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This Tay 'coble' boat was hand made by famous River Tay boatbuilder John Ferguson who's based in Stanley in the Tay Valley. These traditional salmon fishing boats serve many different fishing applications and are a pleasure to be out on the Tay in one for the day. This photograph of me in the boat with my fly rod & my labrador dog 'Selkie' was taken in the Cottar Pool on the Newtyle Beat of the River Tay by professional photographer Peter Sandground.
Here's Scottish salmon guide Jock Monteith showing a group of Canadian salmon fishing holiday guests how best to tie on a salmon fly. Much salmon fishing technical information is delivered to the fishing guests on a guided salmon fishing day including Spey casting lessons, how to move effectively between each cast and how to set the hook when a salmon takes the fly.
Here's myself with a group of 5 salmon event fishing day guests on the River Tay near Dunkeld. Bigger fishing groups are becoming more popular on the Scottish salmon rivers and adding a professionally catered fishing hut lunch to the day is a lovely touch. This fine salmon fishing group shot was taken outside the Kinnaird fishing hut on the River Tay in Perthshire.
Here's a shot from 2004 of the late Peter Anderson with myself in front of the Newtyle Beat fishing hut on the River Tay near Dunkeld. Peter was a colossal figure within Scottish salmon fishing and possessed exceptional skills with a fly or spinning rod which really had to be seen to be believed! You can see the Newtyle Beat jetty casting platform behind Peter.
This photograph of professional Scottish salmon fishing guide Jock Monteith was captured by TV producer Chris Webster outside Ferry Cottage on the Kinnaird Estate of the River Tay in Perthshire. You can see the snow clad hills and riverbanks in the background.
If you look closely at this perfect Spring salmon you'll see the little piece of arctic fox tail that was responsible for luring it from the depths of the River Tay. If you choose the correct salmon fly pattern and learn how to fish it effectively this is the end result. I caught this perfect Spring salmon while working as a salmon guide on the Tay.

Salmon Fishing Advice

By 4th August 2026

If you're going to book Scottish salmon fishing or are in need of some good old solid advice on any aspect of this fascinating sport then ask the boys that have been at the 'coal face' and not those who think they know what they're talking about.

If you look closely at this perfect Spring salmon you'll see the little piece of arctic fox tail that was responsible for luring it from the depths of the River Tay. If you choose the correct salmon fly pattern and learn how to fish it effectively this is the end result. I caught this perfect Spring salmon while working as a salmon guide on the Tay.

Salmon Fishing Advice From Experts

Naturally you would't take driving lessons from an driving instructor who couldn't drive so turn to the professional ghillies of Scotland if you need advice about salmon fishing. They eat, sleep and breath this industry and are far more astute than any 'half boiled' wannabe ghillie agent could ever be. The professional ghillies of Scotland are the adhesive that provides the main marketing inertia and I'll explain further in the next few paragraphs.

This photograph of professional Scottish salmon fishing guide Jock Monteith was captured by TV producer Chris Webster outside Ferry Cottage on the Kinnaird Estate of the River Tay in Perthshire. You can see the snow clad hills and riverbanks in the background.

The Expert Salmon River Ghillie

A professional ghillie who's committed his entire life to this industry has made that move in all cases through a deep routed love for salmon and the Scottish river environment. He's not taken on a low wage career for commercial gain like the bulk of population are pursuing so keep that in mind after your days fishing and make sure you show your appreciation of his dedication.

Here's a shot from 2004 of the late Peter Anderson with myself in front of the Newtyle Beat fishing hut on the River Tay near Dunkeld. Peter was a colossal figure within Scottish salmon fishing and possessed exceptional skills with a fly or spinning rod which really had to be seen to be believed! You can see the Newtyle Beat jetty casting platform behind Peter.

Listen To An Expert Salmon Guide

If you've got a good set of ears a professional beat ghillie can give you snippets of highly relevant salmon fishing knowledge that he's picked up over his years of observant river life and from his fascination of the sport. Never turn up on a salmon beat without giving the beat ghillie his place and the respect due and treasure the relationship as it develops as this type of bond will last a lifetime if you treat it properly.

Here's myself with a group of 5 salmon event fishing day guests on the River Tay near Dunkeld. Bigger fishing groups are becoming more popular on the Scottish salmon rivers and adding a professionally catered fishing hut lunch to the day is a lovely touch. This fine salmon fishing group shot was taken outside the Kinnaird fishing hut on the River Tay in Perthshire.

Salmon Fishing Ghillie Friendships

On big river like the Tay the ghillie and guest relationship often develops much further as it can be a long day if there's no meaningful communication between the two parties when you're both out in the boat for several hours searching for taking salmon. For personal experience this is when the relationship goes from strength to strength and when both parties really get to know and trust one another.

Here's Scottish salmon guide Jock Monteith showing a group of Canadian salmon fishing holiday guests how best to tie on a salmon fly. Much salmon fishing technical information is delivered to the fishing guests on a guided salmon fishing day including Spey casting lessons, how to move effectively between each cast and how to set the hook when a salmon takes the fly.

The Bond Between Ghillie And Fisher

A professional beat ghilllie and the relationship you have with him is way more important than catch statistics, water levels or any of that other marketing stuff as it's the ghillie in many cases that holds the main attraction of the beat. The most potent marketing component outside the sheer beauty of the salmon rivers of Scotland are indeed the professional ghillies and it is these dedicated souls who ultimately make or break the success of a salmon beat. These days the attitude, personal bond and service levels of the professional in charge are way more important than any other marketing feature for returning clientele as this business like any other success orientated business is a 'service' related one.

 

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This perfectly timed photograph was taken by professional photographer Louise Bellin on the Kinnaird Beat of the River Tay at the famous Junction Pool which is directly where the River Tummel enters the Tay. Jock, dressed in traditional Tweeds and waders holds his fishing rod, demonstrating the perfect Spey cast required in this salmon fishing hot spot for maximum water coverage of the lovely Tay salmon pool.

Fine Tune Your Speycast

Jock Monteith

14th August 2026

The vast majority of Scottish Speycasters tend to cast like 'racehorses with blinkers on' with their heads only aligned to the target area and not to the crucial mid cast 'anchor point' which is vital for a perfectly timed power stroke delivery.
This perfect River Tay Springer was caught by myself on the 23rd of February from the Kinnaird salmon beat near Pitlochry. These early run Scottish salmon are perfect specimens and are guaranteed to get your heart racing. This fish was quickly returned and swam off strongly to continue its upstream migration to the upper reaches of the Tay. You can see the gold ABU Toby lure, Bruce & Walker Hexagraph spinning rod and Van Staal spinning reel used in the capture of this fine Spring run salmon.

Successful Salmon Spin Fishing

Jock Monteith

13th August 2026

Here's a few paragraphs on how to set a spinning lure hook based on practice not theory. Nothing beats professional time spent on a Scottish salmon river for observing the various aspects of this glorious pursuit.
This is the Steps Pool on the Newtyle Beat of the River Tay and I've drawn the optimal wade line in red which allows anglers to fish through the pool safely and effectively without spooking any salmon that may be present. I took this downstream shot while working as this guest's salmon fishing guide for the day.

Salmon Lie Approach

Jock Monteith

12th August 2026

Over the decades I've seen great opportunities for an easy 'early day' salmon completely blown by anglers who put on waders that go up to their chests and think they have to do the same while wading in the river!
Here's Jock Monteith amidst a Spey casting lesson on the River Tay under the historic Telford Bridge demonstrating perfect D Loop loading with the single Spey cast. The traditional Spey cast is the most effective and satisfying casts. This photo was taken by local Dunkeld photographer Charlie MacDonald. Jock is wearing his Graham of Menteith tartan kilt while demonstrating Spey cast with his 15ft Monteith salmon fly rod.

The Spey Cast Swing

Jock Monteith

11th August 2026

Understanding the value of a correct 'logical' line lift at the beginning of the Spey cast is crucial for negating the cast crippling 'water resistance' experienced by an incorrect line lift. Today I'll elaborate on what maintains this 'ease and smoothness' of cast through the middle section of the cast known as the 'swing' which is crucial for adequate rod loading in the D Loop.
I designed this deadly salmon fly pattern 20 years ago while working as the Head Ghillie and salmon fishing instructor on the River Tay's Newtyle Beat. Here's the exact dressing before anyone asks; Hook: 1

Salmon Fly Selection

Jock Monteith

10th August 2026

There's been millions of words written on this fascinating subject over the decades by many serious salmon fishers who all have their own take on what the best patterns are. At the end of the day it boils down to faith as we will never truly get permanently inside a salmon's mind.
This guest was fishing with me on the River Tay near Dunkeld. This pool tail is a renowned hot spot for running salmon so I waded out to this fishing position to make it easier to fish the main salmon lie between the fisher and the far riverbank. Directly in front of the big tree that you can see on the opposite riverbank is the main salmon lie hot spot.

Important Riverbank Etiquette

Jock Monteith

9th August 2026

For the daily operation of any salmon beat to run smoothly it is important that all fishing guests read & understand the beat rules which are there primarily for safety reasons and to ensure the enjoyment of all paying guests.
Here's myself with a fine Spring salmon in the landing net immediately prior to its release. A good landing net with fish friendly mesh is an essential piece of salmon fishing equipment. I caught this fine salmon at the Daffodil Lie Pool on the beautiful Kinnaird Beat of the River Tay in Highland Perthshire.

Spin Fishing For Tay Salmon

Jock Monteith

8th August 2026

If your effective hooking rate with a spinner on the River Tay isn't close to 100% then there's a few different angles of thought to consider the next time you're out slinging cutlery across Scotland's biggest & deepest salmon river.
Here's the bow section of a hand built River Tay 16ft salmon fishing 'coble' boat with a Brady fishing back and Bruce & Walker salmon Spey rod fitted with a Van Staal salmon fly reel. Professional salmon guides in Scotland take their personal salmon fishing equipment seriously too!

Salmon Beat Ghillies

Jock Monteith

7th August 2026

Having served my time as a professional ghillie on the River Tay the next few paragraphs highlight a few of the finer points that I personally believe that makes a resident professional salmon beat ghillie stand out from the crowd.
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