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Salmon Fishing Dreams on the River Tay…

December 23, 2015/in Fishing Reports, News, Salmon/by Callum Conner

What would be classed as Salmon fishing dreams? Salmon Fishing in Scotland? Four Salmon in one day? Absolutely!
In Autumn/Fall in Scotland it’s not unheard of to experience four seasons in one day, but four Salmon in one day? To one angler? It’s almost unheard of in the modern day.
So yes, this was in-fact a scenario that happened to one very fortunate angler fishing with Scotia on the mighty River Tay back in October 2015!

Bill and Allan had driven all the way down from Inverness to come Salmon fishing on the Tay with Head Guide Callum Conner. We manoeuvred their initial date to capitalise on some last minute availability on one of my favourite Salmon beats and one of the most productive on the river. After a long drive, some motivational speech from myself then probably more importantly some caffeine, Bill & Allan and were raring to go!

I gave a quick tackle demo and briefing of where the Salmon would likely lie in this area. Bill and Allan had a few casts while we waited for the ghillie to drop off the other rods on the opposite bank. After half a dozen casts I see Bill with his rod high and arched over, yep, Bill was in…

Bill’s first ever Atlantic Salmon, the best way to start a day! But that hat though Bill?

After a short fight he’d landed his first ever Atlantic Salmon. It wasn’t the bonniest of Salmon, it had been through the wars but still, it’s a Salmon and he was off the mark! I knew after this Bill’s confidence would be sky high for the remainder of the day and I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be his only today!

Now, the Lower Tay is a big river, even in summer lows which we were experiencing on this day. Sometimes you need to cover the pools from the boat to ensure you fish as much of the river as possible and ultimately heighten your chances of success. So off we went. Anchoring up in one of the most productive back-end Salmon pools of the lower river we had Salmon of all shades and sizes jumping around the boat! This has to be seen to be believed, the Lower River Tay can come alive with Salmon at this time of year. You would be lucky if thirty seconds would pass without a Salmon belly flopping back into the water. For someone that hasn’t experienced this it really helps to get the adrenaline flowing!

The Lower River Tay – She’s a big’un!

Bill and Allan continued to cover the water well. Every now and then Bill would murmur a few “ooh” & “ahh, that was a hit”. After an hour one finally committed. With the drag from the reel producing some lovely music to our ears we knew we were into something more substantial than the first fish. Carefully edging the boat into the side whilst playing the fish would help us land and photograph the fish, causing the least amount of stress possible.

I had the pleasure of slipping the net under this awesome back-end Hen Salmon, sporting full spawning livery. Unhooking the fish in the net, in the water and after a quick photo she was released back to do her business. We can look forward to meeting her kids in a few years time!

A thumper for Bill’s second of the day!

While we were on the bank we thought it would be as good a time as any to go cover the top of the beat, which had been left alone by the other anglers all morning so any likely Salmon lying there had not been disturbed yet. With the top run looking very promising I stuck Allan in front of Bill aka “hot rod” to try get him into the fish first. Before I could even wade back out I hear “fish on Cal”. Yup, you guessed it, he’s in again – haha. A few choice words were aired in good jest at Bill as I made my way back to do the honours for him.

This was a sparkling bright sea liced cock Grilse of around 6 pounds that gave a spirited fight with many nerve wracking, head shaking runs close to the net. A quick photograph and back he went! Big hand shakes and congratulations were voiced to Bill who had released his third Salmon before lunch – what a morning!

A beautiful third Salmon for Bill. This one with sea-lice straight from the ocean!

Three Salmon was the half time score and we retired to the hut for a welcome hearty Scottish themed lunch and a celebratory dram! A quick chat with the other anglers and it was soon apparent that Bill had been the only fortunate angler this morning despite the obscene amount of airborne Salmon seen throughout the beat!

The afternoon session would see us fishing the bottom section of the beat from the left bank. Again, I thought I’d put Bill down behind us in the hope Allan would cover any likely fish first before Hot Rod could work his magic! After a few minutes I had to remind Bill about wading too close to the lies. A quick briefing of the likely resting areas for a running fish on the inside seam of the run and a few casts later resulted in the fourth hook-up of the day.

Another great fight from this chunky little Salmon ( or Grilse – a 1 sea winter Salmon ) and once Bill subdued her I slipped the net under his epic fourth Salmon of the day!

Salmon number four safely returned to continue its journey.

Another quick photograph and back she went. “Pretty easy this Salmon fishing Bill isn’t it?” I was delighted for Bill, he now owns the Scotia Fishing record for the most Salmon in one day – which is more than my personal record of three and last seasons best of three!

Fishing is funny, Allan had the exact same set up and fishing the same areas as Bill yet never touched anything? I felt for him and I think as anglers we’ve all been there before – sometimes you are just luckier than the others?

Thankfully Bill was better at fishing than he was at selecting his choice of headwear – which was atrocious Bill! 🙂 This became a running joke throughout the day with Bill taunting the other anglers asking if they would like to wear his “lucky” hat.

Hey son, did I tell you I caught four Salmon today?…

This was one of the most memorable trips from 2015 and I was over the moon for Bill, especially given the long commute endured to make this happen.

I emailed Bill recently to sum up him his day for me in a few words, here was his response:

I spend a good bit of time fishing the coastal and inland waters of Georgia and South Carolina, primarily the Savannah to Charleston area. I’ve been waiting for years to fish Atlantic Salmon in Scotland and Callum Conner provided that opportunity. I caught 4 beautiful fish, 3 before lunch and 1 in the afternoon.

Callum provides the all-round best Salmon fishing experience! Perfect setting and the right equipment for us Americans to experience the Lower Tay. Callum is a congenial host and guide. Listen to him – he knows his fish! He knows his way around the kitchen too. The fish and potato stew was just right – hearty, simple and filling. It was a great way to spend a day fishing with my new son-in-law, since he learned that the ‘old man’ could still out fish him. We call him the son-in-awe now!

Bill Easterlin

‘The son in awe’ – love it Bill!

Big thanks to my good friend and Ghillie Harry Proud. Not to forget the Salmon gods!

The next client to beat this record will receive a fine bottle of single malt Scotch Whisky courtesy of Scotia Fishing!

“Five Salmon in one day for Scotia Fishing guest” – I do like the sound of that…

For more info Salmon fishing dreams on the River Tay please visit our Salmon fishing in Scotland package or contact us now to enter our enquiry form.

Tight lines!

Salmon Fishing on the River Tay in Scotland

December 22, 2014/in Packages, Salmon/by Callum Conner

Salmon fishing on the River Tay in Scotland holds a special place in our hearts. It is our most local river that’s part of Scotland’s “big four” salmon fishing rivers and we would argue it offers the best value Salmon fishing in Scotland. The River Tay is Scotland’s largest river, flowing an impressive 117 miles from source to sea.

Stunning Autumnal light when Salmon fishing on the River Tay!

The River Tay is steeped in tradition and Salmon fishing history. In-fact the biggest ever Salmon caught in the UK was caught on this very river back in 1922 by Miss Georgina Ballantine. It is still the British record rod caught Salmon to this day and unlikely to ever be beaten!

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Salmon fishing on the river tay in Scotland during low water conditions in September.

Scotia Fishing provide guided Salmon fishing on the River Tay from opening day in January up until the last day in October.

The great thing about the River Tay is fresh fish run the river from opening day, until the last day of the season. This means you will always have a chance at landing a bar of silver!

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A great back-end Salmon for Dan from Oklahoma on the River Tay!

The River Tay has a great spring, summer and back end run which makes the river very unique and consistent throughout the season.

The tributaries of the river Tay have some of Scotland’s most prolific spring salmon catches. If you time it right, they can offer you one of the best chances of landing a spring Salmon in Scotland!

Can you spot the jumping Salmon

Salmon Fishing on the River Tay

The Tay is one of the few Scottish rivers that will fish in mega low summer levels right up to 12ft above summer levels which was conditions we faced on the last week of the season in 2014 and still caught fish!

Ronnie with a coloured back-end hen typical of fishing in the fall & autumnal months.

Up until the end of the 2014 season the Tay ran a trial extension period for four years with the season running to the end of October. This was a great idea in our eyes but following a vote in December 2014, land owners on the river have opted against this being applied for on a permanent basis.

This is a shame, as on the second last day of the season in 2014 we were still catching bright bars of silver like the one below.

A stunning wee Grilse from the 2nd last day to the extension season.

There are so many picturesque beats offering first class Salmon fishing on the River Tay with great ghillies and facilities to match.

Different sections of this magnificent river fish best at different times of the year. Scotia Fishing will use our knowledge and experience of fishing and guiding on the Tay to select you the best beat suiting your requirements to give you the best opportunity possible of landing that prized Atlantic Salmon!

Our packages include:

Hotel pick ups
Permit / License
Personal guide per 3 anglers
Qualified tuition
Full safety equipment
Top of the range fishing tackle hire
Breathable waders & boot hire
Hearty Scottish themed lunches & non-alcoholic drinks
Photography to keep as a souvenir
Complimentary fine dram of single malt whisky

A stinker of a salmon from the River Tay. Caught on the fly by Scotia Fishing owner..

We offer one of the best value services in Scotland and have built up a reputation for delivering results. Don’t just believe us, check out the independent reviews on Trip Advisor.

Please visit our Salmon fishing in Scotland package page or get in touch using the “Contact Us” button to find out more information about Salmon fishing on the River Tay in Scotland.

Best Salmon Fishing in Scotland – Our Thoughts

November 26, 2014/in Packages, Salmon/by Callum Conner

The best Salmon fishing in Scotland. How does one prove such a statement? Well, in our opinion there are number of factors that contribute to defining the best Atlantic Salmon fishing in Scotland. Scotland has an abundance of prolific Salmon rivers, with each one having it’s own unique feel, appearance, history, traditions and charm.

A pristine example of a prized, fresh run, Scottish Atlantic Salmon.

Here’s our thoughts on what makes the best Salmon fishing in Scotland.

1. Accessibility is a major factor. Somewhere within a short drive from the major Scottish cities is a must.

2. Value for money. A river with affordable Salmon fishing options to cater for all budgets at the various times of year.

3. Well managed. A river managed well, with helpful, professional ghillies looking after the beats and providing a welcoming atmosphere to the visiting anglers.

4. Scenery & wildlife. After all, it’s what Scotland is famed for.

5. Quality of fishing. It has to offer quality fishing all year round, good spring, summer and a back end run.

6. History and charm. Scotland is the home of Salmon fly fishing, Spey Casting and the British record Salmon.

When we sat down to go through all the above criteria, in our opinion, the best Salmon fishing is on the mighty River Tay. Let us explain how we come to our conclusion.

A client fishing the River Tay in Summer levels

You can fish the River Tay within a short drive from all Scotland’s major central cities and towns such as, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Dundee, Fife, Stirling & even St Andrews.

It offers the best value for money Salmon fishing in Scotland. Affordable permits and access to such beats can be found all year round, even in peak season when booked in advance.

Fresh run Atlantic Salmon can be caught from opening day, right up until the very last day of the season in most conditions.

The Best Tay Salmon fishing in Scotland in stunning woodland estates

The Tay has a reputation for big fish and due to it’s size, fresh fish will run the system even in the lowest of summer levels. It will is fish when below summer level and up to 12 feet above summer level, offering reliable and consistent Atlantic Salmon fishing throughout the season.

For those that can’t fly fish, Spinning is allowed all year round.

The Tay has different types of water to suit both fly and spin anglers. Beautiful long streamy runs, deep holding pools – it really has it all!

Many of the Tay’s tributaries offer Salmon fishing and in fact some of the best Salmon fishing in Scotland in the spring time (given the correct conditions), is found on the River Tay’s tributaries.

The bank-side trees are lit by the warm Autumnal light.

Meandering through the Perthshire countryside (often referred to as the start of the Highlands), the River Tay is surrounded by beautiful scenery, the banks are lined with impressive Beech and Oak trees, which come Autumn/Fall are simply breath-taking when illuminated by the warm evening and morning autumnal sunlight.

An array of impressive wildlife can be seen whilst fishing the River tay, including Kingfishers, Ospreys, Deer, Otters and Pheasants are often spotted whilst fishing.

The river Tay is the largest river in the UK by volume of discharge. It has the largest catchment area of approximately 2000 square miles and is the longest river in Scotland spanning an impressive 120 miles from West to East.

The River Tay home of the UK’s largest rod caught Salmon caught by miss Georgina Ballantine in 1922, weighing an astonishing 64lbs. A record which is unlikely to ever be beaten. (pic shown above)

Miss Georgina Ballantine’s 64lb Atlantic Salmon from the River Tay

So for the above reasons, the River Tay offers the best Salmon fishing in Scotland – in our unbiased opinion!

For anyone interested in guided Salmon fishing trips in Scotland please follow the links to find out more information on our Salmon fishing packages in Scotland or get in touch by filling in our contact form here.

Salmon Fishing on the River Tay

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