Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 24th August 2020.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 24th August 2020.

The salmon fishing on the Tay, Perthshire has been far more productive over the summer period with a greater expectation and that has certainly the case at Stanley on the lower river. 

Some video clips and stills over the last week or so.

Over the last week there have been some more memorable stories to tell with fish from Pitlochrie, Benchil and Luncarty and fish lost on Catholes. 

Last Tuesday was a frustrating day on Benchil with only one fish landed on Benchil by Anne Emsens but several others were lost or pulled on fly. 

Dr Michael Bowes caught his first ever salmon on Wednesday with a day he will not forget in a hurry. He landed a small salmon on the fly then hooked himself in the afternoon! Gerry Rattrey caught a 15 pounder on the fly in the Woodside and Matthew Sheldon caught a grilse on the Dyke. 

More water arrived from heavy rain upsetting the river with a heavy peaty stain at the end of the week however on Saturday James Holder caught a grilse at Aitken Head on the fly and at the last gasp in the afternoon Jack Tong landed a 21 pounder in the Long Shot on a rapala. 

Jonny Muir had a good couple of mornings at Luncarty catching 4 salmon up to 9 pounds on the fly from the bank. One of our Gleneagles guests lost a good fish up on the Catholes.

The prospects are looking good with a fair head of fish in the beats and the prospect of cooler water to make the fish more aggressive. We are busy on Pitlochrie/Benchil this week but there is still good availability in September. Luncarty and Catholes are well worth a go from the bank at reasonable priced tickets. currently the water has dropped back again to a summer height. 

Tackle advice on Stanley beats. 

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method the elusive Tay Salmon.

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 summer when the water is warmer you will be using smaller flies and conventional floating lines with tips to give you the best possible chance. There is a tremendous choice on the market nowadays which can be quite confusing to many anglers. Rio Game Changers or Scandi lines 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. I use a Rio long Spey at this time of year plus a tip as I hate pulling all that shooting line back in each cast. A Mid Spey may be an option 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. 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. 

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 10th August 2020.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 10th August 2020.

We have entered August with great positivity following the current upturn in catches throughout the Tay. If the river remains settled the catches could be outstanding especially on the lower river now as it is their time. Since the start of the month there have been around 30 salmon caught on the Stanley beats including the Upper Scone figures which is superb. 

Peter Thomas with a lovely fish from Horsey.

In the last few days of July Tim Greenfield party enjoyed some success during their week however if they had converted a few more of their chances they would have had way into double figures. 

Frank Muller with a good fish from Benchil in the Plain Water. 

The following week started off brilliantly with 9 year old Finn Collett landing a 10 pounder in Horsey with his grandfather and brother Noah on Monday. Another spate started on Tuesday with torrential rain however not before Ian Muir caught a good fish on the fly from the Long Shot. 

After the river calmed down the end of the week fished well with Steven Peck, Neil Tong and James Mackay all catching fish up to 13 pounds off both beats. 5 fish fell on Saturday from Benchil mostly on fly. 

Other salmon were also landed on Luncarty and Catholes with John Peck landing a grilse from the Black Stones. 

The current week started off well with fish caught on Pitlochrie and Benchil up to 16 pounds on fly. Brooke Holroyd, Ian and Henry Cousin all caught before a massive thunder storm hit us on Tuesday night sending the water sky high and dirty again. 

Hopefully the river will settle and there will be another great end to the week as the river drops back. 

There are a good few fish about and the prospects over the next few weeks look really promising, all we need is a settled river. 

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White