Freestone · Mixed · Perthshire and Angus

River Isla (Tayside)

River Isla (Tayside) terrain map
Terrain map

The Isla is the Tay's largest tributary and one of Scotland's hidden salmon rivers — a substantial water in its own right that drains Glen Isla, Strathmore, and the rich farmland north of Dundee before joining the Tay at Kinclaven.

Species

Day off — closed today

Reopens Monday. Use the day to walk the beats.

Closed — confidence not applicable today.
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
6°C est.ideal 1014°C
0°14°28°
Conditions
Level
0.45 m
Water temp
6.1°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
7°C
Wind
S 8 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1001 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
5.2 mm
Light rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Directions
About this water

The Isla is the Tay's largest tributary and one of Scotland's hidden salmon rivers — a substantial water in its own right that drains Glen Isla, Strathmore, and the rich farmland north of Dundee before joining the Tay at Kinclaven. The upper river in Glenisla above Forter is tumbling Highland water holding brown trout and the occasional summer salmon. The middle river through Strathmore is classic lowland fly water: broad, pebbly, with good holding pools and fine brown trout fishing through the traditional season. The lower reaches below Coupar Angus hold resident trout, grayling, and salmon that have pushed up from the Tay, particularly in autumn. Fishing is a mix of Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus and Strathmore angling associations on the middle and lower river, with private beats scattered throughout. A proper big-river tributary that deserves more attention than it receives — and would certainly receive it were it not overshadowed by its famous parent.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon15 January → 15 October
Other water nearby · 5