Good catches return as water levels ease.
The river Tay in Perthshire Scotland continued to catch spring salmon last week despite continued unsettled weather. Catches returned as water levels at last 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. Most of the catch still came from Linn pool down but there were signs of fish spreading up river giving the middle beats 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 a large snowmelt and heavy rain however conditions at last started to ease during the week off and on and nearly 80 spring salmon were registered mainly from the lower beats with others caught as well but not registered.
Beat catches reported
The lower river around Stanley fished well all week registering 70% of the total river catch. All these beats are registering a higher catch than last year, which is very encouraging for the river.
Stobhall and Taymount had good weeks again mostly from the Linn pool. On Taymount 12 were caught for the week with 5 registered on Monday again from the Linn. Alistair Smee figured highly in the catches landing several springers up to 17 pounds.
Other successful anglers included Tweed Ghillie John Eadie, Gordon Howe, Ian Davies and Jeramy Handel.
Memories from a great spring fly fishing week on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland for a party of anglers from Sweden in high water. 17 spring salmon landed in early March 2014.
On the Stanley beats a party of Swedish fishermen had a superb week landing 17 spring salmon all on the fly. They were very experienced and skilful anglers completely undaunted by the high water conditions and persevered every day to gain results. It was very heartening and proves that the Tay can accommodate all types of fishermen to gain positive results. Hopefully this will draw other keen fly fishermen in years to come with the skills to catch our quality spring salmon. Spring salmon were caught up to 15 pounds using various sinking lines and large flies. The week got underway in rising water but Lars Persson landed 2 fresh fish from the Minister below Stanley Mills getting the whole party enthused.
They never looked back with Oscar Florell and Michael Fagergren landing more than one fish a piece. Other successful anglers included Jim Inefall, Christian Lindstrom, Stefan Franzmann, Mark Leander and Robin Johansen. On Upper Scone is was also a busy catching week with Brian Brown landing 5 springers on Tuesday on the Harl in Pitlochrie pool with several other salmon landed during the week for a French party up to 16 pounds. Fishponds also had success with Mr Ferguson landing a 10 pounds beauty on a salmo.
Further up river the Islamouth beats caught as the water relented. Ballathie and Cagill also caught odd fish as spring salmon run through the river. Coupar Grange started to fair better as odd fish started to make it up the Isla system. As the river drops these catches will certainly improve in the weeks to come. Dunkeld House, Newtyle, Murthly and Glendelvine also caught fish up to the high teens in weight. Murthly 2 had a great day registering 4 on Monday.
On Monday Jim MacDonald caught a superb 18 pounds fish from the Fyffie on a Kynoch from Dunkeld. Newtyle also caught with
Sarah Hinchliffe landing a cracking springer from the boat on her third day on the river. Upper Kinnaird also registered a couple of spring fish on Wednesday proving fish are running right up the system.
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 well and truly kicked off with renewed optimism and 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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