This perfect 22lbs Spring salmon was caught by River Tay salmon guide team member Kevin Mckay near Dunkeld during early March. You can see Kevin is wrapped up warmly with his Harris tweed cap on to combat the cooler Spring weather in Scotland. This salmon was caught in the Gauge Tree Pool where many of our salmon fishing holiday clients are taken to fish each year.

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.

Here's professional salmon fishing guide Steve McIrvine holding a perfect heavyweight Spring salmon of 35lbs which he caught during the month of February when he was the Head Ghillie on the Glendelvine Beat of the River Tay near the Perthshire village of Murthly. Steve is now one of the Ballathie Beat professional ghillies near Stanley.

Here's a guided River Tay salmon fishing guest fishing his way methodically down through the Meetings Pool on the Upper Kinnaird salmon beat which is a perfect holding area for salmon in medium to low water levels from mid March through to October each year. Look at the beautiful fully leafed oak trees on the far side of the river.

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 superb Autumn cock salmon took me 50 minutes to tame on the fly rod on the Newtyle Beat of the River Tay near Dunkeld while I was serving as a professional salmon guide & Head Ghilie. With big salmon like this you just need to take your time as they cannot be rushed.

Here's the perfect end result of a carefully presented River Tay salmon fly in the middle area of the Tay Valley near Dunkeld during May. Look at the physical perfection of this salmon and it's no wonder these Spring run fish are the most highly regarded of all the Scottish salmon runs. The fish is in the landing net beside my salmon fly rod & reel.

Salmon Fishing The River Tay

By Jock Monteith 16th April 2019

Scotland is fortunate to have many fine salmon fishing rivers but none more so than the mighty River Tay.

This big Scottish salmon river starts it journey high up on the slopes of Ben Lui in the West and continues its 100 mile journey down through some of Scotland's most beautiful landscapes.

The River Tay Salmon Runs

The River Tay benefits from a run of salmon in the Spring, Summer & Autumn during its long salmon fishing season from 15th January to the 15th of October. The Autumn component has always been a big run of salmon but hindered in recent decades by the traditional early closing date of 15th October when these fish are now only just starting to appear in the river these days. In the 70's I recall snapping ice of my rod rings on the Tay during September which won't occur these days until late November or even December such is Mother Nature's rightful disrespect for our synthetic monthly calendar expectations. Our salmon also only respond to river levels & water temperature and again not our 'man made' numbered week expectations.

Late Salmon Runs In Autumn

I recall even 10 years ago quickly catching 5 salmon on the fly during November of which most were fresh run specimens while fishing through the closed season for hatchery brood stock. Management & common sense unfortunately don't go hand in hand so the old 15 October River Tay seasonal end date still stands which is probably best for the salmon but not for sport or the local Perthshire economy. Our inability to adjust salmon fishing dates as climate change naturally moves ahead is just another example of the often 'detached' approach to Scottish salmon fishing management that has hindered the amazing Scottish salmon fishing asset. Right now 15 February through to 15 November would be about perfect for the main River Tay for various good conservational & economically beneficial reasons.

Spring Salmon Fishing On The River Tay

The Spring salmon fishing on the Tay on the middle river has been excellent in recent years which is primarily due to the 'catch & release' initiative that a few of us pressured the river management into adopting back in 2007. Many salmon anglers from all over the world ascend on the Tay between March & June such is this fabulous river's growing Spring salmon fishing reputation. Even this year the Tay is again fishing well such is its consistency of Spring run fish between February and mid April. I've no doubt the following 6 weeks will be just as good or better for Spring fishing too.

The Huge River Tay Catchment

Part of the reason the Tay does so well for catches at any time of the year is due to its sheer size and depth and its vast loch loch fed headwater catchment. This composition ensure's steady water levels which encourages salmon to run at all times where on smaller Scottish rivers this would not be possible. This makes the River Tay a great venue especially if you've only got a day to fish due to a tight work schedule or busy holiday itinerary.

Catching A Heavyweight Spring Salmon

Catching salmon in the Spring is also extra special due to the perfect condition of these Spring fish coupled with their exceptional cold water fighting abilities. The allure of Spring salmon fishing in Scotland is on the increase so booking early is always advantageous as the best Spring Tay fishing venues have restricted daily salmon fishing access. My professional advice would be to take March & April as seriously as you know how on the Tay as that's when the best opportunity to connect with a 'real' heavyweight Tay springer exists!