Interview with Bob Mason of the Tay Ghillies Association | May 2024

The Tay Ghillies Association (TGA) has been a registered charity for over 20 years and has been focussed, until recently , on the fishing beats of the River Tay and providing anglers from all over the world with hospitality, knowledge and comradeship on their fishing beats (and the chance of catching an Atlantic Salmon!). However, times are changing and the iconic Atlantic Salmon and our beloved River Tay, its tributaries and its catchment area are coming under more and more pressures from climate change, increasing population, predation and water abstraction for hydro schemes and agriculture. The TGA decided, in early 2020, to reinvent itself by broadening its membership base and become a voice which will be heard, and listened to, when defending the Tay and upholding the rights of everyone connected to it.
The objectives of the Association are to promote the conservation and preservation of the Atlantic Salmon in the River Tay system for the benefit of all anglers, businesses, tourists, river proprietors and local people. To meet these objectives the Association will help fund specific salmon and environmental projects as well as raising river-related issues with the appropriate organisations.
Donations via tayghillies.co.uk/
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Fishing Set Up: Alot of people like to know my set up and currently I fish with two different set ups depending on conditions and the size of river. My preferred manufacters are:
Shakespeare @ShakespeareFishingUS
Airflo @AirfloFishingFlyLines
Rio @rioproducts
Guideline @Guidelineflyfish
Fishing Set Ups:
• Shakespeare Oracle Spey Rod 14'9 10wt Scandi
• Airflo V3 10/11wt Reel
• Airflo Super Dri Fluro Ridge Running Line
• Rio Scandi Floating Shooting Head
• Guideline Intermediate Shooting Head
Switch Rod
• Shakespeare Oracle EXP Switch Rod 11'4 7/8wt
• Airflo V3 7/8wt Reel
• Airflo Super Dri Fluro Ridge Running Line
• Rio Swift Chucker Skagit
Spinning Rod
• Shakespeare Agility 11' Spinning Rod
• Ninja 3000A Spinning Reel
• 50lb Braid
Film Gear
GoPro Hero 9
DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone
Sony ZV1
Foam Windshield Housing Wind Slayer
Luggage
• Guideline Experience Medium Waist Bag
• Guideline Experience Back Pack 28ltr
• Guideline Large Reel bag
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[@neilandrew961]

Great video into what's going on with the rivers in Scotland and England aswell but missed a point on the amount of predators that are in the rivers now that the gillies used to take care but not allowed to now due to political issues its good to see tay is having a good run of salmon just now though 👍

[@duncanmurray-ey5ke]

Great wee chat with Bob. Thank you for sharing this. I don,t want to sound like a dinosaur or receive hateful pc comments, BUT, why oh why do we seem to be ignoring predation ???? It is absolutely off the scale just now. Remember we are not talking about a few more fish for people to catch. We are talking about saving the Atlantic Salmon in the UK ! A parting question if I may ? What is the difference between a deer and a seal ?? Sorry for the rant Chris and Bob.

[@CornishChrisTheFish]

Personally I feel it is about picking your battles. Bob didn't talk about predators probably because i didn't think to ask we covered so many topics in a short amount of time. Whereas when i interviewed Murdo Crosbie on the Cree he spoke about it at length. Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for the support

[@tomjones7593]

Here in Wales 'Natural Resources Wales' have not just stopped stocking themselves, they have forbidden my local club from stocking salmon fry from the old mill hatchery that members have built with hard work-and they can no longer take late season fish from this little river to provide the spawn; they say it is because there is 'no evidence' that stocking works. More to the point it would cost them money-and expertise they no longer have. We should boycott the rod licence.

[@CornishChrisTheFish]

I must admit that i share your sentiment regarding the EA license, I think it is a complete waste of money and I wonder what it is for other than giving the government yet more money