The river Tay in Perthshire Scotland caught salmon in better numbers last week after some rain and a stronger run at long last. Currently there is a developing run of summer salmon and grilse on the river with high expectation of a further improvement with signs of more grilse running last week. Rain last weekend has freshened the river up and the weather is to be reasonably settled and cooler with a chance of some rain this week plus the added bonus of big tides that may just trigger off further improvements. The catches have been disappointing recently but catches increased this past week giving renewed optimism for the coming weeks assuming more fish enter the system.
This past week saw water levels continue at summer height most of the week due to settled weather but more rain at the weekend may increase the height and spread sport more evenly throughout the beats. 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 9th August)
SALMON & GRILSE: Almondmouth 7, Waulkmill 2, Lower Redgorton 1, Fishponds 4, Upper Scone 1, Stobhall 7, Taymount 4, Ballathie 8, Cargill 15, Islamouth 9, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 5, Kercock 9, Glendelvine 3, Murthly 2 10, Newtyle 1, Dunkeld House 4, Lower Kinnaird 3, Farleyer Upper 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1.
Total: 96 Largest: Cargill 15lbs
SEA TROUT: Lower Redgorton 1, Pitlochrie 1, Catholes Campsie 1, Stobhall 1, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 1, Glendelvine 1, Murthly 2 6, Newtyle 1, Dalmarnock 2.
Total: 15 Largest: Murthly 2 4lbs
Lower Tay.
The summer fishing is well underway on the lower river 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 Almondmouth landed fish every day strengthening the feeling fish are starting to run. This beat is seen as a barometer for the river as it is the first beat at the head of the tide therefore improving catches there would hearten everyone and mean more fish are at last running up the river.
Odd fish were caught on Lower Redgorton, Waulkmill and Fishponds. Bill Gallacher caught a grilse from Kirkie on Upper Scone. Increased water levels will help these beats hopefully over the weeks to come. The beats above Stanley have been fishing better with Stobhall and Taymount catching on most days. The most productive part of the river has been around Ballathie and Cargill as conditions have been ideal for there and fish lying in the deeper pools. On Ballathie it was the fairer sex that were successful during the week with Ruth Dooley, Ally Bleasdale and Jackie Gold all catching. Moss and Adam Gold also caught. On Cargill Ernie Lidster caught a 15 pounds fish earlier in the week then a couple of good days on the beat saw
Andrew Wright land a couple up to 13 pounds,
Jim Davidson, a young 80 year old landed one at 10 pounds and
Diego Gardiner catch a fresh 12 pounds fish. Islamouth saw a slight increase in sport as well landing 9 for their week.
Meikleour and Upper Islamouth saw better catches as well with Paul Taylor and Nigel Pearman landing grilse.
Middle Tay.
The catches further upstream were again harder earned this past week but improved, as conditions started to change. Over the weeks to come this will hopefully improve as the salmon run freely up the river with improving runs and more water. Kercock had a better week with 7 caught from the beat on Saturday. The water came up perfectly for them and the beat caught mostly grilse, the biggest was a 13 pounds sea liced salmon. Successful anglers included
Colin Henderson with a 7 pounder, Kenny Milne with a 13 pounder, Robert Mcfarlane with fish of 4, 4 and 5 pounds and
Andy Kerr with a grilse at 4 pounds. Mark Thomson caught a 4 pounds grilse and also lost a double figure fish. In the Murthly area Murthly 2 had 10 for the week and Glendelvine caught 3 on Thursday. Dunkeld House continue the catch fish on a regular basis with
Richard Hill, a retired English Rugby International visiting the beat this past week. The grilse are running up the river and helping catches with Jim McDonald landing a 4 pounds fresh beauty in the Lady pool on a flying C.
On Saturday there was another first salmon for Ayah Al Thekair with a 6 pounds fish from the Mouse Trap. Lower Kinnaird had 3 fish during the week.
Upper Tay.
This area has fished steadily in recent weeks but lack of water has curtailed sport. However 2 fish came from Upper Farleyer.
Tummel.
It has been a very quiet week on the Tummel again with odd catches but fish have been running through Pitlochry Dam with the count around 3500. James Dornan caught a 5 pounds fish on the fly from the Pitlochry town bank under the dam on Thursday.
Isla & Ericht.
Salmon are now freely running the Isla with rising water levels and nosing up into the Ericht however nothing was reported last week. Dougy Morrison has reported grilse running the Ericht with fish caught up to 6 pounds and hoping some clients land MacNabs next week with the opening of the Grouse season.
The 2014 salmon season in Scotland, Europe and Iceland has not been one to remember so far. Atlantic salmon stocks are relatively low so the importance of Catch and Release is vital to continue our enjoyment of this superb sport for the future. Currently on the Tay the majority of anglers with odd exceptions are achieving this. We had a superb spring run and catch last season, which may just be down to the majority of anglers returning salmon over the past seasons. This year catches have fallen dramatically so emphasizing the importance of catch and release is absolutely crucial. Retaining hen salmon is a strict no no and any angler doing so should not be allowed on our rivers.
The Tay Ghillies Association have seized the initiative and 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
Thank you to all anglers who have returned their spring salmon to maintain our sport for the future, but this should be extended to the summer and autumn now as catches have dropped to new lows, it is vitally important and is a great contribution by individuals who care for their sport and the river. Well done!
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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