Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for the Week ending 12th May 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Report for the Week ending 12th May 2012.

The catches were reasonable last week despite unsettled water levels at the end of the week. The quality of spring salmon remained high and the appearance of bigger salmon up to 26 pounds in weight was again encouraging.

Settled conditions prevailed for most of the week with river levels falling away until heavy rain on Thursday brought the river up and unsettled the river. By the end of the week the water levels had risen a bit which was no bad thing. Success was reasonable throughout the week but dropped off at the end of the week with unsettled water levels. The quality was again exceptional with more multi sea winter salmon landed. The river temperature was around 48F or 9C due to the colder weather but this did not stop salmon running and spreading the catches. Salmon continue to be caught from top to bottom in the river with others caught and not registered meaning fish are running through rapidly and progressing upstream which encourages everyone.

There were 97 salmon reported with the largest salmon an impressive 26 pounds caught on the Dalmarnock beat by newly married lady angler Sam Datta. There was also a salmon of 25 pounds caught at Stobhall by Mark Scruton fly fishing. Spring salmon were landed throughout the system from the Lower River to the Upper River.

Beat catches reported
(week ending 12th May)
SALMON & GRILSE: Fishponds 1, Benchil and Pitlochrie 1, Stobhall 4, Taymount 3, Ballathie 2, Cargill 6, Islamouth 9, Lower and Upper Islamouth 13, Upper Islamouth and Meikleour House 3, Kercock 3, Murthly 2 13, Newtyle 5, Dunkeld House 4, Dalmarnock 6, Dalguise 4, Lower Kinnaird 4, Findynate 1, Farleyer Upper 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 7, Loch Faskally 6.
Total: 97 Largest: Dalmarnock 26lbs
SEA TROUT: Lower Redgorton 1, Lower and Upper Islamouth 1, Keithick Mains 1.
Total: 3 Largest: Lower Redgorton & Lower and Upper Islamouth & Keithick Mains 3lbs

On the Lower River 39 were landed. The boats are now off the lower river from Stanley downwards and summer fishing has started. Most of the beats do summer permits at this time of year until the boats go back on in July. A few sea trout have started to appear this past week, which is encouraging. On Benchil local angler George McKinlay caught a lovely sea liced 15 pounds salmon on a Toby on Wednesday. Taymount and Stobhall caught salmon with Mark Scruton landing a cracking 25 pounds salmon fly fishing from the boat on Stobhall at Tams Corner and

Sandra Robbins was successful on Ladies day at Taymount catching a 15 pounds fish again on the fly and at Tams corner. Ballathie and Cargill were also successful during the week. Islamouth continues to be very productive landing 22 salmon for the week, which included 7 on Wednesday.

The Middle River registered 34. The middle river is seeing better sport now with more water. At Kercock Jim Lamb and Jim McEwan landed salmon up to 16 pounds. The Murthly 2 beat fishing Stenton and the Upper beat had its best week of the season with 13 salmon caught mostly fly fishing.

An 8 pounds fish from Stenton.
At Newtyle there was a first Tay spring salmon for

Norrie McLeod fly fishing in the Trap. Not content with that he promptly caught another from the same place on a deadly Golden Willie Gunn. Dave Cargill was also successful landing a 16 pounds beauty on a Salmo. Dunkeld House had a reasonable week with Bill Robbins landing a 17 pounds beauty on the fly and American visitor Mark Guidry landing a colourful fish on a Salmo. Further upstream at Dalmarnock it was a red letter day for Dr Sandip Datta and his new wife Sam on Friday. They got married in Dunkeld Cathedral 5 weeks ago. Sam was fishing the Clacken Taggart pool in the morning.

She landed a beautiful 26 pounds spring Salmon that was expertly netted by ghillie Colin Mcfadden. It was her biggest salmon to date, a fish of a lifetime. The fish was carefully released to continue its journey. Sandip then caught a 7 pounds springer, and Sam had great satisfaction in telling him it was a tiddler!

The Upper River produced 24. The Upper area of the system continued with a good spring and no doubt the increase in river height will really help it for the coming weeks. Dalguise had a salmon of 23 pounds on Tuesday with 2 others caught in the same day. Kinnaird were again successful and Raymond Doonan caught a cracking 10 pounds spring salmon fly fishing on the Upper Farleyer beat earlier in the week. Salmon continue to fly through the fish ladder at Pitlochry with the total now above 500. Loch Faskally are benefiting from this landing several salmon this past week. Despite the low water levels at Portnacraig salmon were landed on most days.

Dean McGowan had a good day on Saturday landing 2 salmon up to 13 pounds and other successful anglers included Neil MacLellan, Gordon Nichol and Patrick Hammond. The Pitlochry Club had the lower Tummel last week as well and Alistair Stephen landed a 10 pounds fish on the Greenbank fly fishing on Saturday. After all the rain the catches should improve this coming week and everyone will be relieved to see their lines coming round a bit quicker!

The Isla registered 0.

The Earn registered 0.

The Tay Conservation Dinner will be held at the Dunkeld Hilton Hotel on Saturday 20th October 2012.

Celebrate a Tay spring salmon with a Dalmore Tay Dram and contribute to the future of this mighty river. Dalmore distillery have created a unique expression of their single malt whisky and a generous donation from each bottle sold will be gifted to the Tay Foundation to support their work to protect and improve the river.

Many thanks for all the pictures everyone is sending of salmon and thanks to all who have sent me their individual fishing experiences on the river. I would be most grateful if you would continue to do the same by emailing robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in this report.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Prospects for week commencing 14th May 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Salmon Fishing Prospects for week commencing 14th May 2012.

The river was unsettled at the end of last week due to heavy rain on Thursday and there has been more heavy rain on Sunday which could unsettle the river for Monday. The forecast for the coming week is for more unsettled weather, but hopefully will not unsettle the river too much for the rest of the week. The fresh water should encourage salmon and sea trout to run and should still give the river a great chance of producing more good sport.

The weather will be more unsettled this week with a chance of rain but hopefully not hamper sport on the river. The water temperature is currently around 48 degrees Fahrenheit or 9 degrees Celsius due to the continuing colder snap but this should not hamper fishing as the catches again demonstrated last week. There might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river and hopefully the run will strengthen after fresh water to give us even more success.
Multi sea winter spring salmon continue to be caught as well which is very encouraging and the prospect of a large springer is a real possibility after a few bigger fish appeared last week.

Looking up through Wades Bridge at Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland.

As to methods, in settled conditions and rising river temperatures fishing by any method will be varied to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Fly fishing now will be with intermediates or floating line with a sinking tip and smaller tubes or a dressed fly. It is always worth a go with a Sun Ray as well. Spinning from the bank with Devons and Tobies are a good bet. It is even worth a go with a flying C as the fish become more active in warmer water. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned if cold conditions persist, wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.

Sunset at Benchil on the Lower Tay.

Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January - May 2012 is that all spring salmon should be released, i.e. the Tay has adopted a policy of 100% catch and release for spring salmon. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please help preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the recommendations.

To help you follow our guidelines I have included these helpful pointers.

How to SAFELY Release a Salmon
“The best method of releasing a salmon is to leave it in the water
and touch nothing but the hook with fingers or pliers.
“Whatever the method, care combined with speed, will give the fish the best chance of survival.”
Lee Wulff, Atlantic Salmon Journal Winter 1964/65

• Use barbless or pinched hooks
• Retrieve your fish quickly; release it immediately
• Keep the fish in the water
• Use rubber or knotless cotton net, if one must be used
• Cut the leader if necessary
• Remove the hook carefully
• Hold the fish gently in natural swimming position, facing upstream until it revives
• Don’t pump the fish. That is, don’t move the fish back and forth in the water.

How should hooks be removed?
Very Carefully
In quiet water, bring the wild salmon quickly within reach. Leaving the salmon in water and without squeezing it, remove the hook carefully with pliers or thumb and forefinger. If a net must be used, it should be rubber or knotless cotton. If necessary, cut the leader near the fly and spare the fish.

Stephen Paterson about to release a spring salmon at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.
The Science of Live Release
“Peer-reviewed science supports live release as a proven and effective conservation tool.”
Dr. Fred Whoriskey,
ASF Vice-President, Research & Environment

Studies in North America and Europe have shown live release works, and in some instances Atlantic salmon have been angled 2 and 3 times.
Science has shown that virtually all Atlantic salmon will survive when released, as long as the angler uses the proper techniques, refrains from angling in overly warm water, and does not overplay the Atlantic salmon.
Like athletes sprinting on a track, Atlantic salmon build up lactic acid in their muscle tissues when they are being played.
The Key is Oxygen – The fish need oxygen in order to recover and continue their journey.
To recover, Atlantic salmon need:
• careful handling by the angler to reduce stress
• to remain in the water where they can breathe and reduce the oxygen deficit in their tissues
• to be held in an upstream position for water to flow more easily across their gills

Photographing Your Spectacular Live Release Salmon.

Use a photo partner:

* Digital camera: make settings on the camera before you begin fishing or use a point and shoot film camera. Give it to your partner before the angling session.

* Whether a digital camera or a film camera, tell your partner to fill the frame, and take several images.

* If it is a film camera, be sure there is film in the camera. This may seem to be a simple matter, but mistakes do happen...

Let your Partner get into Position:

* Tell him/her what you are going to do. Alert your partner before you take the fish out of the water.

Support the Atlantic salmon:

* Carefully take the barbless hook out of the fish’s mouth. With rod tucked under your arm, move one hand to the base of the tail. With your other hand, support the fish under the forward part of its body. Keep it in the water, with the fish pointed upstream to help its recovery.

* If a third person is present, give him or her the rod to hold, so you can concentrate on the wild salmon.

Take the Picture Quickly:

* With your photo partner warned, raise the wild Atlantic salmon partially out of the water for less than five seconds - or consider leaving it semi-submerged for the photo instead!

Return the Fish to Continue its Spawning Run:

* Support the salmon underwater in a natural position facing the current, handling it as little as possible. Give it time to recover. The goal is for the wild salmon to swim away on its own.

* Digital cameras offer the opportunity to adjust the film speed to suit conditions. In low light, such as evening, morning, heavy cloud, or deep shadow, consider setting the speed to 400, to take care of both movement and the low light. Experiment beforehand on speeds above 400, as many digital images become heavily pixilated at greater sensitivity.

* Remember to adjust the white balance for deep shadow, to warm the image.

* Today’s print films even at 400 speeds are superb. Use 400-speed film at dawn, dusk or in shadow.

* Don’t forget to smile! Your photo is a valuable memory.

If you have any news or pictures of catches or experiences on the Tay and you would like to share them please email me on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in this report.

Tight lines.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Big Salmon on the Tay May 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Big Salmon on the Tay May 2012.

May 2012 continues to produce big multi sea winter salmon on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland. This week has seen 4 salmon caught over 20 pounds in weight so far.

It was a red letter day for Dr Sandip Datta and his new wife Sam on the Dalmarnock beat just above Dunkeld, Perthshire on Friday. They got married in Dunkeld Cathedral 5 weeks ago.Sam was fishing the Clacken Taggart pool in the morning. She landed a beautiful 26 pounds spring Salmon which was expertly netted by ghillie Colin Mcfadden. It was her biggest salmon to date, a fish of a lifetime. The fish was carefully released to continue its journey. Sandip then caught a 7 pounds springer, and Sam had great satisfaction in telling him it was a tiddler!! They had a fantastic day and are looking forward to going back for another day on the river soon. Great story and well done!

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Large Salmon caught Fly Fishing on the Tay 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Large Salmon caught Fly Fishing on the Tay 2012.

There was torrential rain in Tayside today but the salmon fishers were out in force on the Tay.

It was a good day for Mark Scruton on the Stobhall beat today despite the wild day. This was a 25 pounds spring salmon he caught fly fishing from the boat at Tams Corner casting a small Black and Yellow Tube fly. Well done Mark, have a dram tonight to warm up and celebrate a magnificent fish.


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Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay May 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fly Fishing on the Tay May 2012.

The current conditions are favouring fly fishing for salmon on the Tay with a low water height.

Lower Kinnaird continues to produce good sport for fly fishers with spring salmon being landed nearly every day. This was Mr P Kibler with a lovely 15 pounds spring salmon from the Island Stream caught fly fishing. Earlier in the week he caught a 16 pounds salmon from the Guay pool on a Monkey fly.


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Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Fishing on the lower Tay 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Summer Fishing on the lower Tay 2012.

The summer salmon fishing has started on the lower Tay from the start of May until the end of June. Currently all the boats are off the lower beats for maintenance and fishing is from the bank only until the start of July. Summer permits are available on most of the beats at reasonable prices.

This was George McKinlay from Perth with a cracking sea liced 15 pounds salmon caught in the Long Shot on the Benchil beat just below Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland today. Daily permits are available on Benchil/Pitlochrie for £25 plus VAT during May and June or you can take out a permit covering the whole period for £200.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fly Fishing on the Upper Tay May 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fly Fishing on the Upper Tay May 2012.

Salmon fishing on the Tay continues to produce good sport throughout the river and fly fishers are having success in the low water.

Raymond Doonan caught this cracking 10 pounds spring salmon fly fishing on the Upper Farleyer beat yesterday. The fish fell to a size 10 Cascade and was carefully returned back to the river. Well done Raymond.


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