Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fly Fishing on Islamouth April 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fly Fishing on Islamouth April 2012.

The lower Tay Islamouth continues to have an excellent week with another good day today.

This is Nigel Ryley with a superb 17 pounds Tay beauty caught wading in the Cutty at Islamouth.

Jamie Bennett with a 16 pounds springer from the Long Head caught fly fishing.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Cairnton, River Dee, Aberdeenshire.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Cairnton, River Dee, Aberdeenshire.


The superb River Dee Cairnton beat on the River Dee in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. A fly fishers paradise steeped in salmon fishing history. Former Tay Ghillie at Islamouth Brian Brogan is now the ghillie on the beat.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland April 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland April 2012.

A typical April scene on the Tay at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing on Islamouth April 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fly Fishing on Islamouth April 2012.

This was a 20 pounds spring salmon caught fly fishing at 5.15pm on Saturday evening by Simon Furniss on Islamouth, it was last ditch saloon, after losing 6 in 3 days and finally this one stuck, it was caught on a Cascade Conehead.
"The Taymount Ghillie took pity on my plight and on Saturday morning Billy Campbell tied a new fly on for me and a shark hook from Con O'Dea but it was found to be quite difficult to cast. I went back to the so far failing equipment and it worked in the end, it was so comforting to know these guys pulled out all the stops to help me to get one to stick on, thanks again and we all got lot of fun out of the situation." Simon Furniss
Thanks Simon and well done.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for the Week ending 7th April 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for the Week ending 7th April 2012.

The catches improved last week despite the inclement weather and possibly would have been much better if the river had been more settled due to the melting snow and rain but the quality of spring salmon remained high with salmon caught up to 21 pounds in weight.

Reasonable conditions prevailed for the week despite fluctuating river levels and more typical weather for the time of year. Success was reasonable as expected in early April with catches throughout the week and the quality was again exceptional with more multi sea winter salmon landed. The river temperature dropped as expected to 46F or 18C due to the colder weather but this did not stop salmon running and spreading the catches especially for the Upper areas. Salmon continue to be caught from top to bottom in the river with others caught and not registered meaning fish are running through rapidly and progressing upstream which encourages everyone.

There was 64 salmon reported with the largest salmon of 21 pounds caught on the Upper Murthly beat. Spring salmon were landed throughout the system from the Lower River to the Upper River.

On the Lower River 33 spring salmon were reported from Almondmouth to Islamouth. The lower water would have improved conditions for the areas just above the tide such as Almondmouth. Peter Gifford landed a lovely fresh 12 pounds springer fly fishing on the Catholes in the Black Stones casting from the boat. Stobhall and Taymount continue to produce excellent spring sport on fly and spinner landing salmon up to 20 pounds.

Graham Brookes, Gordon Bisset, David Flack and Tuomas Rytkonen were amongst the successful anglers on Taymount.

Cargill had success as well this week with Claire Wylie landing a lovely 11 pounds salmon. Islamouth also had a good end to the week with locals Jim Ferrie, Simon Furniss and Sandra Robins landing good fish fly fishing from boat and bank.

The Middle River registered 17 salmon that was a good improvement on the previous week and several others were caught in this area and not registered including at least 6 from Glendelvine. The upper Murthly continued to catch consistently with also the largest salmon of the week weighing 21 pounds.

At Kercock David Bryce landed a 7 pounds springer on Friday. Adam Joseph had a lovely springer from the Gauge pool on a Salmo at Dunkeld House fishing’s. Newtyle and Dalmarnock also had success.

The Upper River produced 10 salmon from Dalguise, Kinnaird, Farleyer, Edradynate and Portnacraig on the Tummel. John Cameron caught a lovely 20 pounds Salmon in The Guay Pool on Dalguise fly fishing with a Cascade tube fly.

At Kinnaird Greg Stephens landed his first ever salmon from the Guay pool weighing 14 pounds which delighted everyone on the beat and on Monday Hugh Coulson landed an impressive 18 pounds beauty in the Junction pool. Portnacraig continued to be productive with Billy Davidson catching 3 spring salmon on Monday on the fly. Other successful anglers included Gordon Hyslop with a lovely 16 pounds springer on a Monkey and Clint Doig with an estimated 19 pounds beauty on a Posh Tosh.

The Isla registered 4 all from Coupar Grange.

The Earn registered 0.

Celebrate a Tay spring salmon with a Dalmore Tay Dram and contribute to the future of this mighty river. Dalmore distillery have created a unique expression of their single malt whisky and a generous donation from each bottle sold will be gifted to the Tay Foundation to support their work to protect and improve the river.

Many thanks for all the pictures everyone has sent me of spring salmon and thanks to all who have sent me their individual fishing experiences over the last season on the river. I would be most grateful if you to do the same this season by emailing robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in this report.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Prospects for week commencing 9th April 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Prospects for week commencing 9th April 2012.

Currently the river is still low following the cold weather and snow last week but more rain is forecast. The weather is to remain unsettled and far more typical for the time of year with a chance of rain over the next week but this should still give the river a great chance of producing more good sport.

Islamouth on the lower Tay.

The weather should be more typical this week for April with a chance of some rain. The water temperature has dropped to 46 degrees Fahrenheit or 8 degrees Celsius due to the cold snap and snow, which is more like the end on April but this should not hamper fishing as the catches again demonstrated last week. The temperature has fallen during the past week meaning the floating lines are maybe on hold again! There might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river and hopefully the run will strengthen over the next few weeks to give us even more success.
Multi sea winter spring salmon continue to be caught as well which is very encouraging and the prospect of a large springer is a real possibility.

The Tay at Dunkeld.

As to methods, in settled conditions and rising river temperatures fishing by any method will be varied to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Fly fishing now will be with intermediates or floating line with a sinking tip and smaller tubes or a dressed fly. It is always worth a go with a Sun Ray as well. Spinning from the bank with Devons and Tobies are a good bet. It is even worth a go with a flying C as the fish become more active in warmer water. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned if cold conditions persist, wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.


Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January - May 2012 is that all spring salmon should be released, i.e. the Tay has adopted a policy of 100% catch and release for spring salmon. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please help preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the recommendations.

To help you follow our guidelines I have included these helpful pointers.

How to SAFELY Release a Salmon
“The best method of releasing a salmon is to leave it in the water
and touch nothing but the hook with fingers or pliers.
“Whatever the method, care combined with speed, will give the fish the best chance of survival.”
Lee Wulff, Atlantic Salmon Journal Winter 1964/65

• Use barbless or pinched hooks
• Retrieve your fish quickly; release it immediately
• Keep the fish in the water
• Use rubber or knotless cotton net, if one must be used
• Cut the leader if necessary
• Remove the hook carefully
• Hold the fish gently in natural swimming position, facing upstream until it revives
• Don’t pump the fish. That is, don’t move the fish back and forth in the water.

How should hooks be removed?
Very Carefully
In quiet water, bring the wild salmon quickly within reach. Leaving the salmon in water and without squeezing it, remove the hook carefully with pliers or thumb and forefinger. If a net must be used, it should be rubber or knotless cotton. If necessary, cut the leader near the fly and spare the fish.

Stephen Paterson about to release a spring salmon at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
The Science of Live Release
“Peer-reviewed science supports live release as a proven and effective conservation tool.”
Dr. Fred Whoriskey,
ASF Vice-President, Research & Environment

Studies in North America and Europe have shown live release works, and in some instances Atlantic salmon have been angled 2 and 3 times.
Science has shown that virtually all Atlantic salmon will survive when released, as long as the angler uses the proper techniques, refrains from angling in overly warm water, and does not overplay the Atlantic salmon.
Like athletes sprinting on a track, Atlantic salmon build up lactic acid in their muscle tissues when they are being played.
The Key is Oxygen – The fish need oxygen in order to recover and continue their journey.
To recover, Atlantic salmon need:
• careful handling by the angler to reduce stress
• to remain in the water where they can breathe and reduce the oxygen deficit in their tissues
• to be held in an upstream position for water to flow more easily across their gills

Photographing Your Spectacular Live Release Salmon.

Use a photo partner:

* Digital camera: make settings on the camera before you begin fishing or use a point and shoot film camera. Give it to your partner before the angling session.

* Whether a digital camera or a film camera, tell your partner to fill the frame, and take several images.

* If it is a film camera, be sure there is film in the camera. This may seem to be a simple matter, but mistakes do happen...

Let your Partner get into Position:

* Tell him/her what you are going to do. Alert your partner before you take the fish out of the water.

Support the Atlantic salmon:

* Carefully take the barbless hook out of the fish’s mouth. With rod tucked under your arm, move one hand to the base of the tail. With your other hand, support the fish under the forward part of its body. Keep it in the water, with the fish pointed upstream to help its recovery.

* If a third person is present, give him or her the rod to hold, so you can concentrate on the wild salmon.

Take the Picture Quickly:

* With your photo partner warned, raise the wild Atlantic salmon partially out of the water for less than five seconds - or consider leaving it semi-submerged for the photo instead!

Return the Fish to Continue its Spawning Run:

* Support the salmon underwater in a natural position facing the current, handling it as little as possible. Give it time to recover. The goal is for the wild salmon to swim away on its own.

* Digital cameras offer the opportunity to adjust the film speed to suit conditions. In low light, such as evening, morning, heavy cloud, or deep shadow, consider setting the speed to 400, to take care of both movement and the low light. Experiment beforehand on speeds above 400, as many digital images become heavily pixilated at greater sensitivity.

* Remember to adjust the white balance for deep shadow, to warm the image.

* Today’s print films even at 400 speeds are superb. Use 400-speed film at dawn, dusk or in shadow.

* Don’t forget to smile! Your photo is a valuable memory.

If you have any news or pictures of catches or experiences on the Tay and you would like to share them please email me on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in this report.

Tight lines.


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Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Spring Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay April 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Spring Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay April 2012.

Peter Gifford with a superb 12 pounds spring salmon from the Catholes beat caught fly fishing from the boat in the Black Stones.

Sandra Robins with a fresh 8 pounds spring salmon caught fly fishing on the Islamouth beat in the Cutty Pool.

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