Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 6th July 2020.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Stanley beats, Tay, Perthshire Report and Prospects for W/C 6th July 2020. 

The weather in the last week has made fishing difficult with daily fluctuations in river heights however we had 3 lovely summer salmon from the Horsey Pool on the Pitlochrie beat at Stanley and there was certainly evidence of salmon running. Hopefully the weather will settle down in the coming week and enable some better sport.
This video is a compilation of the catches.

There was a little window on Wednesday between river rises enabling me to land a 14 pounds fish at the tail of Horsey having had 3 other offers as well on the fly.

Friday saw much better conditions with Alistair Sheach landing a cracking 12 pounds fish again from the tail of Horsey. I also had an older fish at about 10 pounds on the fly.

I have since learned of 2 fish up to 15 pounds landed on Benchil caught by a Perth and District Angler member on a flying C. A Sea Trout came off Luncarty earlier in the week for Ed Slaven.

Hopefully the weather will ease up this week to give better opportunities. There has been more water on Sunday to hopefully drop and settle for Monday. The river is running at around 4' with water temperatures at 60F/15C and salmon are running. Sport could be terrific over the coming weeks.

Tackle advice on Stanley beats. 

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method the elusive Tay Salmon.

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 summer when the water is warmer you will be using smaller flies and conventional floating lines with tips to give you the best possible chance. There is a tremendous choice on the market nowadays which can be quite confusing to many anglers. Rio Game Changers or Scandi lines 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. I use a Rio long Spey at this time of year plus a tip as I hate pulling all that shooting line back in each cast. A Mid Spey may be an option 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. 

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White