Here's an absolute peach of a fresh run Spring salmon weighing 24lbs which was caught near Dunkeld on the River Tay by our top professional salmon fishing guide. These highly prized heavyweight Spring salmon are what the River Tay is famous for producing and thousands of salmon fishing trip anglers come to the Tay each year for the chance of catching one.

Here's a perfect boat caught March salmon from the River Tay near Dunkeld. Look at this fish's perfect colours which even the best wildlife artist would struggle to perfectly replicate. These early Spring salmon are a true Scottish treasure and we take great delight in introducing them to our salmon fishing trip holiday guests as was the case here.

This big Tay Springer made the day for 2 salmon fishing trip guests on a cold wet March day near Dunkeld. Look at the oceanic hunting colours and the perfect shape of this Spring salmon then imagine it buckling your fly rod with reel screaming runs and getting your adrenalin pumping! Nothing beat salmon fishing in Scotland for a chance of a perfect fly caught salmon like this.

These wild lupins are a great sight to behold during late Spring on the riverbanks of Scotland. These's so much fascinating natural beauty to be observed on the riverbanks of Scotland catching salmon is only one dimension of a day out salmon fishing. This is the neck of the Boat Pool on Glendelvine Water which is a perfect River Tay salmon fishing venue near Perth.

Here's a 16ft River Tay salmon fishing coble constructed from larch and oak. These traditional salmon boats are very stable yet can navigate shallow water when required. I've spent years out in this style of River Tay boat and enjoyed the capture of many salmon while boat fishing. This is one of the Kinnaird Beat boats on the River Tay near Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire.

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.

The River Tay Soothsayer

By Jock Monteith 18th March 2018

I know this salmon fishing game like the back of my hand & I'm giving out sound advice which is probably going right over most people's heads.

That aside on yesterday's newsletter I called it spot on again when suggesting mid March is always a turning point as more perfect Spring salmon were caught on the Tay.

River Tay Snow Storms & The North Wind

I fully understand why on the face of things Spring salmon fishing can appear to be more of an SAS endurance test rather than a tranquil day by the river but look deeper at the game you're playing and the truly phenomenal prize that's at stake. Understand the 'little windows of opportunity' that appear on all fishing days from mid March that can easily be 'missed' by even the highly trained 'river eye' of a professional Tay ghillie. To catch a Spring salmon you need to be tuned in to a higher level of awareness and have the faith to thoroughly execute your daily fishing plan with daily & 'ceaseless' consistency.

Here's one of my hard working trusted River Tay boat fishing lures which has performed numerous times over the years as you can see by its battered external condition. This is the pearly pink 4 inch Tomic Classic lure from Canada which is the only River Tay 'harling' lure required from January to the end of April each year. As a professional River Tay boatman having trusted effective lures like this are vital for success.

Harling Is A Tradition On The Tay

For those of you who are more fly orientated my hat is off to you and I'm one of the few who would always prefer to lead with the fly too. On the Tay however she's a different beast through the Spring months and sometimes needs that extra level of presentation the boat can offer to unlock the silverware that's always present in her safe! Our British record salmon was taken from the boat at Glendelvine and there's nothing to be frowned upon with that famous fish or its lady captor.

River Tay Spring Boat Fishing

The traditional River Tay 'harling' boats are the most effective way to cover the big deep pools of the Tay during the higher early Spring water period as the reduced fishing angles of the boat's 'harling' lures are slowed up to a point where a professional boatman can 'hang' the lures momentarily over the salmon lies. This level of slower cold water presentation is seldom achievable from the riverbank over the Tay's more distant salmon lies. The boat is deadly as salmon lie water coverage is truly maximised as is the highly effective 'multiple' lure swim time from lures that don't lose 10 seconds every minute while being recast.

Yesterday On The River Tay

Yet again yesterday a fine head of fresh run Spring salmon snooped right up the Tay and several beats got a got a hold of a few of them. Notably the Glendelvine beat got in front of 3 perfect specimens to 22lbs and the Dunkeld House beat scored twice with 2 rapid heavyweights to 24 lbs. On Dunkeld House yesterday the Head Ghillie's sanity was questioned by one of his riverbank fishers for daring to go out in the boat during the blizzard and that is exactly why not many Spring salmon are caught on the Tay during the early months as the fire in the fishing hut is 'naturally' far more appealing during these often normal 'baltic' Spring weather conditions.

Study The Spring Salmon Prize That's At Stake

Look closely at the amazing beauty of these 2 Dunkeld House heavyweight River Tay Spring salmon from yesterday and be honest with yourself as nothing comes close to a wild Atlantic salmon in Spring battle dress. The power and instant realisation that this is no kelt within seconds of connecting will set your pulse on fire and freeze lock your focus like time has stopped still. This is more than catching a fish and much more like a highly fortunate personal interview with God's finest marine creature. A Tay Springer is a survival specialist & top predator and has the most beautiful iridescent coat of oceanic camouflage. 'Beware' you don't get addicted though and you have been forewarned!

Here's a perfect example of God's finest marine creature the Atlantic salmon. These fish are amazingly powerful and awesome to look at once your skill levels are high enough to place one in the landing net for a close up inspection. This fine specimen was caught near Pitlochry on the River Tay by one of my salmon fishing trip guests.

Absolute Tay Spring Salmon Fishing Perfection

The only daytime fire I was ever conditioned to accept was the one that was 'ready' to be lit at 1pm or 5pm 'after' a Spring harling shift was over or the less attractive fire at the 'creamery' after the last cast has been made! As a beat ghillie I'd be out in all conditions with my eye constantly on riverbank markers between each perfectly measured swing of the boat to ensure 100% consistent boat water coverage through all the likely salmon pool holding areas. Letting the lures swing right into the river margins was crucial too so I was never too quick on the turn to miss the often 'close in' Spring salmon lies & running zones. These days many guess what they're covering and fish the slack clutch which negates that often gentle Spring 'dunt' from sticking.