Springer Action Today On Newtyle

Here's a very lively & powerful springer being played in the Dean's Burn on our top beat this afternoon. The top end of our beat has often been under estimated yet always produces salmon on regular basis for those who fish it. My late friend Willie 'the ghillie' Laird's father who was the ghillie on Newtyle before his son preferred the top end especially the 'Dean's Burn' pool over the rest of the Newtyle beat pools. I have a few rods available on our top beat tomorrow, Friday & Saturday if anyone would like to fish it call me on 07968 145033.

Jock Monteith

11 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's Reginald Merrin with his lovely 11 lbs sea-liced springer hooked in the Dean's Burn pool this afternoon. This springer was our 39th of the season. Very well done Reginald.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released On Newtyle Today

Here's Reginald's perfect Tay springer regaining it's freedom.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today. One landed and a bigger one lost on our top beat today. I have a few rods available for the top beat tomorrow, Friday & Saturday. If anyone is interested give me a call on 07968 145033.

Jock Monteith

Inchewan Burn Habitat Restoration Project

Here's Mike Flinn educating school children this morning from the Royal Dunkeld Primary School about the removal of the commercial forest edge from the burn and the difference between coniferous and deciduous trees. Mike is the education and communities forester for Forest Enterprise based in Inver Park, Dunkeld. The burn is now being used as an example of how the delicate riparian environment works by the local school which is really great news as obviously getting this sort of environmental message to the kids is of paramount importance. For more information on the Inchewan Burn Habitat Restoration Proect Click here.

Jock Monteith

Tree Planting Instruction From Forest Enterprise

Here's Mike Flinn giving the kids some instruction on tree planting this morning.

Jock Monteith

Inchewan Burn Restoration

Here's the kids mapping out the positions for the 210 new native trees (Oak, Rowan, Wild Cherry, Birch & Willow) they're about to plant.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Fishing Hut Area Today

Here's a short clip of things from earlier today. The water rose gradually today up to 1 ft 10" probably due to the rain in the west. Prospects are still good and many fish today were seen in all the usual hot spots.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the gauge at lunchtime today. One fish lost late afternoon but nothing else to report.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

The water level rose slowly for most of the day today. This is how it was looking at 5pm. Plenty fish showing which have been there for a while so probably a smaller fly down deep may be worth a try tomorrow. A few small runs of fresh springers passed through the beat just before lunch.

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View Today

Here's a panoramic of the hut view today.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the gauge today showing a lovely settling water after yesterday's rise.

Jock Monteith

Cottar Pool Today

Here's the Cottar Pool this afternoon from the old croy just upstream of our water gauge. There has been a pod of springers sitting here for weeks now and every 10 minutes one will jump just to keep us on our toes !!!! This is a lovely wee hidden gem of a fly stream (in lowish water) but requires a single spey (left hand up) or a snake roll or double spey (right hand up) to fish it. Long before the hut was sited on the Newtyle Beat (then Birnam Beat) the ghillie's (pre- 1970's) would keep a boat at the old croy.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

As you can see the water has risen several inches from yesterday creating a lovely wee freshen up. There are many fish showing all over the beat and although none have been landed during the last three days some of the rods have had a chances. Things should be good for next week.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the gauge at lunchtime today. Salmon showing in all of our pools but none of them hooked so far. Prospects are good though.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge at 5 pm today. No fish landed today so far but plenty fish showing.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action on Newtyle Today

Here's myself buckled into a wee springer in the 'Cottar Pool' today. To get your rod bent on Newtyle !!!! Click here.

Jock Monteith

8 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's this lovely wee springer that took my fly just upstream of the fishing hut at lunchtime today. There are many springers holding here and have been for the last few weeks. We will give them some more exercise tomorrow (hopefully) !!!!!!! To book a spring salmon experience with myself & Colin Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released on Newtyle Today

Here's this lovely little springer getting sent home !!!!!!

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

This height is perfection for fly fishing on Newtyle. Prospects are excellent & all pools on the beat are holding good numbers of springers.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action on Newtyle Today

Here's Jim Fisher playing his perfect big Tay springer at the 'Tail of the Trap' this morning. Jim was up with the Scottish Media Group's filming crew who are producing a series titled 'Salmon Journey' covering the salmon story on rivers Tay, Tweed, Spey, Dee & Esk's. The programme will be televised this Autumn and the Newtyle beat will most definitely have contributed substantially to the footage screened.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today

And on the battle continues.

Jock Monteith

More Springer Action !!!

This is one powerful stubborn big Tay springer.

Jock Monteith

Big Tay Springer In The Net

Here's Jim's big springer finally being landed after a great display of strength at the 'Tail of The Trap'. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

20 lbs Springer Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's this most magnificent fly caught Tay 'specimen' springer seconds before it's release. What an absolute peach of a fish !!!!!!! This fish fell to the most deadly Park Shrimp fly of which the original pattern is obtainable from expert fly tyer Ross MacDonald at: rj_macd@yahoo.co.uk I've now seen just how effective this fly pattern is on the Tay having followed it's outstanding success on the River Dee. Be quick if you want some as these flies are much sought after from Ross who is recognised as one of Scotland's top fly tyers.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released on Newtyle Today

Here's Jim's perfect 20 lbs springer warming up it's engines before powering away to it's well earned freedom.

Jock Monteith

8 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's Donnie Whiteford's fly caught springer just prior to release. This beautiful sea-liced Tay springer was hooked in the neck of the Cottar Pool at around 9.30 am on the deadly 'Park Shrimp' fly. Donnie was up on Newtyle today as part of the Scottish Media Group filming party who are collecting excellent footage from the Tay, Spey, Tweed, Dee & Esk's for their forth coming Autumn series titled 'Salmon Journey'. Today they filmed 2 of the 3 Newtyle springers being played, landed & released amongst other interesting footage. Very well done Donnie & I can't wait now to see the actual programme later this year. Derek King landed a lovely 8 lbs springer up in our Ferry Pool this afternoon which he carefully returned. This was Derek's very first visit to Newtyle so very well done too.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Another perfect spring water level today. Some rods are still available during the next week or so and prospects are absolutely spot on. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle

Here's a short clip of Stevie playing his lively springer late on this afternoon. To check availability for fishing on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

10 lbs Springer Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's Stevie O'Neill with his first Newtyle springer. Stevie hooked his springer in 'The Steps' pool at 6pm on a copper toby. Very well done Stevie.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released on Newtyle Today

Here's Stevie's springer making a dash for it's freedom & soaking the gillie in the process !!!

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level today. With all the snow still up on the hills in the headwaters this lovely level should continue for a while yet.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the gauge at 8 am this morning & prospects are looking great for this week.

Jock Monteith

Tail of The Cottar Pool View Today

The 'Cottar Tail' is looking great today and is absolute perfect fly water.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Fishing Hut This Morning

What a spectacular setting below Birnam Hill.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's absolute perfect spring conditions from earlier today. There were 2 fish lost during the day & a third (very big fish) lost later on in the evening. It could easily have been another good day on the beat & I saw plenty fish through out the beat during the day. Prospects are now excellent.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action On Newtyle Today

Here's Gordon into a lively springer in the 'Steps Pool'. This springer clearly didn't like the look of the net !!!!!!!

Jock Monteith

9 lbs Springer (No 1) Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's Gordon Pollock (Newtyle Ghillie) with the product of his very first cast in the 'Steps Pool' this afternoon. This fine springer took a black & gold 'flying C'. Gordon & Robert had been up fishing the Tummel for the day when I managed to persuade them to come down to Newtyle for a cast on their way home. It's great to have a good head of springers holding on the beat as the water levels settle at just under 2 ft on the gauge. Prospects are looking good and a few rods are still available for next week. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released On Newtyle Today

Here's Gordon's springer regaining it's freedom. Well done Gordon. This springer is number 33 this season on Newtyle and 31 of them have been successfully returned to the river. I also hear that most of the other beats are returning high numbers too and all the big springers caught on the Tay this year have gone back. All this positive stuff is absolutely great news for future of this fabulous river.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action On Newtyle Today

Here's more action from the 'Steps Pool' at the back of 3 o'clock this afternoon. This very high spirited wee springer gave a superb account of itself.

Jock Monteith

'Salmo The Leaper' !!!!!!!!!!!

Here's Robert receiving an aerial display that even the red arrows would be proud of !!!!

Jock Monteith

5 lbs Springer (No 2) Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's Robert Galbraith with his lovely 5lbs (long tailed sea-lice) springer which he hooked on his 6th cast in the 'Steps Pool' this afternoon. This fish took a copper & silver toby from the bank. Very well done Robert. A few rods are still available next week on Newtyle Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released On Newtyle Today

Here's Robert releasing his very lively sea liced springer back to the Tay.

Jock Monteith

Stuart Lang's 20 Pounder From Yesterday

Here's a picture of Stuart Lang's largest springer from yesterday. All 3 of Stuart's springers were returned to the river so very well done Stuart on catching 3 in a day and releasing them all.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the gauge today showing a lovely falling spring water level. Ayrshire angler Stuart Lang had an amazing day today on the beat. After lunch he had a go with a 28 grm copper toby down at the Alders Pool & with his very first cast hooked and landed a lovely 14 pounder. At 5 pm he asked me if there was anything worth spinning on the right bank so I told him it could be worth a go down at the Steps Pool below the hut. He hooked and landed another 2 springers within a short space of time (16 & at least 20 lbs) and was broken by another big one too. I have photos of all Stuart's fish (all returned) which he kindly sent via text messages to my mobile but I'm struggling to get them off my phone onto my pc to post here. I'll have another go later. Exceptionally well done Stuart who promises me he will be back again having just experienced his most magical spring salmon fishing day ever on his very first visit to the Newtyle Beat.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle

Here's Colin playing a beautiful sea-liced springer on the fly rod. This fish took a gold bodied Willie Gunn fished on a floating line with fast sink tip. I am very optimistic that we can add a few more of these fine springers to the scoresheet before the week is through. Rods are currently available tomorrow and Friday. Click here for more information.

Jock Monteith

11 lbs Springer (No 1) Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's Colin's lovely 11 lbs sea-licer from the Dean's Burn pool just on the stroke of lunchtime.

Jock Monteith

Springer Returned on Newtyle Today

Here's Colin (Jacques Cousteau !!) taking the underwater footage of this perfect springer release. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle

It's really great to start getting them on the fly again now that the water levels are settling back down. Sadly we had a last minute cancellation today so Colin & I were left with no guests to look after so we gave it a go ourselves for a few hours.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today

Here's this lively 14 pounder doing it's thing at the tail of the Cottar pool just before lunchtime today. This springer took my wee favourite gold bodied tube fly fished on a long line with a 15 ft fast tip.

Jock Monteith

14 lbs Springer (No 2) Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's this hard fighting 14 lbs Tay springer seconds before it's release. Prospects are looking great for the next few day and rods are available tomorrow and Friday. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Returned On Newtyle Today

Here's this 14 pounder being released unharmed back to the Tay.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level today.

This is how the springers see it !!!!!

Jock Monteith

8 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's a lovely wee 8 lbs springer (seconds before it's release) which was caught in our Ferry Pool this morning by Colin our ghillie.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge from earlier today.

Jock Monteith

Speycasting Tuition

Here's Newtyle fly fisher Jim Reid throwing a lovely single speycast in the Cottar Pool this morning. What a graceful display to watch on such a perfect spring day. For a complimentary spey casting lesson from myself (or fine tuning) book a rod on the Newtyle beat between 1 May & 31 August 2008.

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View Today

Here's the view from our fishing hut today.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Lovely spring water level but only one brief encounter with a springer today (so far). Several fish were seen at various times of the day and prospects for the next few days are looking good. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level at lunchtime today. Prospects are good as all the fly water fishes well on Newtyle when it's this height or lower.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle

Here's Michael Bjorklund into a big springer up in the 'Deansie'. This fish had obviously been on the spinach and was clearly a bit camera shy too !!!!!!!!!!

Jock Monteith

More Springer Action !!!

This powerful springer could not be rushed as it took run after run in the deep channel of the 'Dean's Burn Pool'. The Dean's Burn Pool is one of the best spring holding pools on the Newtyle beat and at 2ft 6" or below it is easily fly fished off the left bank. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Ready For The Net

After a long hard fight this powerful springer was finally landed.

Jock Monteith

15 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's jubilant Swedish fly fisherman Michael Bjorklund with his 15 pounder seconds before it's release. Prospects for Newtyle are getting better as we now approach the best fly fishing spring weeks of the season. For more information or to book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released on Newtyle Today

Here's Michael Bjorklund releasing his harding fighting 15 lbs Tay springer back to the 'Dean's Burn Pool' this afternoon. Very well done Michael.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the lovely spring water level showing on the gauge this morning.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

As you can see the water is now settling back perfectly.

Jock Monteith

The Steps Pool Today

Here's Bjorn from Norway covering the Steps Pool perfectly with the fly this morning.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water now settling back nicely. One pull on the fly and another fish on for several minutes before saying goodbye !!! Nothing else to report today although springers showing in most pool on the beat. Prospects are looking very good.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle

Here's Richard Wright expertly playing a very powerful fish in the Cottar Pool this afternoon. With the water level remaining at 3ft things are looking very good for the next few days especially knowing a possy of big bruisers have recently entered the Tay!!! To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today

This big Tay springer is having none of it !!!!

Jock Monteith

More Springer Action !!!

Here's the tussle as it continues on the left bank of the Cottar Pool.

Jock Monteith

23 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's Newtyle regular Richard Wright with his superb 23 lbs springer seconds before it's release. This springer fought hard and deep in the 'Cottar Pool' for 20 minutes before we could get a chance to land it. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released on Newtyle Today

Here's Richard's 23 lbs sea-liced springer regaining it's freedom.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the gauge today showing a 1/2 inch drop from yesterday. No fish (so far) were caught today although I saw several runners throughout the day. Tomorrow's looking good and this is (IMO) the best time of the year to be out fishing the Tay.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle

We saw some running fish in the 'Cottar Pool' this morning at 12 o'clock so Gordon focussed his efforts in 'The Trap' (upstream) to attempt to intercept them. 10 minutes later Gordon hooked one right at the tail of the pool where running fish often stop. This is the fish in this video being coaxed back up from the fast water (where it bolted after being hooked) to the deep calmer water above to be played. Thankfully the fish co-operated as many salmon hooked here take an instant 100 yard run back down into the Cottar which makes life rather interesting !!!! When this happens you wish you'd put your trainers on instead of your waders !!!

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today

It's amazing the power these springers have even when being played on heavy spinning tackle. This springer clearly didn't like the look of either of us !!!!

Jock Monteith

More Springer Action !!!

Here's another clip of the springer action in 'The Trap' this morning. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

13 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's Gordon Pollock (Newtyle Ghillie) with a lovely springer (13lbs) which he caught in 'The Trap' this morning. The fish took a black flying C and was quickly returned to the Tay. Well done Gordon.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released on Newtyle Today

Here's Gordon's beautiful springer regaining it's freedom.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the gauge from this morning showing a perfect spring water level. Prospects are very good for fishing now that we are well into April. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's how the Tay's looking today. Hopefully the water will stay this lovely spring height for this coming week and we can collect some more springer action for the Google achive !!! For more information or to book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

A.A.P.G.I.A Workshop At Kenmore Yesterday

Here's my great friends Illtyd Griffiths & Glyn Freeman (Senior AAPGAI assessors & instructors) giving a demonstration on the importance of correct leader length for achieving a good anchor point in the spey cast. They invited me up to Kenmore for their day's workshop and formal dinner which was a great experience. Both these guys and the rest of their instructors are a great bunch who all strive to perfect and keep ahead of all established & developing casting techniques in order to deliver high quality UK & Europe wide tuition. For more information on the the Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors Click here. I hope to be able to bring Illtyd & Glyn to Newtyle at least once a year for the benefit of our Newtyle Beat fishers.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level from Saturday morning.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle

Springer On !!! and all hands on deck as battle commences !!!

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle

Here's Danny McLaughlin bringing his perfect springer to the net this morning. Prospect look very good for the next few days and rods are available for some springer action !! For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

15 lbs Springer Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's Danny McLaughlin with his most perfect silver friend at the 'Tail Of The Cottar Pool' this morning. Danny is one of Scotland's leading fly tyers and as usual had a secret weapon up his sleeve !!! He took a drive up from Glasgow this morning to see me and I asked him if he'd like to have a cast for an hour. Within 20 minutes he's into a fish so it just goes to show what happens when you let loose an expert on the beat. Danny not only ties but teaches fly tying and can be reached through www.justsalmonflies.co.uk or by phone on 07768 553060.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released on Newtyle Today

Here's Danny's superb 15 lbs fly caught springer strongly swimming away after it's encounter with 2 anglers, 2 ghillies & big black labrador dog. No wonder the fish shot off !!!! To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released Underwater View

Here's the underwater view

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

This was the water level at 5pm today. The level this morning was 3ft 7" and the rise was probably due to hydro generation up the glen. Obviously the rising water didn't put Danny's fine springer off !!!

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View Today

Here's Jamie with his pefect 10 pounder seconds before it's release. Superb stuff Jamie !!



Here's a panoramic of the Tail of the Cottar this afternoon. The water is dropping slowly and is down 1 ft from yesterday. I had a nice surpise this morning to learn that a second springer was landed yesterday by Jamie Doubleday in the Cottar Pool at 6pm . The fish took a copper bodied Willie Gunn fished on a full floating line with a 10ft fast tip. He is emailing me the photograph of this lovely 10 lbs sea-liced springer (which was returned) which I'll add to this post shortly. It is Jamie's first springer which he caught on his first day salmon fishing having mastered the snake roll in very windy conditions earlier in the day. What a great start to salmon fly fishing !!! For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level at 4pm this afternoon.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action on Newtyle Today

Here's a lively springer being played by young Johnny Monteith in the Cottar Pool this afternoon. This was our 20th springer since opening on the 1st of February and now is the time of the spring where more and more of these beautiful fish will show up daily on Newtyle. For more information or to book a rod on the beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

8 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's Johnny Monteith (6 years old) with a lovely 8 lbs spring salmon which he caught in the Cottar pool late on this afternoon. Wee Johnny played it perfectly and the fish was quickly returned to the river.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released on Newtyle Today

Here's wee Johnny's springer being released back to the Tay in the Cottar Pool on Newtyle late this afternoon. Full marks wee Johnny.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released Underwater View

Here's the underwater view of wee Johnny's first springer swimming away.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level this morning on our gauge. The river had fallen to 4ft 2" by 5 pm and is looking good for the next few days.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

The river was rising for most of the day today and was at 5ft on our gauge at 5pm. We saw several springers moving through the beat this morning but nothing this afternoon. Hopefully tomorrow will see more settled conditions.

Jock Monteith