Here's an upstream shot of the 200 year old Telford Bridge in Dunkeld which is a popular fishing town in the River Tay Valley. This lovely fast streamy water goes right up under the bridge to the Dunkeld Cathedral which is located slightly upstream of the bridge. I took this shot while I was the Head Ghillie and main salmon fishing guide on the immediately downstream Newtle salmon beat.

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.

During periods of high water like this on the River Tay you need to be searching for salmon close to the edge of the riverbank as fish will lie in close during these conditions. It's also safer for a salmon fisher not to wade into the river during such conditions. Learn how to catch salmon and approach the salmon river correctly with a professional Scottish salmon guide. This is my salmon fly rod and reel lying at the side of the river in this high water photograph.

Here's professional Scottish salmon guide Jock Monteith with a salmon fishing tour guest at the neck of the famous Kinnaird Beat's Ash Tree Pool. You can clearly see the beautiful Perthshire hills behind Pitlochry in the distance and Jock carrying his favourite salmon landing net over his shoulder.

Here's an upstream shot of the neck of the Boatlands salmon pool with the Dunkeld Hills visible in the background which is typical of the perfect scenery on the middle area of the River Tay. This salmon fisher shot was taken by myself as I was this angler's salmon fishing guide for the day.

This was my first fish of the 2024 River Tay salmon fishing season and a fine fish too as you can clearly see here in this photograph. Look at its beautiful oceanic colours as they highlight against the dark browns of the river environment. I caught this fine at the Rock Pool on Kinnaird Water which has always been a good Spring salmon fishing area.

Scottish Salmon Fishing

By Jock Monteith 13th April 2018

When it comes to salmon fishing there's nothing that really compares with Scotland and its 400 salmon rivers which are all in relatively close proximity to one another compared to other countries.

Add in a few international airports along with fantastic local accommodation options and you'll understand where I'm coming from.

Professional Scottish Salmon Fishing Guides

In addition to the above most of Scotland's quality salmon fishing beats have professional salmon fishing staff who maintain the riverbanks and fishing hut facilities in top operational condition. More importantly these are highly experienced salmon men who will gladly give advice on how to catch salmon on their individual salmon beat venues. These professionals can sometimes be personally booked as guides to make sure your salmon fly is being presented optimally at all times. This dramatically increases the chance of sport for newcomers who are not familiar with the exact salmon lies on an individual beat or how to fish a fly effectively.

International Salmon Fishing Destinations

In recent decades many salmon fishing agents have steered many potential Scottish salmon fishing clients away to more remote areas of the world where salmon stocks haven't been as exploited or mismanaged which is great too. In my professional opinion though you've got to look at the whole picture and take a measured look at all the other attributes that make up an enjoyable salmon fishing experience. Scottish salmon fishing in my opinion has a fantastic balanced blend of attractive components other than having a fair chance of a fish or two without being stuck out in a camp for a week in the middle of the wilderness.

This young lady was part of a family salmon fishing group who had never fished before for salmon. This salmon is being momentarily held over the landing net in the March Pool on the Kinnaird salmon beat. Look at the perfectly cur green grassy riverbank which makes the salmon fishing easy.

Easy Salmon Fishing Is No Real Challenge

If catching salmon was too easy and not a tactical challenge then the satisfaction of success wouldn't be as rewarding. Testing your skills in Scotland against a creature as unpredictable as a salmon is a big part of the attraction especially when paired up with quality accommodation and well maintained riverbanks that aren't miles away from civilisation. What I'm trying say here is that Scotland is indeed a fantastic global location for a salmon fishing trip and this is made even better if you're consulting with an agent who represents only the best salmon river fishing venues and has carved a solid reputation in the industry based on decades of full time professional daily river life and not hearsay.

If you're looking for a new pursuit in life here's a lovely salmon pool on the River Tay near Dunkeld. Nothing beats a salmon fishing holiday out on the salmon river pursuing that often elusive Atlantic salmon with a fly rod. This is the mouth of the River Tummel on the Kinnaird salmon beat you can see in the photograph.

Book A Scottish Salmon Fishing Trip

Salmon fishing in Scotland on some of the world's most famous salmon rivers is always going to be something special as is the amazing Scottish river scenery and individual natural beauty of each river. Planning a multiple Scottish river salmon fishing itinerary is something that can also be arranged for clients which really does provide an amazing insight into the beauty and excitement of our famous Scottish salmon rivers. A guided day or two on the rivers Tay, Spey & Dee will create a salmon fishing memory that will remain a permanent one and make no mistake about that fact.