Spring run develops

It has been another reasonably productive week on the River Tay, with a spring run continuing to develop.

Ian Jardine had a small fish from Benchil, and a fish was recorded from Lower Redgorton. John Jennings caught a lovely fresh 7lb fish from Kirkie on the Pitlochrie beat on the fly.

Stobhall had a couple in the week but further upstream the lower water was helping Ballathie and Cargill. At the latter Neil French had great success with the fly, landing several fish up to 20lb.

Islamouth is certainly the hot spot on the river, with an April total of 85 which is way above their average for the month.

Last week was another exceptional week with 30 fish grassed. Neil Tong, Roger Moore, Gordon Fleetwood, John McElroy, John Campbell and Mike Davies all caught.

Meikleour and Upper Islamouth had four for the week, with veteran Alan Lankshear getting the week off to a flying start with a 12-pounder.

The middle river is producing more fish as the run progresses up river. Kercock had three for their week, with Swedish flyfishers Peter Dahlstrom, Tomas Lundqvist, and Carlos Garza all catching.

Murthly 1 and Glendelvine had five between them and Murthly 2 had a great week with 18 fish. Newtyle landed six, which included a first-ever salmon, an 8lb fish, for Mark Sclater, who was part of the Paul Norman party.

Dunkeld House had a fish caught by Ted Swaithe on the fly from the Cathedral stream, weighing 10lb.

Dalmarnock had a couple in the week and Lower Kinnaird had five.

The upper river is also seeing a bit of action with a couple reported last week from Findynate and Farleyer despite lower water levels.