Jock monteith Salmon Fish Scotland logo
Here's a perfectly coloured traditional River Tay cobble salmon boat blending in with the riverbank stones slightly upstream of the River Tummel/Tay confluence. This is the tail of the Rock Pool which lies between the Perthshire towns of Pitlochry & Dunkeld. The riverbank trees in the shot are primarily oak trees.
Here's a beautiful May shot showing a lone angler out on the River Tay near Dunkeld in search of a prized Scottish Spring salmon. The shadow of the trees on the far bank is a great salmon lie for fish that have powered up through the fast water immediately downstream.
Salmon fry are often abundant in the margins of the River Tay during late Spring when the eggs hatch from the gravel. This shot of these fry on the gravel riverbed was taken near the Perthshire town of Dunkeld while I was working as a salmon fishing guide.
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 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.
I caught this perfect River Tay Spring salmon in February on the Kinnaird salmon beat near Pitlochry. These fish are in a true class of their own and are the objective of most knowledgable salmon fishers who appreciate their brilliance. February isn't generally regarded as a prime Scottish Spring salmon fishing month but experienced Tay fishers know better. I was resting this lovely fish in the landing net for a few minutes when I took this shot before releasing it back to the river.

Salmon Fishing Medicine

By 27th May 2019

The 'highs & lows' of Scottish salmon fishing add to its unpredictable fascination and ever since I can remember that has been the case.

While many Scottish rivers are experiencing a down turn on returning adult salmon numbers some rivers recently enjoyed the return of much bigger fish.

I caught this perfect River Tay Spring salmon in February on the Kinnaird salmon beat near Pitlochry. These fish are in a true class of their own and are the objective of most knowledgable salmon fishers who appreciate their brilliance. February isn't generally regarded as a prime Scottish Spring salmon fishing month but experienced Tay fishers know better. I was resting this lovely fish in the landing net for a few minutes when I took this shot before releasing it back to the river.

Scottish Wild Salmon Stocks

Sure I'll agree that salmon numbers these days whether it's the compartmentalised Spring, Summer or Autumn run you're trying to work the 'stats' on are truly in the hands of the Gods. The reality of this is they always have been and isn't it amazing how any of these beautiful fish still show up when everyone & their dog is out in hot pursuit of them! A wild salmon in my opinion shouldn't turn up just to please an angler or even at all if it chooses not to and don't forget these facts alone play a big part of the thrill and achievement of catching one when they do cooperate. I don't ever recall guarantees being given in Scottish salmon fishing and I do wonder if this 'instant gratification' modern day society has over stepped its mark into the natural world which doesn't understand the 'buy now pay later' concept!

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.

Flawed Salmon Catch Statistics

The thing that cracks me up more than anything is how these flawed catch 'stats' that don't take into consideration the actual 'angling pressure' seem to have much more relevance among the general salmon angling community than the presentation speed & depth of their Ally Shrimps! For goodness sake Scotland is it the lack of sunlight or the dodgy diets that transforms the entire angling community into the biggest bunch of doom merchants just because the 'Big Yin' upstairs decided to send the Tay considerably bigger Spring fish last year instead of the regular more plentiful little stuff in addition to one of the driest Summers on record! More fool you if you've allowed your head to go down as nothing is more effective for 'not' catching salmon and keeping fishing guests away than negativity! 

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.

To Drive The Salmon Fishing Industry Forward

The reality of the current entire Scottish salmon fishing industry is back to what I mentioned earlier and that is it's in the hands of the Gods and the business of 'micro' rear view mirror management! Until the management structure is changed and run entirely by 'proven' track record salmon stock regenerators nothing is going to ever change. Restocking any salmon river system is child's play however trying to stay ahead of the scientific research of the ocean is costly and time wasting 'jobs for the boys' guesswork at best. Surely to goodness there's enough common sense out there to know that focussing efforts on things than can be achieved and that will most definitely make a difference is the only way to proceed during lower stock periods where a boost is required or where finances are limited and therefore must be effectively prioritised.

Salmon fry are often abundant in the margins of the River Tay during late Spring when the eggs hatch from the gravel. This shot of these fry on the gravel riverbed was taken near the Perthshire town of Dunkeld while I was working as a salmon fishing guide.

The Ultimate Oceanic Atlantic Salmon Survey

Why not let the release of 100,000,000 'wild' reared 'genetically intact' smolts into the 400 plus Scottish rivers tell you what's going on at sea as a measuring tool via adipose fin clipping or micro tagging? How exciting an oceanic survey would that be for everyone and don't tell me this can't be done as this plan could be 'conceptually' drawn up on the back of a cigarette packet! Let each river either invest in their own outdoor ranching ponds or build a mega smolt ranching facility for all Scottish rivers to utilise. Keep these genetically intact fry & parr outdoors in their own ponds with 2 independent water sources & don't ever show them a lightbulb! Build flowing water irrigated ponds to keep them fit, let them feed naturally and even throw in a small predator or two so they quickly learn how to become Jimmy Johnstone!

Here's a beautiful May shot showing a lone angler out on the River Tay near Dunkeld in search of a prized Scottish Spring salmon. The shadow of the trees on the far bank is a great salmon lie for fish that have powered up through the fast water immediately downstream.

Scotland's Rivers Are Screaming For Action

There's so many potential beneficiaries within the entire Scottish rural economies that this is nothing more than a conceptual IQ test! If you want more salmon in the rivers then significantly increase your wild smolt outputs and watch what happens! What's happening at sea which we currently have zero control over (if you think wild smolt outputs are currently ok!) I believe is 'primarily' just basic commercial theft that some satellite observation and oceanic policing would quickly solve! There's an old common sense analogy that states if you throw enough mud at the wall then some of it will stick! If you're in Scottish salmon fishery management and a flicker of doubt or 'it cant be done' comes into your head on the above suggestions then I'm sorry to advise that you're in the wrong job son! 

Here's a perfectly coloured traditional River Tay cobble salmon boat blending in with the riverbank stones slightly upstream of the River Tummel/Tay confluence. This is the tail of the Rock Pool which lies between the Perthshire towns of Pitlochry & Dunkeld. The riverbank trees in the shot are primarily oak trees.

A True 'Sleeping Giant' Of Global Salmon Fishing Dominance

So where are we with all of this? My advice would be put up or shut up! Stop moaning there's no salmon about even if you're correct on the flawed stats face of things as nothing's going to change until that massive 'negative' thunder cloud of Scottish ghillie & angler 'voodoo' is realigned & converted into the 'nuclear tipped' lightening strike that is now fully required to ignite the 'walking dead' management of the Scottish salmon rivers and the detached Government officials who are even less motivated than our guys! Wake up and look at the magic surrounding this industry and recognise it's a true 'sleeping giant' that I firmly believe is now finally ready for it's early morning double espresso!

 

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.
More Articles