Quieter week on the Tay but still some good salmon caught.
The river Tay in Perthshire Scotland continued to catch spring salmon last week as water levels eased further. Catches were maintained as the river dropped steadily and the weather continued to improve but it was a quieter week. A reasonable run of spring salmon continued on the river and there was the continued sign of some more bigger multi sea winter fish with more mid twenty pounds salmon landed. The catches on the lower river have eased as temperatures rise but there were continued signs of fish spreading up river as catches were maintained in the middle and Upper River giving renewed optimism for the coming week.
This past week saw water levels stay around 3’ most of the week due to better weather and improved conditions with spring salmon being registered from the river with others caught as well but not registered. Sea trout are starting to appear as well. The fishing is supreme and the scenery is not bad either. Currently the Blue bells are out along the river with also numerous other wild flowers. Ospreys visit the river on a daily basis and you could see an Otter or a Kingfisher darting past while you are in mid cast! It is true what they say, “ a salmon is a bonus!”
Beat catches reported
(week ending 10th May)
SALMON & GRILSE: Fishponds 1, Benchil 1, Stobhall 4, Taymount 6, Ballathie 2, Cargill 1, Islamouth 9, Upper Islamouth and Meikleour 5, Kercock 3, Murthly 1 1, Glendelvine 5, Murthly 2 4, Newtyle 6, Dunkeld House 3, Dalmarnock 1, Lower Kinnaird 2, Upper Kinnaird 1, Findynate 1, Farleyer Upper 1, Coupar Grange 6, Portnacraig Pitlochry 6, Loch Faskally 2.
Total: 71 Largest: Islamouth 24lbs
SEA TROUT: Lower Redgorton 4, Upper Redgorton 1, Benchil 5, Stobhall 1.
Total: 11 Largest: Benchil 4lbs
Lower Tay.
The summer fishing has now started on the lower river for the coming weeks as most of the boats are off the river below Stanley for May and June but reasonably priced bank fishing is still available.
Sea Trout have been an added bonus with a few caught this past week on the lower river. The catches above Stanley dropped off last week as well as temperatures rose further enabling salmon to travel further upstream into the middle Tay before stopping for a rest. Stobhall and Taymount accounted for 10 fish during the week and the odd sea trout. On Taymount the toby Salmo seemed to be the favoured bait accounting for a 12 pounds fish for Robert Lewis and a superb 22 pounds cracker for Graham Allan. Ballathie started the week well with 2 fish on Monday and Cargill caught one on Friday, a lovely 12 pounds fish caught by Stewart Scott. Islamouth had a reasonable week with Alan Parker landing a superb 24 pounds fish on the fly from the New Shot being the high point after some help from Alistair Scott. Meikleour had a great day on Tuesday landing four fish up to 11 pounds on the fly.
Middle Tay.
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 with water levels easing. Kercock had 3 for their week and the Murthly and Glendelvine beats accounted for 10 that will hopefully improve this coming week.
Newtyle faired a bit better with Robert Moore catching a 13 pounds fish from the Deans Burn, Martin Moran landing 2 fish including a superb 21 pounds fish from the Steps, French angler Raymond Poggia also caught at the Steps and Patrick Ingram caught a 9 pounds fish in the Ferry pool later in the week.
Dunkeld House had a quieter week with 3 fish that included David Mitchell with a 9 pounds salmon, John Cranston with a superb 17 pounds beauty covered in sea lice fly fishing from the boat and Jonathan Landale with an 11 pounds fish from the Cathedral stream.
The Kinnaird beats also had odd fish including a first fish for Martha Sankey weighing an impressive 16 pounds.
Upper Tay.
This area is starting to see fish with Farleyer and Findynate beats picking up fish last week.
Tummel.
It has been quieter week on the Tummel with reasonable catches and fish running through Pitlochry Dam. 6 fish were caught last week on Portnacraig and some fish are going through the ladder with the count up to around 500 now. Successful anglers included Duncan Webster with a 14 pounds fish on a Devon, Alex Mitchell and Ally Gowans catching on fly, George Renwick with a 7 pounds fish on a Cascade and the week finishing with
John Downie and Gary Waugh landing fish on Saturday. Loch Faskally have started to catch odd fish now that salmon are running freely through the dam. The beats below have been catching as well but they do not register their fish on fishpal unfortunately to see the true picture.
Isla & Ericht.
Salmon are now freely running the Isla with rising water temperatures and nosing up into the Ericht. Coupar Grange had 6 fish for their week.
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 continues to 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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