The river Tay opened on the 15th January undeterred by the dreich conditions, scores of anglers flocked to the banks of the river Tay to mark the opening of the salmon season with great publicity in the press and on television. The various issues and activities appeared on Television, Radio and Press giving the river extremely high exposure that is invaluable. Around 30 spring salmon were landed on the river in those first few days as well making a good start to the 2014 season.
A week later and the dreich conditions have continued with extreme weather and very unsettled water levels making spring salmon near impossible on most days. Colder and more settled weather are now required if we are to try and achieve the heights of last spring. The spring period from January to May 2013 was the big talking point with well over 2000 salmon landed, showing a staggering 82.5 % increase on 2012 and a 98% increase on the 5 year average. Expectation is high on the river for 2014 but we need settled weather to come in to give everyone a chance of landing a spring “Bar of Silver”.
Spring salmon were landed last week despite the horrible weather. Pitlochry Angling Club waters produced its first fish of the season on Friday with Brian Joseph catching a 16 pounds beauty on a Toby Salmo in the Sawmill stream. The river was running high and not a single fish reported for the week on FishTay at the time, it was definitely a day for the optimist. Not for the first time, though, Brian showed that it's always worth a cast. By all accounts it was a typically powerful Tummel springer putting up a great fight - including a 50 yard run - before coming to the net. Great story and well done.
Newtyle also reported a springer on Friday caught by Stan Antczak that was described by beat Ghillie Andy Gunn as “outstanding” with his beat gauge registering 4 feet 8 inches. Stan was obviously undeterred by the conditions and caught his lovely 12 pounds salmon on the fly from the Boil on his first trip to the beat. This early spring salmon should probably be dedicated to former beat owner Ian Redford who recently sadly died. Our thoughts go out to his family. The Redfords were very keen fishermen particularly in the spring.
There was another unconfirmed fish from Burnbane estimated at 18 pounds earlier in the week.
The Spring Salmon fishing was well and truly underway after all the excitement of opening day’s celebrations. All in all it was a truly memorable opening so let us hope the season lives up to every ones expectations. This past week has not been one to remember for most but things can only improve, hopefully!
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 the reports.
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