Fishing Hut View (today)

A wee bit of snow fell at lunchtime today and I see it's started again now at 3.30pm. My fingers are still crossed for tomorrow.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Stormy Skies on Newtyle

Something's brewing !!!!!!!

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View (today)

With all the heavy rain & snow last night it's not surpising that the river is on the up again. Hopefully not to the same level as last Saturday !!!. Colin & I brought the boats over from they're winter home last night and they're looking braw sitting in the wee bay just upstream of our submerged jetty !!!
It's not looking great for our opening day tomorrow but will keep my fingers crossed it drops back again.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

This is the first time we've seen this for a while !!!! It's still 6ft above low sunmmer level and it is certainly clear enough to fish in (click photograph to enlarge).

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View (today)

Here's a video taken earlier today of the hut and the river. The water has dropped and at last the top few inches of the water gauge are visible. Hope it now continues to drop for our opening day on Friday.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View (today)

Here's a video of the fishing hut view today in the driving rain. As soon as were open later in the week I'll be taking videos & photographs of how all the different pools look on Newtyle from the boat and hopefully some quality footage showing the capture & release of a few fine specimen springers !!!!! When our season starts I'll be posting that day's footage on this blog around 7pm every evening.
For more information on the Newtyle beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

Here's the scene today and still the water gauge is well hidden. With all of today's rain it could well rise again which would give me yet another great opportunity to de-silt the hut !!!!
I've had the coal fire on all day and the hut is drying out nicely and ready for the onslaught of fishers this Friday onwards when we open.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Cottar Bay Newtyle Beat

Here's the Cottar Bay today in the big water. You can just see the boats to the right of the shed (if you look closely) which have been left stranded high and dry up on the grass after the flood. We open for fishing this Friday coming so I'll slip them into the river in the next day or so.
This is a great time of the year and always a few beautiful springers snooping about to be caught.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

Here's the gauge today. Your guess is as good as mine but hopefully tomorrow I'll not have to be Jacques Cousteau to read it !!!!!!


Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

Here's a picture of the receding flood today.

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View (today)

Here's the view today and the water is dropping back. The water level was thigh deep inside our fishing hut in the early hours of Saturday morning. Thankfully due to natural subsidence there's a run on the floor inside the hut. 50 or so pales of water thrown against the upstream wall shifts all the flood's silt and muck down to the downstream end of the hut where it's easier to shovel out.


Jock Monteith

Flood Shots (today)

There's not really a lot I can say about the river today !!!!

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View (today)

Here's the latest and it's now waist deep inside the fishing hut. Nothing like it for giving the hut a good wash out !!!

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View (today)

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Here's the latest picture at 4pm today. Thankfully the fishing hut sits in a sheltered back eddy and is not exposed to the sheer destructive power the Tay has when it's huge like this. The river is still rising and more heavy rain is due. Keep watching this space !!!!!

Jock Monteith

High Water Today on the Tay

The river is now only a few inches away from being inside the fishing hut. You can see in this video the sheer power the Tay's has when it's in full flood like this. It's really an awesome sight.

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View (today)

Here's a panoramic view taken from the roof of the Newtyle fishing hut this morning. In December 2006 the water level reached shoulder height in the hut so still 6ft to go. Watch this space !!!!!!

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

Your guess is as good as mine as to where the water gauge is today !!!!! & it's still rising. These shots were taken at 9 am. There could be some more interesting photographs up on this blog later today

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

You can see how quickly the river is dropping from today's earlier shot of the water gauge.
This shot was taken at 1pm and now showing a level of 4ft 7'.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View (today)

Here's how the Tay is looking today (1pm) from the Newtyle Beat fishing hut area.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

Here's todays water level at 5ft 10' on the Newtyle Gauge. As you can see the Tay has risen 1ft 10 ' since yesterday. This shot was taken at 9.30am.

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View (today)

Here's a panoramic view of the 'Tail of the Cottar' pool from the fishing hut area.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Cottar Bay Newtyle Beat

Here's a look at the Cottar Bay. High clear spring water tells me that they're could easily be a springer or two holding up in the bay today.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

Here's the river level today on Newtyle (Click to enlarge photograph). As you can see the Tay's back up again at 4ft.

Jock Monteith

My dog Selkie Monteith

My great friend 'Selkie' is such a noble & loyal beast. He follows me about all day & night (I am sure though only out of curiosity !!!). He is solely responsible for the Newtyle Beat having some of the fittest rabbits in Scotland.

Jock Monteith

The Rock Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's how the 'Rock Pool' was looking earlier today. In high water salmon lie in near to the side here and in lower water levels a really lovely fly stream appears all the way through this pool.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Rock Pool to The Boil

Here's a panoramic video taken earlier today of the 'Rock Pool' right round to 'The Boil' from our right hand bank. In low water this bank can be fly fished & both these pools hold salmon. 'The Boil' is normally only fished off the opposite bank however there's a great low water holding area just above 'The Boil' stone at the tail of the 'Rock Pool' (if you look closely you can just see the wake from this stone in the middle of the river). The fly can be presented much more effectively over this lie from this bank. It is also easier to reach this particular lie from this side and control your fly through the first 1/3rd of it's swim which is the part that counts here. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

Here's the water gauge today showing a drop in the water level overnight of approx 8 inches. This is almost certainly due to the very hard frost last night
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Cottar Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's the middle of the 'Cottar Pool' today in fine order for the fly in off the far bank. When the Tay is running low the most attractive fly stream appears on this side below the camera. I'll take a panoramic video of it to show you whenever the water levels drop later this spring. Only a short 25 yard cast is required to cover it when its fishable and it's a beautiful fly stream to swim your fly through.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

The water level on our gauge is sitting at 3ft 11 inches and the Tay is running clear. Click photograph to enlarge it.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Oil Panting of Newtyle by Alistair Makinson

Here's an outstanding oil paintng recently completed by famous artist Alistair Makinson. This scene shows the view perfectly from 'The Boil' up to the 'Tail of the Cottar' and on to our blue fishing hut.
For more information on Alistair's fine work Click here.

Jock Monteith

The Deans Burn Newtyle Beat

Here's the Dean's Burn pool today looking rather inviting in the high water. If you click the picture to enlarge it you can see Dunkeld way upstream in the distance. You can also see where some large oak branches have been removed which is a hint as to where the salmon lies are. From the leaning tree that you can see 100 yards up this bank to this last big oak tree are absolute prime holding & taking areas in this pool. There's a deep channel running up this bank and salmon love to stop here.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

St Mary's Stream Newtyle Beat

Here's how St Mary's Steam was looking earlier today. What a lovely stretch of fly water this is with easy wading too. Salmon love to sit back here even in high water before moving on up through the faster water above. In the lower summer water levels you'd wade out 20 yards here to fish the deep channel that runs down the far bank. Today in the high water wading within half a rod's length of the bank would be the order of the day.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Map

Here's a map (click to enlarge) of the Newtyle Beat showing the named pools.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Dunkeld House 20 pounder on 18.1.08

Here's a few shots of the 20 pounder (click photos to enlarge) that came off Dunkeld House yesterday. The fish was expertly hooked harling by Iain Kirk (Head Ghillie) in the 'Girnal Pool' and superbly played & landed by Gary Dawkins of Aberdeen. Gary is a very dedicated & enthusiastic Tay fisher and truly deserves such a fine fish for his efforts. The fish took a 4 inch classic pearly pink Tomic lure from the boat and was quickly returned to the river. Very well done Iain & Gary and great to see another big early springer from the Tay.

For more information on the Dunkeld House Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Brass Plaque On Willie's Bench

Click photograph to enlarge.
This fish was the one my late friend always talked about the most. It took him well over an hour before he could hand tail it in big spring water conditions. He said it was the most perfect & powerful spring salmon he had ever seen. In the later years of his life (some 60 years after it's capture) he would still talk about the fight it gave him on his father's 18 ft greenheart rod as if it had happened only yesterday !!!!

Jock Monteith

Willie's Bench at The Plain Tree Pool

Here's my late friend's memorial bench sitting up on the high bank at our 'Plain Tree Pool'. This was one of his favourite pools and the positioning of the bench gives great elevated views of 1/3rd of the the entire Newtyle Beat. If you click this photograph to enlarge it you'll be able to see the blue fishing hut in the distance. This bench offers a tactical half way point between the hut and the bottom of the beat.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Plain Tree Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's the absolute perfect height for our 'Plain Tree Pool'. This is a notorious big water, big fish holding pool on Newtyle and often produces a 20 lbs plus salmon in these high water conditions. As you can see from the video there's a perfect flow through here today and around 15ft in depth running down this right hand bank of the river. Salmon tend to snoop up this side in high water and take a breather in this pool before moving on.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

The Steps Pool (Tail) Newtyle Beat

Here's the tail of the 'Steps Pool' today with 5 1/2 ft of water on the gauge. This is a lovely pool to fish from either bank and is fishable in all water heights. 'The Steps' took its name from the series of huge boulders that are spread out right across the riverbed here.

For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

The Steps Newtyle Beat

Here's a video of the strong flow today at the 3 croys in our 'Steps Pool' . When the water is much lower this is a great area for holding fish. Today I'd be looking for a fish downstream at the tail of the 'Steps Pool' and below that too in the 'Plain Tree Pool' which both offer more sheltered water for a resting fish. Again in this high water your only looking for a short narrow angled cast allowing your fly or lure maximum swim time in the cold water.

For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

The water level has risen overnight to 5 1/2 ft on our gauge today. A glorious sunny spring day all the same and lovely to be on the river.

For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

Here's the gauge today showing approx 3ft 10' inches over low summer level. A nice height of water for this time of year on Newtyle.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat

The river is down a couple of inches today on Newtyle and running clear. I wonder what other big fish were in the area yesterday (or still are) along with the 27 pounder caught by Stevie & Harry on Glendelvine.
This is the beauty of the Tay you just never know what's entered the river and big fish can easily navigate the river without ever being noticed unless of course you put a hook in one of their mouths !!!
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Perth Bridge River Tay

I wonder how many 40 lbs+ salmon have swum underneath this bridge since 1771

Here's a glimpse back in time

I don't think I'd fancy participating in this one
You'd need to be able to hold your breath to Dundee if the ice broke !!!!

Here's a few of the historic high water marks which are visible if you click to enlarge this photograph.


Here's a video of the bridge this morning for the Google archives !!!

Jock Monteith

27lbs Tay Springer landed today on Glendelvine

This 'absolute topper' was landed this afternoon at 3pm on the famous Glendelvine beat of the Tay. It was hooked harling by my great friend & expert ghillie Stevie McIrvine and played & landed by famous Tay fisher Mr Harry Irvine. The fish was hooked up in the Garth Pool at the very top of Glendelvine water just below the boundary with the Stenton beat. It took an original pink Lucky Louie lure and was returned quickly to the water. It was estimated at around the 27 lbs mark. The very same lie produced a springer of 26 lbs 3 years ago and many other big springers before that. What a great start to the season for Harry & Stevie and full marks for setting free this remarkable early Tay 'specimen' springer. Very well done.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat

Here's a panoramic video of the Tay today from the fishing hut area.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Cottar Pool

Here's the river today (click to enlarge). The water level is just under 4 ft on the gauge and it's been raining heavily all morning. I'll bring the boats over here next week in time for our 1 st of February opening day.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Willie's Croy Alders Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's Willie's Croy today looking as inviting as always. This is another stream that you could never get fed up swimming a fly in.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

The Steps Newtyle Beat

Here's the upstream end of 'The Steps' pool on Newtyle. Several huge boulders that sit in the deep channel here are what gives this pool it's name and reputation. It's a great taking area in high or low water and just downstream of a right hand bend in the river which provides sheltered water for salmon even in the highest of floods. The wading here is a delight in medium to low water heights.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

The Trap Newtyle Beat

Here's 'The Trap' today (click to enlarge) in the high water & sunshine. Wait to you see this pool later in the spring when the water has dropped and the pool is stuffed with springers. This is the sort of pool you could never get tired of as every fish that runs the Tay stops right in front of you here.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.


Jock Monteith

The Cottar Bay Newtyle Beat

Here's the Cottar bay showing the lie I was talking about yesterday. Although the water has dropped a foot today this area 35 yards opposite the green point in the bay is a great taking spot in high water on Newtyle.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat

Here's a panoramic view of the Tay today from the Newtyle fishing hut area.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Cottar Bay Newtyle Beat

This is a likely spot today for a fish in the big high clear spring water. There's a bay in front of the hut on the far bank and at the tail of the bay just above where the flow starts to increase again is a great lie at 5 1/2 feet of water. Off the far bank with my 18 ft B&W would allow me to reach the lie and also hang my fly out over this area. At this time of year in the cold water a nice slow presentation is the one to do the business and the longer rod on a big river like the Tay can give you the edge required as it can reduce the speed of the fly on the swing. The books all say deep and slow in the spring but personally I prefer high and slow as often springers sit high in the water column where the warmer thermals are. My late friend (Willie Laird Newtyle Gillie 1934 - 1984) proved his point on the opening day in 1970 to the new fishing party guests of the new beat owners. He was questioned by the fishers for having a floating line with a small lead just to take his tube fly off the surface while harling. By lunch time 4 springers were landed and all on Willie's fly and the deeper swimming lures had touched nothing !!!
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Water Gauge (today)

At least the top of the water gauge is visible today (click to enlarge) and reading 5 1/2 feet. It's dropped a couple of feet from yesterday and cleared too. This should give the Tay opening day fishers a chance at least. We won't be opening on Newtyle until 1 February as per last season.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Willie's Croy Alders Pool Newtyle Beat

Big water down here at Willie's Croy today. The fly rod would be too tricky at this height and I'd favour a spoon working 15 yards from the bank as there's also a bit of colour in the water. The advantage with a spoon in the high cold water is that it can be worked and made to flutter and hover in close to the bank. There's a lovely 'bounce' to the flow coming off the croy here and always a chance of a resting fish on the inside edge. Landing it would be another matter if it turned East as it would be in Perth in 10 minutes at this height !!!!
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Otter

Good to see the otter hasn't lost his touch and got a good feed last night !!!!

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat High Water

Here's a video taken this afternoon from the left bank opposite the fishing hut. At this height the backwater that goes right round the field here floods and becomes a little river of it's own. There's never a dull moment on the Tay and every day brings a different picture.
For more inormation on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

High Water Today on the Tay

There's several feet of water on the Tay today due to the mild air temp and rain that's melted alot of the snow in the last 48 hours. Our water gauge is down there somewhere under the trees at the start of this video. Hopefully the January floods will not end up in the fishing hut this year as it did just before Xmas last year. If we get heavy rainfall now that will be the case.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Hermitage Falls River Braan Perthshire

Here's the awesome Hermitage Falls in full flight this morning. This is a great spot in lower water to watch salmon jumping from the summer onwards each year. These falls are only 2 minutes from Dunkeld and are always worth a visit if your passing on the A9 motorway.

Jock Monteith

The Hermitage River Braan Tay Tributary

Here's the big pool below the Hermitage falls in full flow this morning. The River Braan runs into the Tay just upsteam of Dunkeld and is a very picturesque river in it's own right as you can see here. Milder weather creating snowmelt has brought the Braan up to a torrent through the night.

Jock Monteith

Ferry Pool Newtyle Beat

Our 'Ferry Pool' starts 50 yards below where I took this video from earlier today. This pool holds fish at all times of the year. The right bank opposite has a great high water spinning area and in low water the neck and tail of the pool are fly fishable. The Inchewan Burn mouth is hidden in the shadows in the right hand side of this video (as featured earlier).
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Otter

It's great to see one of the many otters that visit Newtyle has been doing it's rounds.

Jock Monteith

Willie's Croy Alders Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's the lovely broken stream that comes off 'Willie's Croy' at the 'Alders Pool' in high water. I'd be looking for a fish in here today less than 25 yards from the bank so a short cast at a shallow angle is perfect so as to slow the fly up in the cold water. The river bed here makes for easy wading at most water heights and today (if the season was open) I would be out no further than half a rod's length.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Ash Tree Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's how the 'Ash Tree Pool' was looking earlier today (still a bit too high to hold fish). We still have approx 4 ft of water showing on the gauge so today I'd be looking for a fish up above this pool in the broken water that comes off 'Willie's Croy' half way down the 'Alders Pool'. I'll post a video of Willie's Croy in a moment or two to show you the broken water I mean.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Fishing Hut

Here's a panoramic view of the Newtyle fishing hut right round to 'The Boil' and beyond.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Grandtully Rapids River Tay

Look at this video of the Tay today at its most spectacular. This is the Grandtully Rapids downstream of Aberfeldy. The snow is falling and the river is roaring and what a sight this is. This is the sort of beauty that the Tay is renown for.

Jock Monteith

Cottar Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's one of my personal favourite high water fishing areas on Newtyle. You can see the line of alder trees opposite then there's a small, medium sized and large tree on the grassy bank. The significance of these trees are that there are large boulders 25 /30 yds out opposite the 3 trees and some smaller stones out from the line of alder trees above. The flow here just eases back slightly from the faster water upstream. In high water these lies hold salmon and from the opposite bank the flow for the fly is simply awesome. What your seeing on this video today is permanantly replaying in my mind !! There was just over 4ft of water showing on our gauge when I took this video.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Cottar Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's a video of the Tay at lunchtime today in very blustery conditions with high water from the heavy rain last night. There was just over 5 ft of water showing on our gauge today and although I wouldn't like to have been fishing today in that awful wind I've seen plenty salmon caught on Newtyle in this height of water and higher !!
There are certain places on the beat that are a resting salmon's only options when the Tay's like this so personally I never let very high water put me off.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Inchewan Burn Habitat Restoration Project, Birnam

Here's a before shot (click to enlarge) of the failed reno wire matress stream bed on our local Inchewan Burn which apart from being totally unsightly had been blocking migratory fish for decades.


Here's the recently taken after shot (click to enlarge) showing a few of the 11 stepped pools re-constructed out of mainly natural stone after the removal of all the broken wire baskets and contents.


Although a small project it was supported by many highly respected organisations including :

Scottish Executive (Transport Scotland)
Scotland Transerv
Scottish Native Woods
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
The River Restoration Centre
Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust
Scottish Natural Heritage
Forestry Commission
Tay Liaison Committee
Dunkeld & Birnam Angling Association
John Langley Construction
Murthly Estates
Atholl Estates

The project has acted as a catalyst for the recently launched 'Tay Western Catchments Project' which is being professionally managed by Scottish Native Woods (Click here for up to date project news). It has also been the first truly environmentally friendly stream bed re-construction of it's kind carried out by Transport Scotland and has set a new standard within the organsation for this type of in-stream engineering application.
A very special thanks to all the dedicated professionals who have assisted me with this project over the last few years.
For more information on the Inchewan Burn Project Click here.

Jock Monteith

Bottom Croy at The Fiddlers Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's the broken stream that flows off the bottom croy at the Fiddlers Pool in high water. With 'The Trap' only yards downstream from here this is a great area to hook salmon in. In low water it is possible to stand on the nose stone of the croy that's here and put a long line out into the middle of the tail of this pool where several large boulders sit. In low water salmon love to lie in and around these stones. In high water like today I would fish close in all the way down from the top of the pool (just above the top croy) to this broken flow that comes off the bottom croy.
I've seen many salmon hooked within 10 yards of the bank here at this water level.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Top Croy at The Fiddlers Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's the broken water that comes off the top croy at our Fiddlers Pool on Newtyle.
This area can produce fish in both high and low water.
Click here for more Newtyle Beat information.

Jock Monteith

Top of The Trap Newtyle Beat River Tay

Here's a video taken earlier today of the very top of 'The Trap' on Newtyle. Although its too high to fish this today this is a great area in low water to hook a salmon. The remains of a very old croy are underwater here which creates a lovely broken flow that salmon love to lie in. You'll see later in the spring on this blog how this same area looks in lower water for comparison.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Tail Of Deans Burn Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's a video of the underwater croy at the tail of our 'Dean's Burn' pool taken earlier today. In high water like this salmon run up close to the bank here and often sit at the edge of the current downstream of this croy. This is another wee bit of broken water that's always worth a throw or two. You can just make out the Atholl Arms Hotel in Dunkeld in the distance (white dot) a tempting sight if your in the mood for a pint !!!
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Dean's Burn Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's the Dean's Burn this morning at the little pine tree that sits half way down the pool. The best taking areas in the pool are upstream of this tree.

For more information on the Newtyle beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

St Mary's Stream Newtyle Beat

Here's how St Mary's Stream was looking this morning.

For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Island Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's a video taken earlier today of the Island Pool on Newtyle from the left bank. This pool is barely recognisable in the big water. You would not believe how good it looks in water under 8 inches on our gauge. You can see the back eddy coming off the underwater rock in front of the camera, when this pool is fishable this rock sits 3 to 4 ft out of the water !!!.
This is a great low water holding pool especially in the summer months as many salmon lie up here in the deep channel directly in front of the camera. My late friend Willie 'the gillie' Laird used to bring me down here by boat in the 70's and in those days during the low summer water he'd get me to fish this pool as he slept on the gravel in the sunshine. He knew that I would be well occupied by the occasional 30 pounder that would porpoise in front of the big rock and he would get a chance to sleep off the rum from the night before !!!. Willie always maintained that this was a great place for a big fish and sure enough in September 2004 one of our rods hooked a salmon beside the big stone that 'played him' (in full slow control) for 45 minutes before sending a straightened hook back. The fish was fully visible off the high island bank for most off this time as it cruised slowly up and down the pool. It was easily well over 30 pounds. There's a lovely stream that runs into the Island Pool and stealth is required as its very easy to spook fish by approaching too hastily. I'll video this pool from on the island as soon as I get the boats back on and you'll get a better idea (even in high water) of how idyllic this pool is.
For more information on the Newtyle beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Tail of St Mary's Stream Newtyle Beat

Here's a video of the tail of St Mary's Stream taken off the high terrace on the right bank. This clearing where this video was taken from is approx 300 yards below the neck of the pool as featured in the previous video. There's an old upturned iron bath tub close to the far bank opposite which pinpoints the exit point when fishing from the far bank in this pool.
This entire pool is lovely to fish with the fly.
For more information on the Newtyle Click here.

Jock Monteith

The Domesday Book of Giant Salmon

I already had the Domesday book of Mammoth Pike written by Fred Buller from 1979 and I always dreamt of getting a hold of a monster pike in those days (which I did and got broken).
When I heard his new book was coming out it went straight to no 1 on the christmas present list. The more I read it the more I'm starting to get re-enthused about getting hold of a huge salmon especially with February & March approaching on the Tay when you just know there's one or two passing through the beat from time to time.
It amazing how many entries there are from the Tay in this book and it would be great to see large numbers of these huge salmon back in the river again sometime in the future. It's really great to see a few huge fish being caught on the Ness & Teith in the last season or two so you just never know how the cycles work with these sorts of trends. My friend Stan at Dalguise had a huge springer on for way over an hour which took them by boat a mile and a half downstream and into the neighbouring beat in lowish water !!!. The fish came off just when it was starting to show signs of tiring after heavy strain on a harling rod for all this time. My pal is sure it was at least 42 - 45 lbs maybe a 50 pounder and definitely not foul hooked as they could see the pink tomic lure up at the head of the fish during the later stages of the battle.
This book is a must for all who dream of getting hold of a really big salmon.
To order this book Click here.

Jock Monteith

St Mary's Stream Newtyle Beat

Here's a video taken earlier today of the neck of St Mary's Stream on Newtyle. You can see the lovely stream that flows down from the Ferry Pool above. There's an underwater croy below the camera here and you can easily see the broken water it creates. The other bank is the one to fish this pool from in all water heights. It has lovely easy wading with a beautiful flow thats a pleasure to fish. In low summer water (unlike today) salmon sit in the deep channel just off or slightly above the nose of this croy and all down through the deep channel below. To fish it here in low water real stealth is required in approaching this lie with a very slow wade in to a shin/knee high position 5o yards above the croy. In higher water conditions salmon sit in closer to the opposite bank and a much closer wading line is required. You can see in this video the snow covered Eastwood House gardens and if you look closely you can see the circular snow covered stone building at the foot of the garden. This is where we enter the river when fishing this pool with the exit point being some 300 yards downstream.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

The Deans Burn Newtyle Beat

Several inches of snow fell last night which is just what the doctor ordered !!! I hope it's the first heavy snowfall of many which should help spring water levels this year.
This video taken earlier today gives you a good idea of the sheer size of the Dean's Burn Pool on Newtyle. In low water there is lovely easy gravel wading in off this bank however the best side to fish in medium to higher water is the far side. A deep channel runs up the far bank which then hits shallow water at the top of the pool. Salmon love to lie in the deep channel all the way down the pool but it also has one or two very good taking areas near the top end of the pool. The far bank on this pool has a perfect feel to it and a great place to spend a few hours especially in April & May when there's a good head of springers in the pool.
For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Tail of The Fiddlers Pool Newtyle Beat

Here's a glimpse of the tail of 'The Fiddlers' pool (click to enlarge) through the trees on the right hand bank during spring last year. Just below here on the opposite bank is the start of 'The Trap' pool. Many salmon gather in numbers throughout the spring months in this area. There are some large natural boulders at the tail of the Fiddlers which salmon like to hang around too. Wading here is possible in low water as you can see the shallow water off this bank. This can be another little hot spot at certain times of the season on Newtyle.
Click here for more information on the Newtyle Beat

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Cottar Pool

It's great to see some snow at last and I hear that there's much more on it's way. This is good news as hopefully they're will be a good covering on the hills this year to drive the water levels through to late spring. This video shows the middle of the 'Cottar Pool' with 3ft of water on our gauge. As I've stated before in previous 'Cottar Pool' posts this is perfection for this area of the pool from the opposite bank with the fly. See earlier January 'Cottar Pool Newtyle Beat' post showing this middle area of the pool from the opposite bank at the same water level.

For more information on the Newtyle beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

The Hole In The Meadow Pool, Newtyle Beat

Here's a video of 'The Hole In The Meadow' pool at the bottom of our right hand bank on Newtyle. In high water fish can also travel up through the right hand side of the Island Pool below which steers them in here. This video was taken at the tail of the pool and the island is clearly visible near the end of the clip. This pool is too deep at the side to be fly fished from the bank although it can be covered with the fly with use of the boat. It has really good depth in areas and running fish in high water do stop here after pushing through the heavy stream below. It's another lovely pool to fish on Newtyle and often (like Laird's Bank) salmon are hooked close to the bank when the river is high. In early spring during mild weather & high water its a good bet down here for a springer.

For more inormation on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Salmon Fishing Forum

Here's the UK's most popular salmon fishng forum where dedicated salmon fishers discuss the finer points of our wonderful pursuit.

For a link straight through to the forum Click here.

Jock Monteith

Laird's Bank Newtyle Beat

Here's a video taken earlier today of the riverbank half way down Laird's Bank. The water today is quite high but you can see in the video the quality flow within 20 yards of this bank. This 250 yard long bank has superb spinning water when it's high like this. There's a deep water channel that runs along the full length of this bank which can also be fly fished in lower water conditions. The Alders Pool and the Ash Tree Pool are on the opposite bank and the width of the Tay at this bottom end of the beat is approx 120 yards. The Island at the very bottom of the Newtyle Beat channels fish up this right bank in big water and often salmon are hooked fairly close to the bank here when the river is high like today.

For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Map

Here's a map (click to enlarge) of the Newtyle Beat showing the named pools.

For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

The Boil Newtyle Beat

Here's a video of 'The Boil' pool taken today in high water. The taking areas when it's big like this are in close to the edge of the stream or at the tail of the pool in the calmer water. This is a magnificent fly pool in low to medium water and 'The Boil' accounts for many fly caught salmon each year. Although it's well hidden in these big water conditions there is a huge boulder out in mid stream which creates a boiling effect (more visible in low water). There's a lovely choppy deep channel that runs down the left hand side of the stone which salmon just love to lie in. There's also a gradually deepening stream above the stone which in low water holds many salmon. In the 70's the Newtyle anglers used to draw straws to see who was going to fish this pool first. I caught my first salmon right here where I shot this video from back in 1970 when I was knee high to a grasshopper !!

For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Alders Pool Newtyle Beat

Happy New Year to everyone.
Here's the Alders Pool in full flow today. This video was taken just downstream of the underwater croy (Willie's Croy) which you can clearly see. This Croy is about half way down the Alders Pool and produces a lovely broken flow that carries all the way down to the tail of the pool. In high water like what we have today the best chance of a fish is in this broken stream. Salmon love to sit in here for a breather having swum up through the very heavy water of our Island Pool below. There are some good stones on the riverbed all the way down this pool.

For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

The Trap Newtyle Beat

Happy New Year to everyone.
Here's a video of 'The Trap' on the Newtyle Beat taken earlier today.
Although this pool fishes best in lower water conditions I've seen many salmon being hooked in high water tight to the bank immediately above the little point that creates the streamy water. The way to fish this pool when it's big like this is to slowly move in to the riverbank above and keeping well back from the water allow your fly to swing in until it's practically touching the stones above the point. Quite often (even in lower water) the take comes on the dangle here as your starting to handline in a little.
This is a fascinating pool to fish especially when it's lower and once youve seen this pool in it's true glory (especially April/May) then you'll realise why we call it 'The Trap'.

For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Cottar Pool Newtyle Beat

Happy New Year to everyone.
Here's big water fly fishing perfection on the left bank of our 'Cottar Pool'. At this height (3ft on gauge) salmon love to come snooping up this side of the pool in off this green bank. There are a few big stones on the riverbed off this bank which create options for the salmon to lie in.
In February (when we open for fishing again) this is one of the best spots on the beat in big water. On the 18th of February in 2006 we had a lovely sea-liced 24 pounder from this stream. It took less than 15 yds from the bank in exactly the same waterheight as you see today. This stream is exactly where I caught the 42 inch cock salmon on the 12th of December as featured on this blog (River Tay Salmon).
For more information on the Newtyle beat Click here.

Jock Monteith