Salmon Fishing Scotland.: Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 23rd March 2020.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 23rd March 2020.

It has been another eventful week for several reasons. There have been more spring salmon caught on the Stanley beats and the Coronavirus has really hit us with dire consequences.

The week started well with settled water levels and ideal conditions which improved as the week progressed. On Monday Alistair Sheach caught an 8 pounds salmon from Pitlochrie pool on a Devon. Tuesday drew a blank but on Wednesday the Upper Scone guys had a cracking 15 pounds fin clipped springer from Pitlochrie pool on the Harl, landed by Stephen Paterson. This was extremely good news as it was a fish reared on the rivers hatchery at Almondbank. There was clearly great conditions and frustration of the lack of action on the beats but alas that was short lived with 3 springers landed on Saturday.

Tim Greenfields party had fished for three days, although depleted by the Coronavirus problems without success despite a real sterling effort. They had to leave at lunchtime leaving the beat for me to have a cast. In the afternoon I managed to land a couple of fish on the fly from Woodside and Back Dam on the Catholes up to 10 pounds. Further downstream the Upper Scone team had a fish on the fly of a similar size from Horsey on the Pitlochrie beat.

On the Coronavirus front we at Stanley without hesitation say If you cannot make your booking due to the Coronavirus we will offer you a refund or reschedule it for a similar priced day, even carrying it forward to next season if wanted without question. This includes bookings made on Fishpal.

With regard to next week, we currently have superb spring fishing conditions at Stanley with cold water and a dropping river if you can make it with the ever increasing restrictions. I may have to just go out and fish myself!

Tackle advice on Stanley beats.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method should be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer.

Fly Rods.
The Tay is a large river especially when running at a normal level and even in lower levels you are fishing another river within the mighty one so therefore a 15 foot fly rod for a 10 weight line is certainly minimum requirement for much of the season. Do not come under gunned. In some parts of the river where it is especially wide even longer rods are used. It should be noted however that it is better to cast a shorter controlled line than try to cast out with your capabilities and have the lines end up in a mess and decrease your chances.

Fly Lines.

In early season when the water is cold you need to cast larger flies and get them

deeper in the water to fish them slowly. There is a tremendous choice on the market nowadays which can be quite confusing to many anglers. Any type of Skagit line that can easily cast a 15 foot sinking leader of various depths is a good choice especially to the less experienced. Rio Game Changers plus a tip of choice attached are currently a great bet as these lines enable you to cast a longer line than normal with ease. For more experienced anglers, there are a vast array of shooting heads of different sinking abilities available as well.

Spinning Rods.

You should have a minimum of a 10 foot rod for casting baits of 20gm to 60gms.

Line.

A main line of 20 pounds in nylon or 30 pounds in braid. You should use a lesser poundage far a cast such as 15 pounds so if you get caught up on the bottom you do not lose a large part of your main line.

Baits.

Tobies from 18gm upwards. Toby Salmos are very popular in 30gms. Conventional weighted Devon’s are good especially in the Spring. Rapalas and Vision 110’s are very effective.

The Stanley beats are steeped in history and this year we have reduced the available rods to 4 giving you far more opportunity and value for money. We are fly fishing friendly as well. Look forward to seeing you on the beats. Feel free to contact us direct on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com or 07979528134/01738827416.