Archive

16

April

16/04/2008

Ronald Sutherland

16/04/2008

The Helmsdale suffered this week.

The Helmsdale suffered this week due to very unsettled conditions and high water. Around 10 fish were reported with the best weighing in at 20. 19 & 17lbs, excellent fish! Local Alexander Cowie landed one of them and his first of the season - a fine 17 pounder from the tail of the Flat pool on the Association water. The week ahead should bring some success to those who fish hard but the river needs to drop. If the weather settles down a little and we get a break from rain the Association water will offer a great chance of a hook up too - it fished well this time last year, we are on 4 off at the moment.
Location, Lower Helmsdale - Rod, Scot Mackenzie Signature 15ft - Line, Carron Jetsream Intermediate 10/11 - Reel, Loop Evotec G3 9/13 - Fly, 1.25" Willie Dog TD - Result, Priceless fishing satisfaction!.......and you can purchase it all from Helmsdalecompany.com - enjoy.
Tight lines.

6

April

06/04/2008

Ronald Sutherland

06/04/2008

Springers on the Sunray

 

Springers on the Sunray

They say variety is the spice of life, well, I think I we can safely apply this thinking to salmon fishing after my latest evening on the river Helmsdale!

The call came through – the shop was vacated and beat 5 was my destination for the last couple of hours of daylight. On arrival I was happy with my intermediate line and copper tube set up but I had forgotten my mitts and suffered until I acclimatised to the sharp north westerly wind racing down the strath.

I decided that the bottom half of the beat would offer the best prospects as a fish had come off the Breakwater pool on this section earlier in the day. The Kilearnan bridge pool was duly backed up first but no sign of a fish. Next it was up to the Breakwater and whilst fishing opposite Pilkington’s point a fresh fish jumped about 20yds below. I braced myself for action and fished hard but no interest was shown in my favourite Willie Gunn – the position was noted and maybe I would cover it again later if there was still time. The Clay Bank was fished next followed by the Ewes Neuk but still no action. Time was running out as the beats change at 8pm so it was back to the breakwater for the last run through. I was half way down the pool and a fish head & tailed in the same spot as I had seen the fish earlier, by this time it was 7.40 so I quickly worked my way down to the fish to give it another look at the Willie Gunn – nothing! There was only one thing for it as I was almost sure this was an active fresh fish in front of me, the 15cm Sunray Shadow was deployed against all odds.

Everything was wrong – the light was bad by now, my fingers were almost numb so the temperature was far too cold for skating a Sunray - right? – WRONG! I waded out below the point and cast a square short line over the fish, raised the rod tip and proceeded to draw the fly across the fish. On my second cast an explosion almost induced a heart attack and a fish was on, I have never witnessed anything like it in temperatures so cold – A 10 pounder was landed and released safely by 8pm. I sat down, gazed across the pool and thought to myself – Wow that’s what I call hardcore fly fishing!

If anyone ever says to me again “there’s no point in changing the fly he’ll take anything if he wants it” I’ll smile broadly and beg to differ! This was a big result for perseverance and a change of tactics.

The Sunray Shadow effect is not a new way by any means and explosive takes are induced by the many who are now equipped but I have to say I did not expect this result with the water temp only 39 and a biting chill in the wind.

The moral to the story – He who does not own a Big Sunray may well go home empty handed!

Tight lines – I hope you enjoyed the alternative fishing report but I had to tell someone!

 

- pics below Look closely and spot the Sunray

 

 

 

The deadly fly - 15cm Sunray Shadow

 

Fish returned safely.

Published on Sunday 6 April 2008 by Ronald Sutherland
Last edited on Sunday 6 April 2008 by Ronald Sutherland

2

April

02/04/2008

Ronald Sutherland

02/04/2008

Things have quietened down

 

Things have quietened down just a fraction on the Helmsdale since the last report. The monster fish reported last Wednesday was verified at 30.5 lbs and I saw him with my own eyes just hours after seeing a 29 pound Spey fish - what an incredible double to witness, I still can't quite believe my own eyes! Last week began with Adam Macdonald landing a nice Springer in the snow on the Bay beat 3 but ended up with surprisingly only 9 off the river. On Monday 31st March the Helmsdale produced its best day of the season with 8 fine fish and the best return of 3 from Suisgill rods on beat 2. Tuesday was quieter and I would have to report that the highlight was my 8lbs fish from Wigans' draw on the Association water at 7.45pm. We now have 3 fish off the Association water ( brother Andy taking the first two ) and it is very much worth a cast for visiting anglers as salmon are on the move daily. The Helmsdale & District AC have their first competition on Loch Ascaig on May 18th for members and members have also acquired a week on the river Brora - 4 rods at the end of the month.

Don't forget to call the shop for some great deals on tackle & flies...the Spring salmon are here so get out on the water where ever you are!

 

Published on Wednesday 2 April 2008 by Ronald Sutherland