The Helmsdale has had another very quiet week. The run of bigger fish is now almost over so the grilse are next to come. It’s a little early for that yet but the river has caught some of the rain this weekend and risen to around 2ft on the gauge. This is a hugely welcome refresh to get the stock moving and should pave the way for some great fishing in the week ahead.

Aside from the fishing, Ron has just topped up some of the absolute best sellers here at Helmsdale Co. Take a look at our stunning sell out Cascades with JC and the Solar Firetail option along with our deadly Firetail Willie Gunn and breathtaking RS Solar Flamethrowers. These will hammer fish all summer and into the autumn so make sure you grab some while we have them in stock.

You will find all these and many more in out "Latest in" category so please have a look as many of our big favourites are back in stock just in time for the best of the summer fishing - click here to see all the latest in - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/latest-flies-in.html

RS Solar Flamethrower gold Patriot double

RS Solar Cascade Firetail gold double

RS Solar Willie Gunn Firetail gold double

RS Cascade Tungsten gold conehead, you need a fistful of these beauties this week for the rise in the water.

The Helmsdale had another handfull of fish last week and now it is a waiting game for water grilse and sea-trout. Aside from that we are fast approaching peak season and just in time for this we have stocked up on our best selling flies which always sell out fast.

Below are pics of just a few to get the juices flowing but be warned, you need to be quick as these once advertised they will not be around for long, they never last so please try to grab your stock as soon as you see them.

The micro versions of some of these flies are incredible as an example micro Willie Dog conehead, just sensational along with many others.

Please order from our "Latest Flies In" category link right here - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/latest-flies-in.html?page=all

RS Baby TD

Alistair Flamethrower

Willie Dog Conehead

Cascade JC Silver Double

Cascade Tungsten conehead

There were a handfull of salmon off the Helmsdale last week. Early and late was the key but things should change this week with the weather breaking up a little and rain forecast. Even wind with overcast skies will help. The good news is that the water temps have been cooling at night so the danger to fish is not nearly as severe as it could have been.

Ok, now to the exciting stuff. Our Rs UV range of micro tubes have been a huge success, they look stunning, they are catching and they have inspired another hugely exciting fly for summer, The RS UV SuperStoat Loop double. yes. tied on the class razor sharp up eye Loop double with the same ingredients as our UV micro tubes. Check them out below where there is a choice of FL red head or black head and only available in size 14s at the moment keeping on the micro theme, we may be forced to tie on Patriot doubles if we get lots of requests for bigger sizes. Just contact us.

RS UV SuperStoat Loop double - you can buy these stunning flies right here right now - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-uv-superstoat-loop-double

FL red head

Well it looks like the extreme drought conditions have finally resonated with river boards in the North and there are temporary fishing “shut downs” in operation. I have never witnessed this before but I cannot disagree with the decisions to protect salmon that are really struggling and diseased in many rivers. The season so far has been poor and this takes things to a whole new level. All being well the rains will come soon and fresh salmon will miraculously arrive as usual and we may end up with a decent summer of fishing, but, we cannot take too many more fishing extremes in the future or rods will just remain empty unless prices start dropping. There comes a point when the most avid angler will say “no” and decide that there are more interesting ways to spend a few days holiday.

Anyway, all this aside, we recently launched a hugely successful RS UV Micro Stoat tube to help combat the low water conditions. Since launch we have had amazing feedback on the tubes and requests for Hitch and conehead options. Well, we love a challenge here at Helmsdale Co as fly tweaking and designing is one of our best assets so we have created amazing new designs for both as you can see and buy below. We will offer the tubes individually or as a stunning tactical set of 3 with additional hooks if required. We are very excited about these as we know that salmon, grilse and seatrout will be hugely tempted especially if the water remains low.

But, please only fish for salmon if it makes sense right now.

RS UV Micro tubes set which you can buy right here - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-uv-micro-tubes-set-of-all-3

Hitch tube with Scandi silver treble size 16. This tube can also be fished conventionally for salmon & sea-trout. Buy here - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-uv-hitch-tube-best-ever

RS UV Micro silver conehead - buy right here - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-uv-micro-silver-conehead

Water and fish are scarce and there is still no meaningful rain on the forecast. If there is worthwhile fishing to be had then fishing early & late with light tackle looks like the best chance of a hookup. And with a flick of the wrist we find ourselves in the mighty month of May already.

This magical month on the salmon calendar can mean many things. Fishing with the full classic floating line and lighter flies as salmon hit them on the surface. Fishing the big bold Sunray Shadow, again, on the surface where the takes can be explosive and heart stopping! Starting to hunt for seatrout which start entering rivers in better numbers. Unfortunately this season has been derailed early with the dry bright conditions and lack of snow to melt.

So, where are we now? Well, we have been fishing micro flies and floating lines for the past 2 months which is unheard of but we may as-well continue this tactic until we are forced to “normalise” if indeed rain eventually arrives and breathes much needed life back into our bleak looking rivers. But, there is a difference now from the earlier part of the season, sea-trout. I would personally concede that there is nothing more exciting that hooking a large angry sea-trout at dusk or in the dark on light tackle as these specimens have a flight plan like no other freshwater fish! They can spool you in an instant and be right back in front of you seconds later and in the air for most of their manic attempt to escape. All this can happen in a flash and be all over even quicker unless you are totally dialled on. So, that was just a 2 pounder, are you getting my drift? Prepare for war if you search for bigger fish and there will be plenty in the sea-trout hotspots of our rivers and estuaries. With these stunning fish in mind and now that they are going to be around I have designed what I think is our best ever micro tube for both salmon and seatrout.

I have fished for both extensively over the years and found what works best and usually that ultimate all rounder is a small silver Stoat style fly. If you use these at Dusk and Dawn you never know what you are going to hook as the fly appeals to both salmon and seatrout, well, this new design tied on a micro tube is our best micro tube ever and as soon as you see it you will see why, it has all the ingredients ( real JC and UV ) together that have caught me most of my salmon and seatrout in low water. This is the RS UV Stoat micro tube and it is going to be the “must have” tube this season if the water stays low or you are heading to fish Iceland. The tubes will come with treble and double options so you have the correct hook size.

This fly is going to be your best friend this season so order some as soon as possible as interest will be virally high on these little 10mm stunners. They are online now right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-uv-micro-stoat-salmon-seatrout.

The new RS UV Micro Stoat.

With Tube double size 12.

With Micto treble

Size 10mm body which tube double or treble will insert into.

Partnering with https://salmonfishingholidaysscotland.com/

The salmon season seems to have come to a bit of a grinding halt over the last few weeks or so and there is no real sign of weather change ahead anytime soon. Unless you have been lucky enough to catch some rain recently the catch returns have been on the light side. I’ve never heard of April salmon being caught on micro flies and hitch tubes around the country, but, if that’s what the conditions dictate then we just have to fish accordingly.

The Helmsdale did catch a tiny rise in water levels last week helping anglers land 17 for the week including a couple on the Association water where low water always helps. But, generally fish are few and far between. April used to be the big pick up month, now it’s wait and see!

Anyway, enough of the negativity, I’m sure the season will more than make up when the water comes and the late spring and summer run gives amazing sport. So, on a late spring and summer note, check out the stunning sets of Alastair’s we have up for grabs, there is arguably no fly more effective on the Helmsdale from now on. Let’s just expand a little on this deadly tube a little since there are not many fishy stories to chat about right now. Since inception when the was thrown together as a bare tube body and dirty part of a yellow dyed bucktail tied on with red thread the fly has evolved into many favourite shades with its huge following. So everything from golden yellow through to brown and black are now on the agenda as you can see from the pic below. Coneheads also are a big fave in good water. We have 2 stunning specialist sets available on a first come first serve basis so don’t delay for one second if you love your mixtures of Alistairs which are all tied by Ron, the master of all highland salmon flies.
Click here to buy a set - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-complete-alistair-selection

RS Alistairs set

The Rs Black Alistair plastic tube

Conehead version

With the weather changing to a more westerly flow delivering cloud and rain the fish seemed to start arriving at long last. Not big numbers but around 9 were reported for the week which was a big jump on last week. Andy Torrish got in amongst them early with a fish from the Gate stream Beat 2 followed by another from the Marrel pool beat 1 but he saved the best til last with a 16 pounder from the Flat pool beat 6 the next day. All on his new fly the Yellow Andy Torrish designed for him by Ron for his 70th, conehead version. Obviously they are for sale here in 3 different sizes, beautiful coneheads and they obviously work!

The same week Mr Alistair Ash caught the first fish over the falls on beat 3 above, upper Chancellor at 15lbs. The story goes it was caught by Mr Ash on an Alistair conehead tied by Ron, loaned by Kevin Steel and netted by Alex Fraser, what a team! well done to Mr Ash.

Around the other rivers fish are also getting caught, The Thurso finally got off the mark and many beats on many other rivers caught their first fish off the season. It is now well worth getting the rod out as the fish are now on the go just like David Milne who is also catching on one of our flies deadly flies, the RS SuperSquid Black & yellow Conehead pictured below in 3 sizes. All are in stock ready for dispatch unless we get sold out ( which can happen ) then Ron will need to get on the vice! David has had at least 3 springers on the Spey recently and all on the RS Supersquid Black & yellow conehead.

David Milne with a cracking recent Spey springer on our SuperSquid Black & yellow

Davids fly of the moment - the deadly Rs SuperSquid Black & yellow tungsten conehead which you can buy by clicking right here - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-supersquid-blk/yellow-tung-conehead.html

Andy's 16 pound sparkler on his Yellow Andy Torrish conehead

The stunning Yellow Andy Torrish conehead which lured 3 springers last week for "Andy"! You can buy them by clicking right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-andy-torrish-uv-black-yellow-conehead

The Helmsdale only reported 1 fish off last week, beat 6 again and that was it! In a week that usually sees a jump in numbers there was little joy in low, bright and settled conditions.

However, there is good news, we have a superb deal on a very specially selected fly selection. Our perfect Pot bellied Pigs is a sensational mix of these deadly tubes in our favourite patterns, Cascade, Willie Gunn and some very popular others. Now that the water is lower and slightly warmer these smaller tubes start catching salmon everywhere from the biggest rivers down to the tiny tributaries all through the season. This deal comes with or withour tube doubles, grab one quick before we sell out!

This cracking Deal is offered for only £29,95. you can buy these all individually but this great deal is superb value for money. Click here to buy - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/perfect-pot-bellied-pigs-deal

Hi there, don't forget our 3 + 1 deal on Willie Gunn SuperKrill here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-golden-willie-gunn-krill-pro-choice.html

And, we are just putting it out there that we have some fab new Baby TDs online for late spring. These are all on coneheads and in 3/4 & 1" perfect for low or good water right through the season. Our Baby TDs have been a massive success over the years in summer so its high time we had some available for higher water so here they are! all tied by Ron and with some special added ingredients...and in a choice of conehead colour.

New RS Baby TD UV Solar Willie Gunn below - all 3 pics are same patterns in different light and conehead ( gold or black )

You can order them right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php

Gold conehead

RS Black & Yellow Baby TD Solar UV Conehead

The river settled down nicely last week and was running at around 10" by midweek which is plenty water if there are fish in the system. It was not until late Tuesday before fish were caught and 2 came along on beat 6 for Suisgill rods with Ghillie Aaron and his team ending up with 4 for the week. Another 3 were reported so the week ended with 7 in the books. Conditions were cold for most of the week with strong winds on and off so hopefully some heat arrives next week.

Not much is happening elsewhere so we are hoping a few more fish will arrive next week - they usually do so lets see.

On the fly fromt we have a 3 + 1 deal on one of our coolest Willie Gunn tubes, the Golden Willie Gunn SuperKrill. This beautiful fly on a copper tube is perfect for spring in all heights of water and has ben very popular for anglers fishing in the UK and anglers heading for Iceland and Scandinavia so grab some when you have the chance, you but 3 and we add another one for free, its that simple.

You can take advantage of the deal by clicking right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-golden-willie-gunn-krill-pro-choice.html

Partnering with https://salmonfishingholidaysscotland.com/