Things are picking up at long last on the Helmsdale but there are no record numbers. The grilse run has arrived and last week produced around 60 plus one pink salmon on the beats. The Association water had 4 fish one day, it is picking away and well worth a day ticket at this time of the year.

Salmon are being caught in good numbers everywhere now and our huge range of flies are accounting for many of them. below are a couple of our most successful. From our new collection the RS Allys Supersquid has been a revelation. Based on the legendary Allys Shrimp Rons specialist tweaking has taken it to a whole new level and you should grab some for your summer and autumn box, they are simply deadly.

Another superb killer has been our Cascade Monkey silver tungsten conehead which we have in a range of sizes down to a stunning micro tube.

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http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-cascade-firetail.html

The RS Cascade FireTail is the hottest fly out there right now. Ron has designed these with an explosion of solar light in the tail which also helps stop it wrapping around the hook and keep perfect fly profile. These are stunners for all conditions especially peaty water. Click above to buy.

The Helmsdale has been easing into summer mode with a fairly decent run of msw fish. The North has been lucky in that heavy rain has kept topping up rivers offering some great sport reported from the Borgie South. Seatrout and grilse are now arriving and if the weather settles all should be set for a great summer.

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Its all getting a little stale everywhere right now unless you have been lucky enough to catch some meaningful rain somewhere in the UK but our overseas orders are crashing in with high hopes of good seasons in Iceland, Russia and Scandinavia.

Check out our range of Hitch, Laerdal Sunrays, Frances and New Collection flies, there is more than enouugh there to kit you out for a superb weeks fishing. Green & Blue Ass Willie Gunn, superb SuperSquid tubes and much more

The Helmsdale has had the best spring in 10 years, great news in a troubled spell for returning salmon but an  injection of water is required once again to get the fishing going otherwise it will be lean pickings until the sea-trout and grilse start to arrive in June.

One of our best sellers below, the new Supersquid Cascade conehead (below). We have it in 4 sizes right down to an incredible micro conehead...you must get some of these in your box for the summer. Click here to order them - Read more

There were around 35 fish off the Helmsdale last week, considering the low water it was a pretty good effort. The next spate will provide good fishing as there are encouraging numbers of fish being seen in the river.

If you are heading abroad soon, chaeck out our tube fly box below which is full of the biggest killers you need for early season. We have been kitting out trips abroad for 20 years and the feedback we receive is invaluable, we know exactly whats catching in Iceland, Scandinavia, Russia and South America and can kit your trip out no problem.

Here is an order (below) we have just made up for a party heading to Norway and Iceland (6 dozen), it is filling in gaps for them as they are already well equipped with our Frances flies.

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As the fishing has gone a little quiet with low water its time to let you know that we have our legendary Loop Cross S1 salmon rods on a mouthwatering deal right now....Arguably the best salmon rods ever constructed. I have been using them for the last few years along with a big following who all know the script on them. Effortless power and lightness from a 4 piece rod which flexes with you, its not a poker but it can launch anything you load it with and they are an absolute joy to cast with. But don't take my word for it, snap one up and see for yourself!

There is nothing wrong in slugging it out with bargain basement rods, they will get the line out. But, you will always be holding your casting ability back because the better you get at casting, the more your old rod will fail to produce the results you deserve. The Loop Cross does the opposite, Whether you are a Pro or a novice, Cross rods let you operate...

The Helmsdale is picking away with around 30 off in the last week, the Association water also produced a few, the low water suits that beat so it is well worth getting a day ticket.

Tactical options are evolving fast as the season progresses and temps rise. Salmon are now being tempted right on the surface hammering into sunray shadow tubes fished fast and square as well as coneheads fished a little deeper. The most successful anglers always carry a wide range of flies tied on different densities to cover any eventuality. Fishing a nice long line with intermediate tip and letting your chosen fly swing steadily all day works! But, always be prepared to quickly change your approach to a full floating setup and smaller fly if the temperature rises and there is surface action. Shorten up your line, raise your rod tip and tease a fast moving plastic Sunray Shadow and prepare for some monumental offers...salmon...

I mentioned that a good day was had on beat 6 last week for the Torrish rods, here are the happy faces to prove it! The river was at a perfect height for the Little Rock pool which sits below the Kildonan falls section of the Helmsdale river. Springers are being caught practically everywhere now and when temps and water height come together there is always a great chance of some good sport on beat 6 as fish pause to comtemplate the fierce challenge ahead. As you can see, the boys took full advantage!

I don't have much details on the tackle used but copper tubes and coneheads fished off sinking tips is perfect for April if there is good water. Our flies are selling like hot cakes this season as the new collection is being digested by the salmon angling world. Grab some when you have the chance and get on the water....The fishing is gathering pace and the fish are in!

Phil Valori, Little Rock, 11.5lbs

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Over 40 fish have come off the Helmsdale in the last fortnight and 4 off beat 6 on Saturday past by Torrish rods. Big water washed out a couple of days but the fish are in and it should fish nicely this week as the weather and water settles.

Struggling to keep up with orders right now as everyone seems to be out fishing, hence not so big fishing reports.....Gaelforce tips and lines are flying out the door as are our new collection flies, you can also grab them in the Twisted Thistle, Fochabers so make that trip! they are hammering salmon all over the UK!

A selection of lovely recent fish up to 19lbs

Gavin Perry (right) with Borrobol ghillie Glem Macdonald beat 3

Andrew Thomas with another sparkler.

John...

There were over 20 fish off the river last week....full report to come tomorrow, and thank you all for taking full advantage of our spring 3 + 1 deal in March.

Inside track - our Solar Monkeys are having some serious success right now on rivers all over the UK, Grab some at Twisted Thistle Fochabers if you need them right now or order online for delivery in a couple of days.

Our display at Twisted Thistle, full of yummy fishy things, especially Monkey tubes!! come and grab some...

RS Solar Monkey

The quality of...

It has been another tough week on the Helmsdale as the river has been on the high side and a rise to 3ft on Friday did not help matters but fish were still caught. Beat 3 was the hot spot for some reason but that was not totally surprising as it holds some long quality spring pools which fish in high water, especially the Tail of the Bay and that’s where 3 of 4 from the beat were caught. It also produced the fish of the week, a blistering 24 pounder for Alan Stone who I believe also had an 18 pounder from beat 4. Lower Torrish produced another fish for beat 3 and beat 5 scored again to make it 6. Saturday settled a little and 3 more fish were caught on beats 1, 2 & 4 to take the tally to a respectable hard fought 9 for the week

So we have created a new Monkey fly category for arguably the deadliest spring salmon flies on the planet. Check it out here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/monkey-tubes.html

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