Knowing how and where to wade through a salmon pool like this fisher is doing for minimal disruption is a vital skill to master in Scottish salmon fishing. Most anglers think that wading deeper is better but the true facts about wading are quite the opposite. Observe that this salmon fisher is only at knee depth so as not disturb the salmon pool which is essential for salmon fishing success.

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.

This shot was taken at the tail of the Mike's Run Pool on the River Tummel during June. This is the very last pool on the River Tummel system before it joins the River Tay in the distance in front of the tall tree line you can see. Look at the perfect gravel & small stone riverbank that the high water pressure Tummel has created.

This lovely shot was taken at the Ash Tree Pool on the Kinnaird Beat of the River Tay which is located between the Perthshire towns of Dunkeld & Pitlochry. This perfectly tapered gravel riverbank makes wading safe & easy for visiting salmon fishing guests.

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.

Come to Scotland's River Tay and learn how to properly fish for salmon. Many anglers like this one come from all over the world to the Scottish rivers each year in pursuit of these fine creatures. This is the River Tummel / River Tay confluence which is a great fishing area for salmon fishing trip guests.

Salmon Pool Water Coverage Consistency

By Jock Monteith 3rd August 2026

If catching fish is important to you when you're out on the salmon river then after the ghillie has briefed you on the pools you've been allocated it's equally as important that you 'consistently' deploy an effective salmon fishing plan to give you the best chances of success.

Here's professional salmon fishing guide Jock Monteith demonstrating the single Spey right hand up cast with his Graham of Menteith tartan kilt and lovat green Tweed jacket. The blue fishing hut across the river is the Newtyle Beat fishing hut near Dunkeld where Jock served as Head Ghillie for a decade. This shot was taken at the neck of the Newtyle Beat's Boil Pool.

The Salmon Pool Coverage Stop Watch

Whatever salmon pools you've been allocated to fish during the morning or afternoon salmon fishing session work out the time you've got and apply it to the fishing effort as best you can. Make sure you've had at least one quality & properly spaced swing through each pool and you haven't sat about wasting fishing time or moved too slow where you haven't managed to fish all of the likely salmon pool holding areas. In other words pay attention to the time you've got and use it wisely & carefully during each fishing session.

This is one of the salmon fishing middle River Tay hot spots. This stretch of water is known as the Ash Tree Pool which accounts for 40% of the salmon caught on the Lower Kinnaird beat. This salmon fishing guest is fishing the tail of the Ash Tree pool with a professional River Tay salmon guide who took this photograph.

Fishing With Good Fly Swing Spacings

The above is far more achievable if you've had a professional salmon guide fully demonstrate what excellent riverbank movement looks like and how moving too slow through a pool will only train salmon to accept the presence of your fly. Less is definitely more in salmon fly fishing as if you space each fly swing by at least 3ft you'll increase a salmon's chance of making that snap decision! In addition to that you'll cover far more water each hour and 'massively' more so if you're moving effectively over the full course of the salmon fishing day.

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.

Relax & Enjoy Freedom Of Fishing Thoughts

Apply a calculated & consistent salmon fishing effort but stay tuned into the river and if you get that 'nudge' to adjust tactics at any point during the fishing day then respond to that thought. The difference between success or a blank day in salmon fishing is often having the freedom of versatility to react to these little fishing notions that come from your gut to your mind. This could be anything from a change of salmon fly pattern to a heavier or lighter sink tip to the one you chose at the start of the fishing day. Water column fly swim depth planning plays an important part in this pursuit so don't be hesitant to go deeper if you know you've covered deep lying warm water fish without even a nudge!

This shot was taken by professional photographer Louise Bellin on the River Tay's Meetings Pool on the Kinnaird Beat while I was serving as the Upper Kinnaird Beat Head Ghillie. My landing net is over my shoulder in anticipation of a pluck on the salmon fly which often occurs in this perfect salmon pool.

Effective Salmon Fly Swim Time

Treat your salmon fishing day seriously and always be aware of your effective fly swim time. Too many salmon fishers fiddle about on the riverbanks greatly reducing their salmon fly swim time which obviously has an adverse effect on their chances of getting in front of a taker! It's very easy to have excellent salmon fly swim time while enjoying the amazing riverbank scenery so it's important that you can acquire that state of relaxation that most seated anglers look for while you've still got your fly rod in your hand!

The dark glassy water shown here at the tail of the Trap Pool on the Tay's Newtyle Beat is one of those hot spots where salmon love to stop after powering up through the faster water below. This pool and the downstream Cottar Pool are a delight to fly fish through with always a real chance of some salmon action. I took this shot while working as a salmon fishing guide on this lovely River Tay salmon beat.

Know Your Fishing Effort Has Been Optimised

After deploying a consistent 'time aware' salmon fishing effort throughout the full course of the fishing day whilst making any adjustments as and when you're self prompted to do so then at the end of the salmon fishing day you'll know you've done your best regardless of whether a salmon has introduced itself or not. Salmon fishing is an amazing pursuit as you never truly know what lies ahead which is another largely forgotten yet exciting component of this fantastic sport. Never compare it to a 'put & take' trout fishery where results are more or less guaranteed and respect the challenge of this game. Enjoy your fishing day and understand that if you've got the above tactical fishing approach in good order you'll be a certain number of casts away from a salmon's attention and that can could be with your very next cast!