Archive

17

March

High water week

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

There are many classic and outstanding patterns so we thought it best to put them all on the same page which will make it easier for you to peruse and buy some. My memory was jogged to remind you about these fabulous flies on the back of an invite to fish the wonderful Wester Elchies on the Spey where Solar Monkey has been so successful for me with blistering springers up to 25lbs. Tactics for all fly densities? Cast them fairly square and don’t mend your line unless you need to up the speed in slower water with a line mend towards your own bank. Springers love to chase and aggressively hit fairly fast moving flies once water temps are in the 40s and 50s so give these a swim and brace yourself! This is RS Solar Monkey time so get them in the water ASAP

RS Solar Monkey (below), In my opinion the deadliest Monkey pattern ever created! and you can buy them by simply clicking right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/solar-monkey-black-yellow-pro-choice.html

Classic Monkey fly in copper, Plastic, alumimium, copper and tungsten tubes and on Loop Bottle tubes & Partridge Patriot doubles, you can buy them all here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/monkey-tubes.html

11

March

Unsettled river

Not such a great week on the Helmsdale with only 4 fish reported. The river was unsettled but fish were caught on beat 5 (2) Kilphedir pool beat 2 and the Tail of the Bay beat 3.

We have great new flies back in stock including one of our absolute best sellers, the Rs baby TD (below ) snap these up for the summer when you have the chance as they are real killers! You can buy them right here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-baby-td-aluminium-tube-rons-favourite.html

3

March

The springers are running!

The river is simmering away and producing some nice fish. John (Hardy) Sutherland got the week off to a flyer hooking a perfect 14lbs sea licer at 9.05 am. The Whinnie pool beat 1 was the spot, Willie Gunn with green body did the rest! Another 5 were reported. Andy Sutherland struck again with an early morning 12 pounder from Lower Caen (bt 1) Jim Forsyth had his second from the Association water at 10lbs. Graham Nichols grassed a 9 pounder from Kilphedir (bt 2) on an Alistair tube and another fish was reported from beat 5. The best of the week fell to William Jappy who collided with a bruising 20 pounder covered in long tailed sea-lice on Friday, Dempsters pool (bt 4).

Andy with another missile at 12lbs

John Sutherland 14 pounder

With the river sitting at around 6” and temps still baffling for the time of year, floating lines and short sinking tips are all that’s required, even full floating lines will do set up with a variety of fly body density. Coneheads are superb and present the fly just sub surface and usually come with brass or tungsten heads. Aluminium tubes also work well, the list is endless and we have them all online. The key is to be prepared. We have the full range of Gaelforce tips available in 4 densities and lengths from intermediate to 7ips in 6 & 10ft. buy now right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/gaelforce-tapered-sinking-polyleader-6ft.html
Prospects look good for the week ahead although the weather coming is to be much more unsettled. The fish are running and are being caught all over Scotland now on our flies. Don’t forget they are available from Twisted Thistle Fochabers too and online here so no excuse! Tight lines....