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”.
On the nature front the Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows are all over the skies, Ospreys are being seen catching trout to feed their young however it will not be long before they all disappear off south for the winter, Ducks have broods of mature young, Sand Pipers are on the river banks and Kingfishers dart past. 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 10th September)
SALMON & GRILSE: Almondmouth 10, Waulkmill 2, Lower Redgorton 3, Luncarty 4, Upper Redgorton 2, Fishponds 3, Benchil 3, Upper Scone 7, Stobhall 3, Taymount 10, Ballathie 10, Cargill 11, Islamouth 2, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 6, Kercock 12, Glendelvine 1, Murthly 2 2, Newtyle 1, Dunkeld House 1, Dalmarnock 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Lochlane and Laggan 4, Ericht Fishing 1.
Total: 101 Largest: Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 21lbs
SEA TROUT: Waulkmill 2, Fishponds 4, Ballathie 2, Cargill 1.
Total: 9 Largest: Fishponds & Ballathie & Cargill 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 around 60F, plus fish are now starting to be caught in greater numbers in the lower river with the developing run but a big spate would 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 run entering the river and now earlier run fish have started to drop 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 15 between them.Generally, all the beats have quietened off this past week and a spate is required to liven things up. That has happened at the end of the week so look out in the coming week! Upper Redgorton and Fishponds had 5 between them for the week. The Sly party had limited success on Upper Redgorton meanwhile Fishponds had 3 but they were all caught on Saturday after water. Luncarty benefited from the water of Friday with Dougie Wangerts party having 4 in the day with several others lost. Upper Scone had a good day on Monday on Benchil with 5 fish grassed with Francois Stoven and his son doing well. Later in the week Robin Menzies, Patrick Paul and Francois Stoven had more success. Benchil also produced for Stanley with American visitor Adam Andrews catching an 11 pounds fish from the Little Shot and Gordon Pollock defying the odds in dirty water on Saturday landing a 6 pounds fish on the fly. Stobhall and Taymount managed 13 between them in the week. Meanwhile Ballathie and Cargill amassed 21 in the week. The Sly party enjoyed success on Ballathie and the Hart party had success with Cargill. Islamouth struggled with 2 in the week however Upper Islamouth and Meikleour fared better with 6 which included
The middle river has slowed down over recent weeks and are praying for rain to liven things up in the weeks to come. Kercock had a good week with 12 fish which included Jim and James Redmound landing fish up to 15 pounds. The beats above struggled with just odd fish.
The upper river was seeing sport with odd fish caught 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 and there is now over 6050 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 1 fish were 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 with 4 fish reported last week from Lochlane and Laggan.
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 disappointing. 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
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