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| Map of the River Tay system |
River Dochart - the furthest headwaters are on the slopes of Ben Lui (3700 feet), on the borders of Perthshire and Argyllshire, which flow northwards to form the Fillan Water. This moderate-sized stream runs eastwards to feed Loch Dochart, out of the loch flows the River Dochart which runs through Loch Lubhair, and then continues eastward to enter Loch Tay at Killin.
Upper Tay - from Kenmore Bridge to Ballinluig the following beats have salmon, trout and grayling fishing. Kenmore Hotel, Farleyer, Bolfracks, Weem, Aberfeldy AC, Edradynate, Derculich, Findynate, Pitcastle, Pitnacree and Upper Kinnaird. River Lyon - emerges from Loch Lyon and flows through Stronuich Reservoir then down through Glen Lyon. Sometimes it runs broken and shallow interspersed by deep pools, other parts open out to form slow loch-like reaches. The river itself has some excellent trout fishing throughout its length. There are several good salmon beats on the Lyon. Middle Tay - from the River Tummel to Meiklour the beats include Lower Kinnaird, Dalguise, Dalmarnock, Dunkeld House, Newtyle, Murthly, Glendelvine, Delvine, Upper and Lower Kercock and Meiklour.
Lower Tay from the River Isla to Perth includes Islamouth, Ballathie, Cargill, Taymount, Stobhall, Burnmouth, Stanley, Benchil, Fishponds, Upper Scone, Walkmill, Redgorton, Almondmouth, Rome Croy, Muirton, Willogate and the Perth Town water beats.
River Earn - This medium sized river winds a course from Loch Earn through Strathearn to empty into the estuary of the River Tay. It travels sedately and steadily for much of its journey, only during its first few miles down to Crieff does it encounter some significant gradient. Salmon main runs start with the arrival of grilse and continue into the autumn. September and October are the most prolific salmon fishing months. The river also has good runs of sea trout. Brown trout and grayling are plentiful.
River Tummel - Few salmon fishing opportunities exist on the Tummel above Loch Faskally but there is excellent trout and pike fishing to be had. Loch Tummel has pike and perch. Loch Rannoch has trout, ferrox trout and pike. Loch Ericht also has a good population of trout. Below Faskally, the River Tummel is a large freestone river and it contains large numbers of brown trout and grayling. Most salmon head up the River Garry to the River Tilt, a vast area of the highlands where trout fishing is difficult to access.
River Isla - Rises in Glen Isla flows down to the valley of Strathmore where it is an excellent trout and grayling river. Its tributaries include the Dean, Kerbet and Melgum, nice, small trout rivers.
The River Isla also offers good salmon fishing at Coupar Grange, below the junction with the Ericht. The Ericht and its tributaries the Rivers Blackwater and Ardle have good runs of salmon and grilse. The Ericht has a series of obstacles that prevent salmon running upstream until the temperature has risen. Some time in May, salmon will have penetrated the upper reaches. This is small river fishing most of the sport on a single-handed rod with small flies. After summer floods the Ericht system enjoys really good grilse runs. The Ericht also maintains a very good trout population. |
