The salmon fishing season on the Tay in Perthshire has now seen Summer although the weather has not been ideal at times but we are now in Autumn and there has been a run in the past few weeks and catches have improved however we are now looking for an increase in runs after another steady August despite some unsettled conditions at times. The river has had fresh water from a reasonable spate last week after some heavy rain giving reasonable conditions for fishing plus warming temperatures are seeing catches maintained. Expectation is high on the river for 2016 with now over 3200 fish recorded so far plus hopefully settled weather will continue with an improving run in September to give everyone a chance of landing a Tay “Bar of Silver”.
Summer salmon and grilse have been running and landed throughout last week with more unsettled weather and catches have continued to spread with more water and dropping temperatures making the resident salmon more aggressive. It was another steady week despite more turbulent conditions at times with around 180 fish landed and the biggest one recorded was in the low twenties. Spring transferred into summer and steady runs came into the river plus better weather was making fishing easier with lower water however plenty fresh water may have encouraged more fish to run the river with summer disappearing and hopefully an autumn run develops in earnest as temperature start to drop. The fish that have been caught so far have been superb quality and of a good size overall, Autumn is upon us and traditionally large fish are caught.
On the nature front the Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows are all over the skies but departing south one by one, Ospreys gone off south for the winter, Ducks have broods of mature young, Sand Pipers are on the river banks and Kingfishers dart past. Soon we will be seeing the arrival of large skeins of Geese as the temperatures start to drop. Wild flowers are still visible but most are over again for another year, it is truly magical to be salmon fishing in Perthshire on the banks of the silvery Tay. A salmon can be a bonus!!
Beat catches reported (week ending 24th September)
SALMON & GRILSE: Almondmouth 18, Waulkmill 14, Lower Redgorton 9, Luncarty 2, Upper Redgorton 2, Fishponds 4, Benchil 1, Upper Scone 8, Pitlochrie 1, Burnmouth 1, Stobhall 16, Taymount 15, Ballathie 17, Cargill 15, Islamouth 18, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 6, Kercock 4, Newtyle 3, Dunkeld House 6, Dalmarnock 7, Dalguise 2, Lower Kinnaird 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, Edradynate 1, Farleyer Upper 3, Farleyer Lower 1, Keithick Mains 2.
Total: 178 Largest: Upper Scone & Stobhall 23lbs
SEA TROUT: Waulkmill 2, Lower Redgorton 2, Taymount 1.
Total: 5 Largest: Waulkmill & Taymount 3lbs
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 lower river is now the barometer for the runs as they enter the river with water temperatures falling to around 56F, plus fish are now starting to be caught in greater numbers in the lower river with the developing run and the spate should encourage more salmon to run and shake the residents up.
This past week saw a more fish from the lower river scattered throughout the beats encouraging everyone however the summer run seems to have come to an end and we await an autumn run to develop in earnest. The beats at Stanley and below are seeing steady sport with small runs entering the river and now earlier run fish have dropped back towards their final destinations of Almond, Shochie and Ordie which can only help sport in this area. The beats just above the tide continue to produce fish on a regular basis with Almondmouth, Waulkmill and Lower Redgorton catching 41 between them in a better week. Waulkmill saw Neville Johnsons party have success and Dr Colin Jones had a superb on Lower Redgorton landing 3 fish up to 18 pounds on the fly. On Luncarty Frank Muller had a couple in the week on Toby. Upper Redgorton and Fishponds found life difficult with only 5. Upper Scone rods had an enjoyable week with Roddy McKay catching fish up to 23 pounds off both Benchil and Pitlochrie. Tim Greenfields party had a hard week on Stanley with
The middle river has slowed down over recent weeks and are praying for rain to liven things up in the weeks to come.
The upper river was seeing sport with odd fish caught and recent fresh water has improved activities with fish recorded on Edradynate and Farleyer beats.
The Tummel is continuing to see limited sport from the Port-na-Craig beat administered by Pitlochry Angling Club and there is now over 6300 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.
The Isla are seeing salmon run up the river and progressing to the Ericht and 2 fish were reported last week from the Keithick Mains.
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 however nothing was reported.
The Spring and Summer Salmon fishing seasons are over and we are now in Autumn as we progress through September with the expectation of a developing late run. Last week’s catches were more encouraging. Let us hope there is a sign of an upturn in catches as we go deep into September. It has been a reasonable start with well over 3200 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
