Some good chat on our Helmsdale river Forum - just "sign in" and have a go, lets hear your point of view on the river etc and meet some new fishing friends. Use the link at the top of the page on the left.

We are now taking orders for next year if you require any specific patterns tied up, call us and we can get your order in the system. Don't forget we are now Hardy dealers and can supply you with the full range of Hardy & Greys equipment.

The last 10 days of the season fizzled out rather quietly with around 40 - 50 fish being reported. Temperatures held up so the fish were never really switched into aggressive spawning mode. However, there was one highlight, Ian Muir had a super day on beat 1 fishing in classic Helmsdale dibbling mode for Kildonan rods and landing 7 for his efforts from Salscraggie through to Upper Caen. The setup was one of our micro Silver Stoat temple Dog tubes coupled up with a black & orange double on the dropper. Ian had lots of rises and action to both flies and enjoyed his day immensely.

Dibbling seems to be turning into a lost art these days. There was no more effective way to fish throughout the summer than to have your rod set up with a dropper of size 8 - 10 double and a small tube as the tail fly. The Megan plastic tube was the big killer generally with a shrimp style fly or Hairy Mary on the dropper. The big plus with this setup was that you could fish the fastest water very effectively by holding out the rod and controlling the pace of the fly yourself. Salmon love to rise to the dibbled fly even in the roughest water and of-course you could present 2 flies of varying colour and size to fish in quick succession maximising your chances. Fishing flat with one fly as so many do nowadays misses many chances of catching a fish. Generally the fly flashes round to quickly and your chance is gone before you or the fish realise it. Next year on the Helmsdale get a dropper back on as soon as the water gets into the 50s.

------------------------------------------------------------------

As the management of salmon fishing in Scotland hangs on the precipice of monumental change I am getting totally hacked off with the posturing and lack of collaboration from so called "powers that be". Recommendations from the Freshwater Fisheries Review and the Land Reform Review Group are about to blow a huge hole in an antiquated Scottish fisheries system which is frankly failing the economy and the salmon.
I was reminded of this when I was invited once again to support the annual ( and very successful ) river Dee Auction. I don't have a problem with this as I have fished the Dee successfully on many occasions, I guess I have a soft spot for it so a large Helmsdale Co fly selection is always forthcoming. The annoying part for me is why I and others do not have the opportunity to support the river Helmsdale. Only a fool who would stand up and suggest the Helmsdale river is running like a well oiled engine. There are obvious challenges within the catchement as with any river, the key is identifying, prioritising and addressing problems and that's where a measured professional joined up approach is required. It is obvious that much of the river including the most important spawning areas are overrun with sheep causing untold damage to the whole riparian ecosystem. The negative effects of this are well documented, sheep are the ultimate invasive species and do not belong on highland riverbanks historically, they need to be managed in balance with the river.
Unfortunately for the Helmsdale there is no fund raising body or River Trust therefore we have a dead end regarding important habitat restoration projects and progressive thinking.

It's not my job to manage the river ( people are paid to do this ) but I will not stand back and watch the river dissolve into mediocrity or worse by simply letting it rest on it's laurels, a helping hand is required now and then. Society is ever changing and clients expectations are growing not diminishing, poor value for money fishing can be a deal breaker nowadays. People will not pay £500 per fish forever. If the river does not get it's act together it is in danger of sliding into obscurity along with the jobs it supports.

Many current and ex businessmen/women have fishing on the river throughout the season, they create their wealth making razor sharp decisions. It is not easy running a business successfully and its all too easy to go under if the eye comes off the ball. There are fundamentals to adhere to, strict protocol to follow and a vision to focus on.
The law now states that Boards must have open public meetings and it was the most recent Helmsdale Board meeting which proved to me that change is now essential and that new legislation is long overdue on this particular subject. Boards with an entrenched antiquated doctrine are letting down every angler associated with the river and here is an example of why.

First item on the Agenda at the Helmsdale river Board Meeting in May 2014.

1. "Research work commissioned by the Forestry Commission on the River Halladale" ( I rest my case right here! )

No mention of the Freshwater Fisheries Review? ( the most important fisheries review in 150 years )

Annual report - "This Annual Report will be published on the Boards website and a copy will be sent to The Scottish Government by the end of May 2014"
There is no Annual Report on the Boards website.

Accounts - "Accounts will be published on the Boards website and a copy will be sent to The Scottish Government by the end of May 2014.
There are no Accounts on the Boards website.

Fishing is my life, I have built my Tackle business around tying salmon flies since I was a boy. My father was a ghillie on the Helmsdale for 40 years, I was brought up spending hours on the banks of the river, fishing, exploring, learning, experimenting.....I have seen it and fished it in all it's glory and in every possible mode yet the learning curve continues and the salmon still holds the edge. First and foremost, the salmon must proliferate to drive the local economy therefore we must do our utmost at all times to nurture this iconic fish right from the gravel.

Change in fishery management is imminent and every single angler who reads this needs to embrace it and make it work for the sole benefit of the Helmsdale river and any other river for that matter. Anyone who thinks I am not 100% behind this does not know me. So next time you walk into the tackle shop feel free to be very open about discussing the idiosyncrasies of the river with me. We need to pull together and get the best heads round the table and a modern ethos on the agenda. New Fishery Management Organisations (FMO's) are to be the future of fisheries management. At the end of the day we all want the same thing, lots of fish, lots of sport and a vibrant economy. A blend of scientific research and local knowledge should pave the way forward and FMO's will provide this going forward.

I will report on the final week of the season on my return from the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Don't forget that our fly BOGOF will run until Midnight Sunday so get your last orders in.

We have had the best of it now by all accounts and it looks like the season will be drifting out on a low note unlike the start! The final tally will limp over the 1000 mark but it will be best remembered as a "non event". There were around 35 fish off last week and a sealiced grilse from the Marrel pool

The good news is that we are running our famous fly BOGOF for the rest of the week so if you have fishing planned on the Tweed etc, then bulk up with some great back end flies right now, Rs SuperSnaeldas, Frances Coneheads, Junction Shrimp.....all lethal Autumn flies. Also don't forget that Spring is just around the corner so get stuck into those flies too, copper tubes, coneheads, tungsten tubes, it was the Alistair Tigertail which caught the first fish of the season this year, stick it on for the Autumn as it may catch you a fine fish or too yet. Hit our homepage and start shopping for your free flies right now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/

And so the big Scottish Indy referendum has passed and 55% have voted for the status quo. All I will say on the matter is this, prepare for some hard hitting land and freshwater fishery reform as the Scottish Government will now be in the mood for major change and they will not be taking any prisoners.

The water is down to near summer levels again and the fishing is fading as a result, not a surprise after such a good spell lately. Fresh fish have all but dried up and the residents are taking quite a lot of persuasion to have a go or swing a glance at the fly. However, it was not all doom and gloom and some rods caught in the teens. The highlight was a fine 24 pounder to Nick Day from the Ewes Neuk pool beat 5 fishing with George Hardy Achentoul. Sunray Shadow and small coneheads were most effective. Our RS SuperSnaelda is still causing a bit of a stir and here is the latest testimonial on its prowess -

"Dear Ron,

Last week was made truly memorable due to the addition of your RS Super Snaelda, to the business end of my fly line. In total four fish were caught during the week two fell to your invention!   On both occasions it was attrition with an array of flies that worn down the fish.  However it was your fly they finally succumbed to needless to say both times on the first cast.

Thank you for taking time out on the phone to discuss tactics with me,  and realising exactly what style and size of fly I would need for the river and it's conditions.

Ron that was my first ever Salmon,  I'm thrilled!

Thank you,

Ed Few.

The deadly RS SuperSnaelda which we designed last year. It's been our most popular fly since and you can buy it right here -  http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1541

One more snippet, I am involved with an exhibition in Inverness Museum through September & October about fly tying and other ancient highland skills, here is a short film promo which features myself commenting on the river and flytying etc, it's called Hunting for lost crafts - http://lostcraft.highlifehighland.com/themes/crafting-the-catch/

Sir Michael Wigan is also involved and gives a taste of life on his estate Borrobol. - http://lostcraft.highlifehighland.com/themes/both-sides-of-the-river/

After a few very good weeks on the Helmsdale, water levels are dropping back to our usual. The week before last provided around 85 fish with a dozen off the Association water. Jim Forsyth landed two fine fresh fish on a visit at 8 & 10lbs, both with sea-lice and the Flat pool was again the place to be with fairly high water. I also had a cracking morning landing 3 fish before breakfast on our deadly Cascade Alistair. The water was up and the air temp was cold as you can see from the pics, 3 degrees at 5.19am ( early bird and all that! ) so a full intermediate line was deployed and it was not long before the first fish was in the net dripping with sealice. Another 2 coloured fish quickly followed and I was back behind the Tackle shop counter by 8.45 bacon roll in hand! its a hard life here in the Highlands sometimes....

The fishing cooled off last week with fine weather and a dropping river defining some of the pools again. There were over 20 fish reported on Monday & Tuesday with reasonable fishing for the rest of the week but unless more water arrives soon we will be into the Frances and Sunray routine to see out the season.

The river looking very nice this morning 6/9/14