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It's always good practice to hold your salmon for a few minutes in the stream at release time just to allow the fish enough time to regain some energy after the exertion of the salmon fight. This one was caught near Meikleour on the River Tay and was this salmon fishing holiday trip guest's first ever salmon.
Here's the result of 90 minutes on the Newtyle Beat of the River Tay by myself as the Head Ghillie. 2 of these fish were early run Spring salmon and the rest Autumn run fish. All of them were taken to the River Tay hatchery programme as brood stock although the 2 Spring fish were brought back 2 weeks later and released to go and reproduce naturally.
This perfect heavyweight salmon was caught during late March on the Perthshire River Tay at Dunkeld. This photograph was taken by the salmon fishing instructor as the fish was being released and moments after the salmon swam away out of the landing net.
This River Tay guided salmon fishing guest just captured his first ever fly caught salmon hence the big smile on his face. Booking a professional guide that has the nose of the native otter is vital for giving you the best chance of salmon fishing success. This fish was caught at the Tummel Tay confluence which you can see in the background opposite the overhanging oak tree branches.
Here's a perfect day weather shot of the extensive Channel Pool of the River Tay only a few minutes away from the hamlet Ballinluig which is located between the Perthshire towns of Pitlochry and Dunkeld. This salmon pool can be either fly fished or spin fished and holds salmon throughout the Tay fishing season between mid January and mid October. Look at the perfectly cut riverbank for ease of fishing by visiting River Tay salmon fishers.
This perfectly conditioned 11lbs Spring salmon was hooked and landed by myself during May on my own designed fly line that had a 15ft type 3 sink tip added just to get the fly down a few feet. It's important to know where and how to fish your fly throughout the differing fishing seasons in Scotland based on what depth you think the salmon are holding in. This was my favourite salmon fly reel and fly rod you can see in the shot.

Releasing Your Salmon

By 12th May 2026

It wasn't that long ago all salmon were killed in Scotland including old coloured unseasonal fish so as a sport we have thankfully come a long way.

The theme of 'catch and release' has been widely accepted by the global salmon fishing community as best practice due to the limited financial capacity that much of the wild salmon fishing management is hindered by. 

This perfectly conditioned 11lbs Spring salmon was hooked and landed by myself during May on my own designed fly line that had a 15ft type 3 sink tip added just to get the fly down a few feet. It's important to know where and how to fish your fly throughout the differing fishing seasons in Scotland based on what depth you think the salmon are holding in. This was my favourite salmon fly reel and fly rod you can see in the shot.

Salmon Fishing Management

Ten years ago while serving as a River Tay head ghillie I came out of an annual fishery board meeting seething that a tighter 'catch and release' policy wasn't being actioned even though the Spring salmon run was in sharp decline. In those dark days it was ok to kill your 2nd salmon which was completely ridiculous as many anglers were all of a sudden mysteriously catching 2 salmon when they went to the river!

Here's a perfect day weather shot of the extensive Channel Pool of the River Tay only a few minutes away from the hamlet Ballinluig which is located between the Perthshire towns of Pitlochry and Dunkeld. This salmon pool can be either fly fished or spin fished and holds salmon throughout the Tay fishing season between mid January and mid October. Look at the perfectly cut riverbank for ease of fishing by visiting River Tay salmon fishers.

Scottish Salmon Fishing News

I contacted the Scotsman and the article that they immediately wrote spot lighted the hard facts and forced the fishery board to review their 'catch and release' policy. I got summoned with my employers into the a Tay fishery board chairman's meeting to explain my actions. The chairman soon agreed with what needed to be done and thankfully acted accordingly with a new more effective 'catch and release' policy.

This River Tay guided salmon fishing guest just captured his first ever fly caught salmon hence the big smile on his face. Booking a professional guide that has the nose of the native otter is vital for giving you the best chance of salmon fishing success. This fish was caught at the Tummel Tay confluence which you can see in the background opposite the overhanging oak tree branches.

The Professional Salmon Guide Team

For the following few years on the River Tay my professional guide team and I started posting underwater videos on our daily blog posts of salmon being released which took the doubt out of the minds of all onlookers as to whether or not we were honouring our intentions. The annual release figures for Spring salmon on the entire Tay went from a completely unsustainable 18% to well over 80% within the following 12 months period.

This perfect heavyweight salmon was caught during late March on the Perthshire River Tay at Dunkeld. This photograph was taken by the salmon fishing instructor as the fish was being released and moments after the salmon swam away out of the landing net.

Why Salmon Fishing Catch & Release

Personally I believe that although it is now illegal to kill a Spring salmon before the 1st of April each year in Scotland I hope that this soon gets extended to the full fishing year. There are many who think if an angler cannot kill & retain a salmon they wouldn't go fishing. My thoughts are that these types of fishers are living in a time warp and need a good shake. If they truly love salmon fishing a team of wild dogs couldn't drag them away from the beautiful Scottish salmon rivers. The thrill of being on the river and catching a salmon has always been the main driver and way much more than killing & eating a fish.

 

Here's the result of 90 minutes on the Newtyle Beat of the River Tay by myself as the Head Ghillie. 2 of these fish were early run Spring salmon and the rest Autumn run fish. All of them were taken to the River Tay hatchery programme as brood stock although the 2 Spring fish were brought back 2 weeks later and released to go and reproduce naturally.

Reproducing Atlantic Salmon

The reproductive skills of a wild Atlantic 'hen or cock' salmon are crucial for regenerating the Scottish river streams through the Winter spawning months. What right should any member of the human race have to destroy one of the last remaining untouched examples of God's very finest creations. Putting these special creatures back should double the thrill involved in catching one for anyone with even half a heart and some basic good old common sense.

 

More Salmon Fishing Articles

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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