Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon fishing report w/e 27th January 2018.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon fishing report w/e 27th January 2018.

The river Tay opened on the 15th January undeterred in slightly milder conditions for a couple of days before returning to cold frosty conditions again, scores of anglers flocked to the banks of the river to mark the opening of the salmon season with great publicity in the press and on television. The various issues and activities appeared on Television, Radio and Press giving the river extremely high exposure that was invaluable. It has been a reasonably quiet start to the season with good water by and large but cold.

The second week has seen a similar weather pattern continue however there has been a big river from rain and snow melt settling to higher water levels and good conditions for fishing by the end of the week. Expectation is high on the river for 2018 after a string of successful springs over the last 5 years and hopefully settled weather over the coming weeks will give everyone a chance of landing a spring “Bar of Silver”.

Beat catches reported
(week ending 27th January)
SALMON & GRILSE: Catholes 1, Upper Scone 1, Glendelvine 1, Dunkeld House 1.
Total: 4 Largest: Glendelvine 15lbs
SEA TROUT: Lower Redgorton 3, Delvine Burnbane 1.
Total: 4 Largest: Delvine Burnbane 2lbs

Odd Spring salmon were landed last week in mixed weather and river conditions favouring those who braved the elements in some cases. The river is settling back nicely for the coming week with a colder forecast returning. Four fresh spring salmon were recorded last week. It is early yet with only small runs coming into the river and fluctuating weather can make fishing difficult. Some of the fish that have been caught are memorable as typical Tay specimens due to their size and depth. Hopefully there will be a lot more of them to come. A lovely fresh sea liced 14 pounds fish was caught on the Slap on the Catholes at Stanley earlier in the week in challenging conditions by James Carson fishing with a Rapala. A big spate then arrived curtailing fishing for a couple of days but then Dunkeld House got off the mark with a 14 pounds fish from the boat. Saturday saw even better conditions however only a couple came off the river.

Glendelvine had a 15 pounds cracker landed by Mike Fertaz and Jim McCaig landed a 12 pounds fish from Pitlochrie pool at Stanley with Upper Scone. These were disappointing figures but with a settling river the coming week should see improved catches.

The Spring Salmon fishing was well and truly underway after all the excitement of opening day’s celebrations. It has been a quiet start but 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