Thursday, March 31, 2016

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon caught Fly Fishing on Tay, Perthshire March 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon caught Fly Fishing on Tay, Perthshire March 2016.

The Tay in Perthshire is having another steady spring fishing week with now over 40 springers landed throughout the river. Conditions have been good with excellent opportunities for fly fishing.
Roger Worth plays a lively salmon in the Wash House on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley.
Successfully landed! Roger catches a bar of silver and Sarah Hinchliffe has silver on her finger! Congratulations to Roger and Sarah for getting engaged yesterday on a spring fishing trip to the Tay.
Danny Fulton plays a springer in Horsey.
A lively fish!
A picture prior to release.

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay District Salmon Fishery Board Open Meeting.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay District Salmon Fishery Board Open Meeting.

The TDSFB are to hold an open meeting in the Birnam Institute, Birnam, Perthshire at 7pm on Thursday 31st March 2016.


The meeting is welcome to all to air their views on the river what ever the issues.

There will be 2 presentations made during the meeting and there will be an open forum the air views and take questions on the river.

Tay Board Chairman Bill Jack will give a presentation on the river.

David Summers will give a presentation on the current activities of the Tay Board.

Please put this in your diaries and make it a fruitful and constructive evening. All WELCOME


Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Report for W/E 26th March 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Report for W/E 26th March 2016.

Spring salmon fishing on the Tay in Perthshire is now approaching April with a spate running off to give excellent conditions for fishing in slightly colder weather and settling water levels plus catches are improving. Expectation is high on the river for 2016 after successful springs in 2015, 2014 and 2013 and hopefully settled weather will continue with an improving run in February to give everyone a chance of landing a spring “Bar of Silver”.

Spring salmon were landed throughout last week with much milder weather and catches have spread with higher river temperatures. The week produced another good week with 75 fish landed and the biggest one recorded was an 18 pounds fish from Farleyer. It is early yet with only small runs coming into the river and very cold weather is not making fishing easy but continued milder weather in the coming week may encourage more fish to run the river. The spring fish that have been caught so far have been superb quality and of a good size.

Beat catches reported
(week ending 26th March)
SALMON & GRILSE: Fishponds 1, Benchil 1, Catholes 6, Pitlochrie 4, Burnmouth 8, Taymount 4, Ballathie 2, Cargill 3, Islamouth 12, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 5, Kercock 1, Glendelvine 1, Murthly 2 3, Newtyle 3, Dalmarnock 2, Dalguise 1, Lower Kinnaird 3, Farleyer Upper 1, Farleyer Lower 4, Loch Tay Fish n' Trips 5, Coupar Grange 4, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1.
Total: 75 Largest: Farleyer Upper 18lbs
SEA TROUT: Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 1, Upper Kinnaird 6.
Total: 7 Largest: Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 3lbs

The majority of the salmon continue to be caught in the lower river, which is understandable with the cold conditions and a few fish have been running giving improving results further up the river including odd fish from Loch Tay now as fish start to spread in the system. The beats around Stanley traditionally lead the way in these conditions in early spring and should be a barometer for the runs.
Fishponds was the lowest beat to catch. Richard Jaeger caught a superb 8 pounds fish on the fly from Lodge End. Just above Benchil produced a 9 pounds fish for Chris Rae’s party on Saturday from the Long shot.
The Pitlochrie beat produced throughout the week with Hamish Murray having an outstanding day last Monday with 3 fish in the day up to 12 pounds all caught casting a Devon from bank and boat.
Later in the week Tim Greenfield had a superb 14 pounds fish casting the fly from the bank in Cawn Pore.
Catholes produced fish on most days in the week with Gerry Rattray catching on the fly from the Woodside casting from the boat on Monday. James Barclay also had a good fish casting the fly from the bank in Erics on the same day. Tuesday saw Paul Clayworth land a good 9 pounds fish casting a Devon from the boat in the Black Stones.
Billy Graham had a good day on the beat on Wednesday landing 2 fish up to 13 pounds from the Slap and Erics on Tobies. Later in the week Tim Greenfield caught a cracking 11 pounds fish casting the fly form the boat in the Woodside at the top of the Catholes. Burnmouth had a good week with several fish landed. They had a great start to the week with 4 on Monday up to 17 pounds. Taymount had a reasonable week with 4 fish including a 7 pounds fish for Graham Leslie. Ballathie and Cargill produced fish as well in the week.
On Ballathie Simon Rutherford caught a lovley 8 pounds fish on Saturday against the odds with the river rising rapidly.
Cargill had 3 in the week with David Golding landing a 6 pounds fish from the boat. Robbie Graham caught from the Pot shot and Micheal Martin had a lovely sea liced 8lber on the fly.
Islamouth had an excellent week with fish most days up to 16 pounds.
Earlier in the week Ian kettles landed a good fish on the fly then Andy Hindhaugh, Ian Michell and Charlie Martin all caught mostly at the junction of the Isla on fly towards the end of the week.
Meikleour and Upper Islamouth had a better week with 7 fish up to 16 pounds. Fish were landed by Craig Hood and Alan Cockburn.
The middle river is fairing much better with rising river temperatures. Kercock caught a fish on Monday and Glendelvine managed one on Thursday. The Murthly beats keep producing most days. Newtyle had 3 in the week with David Gardiner landing a 9 pounds fish from the Lairds Bank and Roberto Fraga catching a 10 pounds fish from the Cotter on the fly. Dalmarnock managed 2 at the end of the week with Will Park catching a 14 pounds fish from Sowerby and Archie Brydon landing a good fish fro the Bank Pool on a Salmo. On Dalguise a fish was caught by Graham McIntyre on a Toby from the Bridge pool. The Kinnaird beats had fish in the week as well.

The upper river is starting to see improved sport with the Farleyer beats catching 5 in the week up to 18 pounds. Up on the Loch Fish n’ Trips had a reasonable week with 5 fish. Owner Grant Tigwell had several in the week up to 16 pounds. The Tummel is also seeing improved sport with Gordon Hanslip landing a 10 pounds fish on a Spinner from the Port-na-Craig beat administered by Pitlochry Angling Club.

The Isla are seeing salmon run up the river with Coupar Grange reporting 4 in the week.

The Spring Salmon fishing season is now entering April and expectation remains very high after previous good springs. Last weeks catches continued to be heartening after the slow start and bad weather. Let us hope this is a sign of an upturn in catches as last April proved. It has been a reasonable start so let us hope the season lives up to every one’s expectations over the coming weeks and months. Tight lines!

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 28th March 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 28th March 2016.

The Salmon fishing season on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland is now about to enter April and we have been encountering some milder weather last week after colder conditions giving excellent conditions for anglers to brave the elements in pursuit of that magical spring salmon however that has changed and we have had a spate over the weekend putting the river up which may continue to improve catches. Spring salmon are running the river and catches have improved over the last month. The weather hopefully will remain settled over the coming week which should help and give the river more settled conditions and benefit the river to give a greater chance of producing some sport and some early "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.
Currently the river is falling away slowly after a spate on Saturday from heavy rain and snow melt (around 7’ on the Ballathie gauge).
The weather was milder over last week with some sun however that changed with a large drop in pressure giving us heavy rain on Saturday. Milder temperatures have given the river more water from snow melt plus the rain. This current week looks far more unsettled and returning to colder conditions with frosts at night. Colder conditions certainly benefit the river at this time of year slowing the spring salmon run down and giving everyone a chance to catch as they run up the river slowly. Colder weather will settle the river back to good levels and make ideal spring fishing conditions. The water temperature has risen to around 43 degrees Fahrenheit or 6 degrees Celsius but may drop with a colder forecast. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The temperature has risen slightly with no frosts at night and higher day time temperatures, this may encourage more salmon to run resulting in fish being caught well up the system. The lower river around Stanley seems to be the hot spot currently in the colder conditions and this confirms historical results in the past but as the temperature has risen and fish will run further and catches will spread. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river. There will no doubt be quite a few kelts about on many beats. Should you require guidance on salmon identification at this time of year please see this link for some help.
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. 20 pounds main line with a 15 pounds leader plus favoured lures include Devons, Toby Salmos, Vision 110’s and Rapalas, for spinning and Temple Dogs, Tubes, larger flies and Monkies for fly fishing. The Tay is a large river but modern lines such as Skagits or iflights make tuning over and casting larger flies easier and the fish tend to be near the bank in larger waters. 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. 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.
The Tay Ghillies Association are continuing their popular 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. Full details of this initiative.
Popular hotels to stay in the area are the Tayside Hotel in Stanley, Ballathie House, The Meikleour Arms, The Anglers Inn in Guildtown, Murrayshall Hotel, Scone and the Royal Dunkeld Hotel.
The Tay in Perthshire is a prime spring salmon fishing destination so why not give it a go?
Finally, you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January – 1st April 2016 is that all spring salmon must be released, i.e. the Tay has a policy of 100% mandatory release of all salmon caught under the new Scottish Government Statutory Conservation Regulation. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the release of salmon as it is a now legal requirement during this period even if a fish has died. The Board's bailiff team will be enforcing this new legislation.
The Tay's policy for April and May is that all spring salmon should be released, i.e. the Tay has adopted a policy of 100% catch and release for spring salmon. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please help preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the recommendations. It is vital the river system follows these guides to ensure the draconian rules do not get extended in seasons to come.
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. Further information on the policy and good 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.

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Friday, March 25, 2016

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fly Fishing on Tay, Perthshire March 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Salmon Fly Fishing on Tay, Perthshire March 2016.

The Tay in Perthshire is seeing excellent conditions for spring fly fishing with lower water levels and a reasonable run of salmon now running right up the river with slowly rising water temperatures. This current week has now seen over 50 spring salmon landed off various beats from Stanley to Loch Tay.
Casting a good line in the Gean Tree on the Catholes at Stanley.
Tim Greenfield plays a lively springer on the fly from the boat at the top of the Catholes.
A superb 11 pounds fish prior to release.
Gerry Rattray with a good fish caught on the fly again from the Catholes casting from an anchored boat in the Woodside.

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Salmon Fishing Scotland March 2016 Spring Salmon Fishing on Tay, Perthshire.

Salmon Fishing Scotland March 2016 Spring Salmon Fishing on Tay, Perthshire.

The spring salmon fishing action has been maintained on the Tay, Perthshire this week with continued good catches. The high pressure dominance of the last couple of weeks with blue skies is about to disappear which may give us more water and an a further encouragement for salmon to run our mighty river.
Andy Murray with his son Hamish with a superb spring salmon caught on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley.
Ian Kettles with a cracker caught on the fly from Sandyford on the Islamouth beat.
Billy Graham with a silver beauty caught in Erics on the Catholes.
Another cracker for Hamish Murray with Stanley Mills in the background.


Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Report for W/E 19th March 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Report for W/E 19th March 2016.

Spring salmon fishing on the Tay in Perthshire is now well into March with excellent conditions for fishing in milder weather and settling water levels plus catches are improving. Expectation is high on the river for 2016 after successful springs in 2015, 2014 and 2013 and hopefully settled weather will continue with an improving run in February to give everyone a chance of landing a spring “Bar of Silver”.

Spring salmon were landed throughout last week with much milder weather and catches have spread with higher river temperatures. The week produced the best catch of the season so far with 77 fish landed and the biggest one recorded was a 25 pounds fish from Islamouth. It is early yet with only small runs coming into the river and very cold weather is not making fishing easy but continued milder weather in the coming week may encourage more fish to run the river. The spring fish that have been caught so far have been superb quality and of a good size.

Beat catches reported
(week ending 19th March)
SALMON & GRILSE: Benchil 1, Catholes 6, Upper Scone 5, Pitlochrie 4, Burnmouth 4, Stobhall 5, Taymount 10, Ballathie 2, Cargill 4, Islamouth 7, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 2, Delvine Burnbane 1, Glendelvine 2, Murthly 2 7, Newtyle 3, Dunkeld House 2, Dalguise 3, Upper Kinnaird 1, Farleyer Upper 1, Loch Tay Fish n' Trips 1, Coupar Grange 2, Ericht Fishing 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 2.
Total: 77 Largest: Islamouth 25lbs
SEA TROUT: Delvine Burnbane 2.
Total: 2 Largest: Delvine Burnbane 4lbs

The majority of the salmon continue to be caught in the lower river, which is understandable with the cold conditions and a few fish have been running giving improving results further up the river including odd fish from Loch Tay now as fish start to spread in the system. The beats around Stanley traditionally lead the way in these conditions in early spring and should be a barometer for the runs. Benchil was the lowest beat on the river to produce with Alex Graham landing a lovely 8 pounds fish on a Toby from the Boat Hole. The Pitlochrie beat proved fruitful for Upper Scone and Stanley Fishings. Earlier in the week Pitlochrie pool was productive for Ian Kettles who landed a 17 pounds salmon on a Toby,
Later Brian Fratel from Farlows in London caught a 15 pounds fish on a Toby while on Saturday
Jamie and Andrew McCaig caught caught a couple of fish of 20 seconds of each other weighing up to 14 pounds. Later that day Jamie also landed a lovely fish on the fly from Horsey. The Wash House pool was also a good spot this past week with fish being landed on fly and spinner.
John Milligan from Ballathie House caught a superb 10 pounds fish casting the fly from the anchored boat as did top fashion designer
John Rocha later in the week. Catholes continued to produce spring salmon on a regular basis with
James Holder landing a cracking 14 pounds fish casting the fly from the boat in the Little Head. Simon Brown and Mark Taylor also caught from the beat on Devons up to 13 pounds.
Peter Scott also landed a good spring fish from the beat on a Devon in the Little Head casting from the boat. Burnmouth caught 4 fish in the week. Taymount and Stobhall continue to catch on a regular basis. At the end of the week fish were caught by Danny Fulton, Dougie Wangert and Brian Stobie.
Earlier Terry Booth and John Hutcheon landed fish up to 13 pounds taking the beat to over 50 fish for the season so far. Ballathie and Cargill continued to catch fish in the week.
Earlier in the week Ballathie had a couple of fish with Doug Reilly and Derek Strachan both catching fish up to 12 pounds on Devons.
Cargil had a good week with 4 fish caught up to 19 pounds by Neil French.
Islamouth did a bit better with 7 fish in the week up to 25 pounds in weight as water levels dropped and suited the beat much better for fly fishing. Alan Fraser was amongst the successful rods landing a 10 pounds fish casting from the boat.
Meikleour and Upper Islamouth caught a couple in the week up to 14 pounds.

The middle river catches are improving with rising water temperatures.
Delvine and Burnbane had a cracking 19 pounds fish caught by Mike Elgie under the stewardship of Jimmy Lapsey. Glendelvine landed a couple and the Murthly beats continued to do well with 7 coming from Murthly 2. Mark Findlay, a Perth & District member caught a lovely fish about 12 pounds from the lower Murthly beat earlier in the week. Newtyle landed 3 in the week with Colin Halliday catching a 9 pounds fish from the Lairds Cast on a Toby Salmo. Dunkeld House had a couple in the week up to 19 pounds from the boat. Dalguise got their season well and truly off the mark with 3 fish in the week. Fish were caught on the fly from the Guay pools and the Bridge pool. There was a fish from Upper Kinnaird in the week as well as Upper Farleyer. Stuart Lang had a 12 pounds fish from Loch Tay at Fish n Trips.
A couple of fish came from Pitlochry Dam in the week with Saul MacKay landing a fresh run 12 pounds fish from the Port-na-Craig beat then on Saturday Alistair Hamilton caught a superb fish estimated at 24 pounds from the town bank on the fly.

Fish have started to run up the Isla and even nose into the Ericht with fish registered in both rivers. Coupar Grange had a fish and Dougie Morrison reported 3 fish from his syndicate beats lower down the Isla.

The current week has got off to a flying start with 18 springers registered on Monday with the Stanley beats doing well. Hamish Murray from the Borders caught 3 salmon from the Pitlochrie beat on a Devon and other good catches were reported from Catholes, Burnmouth, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth. Could it be an even better week? Let us hope so as we go into Easter.

The Spring Salmon fishing season is now in March and expectation remains very high after previous good springs. Last weeks catches continued to be heartening after the slow start and bad weather. Let us hope this is a sign of an upturn in catches as last March proved. It has been a reasonable start so let us hope the season lives up to every one’s expectations over the coming weeks and months. Tight lines!

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

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