Salmon Fishing Scotland.: Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 9th March 2020.

Sunday, March 8, 2020

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 9th March 2020.

It has been and eventful week with three Spring salmon landed on our beats, one on Pitlochrie and two on the Catholes at Stanley, Perthshire.
The week started off with coloured water on Monday but it was dropping and clearing steadily. Tuesday saw Roddy MacKay and Calum Walker fishing on Catholes in superb conditions however only 2 Kelts were landed to everyones disappointment.

Wednesday was the day again as it was the previous Wednesday when I caught 2 on the fly. We had 2 fish during the day with one caught on each beat. Firstly Gleneagles guide, Gerry Rattrey caught a small springer down the Stanley bank of the Pitlochrie beat at the 5 Trees on a Toby weighing approximately 6 pounds. In the afternoon we concentrated on the Catholes where Alistair Sheach caught a superb 17 pounds springer on the fly from the Woodside.

There were no contacts on Thursday despite Kenny Johnstone trying hard in every pool on the Catholes beat. On Friday Belgium lady, Anne Emsens was extremely unlucky hooking a good fish after a few casts in the Wash House but alas after about 5 minutes playing the fish it came off.

On Saturday James Holder caught a lovely springer in the Byers on the fly from the bank approximately 10 pounds on the Catholes.

The prospects for next week look good although there maybe a bit of unsettled water at the start but yet again a colder forecast should settle the river back to perfect heights for Stanley. The big cold water seems to be helping the beats making any fish progress slowly up giving great opportunity to catch that elusive springer.

A video of last weeks activities.

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.