This perfect 27lbs Tay Springer took me by surprise at the Kinnaird Beat's Rock Pool during a high water period at the end of May while I was working as a professional salmon fishing guide. What a absolutely perfect fish which showed up at 5pm after a full day of salmon fishing effort. You can see the size of this fish against the 32 inch frame of the salmon landing net the salmon is lying on before I released this fine fish.

This is a River Tay guided salmon fishing guest out fly fishing the Tummel Tay junction pool which is a serious salmon fishing hot spot as seen in this picture which was taken during Summertime on the renowned Kinnaird salmon beat.

Here's Alan Rennie playing one of 5 Spring salmon he caught that with myself as his salmon guide in the boat that day. Look are the riverbank where there's no leaves on the trees yet there's some beautiful sunlight which just gave the surface of the water of the river enough warmth to get these fish on the move and in a 'taking' frame of mind. This photo was taken in the Cottar Pool on the Newtyle Beat of the River Tay.

Here's one of our many guided salmon fishing guest playing 1 or 5 perfect lower River Tay salmon during July. A high rod tip like you see here is important when playing salmon to offset sudden jumps or surges and to keep the fly line high in the water column away from potential snags. Look at the lovely red sandstone cliffs on the far bank of the Tay.

The River Tay's Newtyle Beat has many good salmon fishing pools that can be fished with a fly or a spinner. This fly fishing angler is just approaching one such hotspot at the tail of The Trap Pool. I took this shot while working as a salmon fishing guide for this salmon fisher. This fine photograph was taken during August when many fish are present in this lovely Tay salmon pool.

River Tay Fishing

By Jock Monteith 19th June 2026

Of all the Scottish salmon rivers the mighty River Tay is the most renowned 'big fish' river of them all.

On the Tay you're always in with a chance of connecting with a 20 lbs class salmon and occasionally an even bigger one. Knowing how to deal with a big fish is half the battle and I've seen many heavyweight Tay salmon escape capture due to inexperienced anglers.

The Often Gentle Take From Big Salmon

The take from a big fish like the one you see in this picture can be the most gentle take of all and as the take on the fly reel starts to develop you'll have no idea it's from a heavyweight until you set the hook. At this point you'll quickly feel different weight and power from the fish that'll instantly make you aware you have indeed made contact with a heavyweight.

After Setting The Salmon Fly Hook

Once you've set the hook properly and have lifted the rod the important things are to keep good 'side on' rod pressure on the fish at all times. When the salmon pulls you'll have no option but to release your hand from the fly reel and let the fish pull away. Don't let the salmon get too far below you as 'side on' high tip rod pressure is important to maintain the hook hold and to make the fish fight the action of your rod and as importantly to keep your line high in the water column away from sub surface snags as your fish bores deep in the pool.

Positioning Correctly To Play A Salmon

If you let a heavyweight salmon get below you in the river you're eventually going to weaken the hook hold as technically your hook is pulling at a thin layer of flesh in the salmon's mouth in an 'out of mouth' angle and not in an 'in to mouth' angle. You will also logically be playing the weight of the river too and not just the salmon. I absolutely cringe when I see videos of any salmon being played from an upstream position and in almost every case the hook hold eventually gives way and especially when the fish starts shaking its head.

The Best Area To Play A Big Salmon

Steering a big fish away from any really deep fast flowing pools where it can sit down in the pool with the added water pressure on the line is best avoided too. I've heard the whine from the fly line in such situations which again is exerting too much strain on the fishing tackle and hook hold. If this happens take a down stream side on position and try to turn the salmon's head in order to steer it out of there to a more suitable fight area.

Don't Rush Playing A Big Salmon

Take your time as a big fish in all cases will take time to tire itself out to a point where there's a possibility of landing it. On a fly rod this will in most cases be after the half hour mark so forget any notions of landing it quicker than that. In the latter stages of the fight look for a deep snag free pocket near the riverbank where you can finish the fight and wait until you know for certain that the fish is ready for the net before attempting to land it. Happy New Year to everyone.