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31 July The river miraculously produced around 60 salmon last week in the continuing tough conditions. Locally Adam Macdonald, William Jappy and Richard Davidson were all fast out of the blocks with Monday fish on hitch flies and tiny tubes. Sport deteriorated as the week went on and rain is a must now....ofcourse, we have all the flies you need to catch in these testing conditions. Have you tried the Hitch fly? The Sunray Shadow?, the tungsten Frances on varying leader length? Tiny Singles flies, Micro tubes? these are just some of the tactics you need in low water, chucking in a size 10 Cascade aint going to cut it right now unless you are lucky enough to have caught some fresh water....trust me! There are some great new Loop lines out now with integrated running lines which you can buy online right here in 8, 9 & 10# - Loop have always been at the cutting edge of tackle innovation and these new lines are no different! Hot off the press and super smooth integrated they shoot like a dream http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/loop-sds-tactical-salmon.html Perfect timing to snap up our dream summer outfit on a Smash & Grab deal - our fave 13ft Loop Cross S1 combo with matching Loop reel & Gaelforce 8/9 line. Its time to treat yourself with the best, you are worth it! click here to grab it now as there is only 1 http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/loop-summer-smash-grab.html Meanwhile on the river there were over 70 fish off last week and the Association water continues to fish quite well if you are prepared to get on the water early and fish late. Tiny flies are still the best option and hitch tubes are also catching. We have all the flies and gear you need right here so kit up and also tell your friends where you shop, it would be much appreciated RS Baby Td tubes are still the outstanding fly across Scotland as far as we can see and we are having trouble keeping up with demand on them, probably because Ron just keeps designing amazing new options....as below. Drought conditions are still plaguing the country and fly fishing continues to be challenging at best with low warm and slimy water facing anglers. However, as per usual the Helmsdale river has a rather unique knack of providing sport for the multitude of angling abilities who fish her. Around 65 salmon were reported for the week of the beats. The Association water is fishing well also as the low water suits it, get small flies and light tackle on and put in the time, you will definitely catch, and all for just £25 per rod per day. Grilse will run so long as their eyes remain sub surface so they will certainly enter rivers in the hours of darkness and under cloud cover during the day. They can then be caught once settled on micro flies of varying styles and colours. The Helmsdale Company has everything you need to hook wary summer salmon and don't forget the seatrout! I have been fly fishing for over 40 years and I've yet to witness a better low water fly than the Baby TD ( designed by myself ). Temple Dog salmon tubes have an amazing presence in the water but although they have Scandinavian origins they travel very well indeed and are generally big tubes. in recent years I decided they required a huge downsize modification to initially suit the Helmsdale and then the whole Northern Hemisphere where they have been deadly over the last 15 years. This year they are performing like never before as the salmon season suffers the bleak extended spell of low water. Many anglers are using them to great effect on very light tackle all over Europe. Other flies of note right now are our Alistair hitch tubes and micro trebles and tubes. Keep your leaders light and long, try a dropper, sink a tiny conehead or tungsten micro frances fly if depth is sufficient...... There are fish to be caught if you are creative and stealthy in your approach, below are some of our deadliest patterns. pics uploading Rons unique and deadly Baby TD tube Alistair Hitch tube which can be fished as a micro tube conventionally or in deadly hitch mode Micro Frances tubes 0.25" body The fishing is not great anywhere right now but there are reports of fish "on the coast" at many locations around the UK. Perhaps most salmon are more comfortable wallowing in the cool sea temps rather than running the gauntlet of warm slimy oxygen depleted rivers, I know what I would do if I was a salmon! So, a chance to top up with some of our great flies on a 3 + 1 deal as the best of the season may yet be about to happen, every season is different. This year was late on all accounts weather wise but, grilse were running early on many rivers, well before mid June when we traditionally start looking for them in earnest. This special deal is slightly different from the usual in that your +1 free flies will all be selected by Ron from his New Collection, you won't be disappointed! so as usual, please select your flies in multiples of 3 and we will add the freebees so long as your order is for more than £35. You can start shopping right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/ Check out one of our new concept new collection flies below designed by Ron, the Naked Allys Shrimp showing two images of the same fly. Arguably one of the most effective salmon flies of all time now more durable and slick. Perfect for low water and we have more in the set all tied on top quality silver Partridge Patriot doubles. GRAB some in our 3 + 1 deal. Same fly here nice and slick ready for fishing... |