Sunday, January 15, 2012

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day Prospects 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland River Tay Opening Day Prospects 2012.

The river Tay Salmon fishing season 2012 Opening day is now only a few hours away until the first day and the magical first cast. The excitement is building to the opening day ceremonies up and down the river with the best conditions for a number of years.

Steve Lomas, Manager of St Johnstone FC and former Manchester City, West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Northern Ireland midfielder, will “open” the salmon fishing season on the Tay at Dunkeld House on Monday January 16th. A ceremony, organised by the Dunkeld and Birnam Tourist and Angling Associations supported by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board (TDSFB), will mark the start of the 2012 season. Other ceremonies will be organised throughout the river including the traditional Kenmore opening on Loch Tay.


Video of the famous Stanley Salmon Beats on the river Tay prior to the 2012 Opening Day. Included is the Wash House, Pitlochrie pool, the back of the Mill and Horsey on the Pitlochrie beat, the tail of the Catholes and the Back Dam on the Catholes beat and Todd Holes, Aitken Head and the Long Shot on the Benchil beat.

Currently the river is running at an ideal height following heavy rain and unseasonal high temperatures melting the snow in the hills over a week ago. Colder and more settled weather over the last few days have improved conditions remarkably giving the river a great chance of producing some good sport and some early "Bars of Silver".

The weather is to remain cold and settled. The river has dropped back down to a more realistic level for the opening day. The water temperature has dropped as well sitting now below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celcius which is ideal for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast during the week ahead but any salmon that are running may be spread throughout the system giving everyone a good chance on the first day. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river. There will no doubt be quite a few kelts about on many beats and possibly some later run fish, which have yet to spawn.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.

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.

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 for 2012.

Celebrate the Tay Opening with a Dalmore Tay Dram.


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