The river Tay opened on the 15th January undeterred by the dreich conditions, however the unsettled conditions continued over the last few weeks making spring fishing impossible on several days. Around 30 spring salmon were landed on the river in those first few days making it a good start to the 2014 season. The catches have been limited since then giving the river a disappointing January as a whole. The first week in February saw similar conditions and another disappointing week followed. If the river had good conditions there would have been a reasonable total as the first few days indicated. Let us hope the weather settles in February and we can see the full potential of the Tay as last year proved.
This past week continued to see extreme weather and very unsettled water levels making spring salmon near impossible on most days. The Jet stream continues to pull large wet weather systems over us. 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. Stobhall had the best week landing 2 spring salmon on Tuesday and Saturday.
On Saturday John Anderson caught a lovely 13 pounds salmon from the Linn pool, which is a favoured pool in big water in early season on the Tay. Further downstream Brian Stobie caught an 11 pounds salmon from the Catholes on Saturday as well with another lost.
Islamouth produced springers last week as well with John Thomson landing a superb 17 pounds fish from the Finnford pool.
Brian McIntosh had a good Saturday with 2 cracking fish from the Meikleour beat weighing 15 and 20 pounds from the boat. Further up river Gordon Pollock caught a 17 pounds salmon on the fly on Dalmarnock earlier in the week. At Dalguise, Laimonis Zuglis caught his first ever Scottish salmon weighing 13 pounds and safely returned it to the river.
Last week saw 10 salmon registered then as the river settled for Monday of this week more than 10 spring salmon were landed in one day with the Linn pool and Pitlochrie pool producing 4 each. Hopefully this is now a sign of what is to come and everyone can do well over the coming months.
The Tay Ghillies Association has launched a FISH OF THE MONTH AWARD to encourage good catch and release practice on the Tay. Each month the winner will receive 2 personalised crystal Whisky glasses engraved with details of the catch and they will automatically be entered into the fish of the year competition for a Stylish Crystal Engraved Decanter.
• Catch a good Tay Salmon
• Weigh it carefully and photograph it with as little handling as possible.
• Verify with Ghillie
• Safely return the fish with a minimum of handling
• TGA Committee decision is final
Send entries with a photo and verification details to:-
Mike Hay, Sec of Tay Ghillies Assoc.
Mobile: 07762 464407
Email: tayhayurg@gmail.com
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. The past 3 weeks have not been ones to remember for most but things can only improve, hopefully! This Monday has given us that hope with the sudden appearance of an early run of quality spring salmon.
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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