Freestone · Mixed · Perthshire, GB-SCT

River Lyon

The River Lyon winding past trees and green fields, with the hills of Glen Lyon rising on either side.

Glen Lyon is often called Scotland's longest and loveliest glen and the river that runs through it is a classic Highland fly water — the Tay's southern tributary that drains the high country between Schiehallion and Ben Lawers before joining the Tay at Aberfeldy.

Fair · Atlantic Salmon
Fairlive now
Decent — worth a look
River lifting fast on the rain. Wait for the rise to peak before settling on a beat.
75% confidence
What moved it
  • Level0.44 mLifting fast
  • Water temp15.2°C
  • ClarityVery colouredColouring up
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Level
Rising
0.44 m
Lifting fast
Water temp15.2°C
ClarityVery coloured
Weather14°C
WindW 10 km/h
Pressure1018 hPa
Rain · recent0.6 mm
Rain · ahead1.3 mm

The nearest gauge doesn't record temperatures, so we've estimated it — defer to the river keeper's advice.

Water temperature for Atlantic Salmon
Warm — slow
15°C est.ideal 1014°C
0°14°28°
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.
Why this works
Fair conditions based on river hydrology and migration patterns.
Likely species
Mayflies
  • Blue-winged oliveMost likely
    #16–18 · Dun
    Duns are up; a sherry spinner fall may follow.
  • Anglers curse mayfliesAlso possibleLower confidence
    #20–22 · Spinner
    Go tiny: 20-22 spent spinner, single fly, long tippet.
Hatch timeline · todayPeak at 6am

Hatch predictions

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Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

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Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalHigh confidence

Backed by regional invertebrate surveys; no sampling on this exact reach yet.

Through the year
0–3 scale · August 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
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1

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

What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
  1. The River Lyon winding past trees and green fields, with the hills of Glen Lyon rising on either side.
    Cycling the glen beside River Lyon
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

Glen Lyon is often called Scotland's longest and loveliest glen and the river that runs through it is a classic Highland fly water — the Tay's southern tributary that drains the high country between Schiehallion and Ben Lawers before joining the Tay at Aberfeldy. Mandatory catch-and-release applies. Declining Atlantic salmon populations are Category 3 under Scottish Government classification; every fish returned matters. The upper river above Bridge of Balgie is small, tumbling, and holds free-rising wild brown trout in beautiful mountain scenery. The middle river through the main glen is the best trout water: wide enough for a proper drift, intimate enough to wade through, with pools and glides that hold good fish. The lower river below Fortingall is bigger water and takes salmon on their push up to the upper Tay beats. Salmon fishing on the Lyon is modest compared to the Tay mainstem but it gets its share of autumn fish, and the river is fly-only on most beats. Managed by estates with limited day-ticket availability — the best access is through Invervar and Fortingall beats. A river worth travelling for.

Sea trout here

Summer-autumn runs (June–September), nocturnal pattern in peak season

  • Mixed
Water quality (WFD)
  • EcologyModerate
  • ChemicalUnknown

SEPA (Scotland) · UKSC006639

The full read · show the working · for Atlantic Salmon · confidence 75%
How the river scores — hydrology factors
Water heightMedium Ideal0.0
Recent riseNone0.0
Falling after liftNot Applicable0.0
Water temperatureCool To Moderate0.0
Time in seasonOpening Period0.0
ClarityClearing0.0
Hydrology base0.0
Legal gate: Unknown Check Local Rules
Can you trust it?
Water temperatureair-to-water estimateestimated
Level / flowon-river gaugeobserved
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon 15 January15 October

Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026)

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