Catch of the Tay — novice angler lands 38lb salmon

Blessed with beginner's luck, angler Andrew McAdam this week caught a massive 38lb salmon on the Tay on his first attempt at salmon fishing.

The amazing catch and (below) with Andrew McAdam.

By Richard Burdge
Published in the Courier : 29.04.11
Published online : 29.04.11 @ 09.20am

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"It was an incredible day for Andrew," said Rob Mitchell of the Tay Foundation.

"Not only did he land the fish of a lifetime during a salmon fishing debut to remember but he also caught a 14-pounder.

"In fact, these two fish were hooked in three casts."

The fish was hooked on a floating red devon by Mr McAdam, from Boness, on Wednesday.

He was fishing with ghillie Steven McIrvine on the Glendelvine water at Murthly — the same area where Georgina Ballantine's famous UK record 64lb fish was landed in 1922.

This week's mighty fish was measured prior to its release and came in at a length of 117cm with a girth of 62.5cm.

Mr McIrvine had never seen anything like it in his decade as a ghillie on the beat.

"It was certainly the biggest fish I have seen landed in the last 10 years," he said.

"It must be the biggest spring fish on the Tay for a number of years."

Mr McAdam's fish is the latest in a number of large fish-weighing from 25lb to 35lb — which have been landed in the last few weeks, according to Mr Mitchell.

"It's fantastic news for the river as a whole, as these multi-sea winter fish just keep on coming this season," he said.

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