Disappointing week but hopefully things will pick up soon.
The river Tay in Perthshire Scotland continued to catch spring salmon last week as water levels eased further. Catches were maintained but disappointing as the river dropped steadily and the weather continued to improve but it was another quieter week for the time of year. 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 drop below 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 continued to appear as well in better numbers that was very encouraging. 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 17th May)
SALMON & GRILSE: Lower Redgorton 3, Benchil 1, Stobhall 3, Taymount 2, Ballathie 2, Cargill 3, Islamouth 10, Upper Islamouth and Meikleour 7, Kercock 2, Murthly 1 5, Glendelvine 2, Murthly 2 10, Newtyle 6, Dunkeld House 5, Dalmarnock 1, Dalguise 1, Lower Kinnaird 6, Farleyer Upper 2, Keithick Mains 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 9, Loch Faskally 3.
Total: 84 Largest: Murthly 2 20lbs
SEA TROUT: Lower Redgorton 15, Luncarty 6, Upper Redgorton 1, Benchil 3, Stobhall 2, Taymount 2, Cargill 3, Newtyle 3, Keithick Mains 1.
Total: 36 Largest: Lower Redgorton & Keithick Mains 4lbs
Lower Tay.
The summer fishing is well underway 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 more caught this past week on the lower river. Lower Redgorton had a successful week catching 3 salmon and several Sea Trout. The lower areas are benefiting from a healthy run of sea trout and odd summer salmon with John Lessels landing a 4 pounds salmon on Benchil. The catches above Stanley continued to be hard earned last week as temperatures rose further enabling salmon to travel further upstream into the middle Tay before stopping for a rest. Stobhall and Taymount accounted for 5 fish during the week and the odd sea trout. Ballathie and Cargill caught odd salmon as well. The Islamouth area had a quieter week also but still had some good days with 5 landed on Wednesday by the McIntosh party.
Middle Tay.
The catches further upstream have been steady this past week but disappointing compared to last year 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 2 for their week and the Murthly and Glendelvine beats accounted for 17, which was a reasonable catch. Newtyle worked away with
Tony Sheehan catching is first Tay salmon on the fly weighing 10 pounds and later in the week
Sandip Datta caught a fine 9 pounds fish from the Cotter on a spinner. At Dunkeld House Sandra Robins enjoyed a few days with great success catching fish on the spinner and fly. Jim Ferrie also had success from the Cathedral stream earlier in the week. Dalmarnock and Dalguise had odd fish with Mike Stanners landing an 8 pounds fish from the Island on the fly. Lower Kinnaird had a better week with 6 fish.
Upper Tay.
This area is starting to see fish with Farleyer beats picking up fish last week.
Tummel.
It has been much better week on the Tummel with reasonable catches and fish running through Pitlochry Dam. 9 fish were caught last week on Portnacraig and some fish are going through the ladder with the count up to above 500 now. Successful anglers included Callum Imray with 2 fish up to 18 pounds on Devon, Les Dargie with one on fly, Graeme Stewart with a 16 pounds fish on the fly, 2 fish fell to the fly on Thursday for Gordon Nicoll and Ally Gowans and the end of the week saw David Andrew landing a 12 pounds fish on a flying C while club members
Alec Cruikshank and
Jim Fisher caught fish up to 19 pounds on the fly before the sun went down on Saturday evening. 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. Keithick Mains had 1 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 good so far despite the big water levels early in the season with some notable catches, let us hope this is a taste of what is to come and the weather continues to be reasonable 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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