The river has been very quiet during opening week as there have been little or no anglers on the water. So, not much to report yet!

On the fly front, we have started to use some superb new synthetic junglecock on one or two of our flies. Check out the new Alistair design from Ron (below) which is tied on a bare gold double using the award winning Semperfli tying thread and synthetic JC from the same company. We really like the look of it. Real JC or not is a big question and one that has been bouncing around for years but as access to real JC is becoming more restricted the synthetic sub is becoming more and more prevalent. Opinions differ but generally I am feeling that the mood is swinging away from the very expensive real JC, but only just!

Real JC is indeed the real deal but are the salmon interested in the slightest? it is a subject that books could be written...

The river opened very quietly yesterday with no frills. Unfortunately high water levels shut out the fishing but overnight frost should get the things moving today. Obviously under all the current restrictions it will only be locals on the water. Some of the bigger pools should be in decent order for a cast. Classics like tail of Kilphedir, Upper Caen, Salscraggie and the Torrish pools may offer some sport and could produce that highly prized January springer. Watch this space!

The new salmon fishing season is only a few days away for rivers in the North of Scotland but new restrictions will will curtail celebrations. However, government guidance does not stop the fishing itself, along with golf and some other outdoor activities life goes on as long as strict guidance is adhered to. This means that’s fishing is on, albeit in a local basis. So all eyes will be on the earliest rivers to open again, the Helmsdale, Thurso & Naver etc. Who would bet against an opening day springer from the far North.....

We have all the tried and tested spring flies you need. The Helmsdale company was created on the basis of pure passion for fishing alongside offering the highest quality salmon flies tied by the worlds best fly tiers and all centred around the insatiable tying flair and cutting edge ideas of hardened salmon angler Ron Sutherland. No fly tier has pushed the boundaries of salmon...

The view at the vice today (Boxing day) RS Willie Gunn Special in full production with Semperfli fly tying thread, simply the best....both of them.

As we approach the new salmon fishing season I look forward with optimism and trepidation. Will we have the luxury of a full fishing season right from the off or will restrictions plague the format yet again. I get the feeling it will be a slow start as regional lockdowns keep everything in check for obvious reasons, but, within those regions i think we will or at least should have the freedom to get out on the water to enjoy the fresh air in isolation on our favourite pools.

We get the message, we have all had the memo, we know how to stay safe and keep...

Since the launch of our new Spring Alistair we have been swamped with orders for our pocket boxed sets for Christmas - many thanks indeed. There is still lots of time to purchase these little beauties along with all our other great sets of flies.

The Spring Alistair comes individually in 3 different sizes of 1/2, 3/4 & 1" BUT, we now also have a cool twist on this great new pattern. The RS SuperSquid series of flies have been best sellers so we have now included the Spring Alistair in this mega popular series. Check them out below....Alistair lovers will love these! and if you have not yet tried this deadly fly design yet, you should.

RS SuperSquid Spring Alistair conehead

The new RS Spring Alistair has been launched on the back of the phenomimal success of the Red Alistair, (See them below) These will make unique Christmas gifts for the angler who has everything...they are also boxed in quality pocket size waterproof boxes perfect for your Christmas stocking!

Ofcourse we have many more great boxed sets of flies so please have a good look through them and order asap as demand will be high earlier this year. We very much appreciate your business as this Christmas will be a tough one for all but these will brighten it up a little for anglers.

Grab them right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/

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Well here they come.....We have some great new Special edition flies on the go alongside new exclusive boxed fly selections for you or as unique Christmas gifts.

Ron has taken the hugely popular RS Red Alistair to a whole new level by tying them on a Special edition Partridge Patriot red double hook which we think suits the fly of beautifully.

Ron will be tying these himself so you know you are getting the best Helmsdale Co quality, and, all come with a choice of hook options which has been a very popular offering.

You can check them out and buy below, these are "must have"

Special edition RS Red Alistair SuperSquid conehead, buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-special-edition-baby-td-boxed-set.html

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Please look out for our amazing new unique salmon fly selections and flies coming online very soon to compliment what we already have on offer, all to be revealed this week, and you don't want to miss out on them as we have some very very special selection boxes for you.

I hope you managed to get a cast this year eventually, it has been the most unpredictable season on record, hopefully next season runs more smoothly and we have open access to fish all our favourite rivers again.
Christmas is looming fast and we have another vast offering of superb fly selections which are always well received gifts for the keen anglers among us. We love our flies and at Helmsdale Co we offer the very best out there setup in quality fly boxes. Our innovative and unique...