Saturday 31 May 2008

Minime At The Helm !!!


Here's young Johnny taking his father back from the Island. With all the good initiatives that are happening on the Tay the future is definitely looking good for the young brigade.

Jock Monteith

The Neck Of The 'Island Pool' Today


Here's a short video of the run into the 'Island Pool' from the tail of 'The Alders'. This is all running salmon's only route up through the 'Island Pool' in low water and if you were to sit on the green bank opposite through the hours of darkness you would see the bow waves of salmon pushing up through the thin water.

Jock Monteith

The 'Island Pool' Today


Here's a panoramic video taken half way down the 'Island Pool' this afternoon. In the 70's I was fortunate to spend many summer holidays on Newtyle and Willie 'the ghillie' Laird used to bring me down here. In those days there were some huge salmon (30/40 lbs class) sitting in the deep water in front of the big mossy rock that you see near the start of this video. Willie always maintained that this was the best low water spot for a really big fish. A few years ago one of our regular beat fishers hooked a beast of a fish in the exact same lie. The fish sent back a straightened hook after 45 minutes of slowly cruising up and down the pool !!!!!

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's our water gauge today.

Jock Monteith

Friday 30 May 2008

Salmon Fry Planting Today In The Inchewan Burn

Here's the easiest way to transport 30,000 salmon fry 1 mile up the Inchewan burn !!!!!!
It's a pity that my trusted black husky (Selkie) wasn't willing to lend a paw. He does however make an exceptionally good observer.

Jock Monteith

Inchewan Burn Today

Here's a shot of this lovely little burn today. The Inchewan Burn has approx 1 mile of perfect parr habitat. Much work has been completed recently to improve it's environment and the planting out of fry should kick start the regeneration of it's salmon stocks. For more information on the Inchewan Burn Habitat Restoration Project Click here.

Jock Monteith

Inchewan Burn Fry Planting Today


Here's several thousand fry being released in the upper reaches of the Inchewan Burn today. These fry were kindly provided by the Tay District Salmon Fishery Board from their Almondbank hatchery. For more information on the TDSFB Click here.

Jock Monteith

More Inchewan Burn Fry Planting


Here's more wee chaps getting set free in the burn today.

Jock Monteith

'The Trap' Pool On Newtyle


Here's a wee panoramic video of 'The Trap' taken earlier today. This pool is one of the very best fly pools on the Newtyle beat. When we are down to summer level like this the neck and the tail of the pool produce salmon. There's a deep 15ft hole for security in the middle of this pool with a lovely broken flowing outside edge to it with a fast long run down into the 'Cottar' pool below. As you can see in the video there's shallow water on the other side too which steers them over to this side. This little pool has all the right ingredients for a salmon pool which is I am sure why it does so well. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's a look at the water gauge today.

Jock Monteith

Thursday 29 May 2008

Lunch On The Banks Of The Tay

There's nothing like a good lunch on the banks of the Tay on a day like this. Many of our guest utilise excellent local riverbank catering to provide lunch and breakfast !!!!

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

As you can see the water has risen a few inches today which should help stir things up a bit.

Jock Monteith

Wednesday 28 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today at 5pm.

Jock Monteith

Tuesday 27 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today.

Jock Monteith

Perfect Speycasting On 'The Island' Pool


Here's Newtyle regular Alex Cargill delivering the most perfect long range single spey (left hand up) on the Island Pool.

Jock Monteith

The 'Island Pool' Looking Upstream


Here's a short video taken from the 'Island Pool' at the botton of the Newtyle Beat looking upstream to the 'Ash Tree' pool and beyond. The Island is simply a stunning place to be.

Jock Monteith

Monday 26 May 2008

8 lbs Springer Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's Newtyle regular Allan Rennie with a fine springer of around 8 lbs which he caught in 'The Trap' late on this afternoon. Allan is setting a first class example to anglers up & down river by releasing all his salmon on the Tay. Brilliant stuff Allan & I'm sure given time we will all reap the rewards (including the rural Tay valley economies) of this C & R initiative with increased stocks of these beautiful salmon in the Tay.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released On Newtyle Today


Here's Allan returning his lovely sea-liced springer to the Tay. Very well done Allan.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the gauge today.

Jock Monteith

Sunday 25 May 2008

The Atholl Highlanders In Full Swing Today


Here's Europe only legal private army the Duke of Atholl's own 'Atholl Highlanders'. I took this short video of them just warming up at the Blair Atholl highland games this afternoon which was held at Blair Castle. What great weather for such a spectacular annual event.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge this morning.

Jock Monteith

Fishing Hut View Today


Here's a panoramic view of the tail of the 'Cottar Pool' this morning from the fishing hut. Low water yes but it's never too low to catch salmon on the Tay due to it's size. When it's low like this salmon snoop up into the beat through the hours of darkness and hold up (usually in or near deeper water) during the days.

Jock Monteith

Saturday 24 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today. Salmon showing in most of the pools but nothing yet landed. This is a lovely time of year to be fishing Newtyle with the fly. For more information on the beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Friday 23 May 2008

25 lbs Springer From The Trap Today

Here's Vittorio Spasciani who booked a last minute rod on Newtyle this morning & within an hour was playing a tank of a fish in 'The Trap' which he expertly hooked on a copper bodied Willie Gunn fly. Sadly I was four hundred yards upstream when Vittorio was playing his fish and only noticed that he had landed a fish when I saw it's huge girth from that distance. Vittorio took a photo of it before quickly releasing the specimen but the photo came out quite blurred although easily still recognisable as a seriously heavy set & girthy Tay beauty. I'll post the photo on this blog when he emails it to me. Very well done Vittorio and full marks for releasing such a lovely big Tay specimen.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today showing summer water level. Still one or two fish showing and because it's the Tay it's never too low to not have a chance of a salmon.

Jock Monteith

Thursday 22 May 2008

Springer Action Today On Newtyle


Here Derek Waterworth playing a powerful wee springer up at the Dean's Burn pool this morning. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today


Here's more of the same springer action.

Jock Monteith

8 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's Derek Waterworth with his perfect fly caught & first ever salmon which took a cascade at the croy at the tail of the 'Dean's Burn' pool. Derek came to the Tay for the first time today for casting tuition etc. and within an hour or so was playing a salmon !!!!!!!!! Superb stuff Derek. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released on Newtyle Today


Here's Derek's fine springer re-gaining it's freedom. Very well done Derek.

Jock Monteith

Wee Birdie In The Fishing Hut


This robin chick came into the hut at lunchtime today so I gave it some weetabix. Here it is sleeping it's lunch off !!!!! Mother robin soon appeared and took her chick away for yet another feed. Looks like we've got a new friend though.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

As you can see the water level has fallen right down to summer level now. There's some lovely fly water on Newtyle at this height.

Jock Monteith

Wednesday 21 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today.

Jock Monteith

Tuesday 20 May 2008

St Mary's Stream On Newtyle


Here's another beautiful low water fly stream on Newtyle that often yields salmon. Up here stealth is the most successful approach as salmon lie in off the main current and are easily spooked by a clumsy wade in. The lower the Tay gets the higher fish will lie in this pool and often right up in the neck is where you'll hook a fish. When this happens usually they will about turn and rocket straight down to the tail of the pool some 300 yds below !!!! To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

St Mary's Stream From The River


Here's a short video of St Mary's from the stream.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today.

Jock Monteith

Monday 19 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today.

Jock Monteith

Birnam Hill From The Island Pool.

Here's the view today from the very bottom of the beat (click to enlarge) looking upstream towards Birnam Hill.

Jock Monteith

The Newtyle Beat Fishing Hut

Here's how the fishing hut was looking earlier today (click to enlarge).

Jock Monteith

'The Boil' Pool On Newtyle


Here's a panoramic video taken earlier today of 'The Boil' at a lovely height for the fly.

Jock Monteith

Sunday 18 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level today.

Jock Monteith

The Cottar Pool On Newtyle


Look at this for low water fly stream perfection. This stream flows beautifully from the neck to the tail which is 250 yds below. Salmon love to sit on the outside edge of this stream all the way down the pool & only a short cast is required in order to cover them. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Saturday 17 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge at 5 pm today.

Jock Monteith

Friday 16 May 2008

The Island Pool On Newtyle


Look at this for a perfect hidden gem of a pool. Now that the water level has dropped many superb fly pools appear on Newtyle. The Island pool is a great low water holding pool and due to it's depth big fish also like to hold up here. I'll show you more gems like this one on Newtyle over the next few days.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's our water gauge at 5 pm today.

Jock Monteith

Thursday 15 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge at 6 am this morning. At this level some of our pools really hit optimal conditions for the fly especially The Boil, Trap, St Mary's Stream, Island & Cottar.

Jock Monteith

Tuesday 13 May 2008

7 lbs Springer Landed Today on Newtyle

Here's a picture of Jim Reid's first springer of 7 lbs which he hooked, landed & returned at 'The Trap' this morning. Superb stuff Jim.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle


Lively 12 lbs sea-licer on at 'The Boil'.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action


Here's Jim's springer finally being netted after a very strong tussle in 'The Boil' this afternoon.

Jock Monteith

12 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's Newtyle Beat fisher Jim Reid with a huge smile & braw 12 lbs sea-liced springer which he had just landed on a silver Ally's shrimp fly in 'The Boil' later this afternoon. This morning Jim hooked a lovely wee springer of 7 lbs in 'The Trap' on a size 10 cascade. Both of Jim's fish were hooked on his own perfectly tied flies and both fish were returned to the Tay. Exceptionally well done Jim. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle


Here's George Elliott into a very powerful springer this afternoon.

Jock Monteith

Springer No 3 Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's George Elliott with his superb hard fighting 12 lbs Tay springer which he hooked with his last cast at the 'Tail of the Cottar'. George's springer took a black 'flying C' right out in the middle of the pool. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer No 3 Released On Newtyle Today


Here's George's fine springer making a dash for freedom at the 'Tail of the Cottar' pool. Well done George. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today.

Jock Monteith

Monday 12 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level this morning. Allan Rennie (Newtyle regular) just landed a lovely wee 6 lbs springer in our Cottar pool just below the pipe at 6.15 pm. Allan returned his fish safely to the Tay. Very well done Allan.

Jock Monteith

Sunday 11 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the river today.

Jock Monteith

Saturday 10 May 2008

Springer Action Today On Newtyle


Here's Gordon playing a high spirited wee springer in 'The Trap' late on this afternoon. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

6 lbs Springer Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's Gordon Pollock (Newtyle Ghillie) with the springer he caught with his first cast in 'The Trap' at 5 pm after finishing work today. Gordon has just called me to say he's just landed & returned a second sea-liced fish of around 8 lbs. Well done Gordon.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released On Newtyle Today


Here's Gordon returning his springer.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level today. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Island / Alders / Lairds Bank From The Sky



Jock Monteith

Steps / Boil / Fishing Hut From The Sky



Jock Monteith

Cottar / Trap / Fiddlers From The Sky



Jock Monteith

Fiddlers / Dean's Burn From The Sky



Jock Monteith

Top Of Dean's Burn / St Mary's Stream From The Sky



Jock Monteith

Ferry Pool / Inchewan Burn Mouth From The Sky



Jock Monteith

Friday 9 May 2008

Here's The Pilot

Here's my friend & occasional Newtyle Beat fisher Guy Brudennel who very kindly supplied his own helicopter and piloting skills for this early morning Newtyle manouvre today. Many thanks indeed Guy for a spectacular flight. Flight videos to follow soon.

Jock Monteith

The Osprey Approach On Newtyle Today


Here's myself simulating the osprey's approach to the Tay this morning. For the full airbourne view of the entire 2 mile Newtyle Beat watch this blog later tonight. It certainly pays to have friends in high places !!!!!!

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the gauge today. As you can see the water is now falling and all the fly streams are in good order.

Jock Monteith

Thursday 8 May 2008

Springer Action Today On Newtyle


Here's Alan Tripp playing a very powerful 13 lbs Tay springer at the 'Deansie' earlier today.

Jock Monteith

13 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's Alan Tripp with his perfect 13 lbs Tay springer which he hooked in the Dean's Burn Pool this morning. Very well done Alan.

Jock Monteith

Springer Action Today On Newtyle


Here's Stephen Egerton's springer battling away at 'The Boil' this afternoon. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer In The Net At The Boil


Here's this lively springer being netted by Colin our ghllie.

Jock Monteith

10 lbs Springer Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's Stephen Egerton with his perfect 10 lbs Tay springer which he hooked at 'The Boil' this afternoon on a copper and red spoon.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released on Newtyle Today


Here's Stephen's fine Tay springer being set free at 'The Boil'. Very well done Stephen. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released Underwater View


Here's the Jacques Cousteau view of the release.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today.

Jock Monteith

Wednesday 7 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water gauge today. Two offers on the fly at the 'Trap' & 'Cottar' today but not hooked. Other than that springers showing in all the pools that were fished today. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Jock Monteith

Tuesday 6 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level today showing a lovely spring water height.

Jock Monteith

Monday 5 May 2008

7 lbs Springer Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's the 'man of the moment' Russell Kay with his second springer today. This fine wee springer was hooked at 9 pm on the fly at the neck of the Cottar just downstream of the over head wires at the flat rock. This is our 45th springer this season and no doubt there's more to follow. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Springer (No 2) Released on Newtyle Today


Here's Russell's second springer today being returned. Under the new Tay District Salmon Fishery Board's Catch & Release guidlines Russell was entitled to kill this springer but chose not to. This is what it's all about - longterm thought for the future of our river Tay spring salmon stocks. Superb stuff Russell.

Jock Monteith

15 lbs Springer Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's Russell Kay with his perfect 15 lbs Tay springer seconds before it's release. Russell's fish was caught on the fly just after lunch opposite the fishing hut at the tail of the Cottar pool. This was Russell's first Newtyle springer on only his second visit to the beat. Very well done Russell. For more information on the Newtyle Beat Click here.


Jock Monteith

Springer (No 1) Released On Newtyle Today


Here's Russell's first springer being released. Brilliant stuff Russell.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the gauge today showing perfect spring water level. Not surprising another 2 springers were landed today on the fly with a further 2 being lost on the spinner.

Jock Monteith

Sunday 4 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's our gauge at 7am today.

Jock Monteith

Saturday 3 May 2008

Springer Action Today On Newtyle


Here's a lively springer which was hooked close in at the croy at the tail of the 'Dean's Burn' pool.

Jock Monteith

More Springer Action !!!


For it's size this was a strong wee fish.

Jock Monteith

Springer In The Net At The Dean's Burn


Here's Colin's wee springer being netted by it's captor. You can see now that our Dean's Burn pool is consistently producing springers. No doubt many more will be caught here before the end of May.

Jock Monteith

7 lbs Springer Landed On Newtyle Today

Here's Colin with his wee springer at the Dean's Burn pool this morning. As we had no one booked to fish our top beat today I sent Colin up to see if there were any springers about. As usual Colin proved instantly they were there !!!!!! Well done Colin.

Jock Monteith

Springer Returned On Newtyle Today


Here's Colin's springer being set free.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

A lovely falling water today with perfect fishing conditions. Martyn Gregory who caught an 18 pounder on Thursday in 'The Cottar' caught a lovely 6 lbs sea-liced springer in 'The Alders' pool this morning on his well chewed orange shrimp fly. Martyn returned his fish after a very lively battle. Well done Martyn.

Jock Monteith

Friday 2 May 2008

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water level from earlier today. David Ferguson who was salmon fly fishing for the first time today hooked, landed & returned a cracking 18 pounder from the Dean's Burn pool this afternoon. David had been brought to the beat at short notice by Denny from Bobsport (Edinburgh). Denny talked him through the fight after just finishing teaching him how to spey cast !!! Sadly neither of them had their cameras with them but I am sure David especially will never forget today !!!!!!!!! Very well done David & Denny.

Jock Monteith

Thursday 1 May 2008

Springer Action Today On Newtyle


Big springer on & let the battle commence !!!

Jock Monteith

More Springer Action !!!


This big Tay springer did not want to co-operate at all with us !!!

Jock Monteith

18 lbs Springer Landed on Newtyle Today

Here's Martyn Gregory with his pefect sea-liced Tay springer which he hooked at the tail of the Cottar Bay at around 4 pm. This springer took a bright orange shrimp fly and gave a great power demonstration before we could get anywhere near it with the landing net. This is our 40th springer so far this season. Very well done Martyn. To book a rod on the Newtyle Beat Click here.

Jock Monteith

Perfect Tay Springer

Here's another shot of Martyn's perfect specimen Tay springer.

Jock Monteith

Springer Released On Newtyle Today


Here's Martyn's perfect big Tay springer being released.

Jock Monteith

Newtyle Beat Water Gauge Today

Here's the water after it had stopped rising today. Big but fine as we found out !!!!

Jock Monteith