This perfect fish was one of 3 fish landed at sunrise on the River Tay during early June on a size 9 Jock's Shrimp salmon fly pattern fished off a floating line with an added 15ft sink tip section. The Tay often produces special moments for those astute enough to know how to fish it effectively. The Tay is Scotland's most accessible salmon river and less that 90 minutes from both Edinburgh & Glasgow.

Here's a late May example of a fresh run River Tay caught Spring salmon which was captured on the Kinnaird salmon beats near Dunkeld. This is the most sought after salmon of all and it's a delight to land a fish like this on a 15ft salmon fly rod.

This fine fish was caught on the River Tay in June which is located close to the Perthshire town of Dunkeld. Look at its perfect silver flanks which indicate the salmon is fresh run and has only been in the river for a few days.

I can vividly recall the amazing thrill of landing this perfect fish during late May on the River Tay near Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire. Spring salmon in Scotland are always in perfect condition like you see here as this salmon lay beside my salmon fly rod and reel in the landing net before I released it back to the river.

I caught this fine 16lbs specimen Spring salmon in February on the River Tay near Dunkeld as hard proof that early run Scottish salmon certainly do exist. Look at the caliber of this perfect fish which is exceptional and easily caught too for those who know how & where to fish during the early Spring months in Scotland.

Summer salmon fishing is highly popular with salmon fishers and it's a more delicate presentation on generally lighter lines and smaller flies. A heavyweight Summer salmon like this fine specimen which was caught in July near Dunkeld on the River Tay is typical of the caliber of salmon that run the Scottish rivers in Summertime.

The most famous of the bigger Scottish rivers are the Tay, Spey, Dee & Tweed and this perfect fish of around 14 lbs was caught on the fly on the River Tay during July near the Perthshire town of Dunkeld. Look at the perfect deep bodied build of this perfect salmon as it lay in the landing net prior to being released.

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.

Salmon Fishing Introductions

By Jock Monteith 1st April 2026

There's nothing that I've ever witnessed that even comes close to the natural pleasure and visual magnificence of a day beside one of Scotland's beautiful salmon rivers.

Some may think that catching a salmon is all that it's about but they are wrong or haven't developed that true appreciation of the sport that will more than likely keep them in it for life.

Here's an upstream shot of the River Tay which was taken from the shallow mid stream gravel bar at the neck of the Rock Pool. You can clearly see the salmon fishing boat moored upstream awaiting my return. I took this shot during a bright light day in March.

The Natural World Of Salmon Fishing

If you're not into the natural world and prefer the apparent faster moving sports like tennis or football that is fine however nothing will get your heart racing anywhere near as much as a solid connection with a fighting fit wild Atlantic salmon on a fly rod. Nor will other pursuits have a calming influence on you the way the ever changing hypnotic movement a salmon river will have.

Here's a few salmon fishers with myself in my kilt in front of the famous Newtyle Beat fishing hut enjoying a lunchtime malt whisky. A quality malt whisky always tastes even better when consumed outdoors in the fresh Scottish air. Look at the perfectly cut beech hedge in front of the fishing hut.

Salmon Fishing Introductions

Like anything in life it starts with first impressions and how you are introduced to the sport and by whom. There are many real salmon men in Scotland who are absolute top drawer when it comes to salmon fishing knowledge and hosting clients on the rivers. This unique blend more often than not doesn't go hand in hand with a high commercial profile. This calibre of true professional is however the one you should seek for your introduction to this sport.

Here's a large team of salmon guides who were assisting me with a big corporate River Tay salmon fishing event during the beautiful month of June. I took this shot at the Kinnaird fishing hut near Dunkeld before our fishing guests arrived.

Scotland's Best Professional Salmon Men

Over my career in salmon fishing I've been fortunate to develop great relationships with some of Scotland's very finest professional ghillies who I work with closely these days since coming away from river life to focus on the marketing side of Scottish salmon fishing. I do care with an unrivalled passion about our pursuit and making sure it is presented properly with client's needs qualified correctly which is very important yet still relatively rare in this industry.

I took this photo of the stone build Newtyle Beat jetty which dates back to 1970 when it was constructed by Willie Laird who was the Newtyle Beat ghillie at that time. I served as Head Ghillie on Newtyle from 2001 to 2009 which was a fantastic period for me as a professional salmon guide. You can see the boathouse I built in 2008 on the opposite bank if you look closely. You can also see one of our traditional River Tay harling boats just upstream of this famous jetty.

Treasuring The Scottish Salmon Rivers

Thank God for Scotland's fine salmon rivers that have been taken for granted by thousands of us throughout our lives. It's our duty to make sure every moment spent thinking of or being beside a Scottish salmon river is a fine moment indeed. One of the most worthwhile achievements in life is acquiring 'peace of mind' and I can assure you that a Scottish salmon river will assist with this objective and especially if you're guided or advised by one of Scotland's sharpest and most knowledgeable salmon fishing professionals.

Here's a great fishing guide colleague of mine Kevin McKay with me on the River Tay at the Upper Kinnaird salmon beat near Logierait in Perthshire. Kevin is a highly skilled River Tay salmon fisher & Tay boatman. In the distance you can see the old Logierait Railway Bridge.

Book A Salmon Fishing Guide

My main focus these days is all about pairing up one of Scotland's top professional salmon fishing men with a seasonally appropriate Scottish salmon river venue. This service is also inclusive of professionally conducted 'effective' tuition on Spey casting and riverbank tactics along with the supply of all of the appropriate salmon fishing equipment to assure a quality introduction to this fascinating pursuit. For anyone in need of inspiration for a highly memorable gift follow this link for full details of our Scottish guided salmon fishing experiences.