Sunday, February 2, 2020

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 3rd February 2020.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 3rd February 2020. 

The start of last week saw some better settled conditions for spring fishing and even a light fall of snow on Wednesday. The much cooler weather brought the river temperature back to around 40F/4.5C which suits early fishing on the lower river slowing any fish traveling up the system.
The milder weather and rain by Thursday shot the river back up wiping out the day. Friday saw the river slowly settle but remain high. Saturday was again a bit unsettled but colder conditions on Sunday has settled the river more but it remains high for the start of the coming week. The forecast does not look bad so hopefully water levels will slowly settle back and a few fish will hopefully start running to give us a chance of landing our first spring salmon. There have been a few Kelts landed last week on all the Stanley beats which is good news as a spring salmon may stop beside one of them. Here's hoping!

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. We are fly fishing friendly as well. Look forward to seeing you on the beats. Feel free to contact us direct on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com or 07979528134/01738827416. 
Tackle advice on 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. Rio Game Changers plus a tip of choice attached are currently a great 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. 
Tight lines!

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

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