Another blank on the Tay

My club had their annual pilgrimage into freshwater on the 21^st of Feb to the river Tay. The target fish being of course the elusive spring run Salmon. Over the last three years this trip has produced one springer and a handful of kelts and with the forecasted conditions I don’t think anyone was overly optimistic regarding the chances with the river on the day knocking on for 10ft above summer levels.

The payday if you’re able to cash in could be the fish of a lifetime and with a two nice fish coming off the Dalmarnock beat already that week you just never know. So eight of us made the journey north and found the river level at the expected height, the boat unable to be launched for safety reasons and the top beat also flooded out. It’s more of a social event for us so we cracked on with the usual banter.

Stewart looking for inspiration in the shrubs or maybe the car keys have been lost again?

The morning session provided an out of season brownie for Eddie and I think we were all happy to hit the hut at 1pm for some coffee and a warm up. River levels had dropped slightly and three of us managed on to the top beat in the afternoon but could only attempt to fish the top 300 yard section.

Me dreaming of what a take might feel like

We called time about 4.30pm, some of us including myself stopped over night for a few beers. I can also report that this year there was nothing left in the hotel, all bills were paid before leaving and that no suspicious stains were left on exiting the lodgings.

 Maybe next year…..