Archive

21

April

Big Chromer season is here!

Ronald Sutherland

The cream of the salmon season is almost upon us, many may feel the season is just out of the blocks but the short days of January openings are long gone. In May/June many UK rivers will be hosting their biggest runs of MSW salmon, and yes, many of these power packed missiles will indeed be big! Run trends are evolving and shifting as we speak. Late spring/early summer is the new summer/autumn as grilse numbers deteriorate and classic autumn "grey backs" are fast becoming a distant memory.

Baby Tungsten Monkey, click to buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-tungsten-dee-monkey-yellow-pro-choice.html



So, it's time to concentrate on some serious salmon fishing if you can access it. Get your fly boxes armed with lighter flies like Monkey & Laerdal Sunray Shadow and you will get the fish chasing. These salmon are aggressive and will freely hit flies on the surface now that temps are approaching the magic 50 degree zone. Salmon doubles in 8 & 10s will also start to attract, Golden Willie Gunn is superb, the SuperSquid range is tantalising to say the least but don't bin the legendary powers of Ally's & Cascade shrimp, Silver Stoat and Hairy Mary, all are proven killers and will not let you down on hooks or tubes. Coneheads are the real killers, they add a little weight to the fly and make it swim so well. Silver or gold turns any pattern into a killer and you can fish them at any depth if required, tungsten and copper tubes still have their place, typically in high water or in fast narrow runs when you need the fly fishing quickly.

Laerdal Sunray Shadow Scandi yellow, click to buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/laerdal-sunray-shadow-scandi-yellow.html



There are so many tactical options available to the smart angler now. One scenario that works very well is fishing deep in the warm summer water, as much as they like to chase flies right up on the surface, sometimes salmon prefer a fly presented right in front of them and with very little movement required they just suck it right in. Micro tungsten Monkey in 0.25" RS SuperSnaelda 0.25 & Red Frances conehead are top killers in this department. Your rod and line can be pimped up too for summer, super lightweight rods like Loop are now covering huge distances with incredible ease if teamed up with Loop & Gaelforce floating lines, a total joy to cast! The more water you cover intelligently the better your chances of hooking that fish of a lifetime! call us for use of our demo rodsor to purchase one of these amazing casting machines.

Silver Stoat JC, click to buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/classic-silver-stoats-tail-double.html


Speed up your fly, don't be afraid to "mend" your line towards your own bank to get the big swing on your Monkey and Sunray, strip back too for added speed, the salmon love it so be prepared for explosive takes! Rain is the key, and we need it now. If the water stays clear use the more sombre patterns like Sunray shadow, Willie Gunn and Silver Stoats tail but as soon as fresh water kicks in deploy a conehead Monkey, Flaming Tiger conehead & Feeler tubes for maximin coverage and you will score well.
Enjoy the big chromer season!

Red Frances Conehead, click to buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/red-frances-conehead-pro-choice.html

Flaming Tiger conehead - click here to buy now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-tiger-tail-flamethrower-c/h.html

For our full range and the best quality flies online click here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/

Tight lines

Ron Sutherland

9

April

Big fish on the go.

Ronald Sutherland

Our 3 + 1 fly deal will close tonight at midnight so grab some last minute bargains when you can, we have superb flies back in stock! Also grab one of our Loop Cross rods and bag a free Gaelforce line, a dream combo! We have loads of exceptional flies like the Willie Gunn below and a huge range of Monkey coneheads and tubes back in stock in plastic, alumin & tungsten, get stuck in if you want to catch springers.

In a new move, we have the following rods available for demo with Loop & Gaelforce lines - Loop Cross S1 15ft 4pc, Loop Cross S1 13ft 4pc, Loop SX 14ft 4pc, Loop Cross S1 15ft 6pc and Loop Q series 15ft 4pc. If anyone would like to try one out, I have a strech of water available at Garmouth & Kingston Speyside, just contact me and we can hit the water.

The Helmsdale has produced some huge fish in the last 2 weeks up to 25lbs, the best was a stunning 30 pounder for Major John Gibbs fishing the Borrobol rods. Ghillie Glen Macdonald put him in the hot spot, Killearnan run beat 4 and a size 8 Tosh did the damage, the fish measured in at 42.5" x 23". Welsh hit squad Andrew Thomas and Gavin Perry had a decent week grassing 5 and the fishing in general has been very encouraging but water levels are now running down and there is no snow on the hills to keep the system topped. Fish are now also being caught above the falls so fishing on the river has opened up right to the loch.

The Association water will now be a very good chance with the river low as there are definite signs of fish milling around. Local experts Alistair & William Jappy have bagged a few in their favourite spots as has Jim Forsyth.

The 30 pounder being released.

Gavin Perry with a chunky springer

One of our best selling quality RS Willie Gunn Specials, we have loads of flies this quality and a huge range of Monkey coneheads and tubes back in stock in plastic, alumin & tungsten.

6

April

Loop Q rod & new flies

Ronald Sutherland

Don't forget to sift through our new fly listings below (previous report) before we shut down our 3 +1 deal this weekend.

We have these superb Loop 15ft rods available for immediate UK delivery, an amazing rod for the price from arguably the best rod innovators in the world! grab one when you have the chance before we have to order another batch...£310 to your door. 13'2 also available to order...£285 delivered