Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 27th January 2020.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 27th January 2020. 

Last week saw 8 Kelts and a couple of young Sea Trout landed with limited fishing effort. The water height dropped over 1 foot during the week opening up the pools on the beats to much better fishing conditions and opportunities. Ladies did well with Belgian, Anne Emsens landing 2 kelts on the Catholes, then beginner Debbie Anderson landing her first salmon fly fishing on the same beat, all be it a kelt but onwards and upwards, I am sure a spring salmon will come soon.

The prospects for the coming week are looking much better with the river height down to 4' and probably will drop further giving even more pool opportunities. The weather is also looking better for the beats with a much colder forecast. At the end of last week the water temperature had soared to 42.5F/6C which is not ideal but colder weather will bring it back hopefully slowing down and spring salmon running the river giving the lower Tay beats a much better chance.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method should be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer.
Fly Rods.
The Tay is a large river especially when running at a normal level and even in lower levels you are fishing another river within the mighty one so therefore a 15 foot fly rod for a 10 weight line is certainly minimum requirement for much of the season. Do not come under gunned.  In some parts of the river where it is especially wide even longer rods are used. It should be noted however that it is better to cast a shorter controlled line than try to cast out with your capabilities and have the lines end up in a mess and decrease your chances. 

Fly Lines.

In early season when the water is cold you need to cast larger flies and get them 

deeper in the water to fish them slowly. There is a tremendous choice on the market nowadays which can be quite confusing to many anglers. Any type of Skagit line that can easily cast a 15 foot sinking leader of various depths is a good choice especially to the less experienced. Iflights and a tip of choice attached are another good bet as these lines enable you to cast a longer line than normal with ease. For more experienced anglers, there are a vast array of shooting heads of different sinking abilities available as well. 

Spinning Rods.

You should have a minimum of a 10 foot rod for casting baits of 20gm to 60gms. 

Line. 

A main line of 20 pounds in nylon or 30 pounds in braid. You should use a lesser poundage far a cast such as 15 pounds so if you get caught up on the bottom you do not lose a large part of your main line. 

Baits.

Tobies from 18gm upwards. Toby Salmos are very popular in 30gms. Conventional weighted Devon’s are good especially in the Spring. Rapalas and Vision 110’s are very effective. 

The Stanley beats are steeped in history and this year we have reduced the available rods to 4 giving you far more opportunity and value for money. Look forward to seeing you on the beats. Feel free to contact us direct on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com or 07979528134

Tight lines. 

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Ladies Fly Fishing on the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Ladies Fly Fishing on the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire. 

The lower Tay beats at Stanley offer a great opportunity for anyone to catch an elusive spring salmon on the fly, which in most anglers minds is the ultimate achievement.

Today on the Catholes, Debbie Anderson hooked up on her first ever days salmon fly fishing after an introduction on an anchored boat taking her to a place she could not have waded to. Smiles all round!
The Tay is a big river but you should not be put off by that as modern tackle makes it much more possible.

Another instance on the Catholes with Anne Emsens hooking a lively springer a couple of years ago.

Simply picturesque scenery on a bright spring day on the river.

Another spring salmon being played for the boat on the Catholes in the famous Black Stones pool.

Alas Debbie's salmon was not a springer but it still gave her a thrill and a taste of hopefully that elusive spring salmon to come.

If you would like to come and have a go contact me on 07979528134 / 01738827416  or book on Fishtay under the beats of Catholes, Pitlochrie and Benchil.

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 20th January 2020.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 20th January 2020. 

We had a superb opening day on the beats with good conditions. Over the following days the river level fluctuated due to rain especially from the west putting the river up to 10' on Friday. By Saturday after a cold night the river dropped back to a far more manageable height giving us a good day in excellent conditions. Over the first few days several Kelts and young Sea Trout have been caught giving the anglers some early action. 

The conditions for the coming week looks excellent with a dropping water opening up all the pools for fishing. The forecast is to be a little warmer but with no rain so it should be ideal for a chance of that early spring salmon. Currently the water temperature is 40F /4.5C which is certainly favourable for the Stanley beats.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method should be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer.
Fly Rods.
The Tay is a large river especially when running at a normal level and even in lower levels you are fishing another river within the mighty one so therefore a 15 foot fly rod for a 10 weight line is certainly minimum requirement for much of the season. Do not come under gunned.  In some parts of the river where it is especially wide even longer rods are used. It should be noted however that it is better to cast a shorter controlled line than try to cast out with your capabilities and have the lines end up in a mess and decrease your chances. 

Fly Lines.

In early season when the water is cold you need to cast larger flies and get them 
deeper in the water to fish them slowly. There is a tremendous choice on the market nowadays which can be quite confusing to many anglers. Any type of Skagit line that can easily cast a 15 foot sinking leader of various depths is a good choice especially to the less experienced. Iflights and a tip of choice attached are another good bet as these lines enable you to cast a longer line than normal with ease. For more experienced anglers, there are a vast array of shooting heads of different sinking abilities available as well. 

Spinning Rods.
You should have a minimum of a 10 foot rod for casting baits of 20gm to 60gms. 
Line. 
A main line of 20 pounds in nylon or 30 pounds in braid. You should use a lesser poundage far a cast such as 15 pounds so if you get caught up on the bottom you do not lose a large part of your main line. 
Baits.
Tobies from 18gm upwards. Toby Salmos are very popular in 30gms. Conventional weighted Devon’s are good especially in the Spring. Rapalas and Vision 110’s are very effective. 

What flies should I take? 
In early season bigger flies such as Tube Flies, Temple Dogs and Monkey type flies up to 2 inches in body length and larger conventional patterns in 4’s and 6’s in lower water are required. A point of note is that a lighter Tube such as an aluminium or plastic body is far easier to cast than brass. Current line technology enables you to get these lighter flies to the correct depths. Ask your ghillie for tip advice on the day.

See you on the beat. 

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Opening Day at Stanley, Perthshire 2020.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay Opening Day at Stanley, Perthshire 2020. 

These are some pictures from our Opening day at Stanley, Perthshire with some friends and Gleneagles Hotel. The photos were taken by Yuri Janssen.

The Gleneagles team leave the iconic hotel for destination Catholes and Pitlochrie beats at Stanley. 

A young piper from Strathallan School plays a tune with the mighty Tay as a back drop. 

The march behind the piper to the river for that first cast. 

It is my turn to toast the guests and new season with the customary whiskey. 

Taking a couple of Guests in the boat to the famous Pitlochrie Pool. 

A nice spey cast with Gerry Rattray's, head ghillie at Gleneagles, approval!

A superb lunch to celebrate the day and relax after all the excitement. 

A few Kelts (spawned salmon) and several young sea trout were caught during the day but unfortunately no springers. Hopefully in the days to come that will be remedied. 

All in all it was a superb day enjoyed by all. Thank you Gleneagles. 

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon in Crisis, time for urgent action.

Salmon Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon in Crisis, time for urgent action. 

This appeared on the BBC news today.

Fisheries experts have called for salmon conservation to be made a national priority amid claims the species is approaching "crisis point".

They say environmental change and the impact of humans across the northern hemisphere is putting the fish at risk.

Conservationists are meeting politicians at the Scottish Parliament to discuss the issue.

The Scottish government said it was committed to developing a wild salmon strategy by September this year.

The Holyrood event includes a round table discussion and evening reception, sponsored by Michelle Ballantyne MSP.

She represents the south of Scotland where the River Tweed alone is estimated to be worth millions of pounds to the economy.

Dr Alan Wells, chief executive of Fisheries Management Scotland, said salmon catches had reached their lowest levels ever and nature was "sending us some urgent signals".

"Official catch figures for recent years confirm this iconic species is now approaching crisis point," he said.

"Some of the factors impacting on wild salmon stocks may be beyond human control.

"But Scotland's government and regulatory authorities now have a historic opportunity to do everything in their power to safeguard the species in those areas where they can make a difference."

On some waters in Scotland, hatcheries are operated, enabling salmon eggs to be stripped from broodstock and grown on in controlled conditions before being released back into the river.

The idea is to eliminate factors which can lead to early mortality, improving the chances of salmon reaching maturity, putting more fish into the system.

However, some ghillies and river workers with hatcheries are seeing increasing restrictions placed on the activity by Marine Scotland, who have developed a new position on stocking.

They are concerned that the fisheries scientists’ standpoint could become official government policy without proper consultation with ghillies, riparian owners and hatchery investors and employees.

Marine Scotland officials have discussed their position at river board meetings but have not achieved a consensus within the industry.

With salmon conservation becoming an increasing priority and Scotland’s fisheries struggling badly with declining catches, angler numbers and reducing local economic impacts, some ghillies believe the issue is too important to be slipped through without a full debate.

And while they understand that stocking can be contentious, even within the industry itself, they believe a full stakeholder consultation is the proper route for any future action.

This petition has never been so important to get full consultation of Stakeholders, that is Owners, Ghillies and Anglers alike.
Please click on the link and sign as it only lasts until the 28th January. 

To learn more about the petition and to sign: see Petition link: https://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01782

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White