Salmon Safari Special: River Tay

[@rongreen1538]

Seeing this late and it’s great fun. Particularly amused by the late Dylan rendering of an early Dylan song. Thanks for inviting us all into the crazy world of the early morning baker.

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, glad it tickled you.

[@johnglaister5851]

A great video which brought back happy memories of fishing Kinnaird about 10 years ago. Lower water levels in early May. Some fantastic fly water, Guay Pool in particular was a dream to fish from the right hand bank. Like you, I didn't encounter a salmon....it's a massive river and it can be very daunting to fish. I had more luck fishing the Tummel, upstream at East Haugh in April. A 15lb Tummel silver springer is a thing of beauty. Give it a try Rob, it's a lovely and productive beat.

[@abakerslife]

I bet such a fish is a thing to behold and funnily enough come April it seems that's where I'm headed.

[@50Squirrel]

Another wonderful video! Thank you for the mention to all of us that can no longer enjoy the river, your endeavours are extremely entertaining & almost make it bearable. Thank you again!

[@abakerslife]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it.

[@alistairkilpatrick3907]

Im one of those that cant get out anymore because of health probs so watching vids like this i find theraputic ..so thanks for these👍

[@abakerslife]

Welcome aboard Alistair you're not missing much this year. It's hard work on my local rivers at the moment. I'm still fishless for the season.

[@jerryglover5435]

Brilliant listening to your fireside chat hahaha. Made me laugh. My missus couldn’t believe I was watching someone eat their dinner hahah. I know how you feel on the springer front. I searched hard too last season to no avail. Time to start thinking about a Feb to April plan I think.

[@abakerslife]

Glad you enjoyed my half cut ramblings. I've got my own plan of attack for a '24 springer already worked out. I won't be travelling around so much but instead targeting one specific river.

[@steviewalk]

Wonderful entertaining video. Honest and light hearted. Thank you from Newfoundland.

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, salutations from the UK.

[@Hardlinesangling]

Another great video. Its definitely a privilege to be able to fish the places we do chasing the elusive salmon. Ive fished the tay once several years ago for one day contacted one on the spinner but nothing else. Hopefuly be back one day.

[@abakerslife]

Thanks Toby, yes I am happy to pay the money just to be allowed to roam around those beautiful estates.

[@MattFrancey-ti6dj]

Sunray shadow is fun eh, i have not had success but try that or hitch flies, just for something different when i get bored. I haved had some action using tiny hitch flies up north. Great when the river is low, early in the morning , first thing through the pool i mean, great vids as always 👍

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, as it happens I had my first fish on a sunray the other day. It seems a good fly for when the fish are running and up in the water.

[@scottd2939]

Fantastic video mate, really enjoy all your videos. You've got me thinking about a van again. 👍🏼👍🏼🎣🎣

[@abakerslife]

Cheers Scott, glad you enjoy them.

[@brianpeutherer2666]

Oh, how I was willing you to connect with a springer Rob. Can't fault your persistence. Thanks for the "mad bastard" toast. That sums us up to a tee. Also noted your toast to those who can no longer fish. I lost my brother to cancer earlier in the year and he's been my fishing buddy, so I vowed to make the most of my time on the river from now on. So far though, lady Coquet has not obliged! Here's to some rain. Tight lines.

[@abakerslife]

Thanks Brian, sorry to hear about your brother that must have been hard to take. It's been fruitless for most thus far but I'm sure the fish will turn up soon and if not well so be it. Being out on the river is tonic enough.

[@chriswright2135]

Another fantastic video , love it , I would sometimes cast a bit squarer across the river , can sometimes stop a blank 👏👏👏🥃🥃

[@abakerslife]

Cheers Chris, I will keep that in mind next time I'm salmon fishing.

[@yoshipoche333]

やっと釣りが始まりましたね。ワンちゃんも元気そうで何よりです。👍👍😄

[@davidwaite815]

Great video. Thank you! What makes your rod if you don’t mind me asking?

[@tynewearangling4854]

enjoy the videos, I am one of the bailiffs on the Fed rivers so enjoy watching all of your endeavours on our waters but also further afield.

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, glad you enjoy them. Can't wait till the fish turn up!

[@tynewearangling4854]

hope to meet you one day on the FED waters,

[@nanookrob]

Hi Rob- the 15 foot Zenith is a great rod- found this online hopefully it is still available.

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, I ended up buying a 15' Demon as a big river rod. To tell you the truth I haven't even cast it yet.

[@nanookrob]

@@abakerslife let me know if you need a skagit shooting head. I bought a few for my 15' Zenith and the first one i tried was the one. The others haven't been used- one is 700 grains...

[@alancarpenter4068]

Merry Xmas Rob, just over 3 wks till it all starts again on the Tummel 🤞....tight lines chief

[@abakerslife]

And to you to. Three weeks and you start again...! I'm still enjoying how relaxing it is when the season is closed! No more being obsessed with river levels and weather forecasts.

[@alancarpenter4068]

@abakerslife the tug is the drug ,January is a bit early, but I've had some crackers in February, can only try.

[@abakerslife]

Very true, best of luck

[@davidcrabb3967]

Really enjoy your videos please keep them coming Tight lines !

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks David, will do.

[@SONGSTICKS]

Oh Mate, I so enjoyed that video ! You come across as a lovely fella I'd gladly have a pint or two with and you remind me of an old friend I used to go Hedge laying with who is sadly no longer with us. I Love the fact that you included your camping too, it gives us the whole adventure. That steak looked bloody delicious, but sadly I don't have the ivories for the task any more. I've never been to Scotland but my lovely ol Dad doshed us a fat cheque for Christmas this year, so me and the missus are planning to get there this year. I've liked and subscribed, so I've be having a binge watch of all your other vids. All the best to you. Cheers Gary

[@abakerslife]

Cheers Gary, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you manage to get to Scotland and good on your old Dad. Hopefully I will get a chance to get up there too but not necessarily for the fishing, I think that here in the north east we have as good salmon fishing as anywhere. I just had to spend a year driving all over the country to realise it!

[@tomjones7593]

Great fun-well done- I'm hoping to be up that way soon but will let the Opening Day madness get over and done with. As to singing-well, don't give up the baking, eh ?....!

[@abakerslife]

Thanks, coming from such an esteemed and successful crooner as yourself I shall heed your advice and not give up the day job.

[@tomjones7593]

Too kind ....! Anyway- Blwyddyn Newydd Da /Happy New Year !@@abakerslife

[@nairnfly]

Cracking video gives a really good idea of the fishing on this beat. Its been a slow year on every salmon river in UK. Key to catching a salmon is not the fly its perseverance and determination which you have in bucket loads, stick at it you will get him😉

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, Kinnaird is an amazing beat, the amount of good fly water is mind boggling. Hopefully the dogged approach pays off soon and I get to cross swords with a springer to make it all worthwhile.

[@robinlowerson565]

It's a great experience. I've had many days on The Mighty Tay.

[@abakerslife]

Hopefully I will have a few more days myself in the future.

[@eskokauppila1327]

Every rivers must have in downstreams 2m high walls, which can only atlanticsalmon jump over to upstreams[(in europe

[@kennethmorton2626]

If youre lookin for an ebay bargain 15' rod id look at bruce and walker norway. Youll find one as they are very popular and powerful big river rods. the longer rod gives much more line control as well as the distance.

[@abakerslife]

Thanks for the tip I will keep my eyes open.

[@neilandrew961]

Great video sir hard going i think people don't realise how big a river it's is to try and get a fish form the runs do seem to be smaller this year but that's salmon fishing have fished for them off and on for years have fished when river is full of salmon and still can't one kept a record for years and it showed a rough 5 year cycle for salmon we would have a good season then over next few it would tapper of was watching a video other day from just few weeks ago and you could see salmon running into the pools but not interested in taking that was from a river further up north

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks, a friend of mine who has fished for trout and salmon forever has a similar outlook. Everyone is crying doom and gloom regarding salmon numbers but his take is that they are cyclical and some years are just worse than others.

[@JohnCrampton-d3j]

Love it cheers mate

[@abakerslife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@marcharley6465]

It's an old fishing cliche but you can only catch the fish that are in front of you. You always have a chance of blanking on big, wild rivers and I should know because I've done it often enough myself 😆 I'm no fly fisher, so I've only fished for Scottish salmon with worm or a spinner. Maybe one day I'll land one 🤞

[@abakerslife]

That's very true I think the hard thing about salmon fishingbis that 98% of the time there are actually no fish there. When you don't catch it starts to get into your head that you must be doing something wrong! If you're spinner is in the water long enough then you will definitely land one eventually, just need to wait for the stars to align.

[@phcobh]

Waiting patiently for your first salmon of the year 😮.

[@abakerslife]

Me too, though not so patiently anymore!

[@harryboyle9920]

Hi …….I enjoy watching all your video’s……… You certainly deserve to catch a salmon anytime soon For all your effort and perseverance…… I wish you all the best .. Having watched your latest video on the Tay reminded Me of catching my biggest salmon a fly….. It was 18lb and was caught on Stobhall a few years ago. I heard what you said regarding looking to buy a Hardy Zenith 15’1”” #10… I was looking at EBay today and noticed there is indeed one for sale…….thought this might of interest to you. Anyway wishing good luck in your quest for Mr Salmon…. Keep the video’s coming…..👍👍👍 I own such a rod and totally agree with you……. It is a very good fishing rod which as I am still salmon Fishing….I do not wish to sell…

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks Harry, fingers crossed there is a run of fish heading into our rivers soon. I'm following the ebay auction for the Zenith but I took like demand is strong for it so it will be interesting to see what it makes.

[@harryboyle9920]

@@abakerslife Well I wish you good luck with your fishing and the rod.... Tight Lines.🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@paulkennedy5953]

Boy, I like your taste on locations, no less the famous river Tay, Jack Charlton spoke highly of it. Expensive though....but worth it....🙂👍. Great camera footage, casting technique is excellent. What equipment do you utilize, rod length, line weight, leader strength, fly patterns.

[@abakerslife]

Thanks Paul the Tay certainly made an impression on me and Big Jack's recommendation is enough for me. I wouldn't say that every cast comes out with good technique but for the most part I didn't embarrass myself! I was using a 13'6 rod with a floating 8/9 wt Rio outbound scandi line, 10ft fast sink polyleader and another 5' of 18lb mono tippet. Flies that I used were mainly Willie Gunn style tubes to get down in the fast flow of the Tay.

[@cutback747]

Great Video. I was rooting so hard for you to get a fish. You have an open invite to join me in Northern California or the Pacific Northwest for steelhead. They're pretty tough too, but we should be able to get you into some.

[@abakerslife]

Many thanks I guess it wasn't to be. It was a terrible year on the Tay by all accounts but I did enjoy dishing the water. One day I would love to fish for steelhead but I think I better learn the ropes on a few more salmon and seatrout first!

[@MrKveite1]

Hmm, it's illegal to use sinking lines there?????? If not why dont you use them. The closer to the fish you get the fly the larger the chance it will come and grab it. If that sounds wrong to you please let me know why.

[@abakerslife]

I don't think sinking lines are illegal but with relatively low water conditions I setup according to the advice of the ghillie. I feel that with a fast sinking tip and by fishing conehead tube flies I was getting down to the riverbed but the spring runs of salmon have just not appeared in numbers so far this year. The beat I was fishing had only recorded 6 fish for the season so far.

[@MrKveite1]

@@abakerslife yeah i have noticed lots of complaints about the lack of salmon this year. I have a different approach to how deep i am fishing tho. I fish really heavy until i feel the bottom and check how close to the bank i am and if not i pick the next step up in line and try again until i get close enough to the bank so i know i have covered everything.

[@johngerardmccarthy9103]

The only thing missing ma man, there aint no Salmon to catch. Check the annual returns.

[@abakerslife]

Well one pull would have been nice at least for my three days hammering away. The Tay has definitely suffered a worse year than my local rivers at home in Northumberland.

[@234cheech]

yer no very good way a camara mate dismal

[@abakerslife]

Yer ma