Archive

25

March

Things looking up

Ronald Sutherland

The Helmsdale recorded 11 fish off last week even with unsettled conditions, looks like spring has finally sprung on the river.

William Jappy got the ball rolling with a fresh fish from Lower Caen beat 1 on one of our Willie Gunn TigerTail coneheads and the fish just kept coming for the rest of the week. Usual suspect Andy Sutherland had a fish from Kilphedir pool and another 2 followed in the next few days for rods fishing the same pool including one from John Mackay Wick on another willie gunn pattern. Astonishingly beat 6 has not produced yet but that will definitely change this week as fish filter through the system.

Remember we are offering a 3 + 1 deal on all salmon flies until the end of the month ( apart from new collection flies ) so grab some when you have the chance of a few freebees! Our new collection flies continue to outsell all others and there are more to come, its the best collection of salmon flies out there so keep an eye on the reports here and also the website as more new flies populate our new collection category. Ron has designed this collection based on over 40 years of experience so they are not just flung together to catch the eye, the fact is, they catch salmon and thats our speciality!

The good news is that these flies are available to the trade and a select choice of top ghillies on the best rivers, contact me if you want some....or drop into Baxters village Fochabers and grab some on your way past from the clothing shop.

I have one more big deal this week, grab a Loop Cross S1 rod and Evotec reel from Baxters and get £100 free flies to get you going...I'll even pop on our best selling Gaelforce line for you at half price to suit the rod. Spoil yourself, get some top gear which will transform your casting, its that simple! want some casting lessons? i'll throw that in too, let me know where you are fishing and I'll pop along and spend some time with you and your party especially if you are on the Spey.

Some of the new collection below - its time to get on the water, the springers are on the move everywhere now.

17

March

Slow start everywhere

Ronald Sutherland

It's a real slow start to the season everywhere this year and only 3 fish have been caught on the Helmsdale. Kildonan rods had a fish from beat 4 and Andy Sutherland had his second of the season from Kilphedir pool beat 2 at 8lbs, other than that the fishing has been very poor. It looks like the cold weather has maybe held back the early spring run, lets hope so. Spring will ease in eventually but its not happening anytime soon.

Our new fly collection is selling fantastically well everywhere, looks like people have loads of fishing lined up this year and want to have the best flies available. SuperSquid Cascade silver conehead and Blue Ass Willie Gunn are the outstanding favourites so far, team these up with a black & yellow Monkey or two and our SuperSnaelda Cascade and you have all bases pretty much covered for catching spring salmon.

Our collection of fishing tackle is growing in Baxters Village Clothing shop with a great selection of deadly salmon flies, boxes and accessories. We have also recently added Loop S1 salmon rods, Loop Evotec reels, Gaelforce and Carron lines.

The first person to purchase one of these superb rods gets £100 of our best flies for free when they contact me....so snap one up when you have the chance, pop in, grab a coffee, the restaurant also has great food, top up with some killer salmon flies and make a visit of it. If you want to test dreve a Loop, we have demo rods available. Go on, treat yourself to some fabulous fishing gear this season and watch that line fly out like never before, we have many very satisfied Loop customers.

Baxters fishing gear gathering space

4

March

Beast from the East still in charge!

Ronald Sutherland

The salmon fishing pause button is still pretty much engaged around the country as winter holds its grip on proceedings. Barring a very few spots, grue and ice is still winning the battle. Archie Richie braved the elements and took a fine 15 pounder off the Ness and Spey expert Graham Ritchie had a sparkling 8 pounder from the icy Rothes & Aitkenway beat.

The North is quiet although the Brora river has reported 5, the Helmsdale is still treading water on 2. The forecast is for more normal March conditions next week so hopefully we witness a thaw and rivers flowing again ice free with springers on the move.

If you have not heard already, we have a new salmon fly collection on the go ( and they are very much on the go!) flying out the door in preperatin for lots of fishing to ahead. They are being snapped up quickly espacially our new Cascade SuperSquid and Blue Ass Willie Gunn, These are set to be huge sellers. The good news is that at the rest of the collection arrives, the flies are available to trade dealers by the dozen for the first time. Call me for details if you want to stock any and I will send samples and a price list.

You can view and purchase the first arrivals here which include some of our best and most powerful designs based on years of experience - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/new-rs-collection.html

Also check out the superb new tube fly box from Fulling Mill which we now have in stock. It can be totally and easily customised to hold any length of tube or fly as all compartments are fully adjustable. It also fits in your wading jacket pocket so grab one and get all your "go to" flies organised as well as hooks and extension tubing. Drop into the Ronald Sutherland facebook page to win this great box and all its deadly contents in our latest caption competition which will be running for 1 week from midday today (Sunday 4th ), good luck!