The river Tay in Perthshire Scotland improved dramatically last week and caught salmon in better numbers 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 a higher expectation of further improvement with signs of more fish running last week. Rain last weekend freshened and brought water temperatures down in the river and the weather is to be reasonably settled and cooler with a chance of some rain this week that may trigger off further improvements. The catches have been disappointing recently but catches increased substantially this past week giving renewed optimism for the coming weeks assuming more fish enter the system.
This past week saw water levels drop and settle after a big spate and sport improved and spread 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 16th August)
SALMON & GRILSE: Almondmouth 14, Lower Redgorton 6, Luncarty 2, Fishponds 3, Benchil 1, Catholes Stanley 1, Upper Scone 6, Pitlochrie 2, Stobhall 8, Taymount 14, Ballathie 4, Cargill 9, Islamouth 7, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 5, Kercock 10, Glendelvine 1, Murthly 2 11, Newtyle 5, Dunkeld House 1, Dalmarnock 1, Dalguise 2, Lower Kinnaird 4, Upper Kinnaird 1, Edradynate 2, Farleyer Upper 3, Farleyer Lower 2, Loch Faskally 1, Ruan Ruarie 2.
Total: 128 Largest: Murthly 2 21lbs
SEA TROUT: Waulkmill 1, Upper Redgorton 3, Taymount 7, Cargill 4, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 1, Murthly 2 2, Dalguise 1, Lower Kinnaird 4, Portnacraig Pitlochry 2.
Total: 25 Largest: Cargill & Lower Kinnaird & Portnacraig Pitlochry 4lbs
Lower Tay.
The summer fishing is well underway on the lower river with fish running the river at last. Sea Trout have been an added bonus this summer but a strengthening run is appearing which hopefully will develop into a good autumn run. The lower beats below Stanley continued to struggle and find life difficult as fish ran through without showing much and stopping however Almondmouth landed fish in better numbers strengthening the feeling fish are starting to run in better numbers. 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. Fish were also caught on Lower Redgorton, Luncarty and Fishponds. On Luncarty Steven Sowersby caught 2 fish up to 11 pounds on spinner on Wednesday and Samantha Datta and
Thomas Black caught grilse on the fly from Fishponds. Upper Scone had a better week with Swiss anglers catching a few fish. 3 were landed in Horsey on Saturday on the Pitlochrie beat with
Patrick Ern catching all 3 up to 15 pounds on a Vision. Horsey also yielded grilse on the fly for Bob White and
Ian Kettles caught a 14 pounds beauty in the Long Shot at Benchil. Peter French caught an 11 pounds fish in the Black Stones on the Catholes. This past week saw improvements in catches off Taymount and Stobhall with over 20 caught on the beats. Ballathie and Cargill continued their good spell with some good catches and cracking fish. On Ballathie John Milligan enjoyed success on the fly with fish up to 16 pounds.
On Cargill Bob Smith had a red letter day landing fish up to 20 pounds on Thursday. Islamouth also faired better as conditions improved in the week for fly fishing with 2 good days at the end of the week.
Meikleour and Upper Islamouth had a good day on Wednesday with Kenneth McNaughton land 2 of 5 fish landed in the day.
Middle Tay.
The catches further upstream improved, as conditions changed at long last as the salmon ran freely up the river with improving runs and more water. Kercock had a much better week with 7 caught from the beat on Saturday and others landed during the week making a total of 10.
There was a first ever fish for Tom Adams caught on a Toby on his first day out on Saturday. Gary Scholes and John Burdett caught fish up to 10 pounds on fly and Mark Thomson caught a 20 pounds fish on a Toby. Murthly 2 had a good week landing several fish up to 21 pounds. Newtyle benefitted from the increase in water levels as fish spread in the system.
The Burnston family had a memorable day on Tuesday and Wednesday with Martin landing his first ever salmon from the Cotter and other members loosing fish from the boat.
The next day 13 year old Jake caught his first salmon, a 5 pounds grilse. Peter Dobson and Jack Hopper also had success off the beat with fish up to 18 pounds.
There was another first for John Elliot at Dunkeld House with a 20 pounds fish caught on his second day out from the Rock pool on a Toby. Dalmarnock reported 1 fish in the week. On Dalguise Malcolm Bennett landed a couple of fish on the fly form the beat including a good 20 pounds fish from the Guay pool on his birthday.
The Kinnaird beats reported odd fish last week with 8 year old Casper Von Oheimb landing his first ever fish on his first cast weighing an impressive 12 pounds.
Upper Tay.
This area has started to fish again with the recent rain. Fish were caught from Edradynate and the Farleyer beats.
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 4000. Loch Faskally reported odd fish and Corin Smith caught 2 fish up to 10 pounds on Ruan Ruarie.
Isla & Ericht.
Salmon are now freely running the Isla and Ericht with rising water levels however nothing was reported last week. Dougy Morrison has reported salmon and grilse running the Ericht with several fish caught. This week also saw the glorious 12th and the opening of the Grouse season. Dougy successful achieved a double McNab for one client on the 12th and then a male and female team achieved successful McNabs on the 13th as well. These feats all included first salmon catches ever for the people concerned. Perthshire certainly is a big sporting county with massive tourist potential for country pursuits. Hopefully more details to follow.
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.
Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.
No comments:
Post a Comment