Bus Pass – Tay
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 03 January 2008 05:24
- Written by Bob Graham
This is an interesting trip in that it is also available at very low cost for non ’bus pass holders - as long as you can plan more than a week in advance. The operator from either of the two big toons, Edinburgh and Glasgow, is Megabus and, if you book seven or more days beforehand, your return fare can be as low as £2. Now I don’t care what kind of car you’ve got but £2 doesn’t buy much petrol these days.
The websites you need to bookmark are Google Maps, Megabus, Traveline and Fishtay. Permit outlets are few and far between and you’re best arranging one in advance from either Kettles of Dunkeld or the fishing tackle shop in Aberfeldy. If you get off at Ballinluig there’s a taxidermist / fishing tackle dealer who will sell you one for either the Tay or the Tummel. To be absolutely honest I often get off at Kindallachan and don’t bother with a permit - I’ve never been asked for one, in fact I’ve never met a bailiff. “One day“, I hear you mutter but I’ll face that problem when it arises.
Right, we’re off. Get to the Edinburgh or Glasgow ‘bus station with the ticket you booked on the web. About an hour and twenty minutes takes you to Perth and the Leonard Street ‘bus station. Then get on a number 23 ‘bus that heads up the A9 to Dunkeld, Ballinluig, Grandtully and on to Aberfeldy. Between Dunkeld and Ballinluig you can see the river on your left hand side and ’bus stops are plentiful. If you get off at Ballinluig you can choose to fish the Tummel or if you like Grandtully (where the canoeists play) there is some great water downstream towards Balnaguard. The water at Aberfeldy is well worth a cast.
The Tay is a big heavy water and you should be careful when wading - use a stick- although very often you’ll find that the bottom is shingly and not too difficult as long as you keep yourself under control. The troot can be spectacular, some of the biggest in Scotland although most run about three to the pound and fight twice their weight. Flees are the usual suspects with heavily weighted nymphs in sizes 10 and 12 going down well. I have had great success with Black and White Clousers and Black Woolly Buggers that seem to sort out the better troot. Grayling are harder to find but, if you do, don’t expect them to be much under a pound. If you happen to get a big silver one remember to return it - I do (but sometimes they look just like big troot).
Don’t worry too much about missing a ’bus on the way back, there’s a good service and return ’buses to the big toons run until late at night although (if you’re paying) your booking might not be honoured and you’ll have to stump up the whole amount.
What’s keeping you? Get off by ’bus.