Sunday, May 31, 2020

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fishing resumes at Stanley on the Tay, Perthshire cautiously.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fishing resumes at Stanley on the Tay, Perthshire cautiously. 

Salmon fishing has started again since Friday and we welcome this but under limited circumstances and cautiously for phase 1 on the ease of the lockdown from the Coronavirus.

This is taken from the Scottish Gamekeepers Assocaition web site. 
Commenting on the announcement that local area fishing can take place in Scotland as of Friday (29th May), Charlie Whelan, ambassador for The SGA Fishing Group, said: 
"We look forward to seeing a few more local people back out enjoying the wonderful rivers and fisheries in their communities and the high quality angling experiences on offer in Scotland.
“This move will benefit people’s mental and physical wellbeing and it will also be great to see kids back out fishing within their family groups.
“We reiterate the First Minister’s view. Anglers and those providing angling need to be respectful of the national progress made in keeping the virus in check. They need to make responsible judgements.
“That way, the angling community will be playing an important part in potentially getting more things opened up in future. 
“We have fielded questions regarding how far people can travel and what they can and can’t do, and circumstances can be different. Everyone angling and providing angling must ensure that travelling remains within the local area and that all other measures such as social distancing and minimising the risk of transmission of Covid 19 can be achieved.”
The SGA Fishing Group made its case to Scottish Ministers that local area angling could meet Government's safety threshold as it considered lockdown easing measures.

A limited amount of fishing has taken place at Stanley by people who are local and not had to drive a great distance to the beats. On Friday Gerry Rattrey caught a lovely fresh sea trout around 3 pounds on a Sunray then Jonny Muir caught a superb sea liced 12 pounds salmon from the Long Shot at Benchil on Saturday evening, again on fly.  Not a bad start in this bright weather.


The prospects for the coming week look good for the beats, especially Benchil that suits low water. There are certainly fish running in the river and we are coming into a good period for summer salmon fishing. Currently the river is running just over 1 foot at Ballathie and just about 60F/15.5C.
Fishing is bank only from the Stanley bank until July.

Tackle advice on Stanley beats. 

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method is permitted to catch the elusive Tay Salmon but we encourage fly fishing as we have some of the nicest streams and pools to fish on any part of the river.


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.
We are now in Summer therefore conventional floating lines with tips would be the best choice. 

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. 

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

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