Good catches continue as water levels ease.
The river Tay in Perthshire Scotland continued to catch spring salmon last week despite continued high water levels. Catches improved as water levels receded after yet more mild weather and heavy rain. A strong run of spring salmon continued on the river as the water cleared and eased a bit. There were again good catches from the Linn pool down but there were signs of fish spreading up river as catches improved in the middle and upper river giving renewed optimism for the coming week. The catches were especially heartening after the prolonged bad weather but were also better than last year for the time so hopefully it is a sign of another great spring for the river if the weather relents.
This past week saw continued big water most of the week due to mild weather caused by snowmelt however conditions were good with some superb weather as well and nearly 100 spring salmon were registered from the river with others caught as well but not registered.
Beat catches reported
(week ending 15th March)
SALMON & GRILSE: Waulkmill 1, Catholes Stanley 7, Upper Scone 4, Pitlochrie 17, Catholes Campsie 2, Stobhall 8, Taymount 22, Ballathie 2, Cargill 3, Islamouth 1, Upper Islamouth and Meikleour 1, Murthly 1 1, Glendelvine 5, Murthly 2 6, Newtyle 1, Dunkeld House 5, Dalmarnock 2, Dalguise 1, Upper Kinnaird 1, Findynate 1, Farleyer Upper 1, Coupar Grange 1.
Total: 93 Largest: Stobhall 22lbs
The lower river around Stanley again fished very well all week. All these beats are registering a higher catch than last year, which is very encouraging for the river. Stobhall had a steady week catching most days including a cracking 22 pounds fish. Taymount had an excellent week with experienced rods having some superb days including two days of 7 spring fish taking them to over 50 fish for the season so far. Successful anglers included Adam Smith, Ian Montgomery landing 2 with the biggest weighing 18 pounds, Ross Stewart,
Sandra Robbins catching her share including a 20 pounds cracker, Hugh Robbins, Chris Dixson, John Lessels, Roddy Potter on the fly, Allan Chapman, Mike Hay and George McKinlay with 2 on Friday from the bank. The fishing at Stanley remained outstanding with the Pitlochrie and Catholes combination having an outstanding week with 24 spring salmon and also taking them over 50 fish for the season. The Pitlochrie pool has been tremendous this spring as it suits the high water levels we have been experiencing of late. There have now been several days of 6 springers landed form the beat for the Stanley and Upper Scone rods. Successful rods included Peter Duncan,
Freddie Sutherland, Willie Fotheringham, Charles Savage, Dougie Wangert, Andrew Wright and Andrew Cameron. On Friday Stuart Waddell had an outstanding morning in Horsey landing 2 springers up to 20 pounds on the fly. Catholes was also fishing reasonably well producing on most days. John Shaw landed a superb 18 pounds fish in the Woodside on the fly with Danny Fulton also catching on the fly from the Back Dam and Ian Kettles,
Steven Japp, John Anderson and Steven Watt also landing on spinners.
The catches further upstream have dramatically improved this past week as conditions have eased and the water temperature has climbed up a bit. Over the weeks to come this will inevitably improve further as the salmon run freely up the river. Islamouth, Cargill and Ballathie all caught during the week.
Glendelvine and the Murthly beats are also starting to catch consistently.
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Newtyle landed a lovely 10 pounds fish for David Gardiner on a Vision 110. The Dunkeld House beat had a good end to the week with 5 salmon. Brian Joseph landed an 8 pounds fish on a Willie Gunn, then a second weighing 14 pounds from the Rock pool with Scott Bruce catching a 10 pounds fish on a double salmo from the Girnal.
On Saturday Willie Cumming caught a fish of 16 pounds and Robert Harvey landed a super 19 pounds fish from the Cutty. At Dalmarnock Adrian Howell landed a 17 pounds beauty from the boat harling. Further up river on Dalguise Jim Lowe caught a 14 pounds springer on the fly from the tail of the Otterstone on Friday. Spring salmon were also reported from Findynate and Farleyer as the fish run to the Loch and Lyon. Upper Kinnaird registered a spring fish this week as well.
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 has been excellent so far despite the big water levels with some notable catches, let us hope this is a taste of what is to come and the weather settles down further to maintain it all.
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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