The river Tay in Perthshire Scotland continued to catch salmon but in disappointing numbers as water levels dropped most of the week in warm weather. Currently there is a weak run of summer salmon and odd grilse on the river but expectation is high with a pending improving summer run. The weather is to be reasonably settled with a chance of some rain this week that may just trigger off some improvements. The catches have been disappointing but could suddenly improve at any minute giving renewed optimism for the coming week assuming more fish enter the system.
This past week saw water levels continue at summer height most of the week due to warm settled weather making catches suffer. The fishing can be supreme and the scenery is not bad either. Currently there are numerous wild flowers blooming on the river banks. 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 5th July)
SALMON & GRILSE: Lower Redgorton 1, Catholes Campsie 1, Stobhall 3, Taymount 3, Ballathie 6, Cargill 4, Islamouth 2, Upper Islamouth and Meikleour 1, Kercock 2, Murthly 2 2, Newtyle 1, Dunkeld House 4, Lower Kinnaird 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 2.
Total: 33 Largest: Taymount & Kercock 20lbs
SEA TROUT: Lower Redgorton 3, Dunkeld House 1, Dalmarnock 2, Lower Kinnaird 2.
Total: 8 Largest: Dunkeld House 4lbs
Lower Tay.
The summer fishing is well underway on the lower river as most of the boats are now back on the river below Stanley for rest of the season with an expected summer run over the next few weeks. Sea Trout have been an added bonus this summer but we are looking for a strengthening run now to go into the autumn on the river as a whole. The lower beats continued to struggle however Lower Redgorton caught a 15 pounds fish and Danny Fulton caught a 6 pounds fish from the Catholes stream on the fly. The Stormont Angling Club members have had the odd success as well with Graham Fyfe and Ronnie Lusher both landing good salmon on the fly from the Grainhead. Stobhall and Taymount have had 3 fish apiece this past week while Ballathie and Cargill have had improving catches with the lower water levels. Fred Harrison’s party enjoyed success on Ballathie following the May ghillies fish on the month for Fred weighing an impressive 34 pounds.
Beat ghillie Gary McErlain presented Fred with his award.
On Cargill grilse were seen and caught with 3 landed on Friday. Successful rods included Adam Beenies and Alex Hendrie. It was a disappointing week on Islamouth after ideal conditions and high expectation.
On Meikleour Mrs Jamieson caught a grilse on a toby from the March pool.
Middle Tay.
The catches further upstream were again harder earned this past week, as conditions were more settled with lower river levels. Over the weeks to come this will hopefully improve as the salmon run freely up the river with improving runs. Kercock saw odd fish with an impressive 20 pounds fish landed on Friday. The Murthly 2 beat accounted for odd fish in the week. Newtyle saw Graham Barton landing a 4 pounds grilse. The spinner was working at Dunkeld House with fish caught on Tobies and Visions. Lower Kinnaird accounted for one fish as the upper areas found it tough with lower water levels.
Upper Tay.
This area has fished steadily in recent weeks but lack of water has curtailed sport.
Tummel.
It has been much quieter on the Tummel again this past week with odd catches but fish have been running through Pitlochry Dam with the count up to around 2675. Duncan Webster caught a superb 19 pounds fish at the dam on the fly and also lost another good one.
Isla & Ericht.
Salmon are now freely running the Isla with rising water temperatures and nosing up into the Ericht however nothing was reported last week. A bit more water would help this system now.
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 for the Summer and Autumn as the weather remains 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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