Archive

22

June

22/06/2008

Ronald Sutherland

22/06/2008

The Helmsdale had a welcome freshet last week

The Helmsdale had a welcome freshet last week of around 4ins, excitement was obviously in the air but the fishing did not live up to all the expectation. Some nice fresh fish between 6 – 15lbs were taken throughout the river and a couple of grilse were reported also but generally things were pretty quiet. The Association water provided a couple of 8 & 9lbs salmon for William Jappy on the early morning shift and a few fish are now being seen on the coast.
As I write it is mid-summer and a big Atlantic low pressure is winding up over us dumping buckets, after the rain of last week I think we are finally about to have a proper spate tomorrow. The river needs a good clean out as it has been low since the end of April.
The season review so far would go something like this:- Slow start – average spring – waiting for summer to happen!
Sea-trout have arrived and Martin Grant had the best night with three up to 2lbs last week on the Association water, unfortunately sea-trout need no encouragement to run the system so the rising river will kill night-time sport for a while on the tidal stretch. However, as I have said it is mid summer and we will expect grilse numbers to steadily build from now on.
Time to shop for some bright new killer flies!!
8/6/08

8

June

08/06/2008

Ronald Sutherland

08/06/2008

This season has so far taken a similar route to last in many ways

This season has so far taken a similar route to last in many ways; the spring run has suffered due to a lack of water in evidence for the main run to materialise. A few good days fishing have been had here and there when the correct wind has hit prominent pools and a few early birds scored in cool conditions, but May will be remembered not for fish caught but more for dogged easterly winds and bright sunshine – tough conditions. Now as I report we are well into June and still no rain! Maybe we are about to witness a dry summer – somehow I don’t think so! The sea-trout have arrived in the estuary and 3 have been caught in the last few days, if water levels hold good sport should be had for the next few weeks.
New flies have been added to the site again and the grilse will be here soon so get stocked up on wee Cascades and Sunray Shadow. If last season is anything to go by I would get some tiny Icelandic patterns in your box to try – we had some great catches on 0.25” copper & tungsten tubes in Frances & Snaelda, I just can’t tell you how many times a pool was fished down conventionally first with reasonable action then fished down with the Sunray & weighted Frances/Snaelda resulting in explosive action.