Good catches continue when water levels ease.
The river Tay in Perthshire Scotland continued to catch spring salmon last week despite continued high water levels. Catches were maintained as water levels fluctuated 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 and there was the sign of some bigger multi sea winter fish with a
27 pounds salmon landed on Stobhall. There were again good catches from the Linn pool down but there were continued 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 on a few days and over 70 spring salmon were registered from the river with others caught as well but not registered.
Beat catches reported
(week ending 22nd March)
SALMON & GRILSE: Benchil 1, Catholes Stanley 3, Upper Scone 3, Catholes Campsie 3, Stobhall 10, Taymount 15, Ballathie 3, Cargill 2, Islamouth 3, Upper Islamouth and Meikleour 1, Kercock 1, Glendelvine 4, Murthly 2 3, Newtyle 2, Dunkeld House 6, Dalmarnock 1, Upper Kinnaird 3, Findynate 2, Keithick Mains 1, Coupar Grange 4.
Total: 71 Largest: Stobhall 27lbs
SEA TROUT: Coupar Grange 1.
Total: 1 Largest: Coupar Grange 2lbs
The lower river around Stanley again fished 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 with some great days including a superb 27 pounds spring salmon caught on Friday by Lady angler Jayne Rutherford. The ladies keep coming up with these big fish showing the male anglers how it is done. Well done all concerned, it is a great advert for the river. Taymount, on the opposite days also enjoyed good sport throughout the week landing some notable fish up to 22 pounds. These beats are consistently catching week in week out with the Linn Pool producing the majority of the fish suiting the big water conditions.
Tim McFarlane caught the 22 pounds salmon from Stank End on the top beat, other successful anglers included Terry Booth, Raoul de Soissions landing 2 on visions, Walter Alexander, John Lessels and Danny Fulton landing a cracking 13 pounds springer on the fly from Stank End. Catholes did reasonably well during the week with Kenny Scott and Paul Goldsmith catching earlier in the week. Saturday saw 3 fish landed with Peter Duncan and
Jeff Robinson landing good fish on Tobies, then
Davie Boyle caught his first ever salmon from the boat weighing 15 pounds after a tremendous struggle. The Pitlochrie beat did not do so well last week with some unwelcome visitors appearing at the start of the week in the pool. Fortunately they did not come back after the middle of the week and good sport hopefully will resume there this coming week as temperatures falling back will help as well. Jason Stratton caught a 9 pounds springer from Benchil in Aitken Head. Unfortunately the beats below Stanley are finding hard going in the high water but as river levels ease that will change.
The catches further upstream have continued to improve 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 are encountering odd fish with a superb 26 pounds fish being caught on Saturday on the Meikleour beat. Cargill and Ballathie are also getting onto the score sheet. James Johnson landed a 15 pounds fish on Cargill on Saturday, which was one of two fish caught in the day. Kercock registered their first fish of the season. Glendelvine and the Murthly beats are also starting to catch consistently with the former beat catching 4 in a day on Tuesday. Newtyle caught 2 during the week including an 18 pounds cracker from the Ferry pool landed in the boat by Stephen Martin.
Calum McRoberts caught the other one weighing 12 pounds again from the boat. Dunkeld House continued to do reasonably well with 6 fish during the week. Brain Joseph, Donal Dowds and Andrew Cort all caught fish up to 14 pounds. On Saturday Willie Cumming, Jimmy Lapsey and
Ian Mitchell had successful trips to the beat. Dalmarnock and Upper Kinnaird also registered fish up to 18 pounds.
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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