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Here's professional Scottish salmon guide Jock Monteith with a salmon fishing tour guest at the neck of the famous Kinnaird Beat's Ash Tree Pool. You can clearly see the beautiful Perthshire hills behind Pitlochry in the distance and Jock carrying his favourite salmon landing net over his shoulder.
When playing a salmon it's important to ease off the rod pressure if you see you're fly line rising and anticipate a jump. If a fish does jump like this simply drop your rod so the fish cannot get a bang at the taught mainline with it's tail which could dislodge your hard earned salmon fly hook hold. I took this photo while serving as a salmon fishing guide on the River Tay near Dunkeld as my salmon fishing guest was plating this fine salmon.
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.
This man has been one of my best most loyal salmon guide colleagues over the last 20 years. Martin worked with me on the Newtyle Beat in 2004 & 2005 before I assisted him in getting started on the Kinnaird salmon beat where he's thrived ever since. Martin is in one of his Tay salmon boats in this shot motoring up through the Channel Pool on his Kinnaird Beat.
This photograph of professional Scottish salmon fishing guide Jock Monteith was captured by TV producer Chris Webster outside Ferry Cottage on the Kinnaird Estate of the River Tay in Perthshire. You can see the snow clad hills and riverbanks in the background.

Scottish Salmon Fishing Guides

By 6th June 2019

There's a big difference between a Scottish beat ghillie's role and that of a professional personal salmon guide.

The next few paragraphs will focus in on exactly what the 'general' roles of each are so you know what to expect and you don't turn up on a salmon beat with an inaccurate picture of things.

This photograph of professional Scottish salmon fishing guide Jock Monteith was captured by TV producer Chris Webster outside Ferry Cottage on the Kinnaird Estate of the River Tay in Perthshire. You can see the snow clad hills and riverbanks in the background.

Professional Salmon Beat Ghillie Advice

A professional salmon beat ghillie who's employed by the salmon beat is there to offer all kinds of salmon fishing advice to his daily fishing guests and action a fair salmon pool rotation to all of his fishers. He is also there to be a great host to all fishing guests and an inspiration when the fishing is tough. Throughout the course of the morning and afternoon fishing sessions the professional beat ghillie will normally be out checking on his fishers at least a couple of times to make sure they are fishing correctly and to offer additional tactical salmon pool fishing advice if required.

This man has been one of my best most loyal salmon guide colleagues over the last 20 years. Martin worked with me on the Newtyle Beat in 2004 & 2005 before I assisted him in getting started on the Kinnaird salmon beat where he's thrived ever since. Martin is in one of his Tay salmon boats in this shot motoring up through the Channel Pool on his Kinnaird Beat.

The Salmon Beat Ghillie's Role

Aside from the above duties it is also the professional ghillie's role to keep the fishing hut clean and well maintained for his guest's and the kettle boiled for tea or coffee for the morning arrival of guests and at lunchtime too. It is also his responsibility to keep the riverbanks in good shape for ease of fishing purposes which can often mean the ghillie will be out maintaining the riverbanks or painting the hut or boats during the Summer fishing months. The above factors do not leave much spare time for a professional ghillie who's running a busy salmon beat but it is important to know that a professional ghillie has the responsibility to look after everyone who is fishing and that means he'll usually be constantly on the move throughout the full course of the fishing day.

 

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.

Personal Salmon Fishing Guide Service

A personal salmon fishing guide offers a completely different service which focusses attention solely on a group size of one or more guests. The personal guide will teach all the different salmon fishing tactical approaches from Spey casting techniques to effective riverbank movement if required and will stick solely with his party for the full fishing day. It is not a personal guides role to check on other fishing guests nor get involved in other salmon beat duties so a personal guide service offers a much more personal & comprehensive service than what a salmon beat ghillie can normally offer.

Our quality assured guided salmon fishing gift vouchers are redeemable on the 4 major Scottish salmon rivers; Tay, Dee, Spey & Tweed. Salmon fishing dates can be arranged after the gift voucher recipient receives there gift voucher so no need to chose a fishing date prior to purchase unless you'd like to. We supply a professional salmon guide, full fishing equipment supply, tactical tuition and the salmon fishing access to a quality salmon river venue.

Booking A Personal Salmon Guide

A professional guide should have a good track record in salmon fishing and also be an excellent host. A personal salmon fishing guide service also includes all the appropriate salmon fishing equipment including waders, waterproof jackets, life jackets and the most appropriate proven salmon flies and lures. A personal guide's influence will go a long way towards the success of your salmon fishing day and should always be seriously considered if you or any of your party are in need of tactical tuition or 'constant' professional supervision. When selecting a personal guide look for one with a proven track record who has ideally come from a full time career based background.

When playing a salmon it's important to ease off the rod pressure if you see you're fly line rising and anticipate a jump. If a fish does jump like this simply drop your rod so the fish cannot get a bang at the taught mainline with it's tail which could dislodge your hard earned salmon fly hook hold. I took this photo while serving as a salmon fishing guide on the River Tay near Dunkeld as my salmon fishing guest was plating this fine salmon.

Qualifying The Salmon Fisher's Needs

If a Scottish salmon beat is not fully tuned into the 'client experience' or if the visiting salmon fishing client hasn't been correctly qualified by the agent with a view to understanding exactly what they need and expects from their salmon fishing trip then delivery issues will & do often occur. This industry has badly suffered from a lack of basic client qualification by agents and estates. A 'permit only' marketing focus has to date been the way the majority of salmon fishing has been sold in Scotland which has been bad for client retention as new fishers don't get launched correctly or turn up ill equipped and soon loose interest in the sport. If you need a more 'comprehensive' salmon fishing service or introduction to the sport then it's important you consider booking a personal salmon fishing guide and don't just turn up at a salmon fishing beat with a permit thinking the beat ghillie will be able to offer all of the tutorial assistance or equipment that you or your party needs that day.

 

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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.
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