Monday, February 24, 2014

Salmon Fishing Scotland Fishing Memories of a good February week on the Tay, Perthshire 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Fishing Memories of a good February week on the Tay, Perthshire 2014.

Memories of another great spring week on the Tay in February 2014.

Great spring salmon fishing on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland February 2014. Several salmon landed up to 24 pounds around Stanley on the Lower river.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Salmon Fishing Scotland February Flood on the Tay, Perthshire 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland February Flood on the Tay, Perthshire 2014.

This was the river Tay, Perthshire, Scotland today in full flood from the weekends extreme weather.

The Wash House.


A raging torrent down the Catholes.


The river running over the Catholes road.


View from the Catholes hut.


Pitlochrie pool in full flow.
The good news is that the river is dropping slowly and there is a good degree of clarity now. Assuming the weather plays ball there should be some good fishing again in the second half of the week.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Report for week ending 22nd February 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Report for week ending 22nd February 2014.

Goods catches again but when the weather allows it.
The river Tay in Perthshire Scotland continued to catch spring salmon last week despite continued unsettled weather. The catches were good at the start of the week with better conditions but fell away with yet more mild weather and heavy rain. A run of spring salmon continued on the lower river as the water cleared and eased a bit but interestingly the bulk of the catch still came from Linn pool down with only a few other fish from the system. These beats are still at the mercy of the weather as on a couple of days muddy water came from the Isla curtailing sport. The Linn pool on Stobhall and Taymount, Burnmouth, Catholes and Pitlochrie all have good high water spring pools and they all produced salmon. The catches were especially heartening after the prolonged bad weather but were also better than last year for the time so hopefully it is a sign of another great spring for the river if the weather relents.
This past week saw a repeat of the previous week as conditions improved for a few days encouraging everyone on the river. The high cold water has given the lower river around Stanley ideal conditions and the bulk of the catch came from 5 beats that have good high water pools. The salmon seemed have run up the river and as they hit the increase in gradient causing the rapids around Stanley they slowed down and were caught in reasonable numbers for the time of year. The Linn Pool, Burnmouth, Catholes, Pitlochrie Pool, Wash House, Aitkenhead, Ship Linn and White Craigs were all notorious spring pools on the lower Tay and this was proved this past week. Out of 33 salmon registered 27 came from these spots and others were caught as well but not registered. Other salmon were caught in the system as some fish continue to run and salmon are being caught in Loch Tay but not being registered.

Beat catches reported
(week ending 22nd February)
SALMON & GRILSE: Lower Redgorton 2, Luncarty 1, Upper Redgorton 1, Fishponds 1, Catholes Stanley 3, Upper Scone 1, Pitlochrie 3, Catholes Campsie 4, Stobhall 7, Taymount 4, Murthly 2 2, Dalmarnock 2, Upper Kinnaird 1, Coupar Grange 1.
Total: 33 Largest: Catholes Campsie 24lbs

The lower river around Stanley fished very well last week on the 4 days the water was clear. Stobhall and Taymount have been enjoying good sport from the Linn pool throughout the week. Stobhall had some good days in the Linn with

Andrew Wright, Martin Lydan and Raymond Doonan catching superb spring fish up to 19 pounds in weight. Taymount also had their share from the pool with Colin Mathison and Glenny catching good fish then

Chris Davidson caught his first spring salmon on Friday weighing 10 pounds on a Copper Salmo. Earlier in the week the water level on the lower Tay went under 6 feet for a couple of days which helped produce great sport on the Catholes under the Weir with 7 springers landed up to 24 pounds.

Wilson Comrie caught his largest ever springer out in the Little Head under the weir from the boat weighing 24 pounds after a tremendous fight. Charles Martin also caught a good fish from the Woodside on a Devon. One of the only fish caught on the fly came from the famous Slap for P Ingram weighing an estimated 20 pounds. He was still shaking hours later! The following day Martin Lydan from London caught fish from the Woodside and Little head, Alistair Middlemas caught a superb 18 pounds fish from the boat again under the Weir, which at this time of year can be a bit of a temperature barrier. Pitlochrie pool also continued to fish well with Freddie Sutherland and John Morrison catching fish up to 12 pounds.

There was a notable fish salmon caught by young Scott Davie on Saturday under the guidance of Davie Seaton on Upper Scone. Andrew Wright followed his success on the Linn with another spring salmon from the Wash House casting from the boat.

Some of the lower beats started to gain success last week with

Tom Black catching a superb 21 pounds fish on Fishponds caught on a green Salmo. On the opposite bank John Lessels caught a fish firstly on Luncarty on Monday then landed a 9 pounds springer on Upper Redgorton on Thursday from Lodge End in a rising river. Further down stream Lower Redgorton caught their first fish of the season with Dave Cameron landing a 12 pounds fish on a harled fly from the Hummel Hole.

Further up river the Murthly 2 beat continued their start with a further 2 salmon proving fish were running hard despite the big water. Ghillie Gordon Pollock accounted for 2 spring salmon from Dalmarnock from the Bank pool with the larger of the 2 fish weighing 19 pounds.

Upper Kinnaird also caught a spring salmon weighing 12 pounds. Coupar Grange also got off the mark with a first as fish gently spread in the system with all the water.

At the start of this week the river was suffering from a massive spate from snow melt caused by milder weather over the weekend and heavy rain. Once this settles the sport should continue in earnest.


The Tay Ghillies Association has launched a FISH OF THE MONTH AWARD to encourage good catch and release practice on the Tay. Each month the winner will receive 2 personalised crystal Whisky glasses engraved with details of the catch and they will automatically be entered into the fish of the year competition for a Stylish Crystal Engraved Decanter.
Fish of the month for January was given to Callum McRoberts for his 17 pounds Opening day fish.

• Catch a good Tay Salmon
• Weigh it carefully and photograph it with as little handling as possible.
• Verify with Ghillie
• Safely return the fish with a minimum of handling
• TGA Committee decision is final
Send entries with a photo and verification details to:-
Mike Hay, Sec of Tay Ghillies Assoc.
Mobile: 07762 464407
Email: tayhayurg@gmail.com

The Spring Salmon fishing has well and truly kicked off with renewed optimism and some notable catches, let us hope this is a taste of what is to come and the weather settles down further to maintain it all.

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 the reports.


Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 24th February 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 24th February 2014.

The Salmon fishing season is now approaching March on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland and we continue to experience extreme conditions over the end of last week making life difficult considering we have experienced some great fishing to everyone’s surprise with the arrival of a spring salmon run in reasonable numbers especially on the lower river below the Linn pool. The weather was better at the start of last week enabling this to happen but we are still encountering spells of mild weather and heavy rainfall making life very difficult as river levels have remained very high and unstable making the pursuit of that magical spring salmon near impossible at times. The weather hopefully will continue to ease more as we prey for colder settled conditions and a continuation of this past weeks catches.

The Linn Pool on Stobhall and Taymount where the fishing has been great over the last couple of weeks suiting high water.
Currently the river is in spate after much milder weather causing snow to melt along with heavy rain over the weekend (approx 12’ plus on the Ballathie gauge). The lower river height below 6 feet last week for 2 days helped but the high water returned making catches more difficult after the pools produced spring salmon around Stanley! There is a thought that these fish are being held up by the cold high water, as the river levels ease the fish will run further and the catches will spread. The weather is set to remain unsettled over the next few days but hopefully get colder which should benefit the river and give a great chance of producing some more sport and some early "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.

The Catholes Weir where 7 salmon were landed in 2 days this past week including a 24 pounds beauty.
The weather is again unsettled this coming week with rain most days and mild temperatures but hopefully gets colder soon. The colder temperatures will hopefully mean less rain and snow on higher ground, which should have less of an effect on the river heights and colour. Colder conditions certainly benefit the river at this time of year slowing the spring salmon run down and giving everyone a chance to catch as they run up the river slowly. The milder weather will certainly give us more water and encourage salmon to run the river. Colder weather would settle the river back to good levels and ideal spring fishing conditions. The water temperature was around 38 degrees Fahrenheit or 3.5 degrees Celcius. These are higher temperatures for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast at the end of the week ahead but there have been salmon running throughout the system after milder conditions prior to the opening day and resulted in fish being caught well up the system, the milder weather and increased river levels will continue to encourage spring salmon to run. 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. Spring salmon identification help for those not sure about the different types of fish in the river at this time of year.

Pitlochrie Pool at Stanley which has been another hot spot recently with the high water.
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 2014 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.

The Tay Ghillies Association has launched a FISH OF THE MONTH AWARD to encourage good catch and release practice on the Tay. Each month the winner will receive 2 personalised crystal Whisky glasses engraved with details of the catch and they will automatically be entered into the fish of the year competition for a Stylish Crystal Engraved Decanter.

• Catch a good Tay Salmon
• Weigh it carefully and photograph it with as little handling as possible.
• Verify with Ghillie
• Safely return the fish with a minimum of handling
• TGA Committee decision is final
Send entries with a photo and verification details to: -
Mike Hay, Sec of Tay Ghillies Assoc.
Mobile: 07762 464407
Email: tayhayurg@gmail.com
When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended. Guidance on good Catch and Release practice.

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 the reports.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Salmon Fishing Scotland The Mighty Tay, Perthshire, Scotland in a spring Flood 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland The Mighty Tay, Perthshire, Scotland in a spring Flood 2014.

Currently we are experiencing mild temperatures, a rapidly rising freezing temperature on the hill, wind and driving rain causing the river to rise quickly. This has all the characteristics of a very big flood which has been experienced in the past on the river.

This is at Stanley with the grass banks disappearing quickly.


The Dam at Pitlochry on the Tummel with water being released.


Wades Bridge at Aberfeldy with the river breaking over the banks.


A burn in Aberfely in full spate. The pictures of the upper river came from Steven Watt.

This is an example of what the river will be like tomorrow morning in full flood after mild temperatures, high winds and driving rain melting the snow on the hills.

A spate in January 2008.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Salmon Fishing Scotland Top Quality Spring Salmon caught on the Lower Tay, Perthshire 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Top Quality Spring Salmon caught on the Lower Tay, Perthshire 2014.

More superb spring action from the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.

A superb action sequence of an 18 pounds Tay spring salmon hooked, landed and returned on the Lower Tay on the Catholes at Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland by Alistair Middlemas. His largest spring salmon.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fishing in high water on the Tay, Perthshire February 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Fishing in high water on the Tay, Perthshire February 2014.

Very high water returned to the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland today with milder weather causing a partial snow melt and rain last night.

This was the scene on the Catholes at Stanley.


Stobhall and Taymount have been fishing well over the last couple of weeks but most of the spring salmon have come from the Linn pool which is a tremendous high water pool.


This was a superb 19 pounds spring salmon from the Linn caught by Raymond Doonan on a Toby Salmo.


Another cracker from the Linn caught by Andrew Wright on the Needle.


John Lessels caught this fish further downstream at Upper Redgorton and got their account opened for the season.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Salmon Fishing Scotland Supreme Spring Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire February 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Supreme Spring Fishing on the Tay, Perthshire February 2014.

The river Tay in Perthshire, Scotland was settled today but would the superb spring catches continue?

It was not long on the Pitlochrie beat when Andrew Wright was playing a lively spring salmon in the Wash House pool at Stanley.


A superb 12 pounds cracker was successfully landed before being released back to the river.


John Morrison with a lovely 12 pounds spring salmon caught in the Pitlochrie pool on a Toby.


Tom Black with a superb 21 pounds beauty caught on the Fishponds beat today.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Quality Spring Salmon on the Lower Tay, Perthshire 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Catching Quality Spring Salmon on the Lower Tay, Perthshire 2014.


Martin Lydan landing an 8 pounds spring salmon in the Little Head on the Catholes beat at Stanley on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland in February 2014.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Quality Spring Fishing on the Lower Tay, Perthshire February 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Quality Spring Fishing on the Lower Tay, Perthshire February 2014.

Top quality spring salmon continue to be caught on the lower Tay in Perthshire, Scotland despite high water levels.

Currently the Catholes seems to be one of the hot spots on the river as the spring run run the river and have a brief breather under the weir. There have now been 7 spring salmon landed there in the last couple of days up to an impressive 24 pounds.


Early this afternoon Alistair Middlemas hooked into a good fish from the boat in the famous Little Head on a Blair Spoon.


Alistair successfully landed his fish after a tremendous tussle. It weighed an impressive 18 pounds and was his largest spring salmon to date. The fish was carefully released back to the river.


Martin Lydan from London with another fresh spring salmon caught in the Little Head weighing 8 pounds.
This was his second fish of the day having landed a 12 pounder in the Woodside.


Looking down the little Head on the Catholes at Stanley.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Salmon Fishing Scotland Quality Spring Salmon on the Tay, Perthshire February 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Quality Spring Salmon on the Tay, Perthshire February 2014.

The spring fishing week started today with high expectation after last weeks successes and a lower clearer river.

It was not long into the morning when a good spring salmon was hooked in the Little Head on the Catholes beat below the Stanley Weir.


After a monumental fight a superb 24 pounds spring fish was landed by Wilson Comrie with the aid of Ghillie John Bennett. It was Wilson's largest ever salmon and what a prize. The fish was carefully returned to the river. Well done all and what a fish!


This was a 7 pounds spring salmon caught on the Luncarty beat by John Lessels.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Salmon Fishing Scotland Memories of a superb Spring week on the Tay, Perthshire February 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Memories of a superb Spring week on the Tay, Perthshire February 2014.


Some outstanding memories of a superb spring weeks salmon fishing on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland. The Tay spring season has finally kicked off with some outstanding catches with hopefully more to come over the coming week.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Report for week ending 15th February 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Report for week ending 15th February 2014.


Tay spring season kicks off with a bang this past week.
The river Tay opened in January undeterred by the dreich conditions, however the unsettled conditions continued over the last few weeks making spring fishing impossible on several days. Around 30 spring salmon were landed on the river in those first few days making it a good start to the 2014 season. The catches have suddenly started again as this past week with better conditions on at least 4 out of the 6 days. A run of spring salmon appeared on the lower river as the water cleared and eased a bit but interestingly the bulk of the catch came from Linn pool down to Benchil with only a few other fish from the system. These beats are still at the mercy of the weather as on a couple of days muddy water came from the Isla curtailing sport. The Linn pool on Stobhall and Taymount, Burnmouth, Catholes, Pitlochrie and Benchil all have good high water spring pools and they all produced salmon. The catches were especially heartening after the prolonged bad weather but were also better than last year for the time so hopefully it is a sign of another great spring for the river.
This past week saw a dramatic increase in catches at long last encouraging everyone on the river. The high cold water has given the lower river around Stanley ideal conditions and the bulk of the catch came from 5 beats that have good high water pools. The salmon seemed have run up the river and as they hit the increase in gradient causing the rapids around Stanley they slowed down and were caught in reasonable numbers for the tome of year. The Linn Pool, Burnmouth, Catholes, Pitlochrie Pool, Wash House, Aitkenhead, Ship Linn and White Craigs were all notorious spring pools on the lower Tay and this was proved this past week. Out of 43 salmon registered 36 came from these spots and others were caught as well but not registered. Other salmon were caught in the system as some fish continue to run and salmon are being caught in Loch Tay but not being registered.

Beat catches reported
(week ending 15th February)
SALMON & GRILSE: Benchil 2, Catholes Stanley 1, Upper Scone 9, Pitlochrie 9, Catholes Campsie 3, Stobhall 2, Taymount 10, Murthly 1 2, Glendelvine 1, Murthly 2 2, Upper Kinnaird 3.
Total: 44 Largest: Upper Scone 22lbs

The lower river around Stanley fished very well last week on the 4 days the water was clear. Stobhall and Taymount have been enjoying good sport from the Linn pool throughout the week.

Steven Watt enjoyed a good day on Stobhall landing 2 spring salmon on Tuesday then followed it up with a lovely fish in the Woodside of the Catholes on Wednesday.

On Taymount Stewart Voce had a tremendous week landing several salmon up to 17 pounds mostly from the Linn including 4 in one day. Catholes caught as well with the Woodside and Back Dam being the favoured high water pools. On the Stanley beat Pitlochrie pool was the hot spot landing several salmon throughout the week.

On Monday the boat accounted for 4 fish from the pool with Steve McGrandles enjoying the sport. Later in the week spinning from the bank with Tobies was the favoured method with Jason Stratton, Dougie Wangert and John Morrison landing good fish on the Scone bank. The Thomas party on Upper Scone enjoyed a good week landing 6 from the Pitlochrie beat on Tuesday with Brian Corn, Guy Oliver, Phil Thomas and

Philip Gibson all enjoying success mostly from the Wash House. Dougie Wangert also caught a good salmon from the Wash House and later in the week Andrew Steven landed his first ever salmon from the boat at Stanley Mills on his second visit to the river. At Benchil John Bennett caught 2 springers up to 17 pounds on Tuesday then

Philip Gibson caught the fish of the week from Ship Linn weighing 22 pounds on Upper Scone with Aitken Head fishing well also.

Further up river the Murthly beats got their season going with 3 salmon including a sea liced fish from Tony Blacks beat proving fish were running hard despite the big water. Glendelvine also had a superb 17 pounds springer on Saturday. Upper Kinnaird also caught during the week with 3 salmon landed. Loch Tay has been catching salmon as well but not registering on Fishtay. Fish’n’trips have had a few including a 17 pounds fish on Friday proving salmon are running up the system.


The Tay Ghillies Association has launched a FISH OF THE MONTH AWARD to encourage good catch and release practice on the Tay. Each month the winner will receive 2 personalised crystal Whisky glasses engraved with details of the catch and they will automatically be entered into the fish of the year competition for a Stylish Crystal Engraved Decanter.
• Catch a good Tay Salmon
• Weigh it carefully and photograph it with as little handling as possible.
• Verify with Ghillie
• Safely return the fish with a minimum of handling
• TGA Committee decision is final
Send entries with a photo and verification details to:-
Mike Hay, Sec of Tay Ghillies Assoc.
Mobile: 07762 464407
Email: tayhayurg@gmail.com

The Spring Salmon fishing has well and truly kicked off this last week with renewed optimism and some notable catches, let us hope this is a taste of what is to come and the weather settles down further to maintain it all.

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 the reports.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 17th February 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 17th February 2014.

The Salmon fishing season on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland is in February and we have at last seen a relenting of the extreme conditions over the last week making fishing possible and to everyone surprise the spring salmon arrived in reasonable numbers especially on the lower river below the Linn pool. The weather turned much colder enabling this to happen but we are still encountering blips of mild weather and heavy rainfall making life very difficult as river levels have remained very high and unstable making the pursuit of that magical spring salmon near impossible at times. The weather hopefully will continue to ease more as we prey for colder settled conditions and a continuation of this past weeks catches.

Currently the river is continuing to run high despite colder weather over the whole of last week (approx 6’ on the Ballathie gauge). The lower river height did not go below 6 feet last week but the high water pools produced spring salmon around Stanley! There is a thought that these fish are being held up by the cold high water, as the river levels ease the fish will run further and the catches will spread. The weather is set to improve over the next few days and hopefully get colder which should benefit the river and give a great chance of producing some more sport and some early "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.
The Catholes Weir.
The weather is at last looking slightly better again this coming week and hopefully gets colder towards the end of the week. The colder temperatures will hopefully mean less rain and snow on higher ground, which should have less of an effect on the river heights and colour. Colder conditions certainly benefit the river at this time of year slowing the spring salmon run down and giving everyone a chance to catch as they run up the river slowly. The milder weather will certainly give us more water and encourage salmon to run the river. Colder weather would settle the river back to good levels and ideal spring fishing conditions. The water temperature was around 38 degrees Fahrenheit or 3.5 degrees Celcius. These are higher temperatures for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast at the end of the week ahead but there have been salmon running throughout the system after milder conditions prior to the opening day and resulted in fish being caught well up the system, the milder weather and increased river levels will continue to encourage spring salmon to run. 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. Spring salmon identification help for those not sure about the different types of fish in the river at this time of year.

The Linn Pool.
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 2014 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.

Stanley Mill on Pitlochrie beat.
The Tay Ghillies Association has launched a FISH OF THE MONTH AWARD to encourage good catch and release practice on the Tay. Each month the winner will receive 2 personalised crystal Whisky glasses engraved with details of the catch and they will automatically be entered into the fish of the year competition for a Stylish Crystal Engraved Decanter.

• Catch a good Tay Salmon
• Weigh it carefully and photograph it with as little handling as possible.
• Verify with Ghillie
• Safely return the fish with a minimum of handling
• TGA Committee decision is final
Send entries with a photo and verification details to: -
Mike Hay, Sec of Tay Ghillies Assoc.
Mobile: 07762 464407
Email: tayhayurg@gmail.com
When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended. Guidance on good Catch and Release practice.

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 the reports.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Sun Set on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2014.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Spring Sun Set on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland 2014.

The sun has now set on the first memorable spring salmon fishing week in the season so far for 2014.

The best part of 50 spring salmon were caught this week and it has renewed everyone enthusiasm after weeks of extreme weather and terrible conditions. Let us hope we have turned the corner and there are many more fish to come over the next few weeks and everyone can enjoy some good sport.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Salmon Fishing Scotland First ever Salmon on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.

Salmon Fishing Scotland First ever Salmon on the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland.


Andrew Stevens with his first ever salmon.

A first ever spring salmon caught by Andrew Stevens at Stanley Mills on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland in February 2014.

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, salmon Fishing Alaska, Fishing Alaska, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.

Bargain Fishing Books and DVDs