Archive

23

October

Helmsdale opens for 4 free days fishing in 2012

Ronald Sutherland

At the recent Board meeting it has been agreed that the river opening days in 2012 will be free to the public for the first 4 days of the new season. The river opens on Wednesday Jan 11th. The free fishing takes place both banks up to the Kildonan falls as usual. Keep an eye here for updates and get your accom booked asap if you are interested in this superb early season opportunity to catch the first salmon in Scotland. Have a look at some of our archive reports for opening day information and pictures.

The Board have also set new Association water visitor ticket prices for next season. In line with the dire state of the economy and a noticable drop in day tickets sold this year, the prices will all come down from £35 per day to £25 flat rate for the whole season. Discounted weekly tickets also drop to £100.

The Angling Club have a meeting this week on Friday 28th at 7.30 in the Bridge Hotel unless otherwise stated here. Dee and Brora spring fishing are on the Agenda amongst other things.

13

October

New Flies and Dyed feelers for fly-tying

Ronald Sutherland

We have some superb new Red Park Shrimp tungsten and copper tubes & Red Monkey bottle tubes for late Autumn fly fishing. Perfect if you are fishing the Tweed, Annan, Nith etc soon. These flies are limited and seasonal so I would advise you snap some up ASAP.

We also have a super new supply for Dyed feelers for salmon flies (below). These stripped dyed cock hackles will take the pain out of tying Frances & Feeler style flies - no more arduous hackle stripping!! just cut them to size and tie the fly!

All new products and flies are available on-line so you can buy them here right now!

Red Park Shrimp & Monkeys

 

 

New Dyed Feelers

5

October

Big fish close out the season.

Ronald Sutherland

Another season has come to a close on the Helmsdale and the trend for big fish has continued. The final total will probably show a drop on last years catch but average fish size will most certainly be up. I have not heard of so many fish of over 20lbs being caught in many years, excellent one might think! but what happened to the grilse run!? fortunately the Helmsdale was not the only river to miss out as all UK rivers reported a serious lack of 1sw fish. Based on the unpredictability of recent years, a gambling man would not dare bet on next years performance anywhere. We just have to pay up, turn up and see!

Here are some of the latest big fish captures

Kildonan Ghillie Martin Grant with the seasons best of 29lbs from beat 4 above.

Martin Grant 29lbs

Johnny March Torrish rods with the Photo of the season, a fabulous 21 pounder from Lower Caen beat 1

John March 21 pounder

Caroline Wilson & Badanloch ghillie Mark Shone with a 21 pounder from beat 4 below

Caroline Wilson 21 pounder

Caroline's daughter (also with Mark) showing off a 17.5 pounder from 5 below

Wilson Junior 17.5 pounder

The Helmsdale may be closed but there is still lots of fishing to be done on the river Tweed etc. Many UK rivers stay open well into November so don't forget to order up your flies here for that late fishing trip. The water has cooled down this week so sinking tips and weighted flies are now the order of the day. We have everything you need to fish deep and catch big fish. Tungsten, copper and conehead tubes in Park Shrimp, Willie Gunn, Pot bellied Pig, Cascade Pig & Junction Shrimp all do very well in October/November - order now for next day delivery.

If you have any photo's of nice Helmsdale fish you would like to display on here please e-mail them to me.