Here's a lovely upstream shot of the Lower Tummel salmon beat near Pitlochry with a salmon fishing tour guest trying out his newly taught Spey casting abilities. This lovely upstream shot was taken during early June which is a beautiful time of year to fish the Tummel. Moments after I took the shot this guided salmon fishing guest Martin Hunter hooked and landed his first ever salmon.

This is a River Tay guided salmon fishing guest out fly fishing the Tummel Tay junction pool which is a serious salmon fishing hot spot as seen in this picture which was taken during Summertime on the renowned Kinnaird salmon beat.

Take careful small step when you're wading on unfamiliar riverbeds and don't commit your weight to your leading foot until you've got a firm riverbed footing. Here's one such angler doing just that on the River Tay near Pitlochry during good low water wading conditions.

This guided salmon fishing trip guest came to learn how to wade properly & safely in the River Tay and to brush up on his general salmon fishing tactical approach. The gravel bank in the distance is where the River Tummel enters the Tay which is a great area for intercepting salmon which is not too far away from the Perthshire town of Pitlochry.

Here's a salmon fishing guest fly fishing their way down through the Gean Tree Pool of the River Tay's Kercock salmon beat. This guest was under the supervision of a professional salmon guide resulting in 2 salmon being caught by this fisher that day even though it was a very bright July day. Look at the lovely sunlight sparkle coming off the water.

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.

Salmon River Wading Safety

By Jock Monteith 5th June 2026

There's much more to successful salmon fishing wading techniques than just pulling a pair of chest waders on and charging into the river.

Just because a pair of chest waders goes all the way up to your chest there are many logical good reasons why a salmon angler should never consider doing the same.

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.

Don't Become Buoyant While Wading

None of the current chest wader manufacturers advise what your buoyancy percentage levels are while in at mid thigh to mid chest which to my mind is just negligent on the grounds of fisher safety. All salmon anglers should be aware that the deeper they wade the less weight they carry which means they can be fairly easily bowled over by the current when wading deep if they are not very careful. Just because chest waders go up to your chest doesn't mean that's what the anglers should also do!

Look at the beautiful silver flanks of the June caught river Tay fresh run salmon which was hooked and landed at the Ash Tree Pool on The Lower Kinnaird Beat of The River Tay on this bright light early June fishing day. Note the salmon fishing trip guest is wearing eye protection and a life jacket as safety always comes first on the salmon river.

Wear A Life Jacket & Eye Protection While Salmon Fishing

In addition to this I often see salmon fishers who are out wading deep in the river who have no life jackets on. This is completely unnecessary and crazy and sadly some salmon fishing seasons bring at least one unnecessary fatality due to this stupidity. All salmon beats in Scotland should have a 'mandatory' approach to the use of lifejackets as when a life is lost there is no getting it back. Someone recently made a comment that I was too OTT on basic eye protection and the mandatory wearing of an automatic lifejacket and it's this type of 'brainless' stupidity that causes occasional unnecessary injury or death in this sport.

This is the Rock Pool on the River Tay slightly upstream of the River Tay & River Tummel confluence which is just visible in the background. This is a very good salmon fishing area in Scotland and worthy of a salmon fishing trip. I took this beautiful shot in low water conditions during June after commuting down in this traditional Tay salmon boat.

A Stealthy Salmon Pool Approach

Stealth while approaching a salmon pool and when entering the river are key salmon fishing components as salmon are very aware of unnatural movements. The salmon's lateral line will pick up any vibrations or water disturbance at great distance so don't just power walk up the gravel riverbank of the pool you're about to fish but instead walk slowly and keep well back from the riverbank until you reach your starting position. The first thing a salmon should ever be aware of is your salmon fly and nothing else if you're looking for success in this pursuit.

Here's one of our River Tay salmon fishing trip guests moments before a Spring salmon took his fly at the Green Bank Pool of the River Tay at Kinnaird. Careful salmon lie approach often pays off when fishing any salmon pool especially when salmon are suspected of lying close to the riverbank like this scenario. This fisher had come from California to fish the Tay and departed with a very special memory.

Start Salmon Fishing With A Short Line

When you get to your starting position don't do what most anglers do by wading straight in creating a big bow wave of commotion before pulling all their fly line off the reel and starting with one huge big 'blitzkrieg' cast! Stand back at ankle or shin depth and start with a short line extending the length of the line by a yard between each cast until you have the length of line suitable for that specific pool application before you slowly start wading out a yard at a time (if you even have to) until you're at your predetermined fishing depth and only then start wading down through the pool between each cast. That is the technically correct way to commence fishing at the neck of any salmon pool so don't let over eagerness get the better of you as a quick salmon may be waiting 'close in' at the neck of the pool that you'd otherwise have missed!

This salmon fishing trip angler is wading down through the shallow water bar in the centre of the River Tay at the neck of the Rock Pool on the Kinnaird salmon beat near Dunkeld. This salmon fisher was taught to wade with stealth by his salmon fishing instructor which is an important salmon fishing skill to master.

Wade The Salmon River With Small Careful Steps

Small carefully placed and weight tested steps are the best and safest steps to take especially if you're not familiar with the pool you're wading through. While wading at any depth your feet become your hands so often you're virtually feeling your way down along the riverbed. If you reach any large stones never step over them as there will always be a deep pocket on the downstream side of all stones so always wade around the inside edge when you encounter them. A minimum of 3 feet or 3 small steps between each cast has brought me the most success when fishing so try the same tactic if you're struggling to catch salmon.

Use A Wading Stick While Salmon Fishing

When wading through salmon pools that have a very rocky riverbed it is useful to carry a wading stick to test the depth and contours areas you're wading into and to give you an extra point of contact for stability. All wading sticks should have a heavy duty and secure rubber grommet over their ends so as not to alert the entire salmon population that there's a 'riverbed rattling' salmon angler approaching! In light gravel easily waded pools a wading stick can be a nuisance but its always a good idea to have one with you on all salmon fishing trips just in case needed for the more uneven riverbed pools you'll encounter.

Here's a lovely fly caught salmon by one of our guided fishing guests which was caught on the River Tummel neat Ballinluig in July. This fishing area of the Tummel is close to Dunkeld & Pitlochry. You can see the salmon is being perfectly supported by this salmon fisher while I took the salmon capture shot as his salmon fishing guide.

Polarised Salmon Fishing Glasses

A good pair of polaroids can be your best friend on any salmon river for various reasons and primarily for sensible eye protection. While wading through a pool polaroids will also give you a greater sense of confidence as they'll usually allow you to see where you're wading so always have them with you. Often a good pair of polaroid sunglasses will allow you to spot salmon lying in the pools of a river and especially in the shallower smaller gin clear waters of the beautiful Scottish salmon rivers.