Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire great destination to catch a springer.
The Tay is a superb destination to catch spring salmon as it has the strongest run of any river in Scotland and the quality of salmon caught surpasses other rivers through its shear volume. The Tay produces larger salmon which has been evident over the last few springs. Fish in the upper teens, twenties and even the odd thirty pounds spring salmon are landed.
The spring period from January to May continues to be a positive part of the season, 2015 saw a similar catch to 2014 and this represented a 13.8 % increase on the 5 year average. The 5 year average to the end of May is 1430, in 2014 1629 fish were recorded on Fishtay and in 2015 the total was 1628. This confirms the trend starting on the Tay three years ago with much better spring fishing. In 2015 the early spring was steady but the late spring was very positive especially for the middle river confirming the spring proportion of the catch on the Tay is increasing year on year with this years catch being 30 % of the total. We are continuing to see the start of a change in the cycles as in the past. Further evidence of this phenomenon was the superb June ending the 2015 spring run. There is no reason that 2016 can not be on the same lines, expectation and anticipation is high.
Early in the season in cold water largely determines the catches with the beats around Stanley performing best such as Fishponds, Upper Redgorton, Upper Scone, Benchil, Pitlochrie, Catholes, Burnmouth, Taymount and Stobhall then as the water warms up the emphasis changes to the middle river in the Dunkeld area, Murthly, Kercock, Meikleour, Islamouth, Cargill and Ballathie as the fish have more energy to travel further without stopping and the fish spread. Also at this time the Tummel starts to see action with fish travelling up to Pitlochry Dam. The Tay always has enough water as it is the largest river by volume in the country and salmon run it every day of the year.
The river offers boat and bank fishing on most beats and there are daily rods available throughout the river. Famous early pools spring to mind such as Aitken Head, Horsey, Wash House, Pitlochrie pool, Back Dam, Little Head, Slap, Burnmouth pool and Linn pool on the lower river in the Stanley area. The middle river offers the Ash Tree, Rock pool, Cathedral Stream, Ferry pool, Cotter, Tronach, Garth, Boat pool, Cottage pool, Islamouth, Castle and the Long Head, all iconic names associated with the Tay. Whether you prefer to fly or spin on every beat they can accommodate your demands and the ghillies are there to help and guide you. It is a large river but in early season you do not have to cast a long way as the fish creep up the edges and tend to be in quieter water.
As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Favoured lures include Devons, Toby Salmos, Vision 110’s, Temple Dogs and Monkey flies. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.
Popular hotels to stay in the area are the Tayside Hotel in Stanley, Ballathie House, The Meikleour Arms and the Royal Dunkeld Hotel.
The Tay in Perthshire is a prime spring salmon fishing destination so why not give it a go?
Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White
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