Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 8th June 2020.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 8th June 2020. 

It has a reasonable week on the river at Stanley primarily down at Benchil. Water levels are perfect for the beat and for fly fishing. There have not been many rods out due to the regulations limit on distance people can travel however a few local rods did have a go and there were fish caught. We recorded 2 cracking summer salmon and a couple of Sea Trout. There have not been many showing but fish are obviously travelling through the lower beats which is encouraging.

The salmon action came on Saturday with myself having a cast in the morning for a couple of hours! I landed a Sea Trout in the Little Shot fly fishing then went back in to hook and land a lovely fresh salmon of about 12 pounds on the next cast! I called it quits after that!

In the afternoon James McKay from Perth caught an impressive 14 pounder in the Skellies at the top of the beat on a flying C. Both fish were released 

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.
Please note we are observing the distance ruling and it will only be available for local people to the area.

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