Here's the 2 main salmon taking areas near the mouth of the River Tummel on the River Tay near Pitlochry. Salmon can be consistently caught in these 2 red circles under medium or low water levels. You can see a salmon fishing holiday guest fisher over on the far side of the river although our salmon fishing guides think this is much easier side of the river to cover these hot spots from.

Here's Jock Monteith photographed with his black labrador dog 'Selkie' in the Cottar Pool of the Newtyle Beat during late Spring. This shot was taken by professional Scottish photographer Peter Sandground while Jock was in his tweed jacket and traditional River Tay salmon fishing boat near Dunkeld. You can almost make out the bluebells on the grassy slopes in the background.

Here's a group of Canadian salmon fishers who had come to fish the River Tay learning how we tie our salmon flies onto the leader. This photo was taken near Murthly on the River Tay in Perthshire while professional salmon guide Jock Monteith was teaching these salmon fishing holiday guests the basic salmon fishing skills.

Keith had been trying to catch a salmon for a number of years before he was pointed to myself on the River Tay for his Sky TV Tight Lines programme. It took all of 10 minutes to put him into this fine River Tay salmon as his personal salmon fishing guide at the Boat Pool on the Glendelvine Beat. The Sky Sports cameras captured all of the footage and everyone went home happy and even the fish too which was released after this fine photo was taken. Note Keith is wearing a life jacket with his chest waders which is essential for safe wading reasons.

Salmon Fishing Advice

By Jock Monteith 15th November 2023

If you're booking salmon fishing in Scotland and want to truly 'cut to the chase' for not only obtaining the best professional advice on where, when and why to fish a particular salmon beat but also receive a few valuable salmon lie insights before you even arrive at the river then look no further.

Keith had been trying to catch a salmon for a number of years before he was pointed to myself on the River Tay for his Sky TV Tight Lines programme. It took all of 10 minutes to put him into this fine River Tay salmon as his personal salmon fishing guide at the Boat Pool on the Glendelvine Beat. The Sky Sports cameras captured all of the footage and everyone went home happy and even the fish too which was released after this fine photo was taken. Note Keith is wearing a life jacket with his chest waders which is essential for safe wading reasons.

The Best Chance Of Fishing Success

Preparation in salmon fishing to align yourself with success or a very strong possibility of it extends much further than blindly buying a salmon ticket and turning up at a venue with or without the correct equipment and fly selections and no clue as to where your best chances of sub surface cooperation are to be located.

Here's Jock Monteith photographed with his black labrador dog 'Selkie' in the Cottar Pool of the Newtyle Beat during late Spring. This shot was taken by professional Scottish photographer Peter Sandground while Jock was in his tweed jacket and traditional River Tay salmon fishing boat near Dunkeld. You can almost make out the bluebells on the grassy slopes in the background.

Choose Your Fishing Agent Wisely

Dealing with an agent who eats, sleeps and breathes this business who as importantly has professionally 'walked the walk' on the riverbanks of Scotland will logically give you a colossal fishing day advantage. You wouldn't take a driving lesson from someone who couldn't drive so why on earth would you buy a salmon ticket from at best an amateur salmon fishing agent when you could deal with one of Scotland's true professionals.

Here's a group of Canadian salmon fishers who had come to fish the River Tay learning how we tie our salmon flies onto the leader. This photo was taken near Murthly on the River Tay in Perthshire while professional salmon guide Jock Monteith was teaching these salmon fishing holiday guests the basic salmon fishing skills.

Salmon Fishing Advice

Even these days now that I'm off the tools following decades of professional riverlife I still get a huge 'buzz' from knowing my salmon beat fishing advice has brought a fish to the net for someone. I am a walking, talking encyclopedia for Scottish salmon fishing advice and there to be fully utilised by anyone who wishes to approach a salmon river with 'the edge'.

This lovely early Spring photograph shows a lone salmon fishing trip fisher over casting their fly at the mouth of the River Tummel where it enters the Tay. This is a perfect lowish water sunlit day for increased chances of catching a prized Spring salmon. I took this upstream facing photograph while serving as a salmon fishing guide.

The March Pool On Upper Kinnaird

The above shot is of the fabulous March Pool on the Upper Kinnaird salmon beat of the River Tay which shows the 2 main taking spots and the exact wade line so the salmon don't see you coming and are only ever first aware of your salmon fly. This fantastic fly pool at the mouth of the River Tummel is an absolute 'topper' during April & May while the River Tummel salmon run is in full swing for obvious reasons.

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.