The Salmon fishing season has now entered July on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland and we are getting settled weather for summer fishing however the salmon run is currently weak making life difficult but resident fish are spreading throughout the river as temperatures have risen. Expectation is high with a pending grilse run and an increase in summer salmon running the river. This past week more grilse have been seen and caught all be it in small numbers. The weather was settled for last week giving good conditions for the pursuit of that magical salmon but limited runs made life difficult and catches remained low during the week to mostly single figures on most days apart from at the start of the week.
Currently the river is at summer level (approx 6” on the Ballathie gauge). Lower river levels in the coming days should enable the river to be fished easily and hopefully a stronger run will produce some top quality fishing and allow fish to run further to enable catches to continue to spread. The weather is looking reasonably settled over the next few days with a chance of some rain that should benefit the river and give a great chance of producing some more sport and some "Bars of Silver”.
The weather is looking far more settled with a chance of some rain in the week with reasonable temperatures and hopefully this will spark off some better sport in the coming weeks with a strengthening summer run. The warmer weather will certainly continue to give us more settled water levels and encourage salmon to run the river, as we should soon be seeing some grilse. The water temperature is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit or 17 degrees Celsius. These are now normal temperatures for the time of year and the conditions have seen salmon running throughout the system. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river.
As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method should enable you to catch the elusive Tay salmon. The water temperature has warmed up enabling floating lines with the addition of a sink tip being a favoured tactic and using normal dressed flies. It is still worth a go with sinking lines as well depending on water heights and stripping a Sun Ray Shadow is always worth a go. When spinning, Tay favourites include Toby Salmos, weighted and floating devons, flying C’s and Visons or Rapalas. Harling is also a favoured method many beats depending on water heights.
Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy from June to the end of 2014 Season is that
• All hen fish of any size and all cock fish over 10 pounds should be released.
• All coloured and gravid fish to be released.
• No more than one clean fish weighing, where possible, less than 10 pounds should be retained per angler per day.
• Anglers should not use worms in September or October in any part of the district.
Please help preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the recommendations.
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
When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended. Guidance on good Catch and Release practice.
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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