Islamouth

Arguably, one of the most famous beats on the River Tay. We’ve got one of the biggest junctions on the river system, hence why any fish coming up here, stop here.

Catches & River Level

Exclusive River Tay salmon fishing at the iconic junction of the River Isla.

The prolific Islamouth salmon fishing beat, not to be confused with ‘Meikleour Fishings’ (the Upper Islamouth & Meikleour beat), has one and a half miles of fishing on the left bank including some of the adjoining lower River Isla, and ¾ miles of right bank fishing on the Meikleour side.

Located 6 miles from Blairgowrie, 10 miles upstream from Perth and the tide, Islamouth boasts having one of the main stopping points for running salmon due to the confluence of the Tay and Isla.

The beat marches at the top with Meikleour Fishings at the midline of the Isla’s mouth just below the Kinclaven Bridge, and flows downstream to the railway bridge above Ballathie and Cargill.

Islamouth offers the cream of fly fishing water on the Tay and unless the water is really high only fly fishing is permitted on this beat.

 

“It’s a big big river – As daunting as it is, once you’re actually in there and fishing, you just fish normal.”

Fishing the beat

On a rota system, the five rods cover 14 named pools from the two boats with seasoned ghillies Billy, Allister and Charlie. Additionally, both banks are fished and the wading is relatively easy due to the beat having been a netting station in days gone past. Each rod generally gets half a morning boat and bank fishing, and then repeats this in the afternoon so that everyone gets a chance to fish the length of the beat in the most opportune spots.

The beat is a succession of fast streams and strong deeper runs which, at the right height, can leave both the ghillies and the anglers spoilt for choice. The pools and runs all fish well at varying heights.

Unless the water is really high only fly fishing is permitted on this beat, and that has been one of the main draws to Islamouth due to the numbers of fish.

Many fish heading for the River Isla and its phenomenal tributary the Ericht, pause here before heading on up the Isla. The lower the water in the Isla the more the fish accumulate.

As the main runs of fish heading to the Ericht are between about March to July excellent sport can be had on Islamouth at any time over this period. Since these fish are intent on travelling far upstream they are normally all in excellent condition, mint fresh and often sea liced.

In late summer and autumn, the later running Isla fish arrive. These are bigger than the Ericht fish often weighing in around 15lb to 20lb and with many bigger fish amongst them.

Rods on stand

“You’re always going to see fish at Islamouth, even if you’re not catching them, you know they’re going to be there because of the unique location.”

Rods on stand

Seasonal equipment

Bring all the rods – 15ft through to 11ft switch, and even single handers depending on the season.

In the early spring and autumn, larger weighted tube flies like Willie Gunns and Monkeys may be required to really get down to the fish. Skagit lines can be very useful in the shoulder months too, however from April onwards a sink tip might be all that is required. Fast sink lines are really not required as the beat is relatively shallow and there’s no need to dredge the pools. There are however plenty of faster pools that you might like to put a sink line through to cut beneath the surface and slow your swing.

In the height of summer when the silvery grilse shoals are most abundant a full floating line with a small double or treble may be the best bet. Sunrays stripped and anything different is how the ghillies like to see anglers fish as these fish are here in numbers. Fishing with switch and single-handed rods can offer fantastic sport at this time of year too.

“It’s not a spinning beat, and it’s not a killing beat any more either - I am humbled by the quality of fly anglers that have followed me to Balmakewan.” - Mike Young, Ghillie
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Catches & River Level

Daily catches & river level

S = Steady    F = Falling    R = Rising

<< Swipe to scroll 

TotalLargestRiver Level
Mon2'9" S
Tue2'6" S
Wed2'1" S
Thur
Fri
Sat

Islamouth Report week ending 30th March.

We had rain last weekend which brought the river up to 11″ and it was looking that there may be a few fish around for Paul Christie and his angling friends but unfortunately there was to be no fish caught, there were bent rods, a few bigger fish lost but no catches. A good time was had by all.

Thursday, we welcomed Robert Jamieson and his friends to Islamouth, the river was sitting at 4″ and was steady, surely the team would manage to land a couple of fish but again, bent rods and only one fish landed for the 3 days and that was to Robert’s rod, a lovely 8lb springer caught in Donnits. There was a huge rise on Friday, the river was up at 4’9″ and was rising, the group undeterred tried but their efforts were not to be rewarded, on Saturday the river had dropped back but was still big and slightly coloured. 

The week ended with 1 fish.

Weather for the coming week: –

There will be sunny spells over the course of the week with Wednesday and Thursday being the best days of the week, there will however be light winds most days.

Temperatures for the coming week will be between 12 and 17 degrees.

Tight Lines All!

 

Annual catches

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Year20202021202220232024Average2025
Feb305042.41
Mar6221010811.215
Apr06831156240
May034302521220
Jun436091469266.40
Jul12169755513190.20
Aug68113586711083.20
Sep526377276055.80
Oct285041136138.60
Total321479418258493393.80

Discover Islamouth

Film: Billy Campbell – Head Ghillie of Islamouth, gives us an overview of the beat, seasonal tactics and explains why Islamouth is known for being one of the most famous beats on the Tay.

Islamouth Fishing

PH2 6DU

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Meet the Ghillies

Angler with fish

Billy Campbell

Symon Jacobsen

Allister Scott

Symon Jacobsen

Charlie McKay

Head Ghillie Billy and co-ghillies Allister and Charlie will meet you in the morning and host your day in a friendly and professional way. They operate the two boats and will ensure that your fishing is enjoyable, safe and hopefully productive.

The wealth of knowledge shared between these ghillies is second to none, and anglers sharing a boat with them at the helm are rewarded with one of the finest and traditionally significant Tay fishing experiences there is.

Listen to your ghillies, they really do know how to catch fish at Islamouth.

Information

Hut, Facilities & Access

The Islamouth Hut is where you meet and it is located near the lower end of the beat on the left bank. Take the A93 and turn off just upstream of the tiny hamlet of Cargill marked by 2 white posts, 200 yards beyond that to Cargill and follow the road down a further 200 yards until you reach a track almost straight on (the road turns left 90 degrees) which will take you to the hut in the 40 acre grounds. The hut is perched commandingly over the river, boats and the railway bridge.

The hut is equipped with everything you could think of, including a log burner, cooker, fridge, dishwasher, toilets, wifi, and secure storage. Perfect for the family and/or friends.

The access to the fishing itself is via beautifully kept paths on both sides through ancient stands of trees and wildflowers, accessed via boat from the launch just at the foot of the hut – everyone is dropped off and collected by boat to save the long walk and make your time fishing more efficient The banks are generally high so steps have been put in with simple markers.

Top Tips

  • Fish hard – of course this is a tip, however this is one of the best places to fish on the Tay, so if you want to catch a fish even in tough conditions, this is it.
  • Ask the ghillies anything, they want you to catch fish. Experienced anglers will want to ask what they don’t know.
  • Take advantage of the supplied rota system, this is by far the best way to cover the most water optimally, for you and the other rods.

    “The more fish that sit at the junction, the more fish that stop and sit with them. They generally stop here first.”

    Questions?

    Are there vacancies for new anglers and angler parties?
    Invariably Islamouth is fully let from one season to the next with the same parties coming back year after year. However, vacancies do occasionally occur, and a waiting list system is in operation through the agents.
    Is the beat exclusive to us?
    Yes if you book the beat exclusively. Very secluded, private, no main roads, beautiful countryside, scenery, nature – It is just a very idyllic spot to fish and enjoy your experience.
    Will there be anglers on the far bank?
    No, the beat is double bank, however at the Isla mouth itself there will be Meikleour anglers just upstream.
    What facilities are in the hut?
    There is running water, a wood burning stove, a log burner, cooker, fridge, dishwasher, toilets, wifi, and secure storage. All of this with a great open aired space inside and a bench to sip your coffee on the front deck.
    Is there a loo available?
    Yes, in the hut.
    Can I bring my family and friends?
    Yes, you are encouraged to. The beat is perfectly set up for entertaining, or just as a good base to relax and explore the surroundings.
    Are there any shops, restaurants and hotels locally?
    There are plenty of fantastic and quintessentially Perthshire amenities within a short drive of the beat, ranging from markets to farm shops, B&B’s, Inns and fabulous hotels. Takeaways and cafes/restaurants are also highly recommended, and the local soft fruit stalls must be visited.
    What are the local surroundings like?
    Perthshire is a rich and diverse area with far too much on offer to list here. Maybe take a look here for options: https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/perthshire/
    How do I get there?
    Take the A93 and turn off just upstream of the tiny hamlet of Cargill marked by 2 white posts, 200 yards beyond that to Cargill and follow the road down a further 200 yards until you reach a track almost straight on (the road turns left 90 degrees) which will take you to the hut in the 40 acre grounds.
    Is there wifi?
    Wifi is provided in the Islamouth hut.
    Can I bring my dogs?
    Yes, however be wary of your surroundings and farmland and there may be occasional dog walkers along the bank. Dogs are permitted in the hut.
    What is the vehicle access like?
    All cars can get to the beat. It is unnecessary to drive up and down the beat with the provision of boats at the hut.

    Season

    The Salmon & Sea Trout Season for the River Tay is 15th January to 15th October excluding Sundays (there is no Sunday fishing for sea trout or salmon), however Islamouth does not open for fishing until 01 February.

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    Limited Availability

    Invariably Islamouth is fully let from one season to the next with the same parties coming back year after year. However, vacancies do occasionally occur, and a waiting list system is in operation through the agents. Get in touch with your expression of interest.

    Enquire Now

    Get in touch

    In the main, Islamouth Fishings is fully let each season to existing tenants and as such availability seldom arises.

    If rods do become available, they are offered to people on our waiting list.

    Without exception, the minimum booking is three days for five rods, Monday to Wednesday or Thursday to Saturday.

    To be added to our waiting list for these half week bookings, please use the form below and specify what dates you would be interested in.

    Email: info@islamouthfishings.co.uk
    Iain & Katrina Wood – Office: +44 (0)1250 883713

    Read the Letting Conditions
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