaller Temple Dogs, Tubes, normal dressed flies and Monkies for fly fishing. The Tay is a large river but modern lines such make turning over and casting larger flies easier and the fish tend to be near the bank in larger waters. Floating lines and sink tips are now on the agenda as we go over the magical 48 degrees and into summer. Harling is also a favoured method on the river to cover the lies for the less experienced.

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.

Popular hotels to stay in the area are the Tayside Hotel in Stanley, Ballathie House, The Meikleour Arms, The Anglers Inn in Guildtown, Murrayshall Hotel, Scone and the Royal Dunkeld Hotel.

The Tay in Perthshire is a prime spring salmon fishing destination so why not give it a go?

Finally, you are reminded that the Tay's policy from June to the end of 2016 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.

Salmon are a scarce and precious resource. 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 guides to ensure the draconian rules do not get extended in seasons to come.

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. Further information on the policy and good release practice.

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 - By Robert White