Required Tackle

Rivers Tay, Earn and Tummel

Fly Fishing:The normal outfit for the River Tay or Earn, is a 14-16 foot carbon fibre double handed Salmon fly rod. Fifteen foot probably being the optimum. The water temperature starts to rise throughout March and April, and as such a sink tip of intermediate line is then prefered. If the water remains cold, one could still use these lines, but fit on a sinking braided leader.

Use a 4 1/4” wide fly reel, allowing for 200 yards of strong backing. Six to seven feet of 18lb monofilament is required as a leader, with 6 or 8 hairwing treble flies. During the summer months, or periods of low water, size 10 or indeed 12 may be used with a 12lb leader. Popular and successful flies are Allys Shrimp, Thunder and Lightening, Jock Scott, Willie Gunn and Munro Killer.

Chest waders are required for any serious fly fishing, plus strong wading stick. Neoprene waders are preferred during the Spring and PVC thereafter.

If any of the party need tuition in ‘Spey’ Casting, the ghillie, if engaged, will be only too pleased to do so.

Spinning: A good strong spinning rod somewhere between 9 and 11 feet is required. The optimum probably being 10. Make sure you have a fixed spool reel which will give sufficient capacity of 18 or 20lb of a good reliable monofilament. The reel should be able to take in excess of 150 yards.

Traditional spinning baits are Devons. 2.5 and 3”, in Blue and Silver, Brown and Gold, and yellow tobies. Tobies are popular in Silver and Copper, with the 18gram being the best under most conditions, with the 28gram being used only in high water. Flying ’C’ are popular in recent years, with the best combination being red body with silver blade.

Waders are not so essential for spinning which can be carried out with knee boots. Remember to bring a net of 24 or 30” diameter, or a quality tailer.

 All our beats allow fly fishing and spinning. Some owners allow bait at certain times of the year but see permit for details.

Hoping this has given you an insight into what equipment is required. But if there is any item which you are short of, we can supply it from our shop at mail order prices. Alternatively, the ghillie, if engaged, should be able to supply from his stocks.