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...

The conditions are getting tougher on the Helmsdale, barring a damaging flash flood and a small recent rise in the water its been a seriously dry summer so far. The sea trout anglers are scoring and the sport will continue so long as the water is low. Grilse and a sprinkling of salmon are being caught too ofcourse and around 50 were reported last week from the beats. The Association water is in prime time right now with seatrout and salmon fishing largely peaking between now and end July.

Here on Speyside water levels are also low but the fishing is also picking up and seatrout fishing is superb with many fish in the 5 - 12lbs range being reported from Pitcroy, Knocando etc

We are selling loads of small flies and tubes right now due to the low water so have a good look around the site and grab some wee doubles in 12s & 14s along with 1.4" tubes in plastic copper and tungsten which are all working in different depths of water and tactics. One surprise is how well one of our new flies is working for both salmon & seatrout - the Naked Kinermony killer picured below, its always been a great salmon fly but sea-trout seem to be hammering it from dusk to dawn. The lethal bright silver Patriot double is making sure most are sticking on! and I think the silver of the body is the buggest attraction, you can buy them right here ofcourse! - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-naked-kinermony-killer.html

The deadly Naked Kinermony killer is in 4 sizes, top grilse and sea-trout sizes 10s & 12s

Check out these amazing huge pieces of vintage monkey hair - the best we have ever seen...grab some now whan you have the chance right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/luxury-vintage-monkey.html

Storm Hector failed to produce a spate but it did not affect catches too much as the Helmsdale river produced around 45 fish. Grilse have arrived and hopefully the run will extend well into July. Grilse have also arrived on the Brora and most are in very good condition.

During my Brora week, low water dictated the tackle and small flies were a must, the RS SuperSquid micro, UV Alistairs and Baby TDs were very effective as usual. Loop Cross S1 rods in 10ft and 13 were the rods of choice, they are unrivalled for lightness and presentation, 12ft would have been ideal, I feel another purchase coming on!

Ron with one of many superbly conditioned Brora grilse which attacked his Alistair UV tube with the usual ferocity, click the link below to buy.

http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/alistair-original-uv.html

Donna with her biggest of the week, a 9 pounder Beech tree pool, Alistair UV conehead

Adam Macdonald grilse No 2 Ford pool, Baby TD

The Madman pool looking rather low

The tiny Style pool, one of the best low water chances on beat 1

Another torpedo grilse returned in Lower Fannich pool.

Check out our deadly Alistair TigerTail like you have never seen it before here - scroll down to the rotating model http://shadowflies.com/tungsten-tubes-uk-stock/3375-alistair-tigertail.html#/size-/wing-3_5 - You can buy them right here in tungsten or copper right down to 1/4", these have never been available before so small - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-alistair-tigertail-pro-choice.html

The Helmsdale struggled to produce last week but it was no surprise under the bright and hot conditions. The river was low and anglers fishing early & late did the most damage. I doubt if there were more than 20 off including the Association water as many rods blanked for the week. But, the river was blessed with 2ft of fresh water on Sunday so hopefully a great week ahead....

On a more positive not, we have added some more great looking flies to our New Collection especially the Naked Alistair gold Patriot doubles below, These are absolutely perfect for droppers on small rivers or a single fly and run on sizes 6, 8, 10 & 12. Grab some here whilst in stock! http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-naked-alistair-ghillies-choice.html

New RS Naked Alistair - no body, just the bright gold hook which adds maximin durability. Real JC and the award winning Patriot hook.

More from the classic naked range we have designed...staying ahead of the game with no compromise to fly profile, if anything we have enhanced them....we just await delivery of the Willie Gunn, the rest are in stock to snap up here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/new-rs-collection.html

W/C 21st May - Sport has slowed right down again on the river due to low water and mainly bright overhead conditions. The river may have produced only in the teens to 20 fish for the week with a push. Fish are there but rain is now crucial to get things going again. The Association water would be a good bet right now as fish will be milling around with no great urge to navigate the system. Get up early and also fish late into the evening for best results.

We will be fishing on the Brora for one week beginning June 11th so there will be no orders processed for that week. if you need flies please order well in advance.

We have also uploaded many more "New Collection" flies this week which are absolutely stunning, make sure you look out for them on our homepage category. in the meantime grab Alistairs, coneheads and Sunray Shadow to maximise your chances of hooking a fish.

Our Distribution business is going well but we are still looking out for a few more outlets around the UK, if its for 2019 thats fine and gives plenty of time to get an order in the system but we also have most of the collection available for immediate delivery. Contact me via email or call us to get an order sheet, minimum quantities are 1 doz per size. Many of the flies are unique and have taken years of experience to tweak into the killers they are now like Solar monkey doubles, SuperSquid doubles and tubes, Allys Monkey, SuperSnaelda, Blue ass Willie Gunn and many more. if you want a cutting edge to your retail fly offering then we are the guys who can deliver on that, be in the mix or get left behind....

Back in stock in 4 great sizes and in tungsten and copper, the super popular Alistair TigerTail. 1", 0.75", 0.5" & 0.25" Grab some fast while in stock as these have a huge following - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-alistair-tigertail-pro-choice.html

Latest New collection flies - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/new-rs-collection.html

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W/c 14th may At last there seem to be a few more fish entering the system. Around 40 were reported last week and a few off the Association water. I would be ordering your summer supply of Alistairs, Sunray Shadow, Willie Dog and baby Tds if I were you, slide a few Cascades and Silver stoats in there and you are totally covered.

Here is one of our big summer Smash & Grab deals - Our favourite "Go to" Loop summer setup - 14ft cross S1, Evotec reel, Gaelforce line 9/10, Gelspun backing, £50 worth of flies free amongst a superb deal on the whole combo, set up and ready to fish and ship! there is only 1 so hit the button and make it yours instantly. Save £340 on this dream casting combo, lightweight awesome power trust me!

RRP £1639

Grab now for £1299

This deal is mine, click here for immediate delivery - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/loop-summer-smash-grab.html

The Helmsdale has just come off its best week of the season so far with around 25 fish off and a few off the Association water. Not exactly on fire and its no different anywhere else. Nothing major is happening anywhere and rivers are generally picking away with figures well down on last year.

Our big deal of the week is for the next person who buys one of our superb Loop Cross rods or Loop Evotec reels from Baxters Fochabers, contact me immediately and get £100 worth of free flies! This deal is only on for the month of May so take advantage of this great deal asap. We also have the new Loop Q series salmon rods in stock in 15 & 13'2 from £280 - £310.

I had the pleasure of fishing the Spey on Brae water for 3 days last week thanks to Johnny Gray. Superb water and conditions for the most part but only 4 fish were caught for 11 rods. Mark Johnston landed a sparkling fish covered in long tailed sea-lice in the famous Rock pool beat 2 on one of our SuperSquid Cascade coneheads and Alex Cliff grabbed the headlines landing 2 one of which grabbed a large Flaming Skullhead. Simon Kirkup picked up No 4 on Junction pool beat 1. The fish were few and far between and i'll point you in the direction of an interesting piece written by Ian Gordon who has worked on the Spey all his life here - https://www.speycaster.co.uk/single-post/2018/05/06/Salmon-Fishery-Owners-Take-Heed

Mark Johnston - RS SuperSquid Cascade conehead - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-supersquid-cascade-conehead.html

Alex Cliff - pic uploading - Flaming Skullhead - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/new-rs-flaming-skullhead-silver.html

Nothing outstanding to report this week other than the fishing has been fairly steady with approx another 20 off the river. No word of any over the falls yet but things have only started to warm up slightly. No rivers are really flying yet but I think its about to happen! The forecast is unsettled for the week ahead, good fishing conditions as long as the rivers remain steady in height.

We have the Owner Cutting Point single tube hooks back in stock for those of you who frequent the Oykel etc, these are imported from the States and are the most lethal single hooks you will ever see...excellent in tubes of all sorts especially long wing tubes like Sunray shadow, Collie Dog & Monkey flies, grab some here to try, they take an amazing hold on fish - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/owner-cutting-point-single-tube-hook.html

Don't forget about our new RS Collection flies which are selling like hotcakes! RS SuperSquid and new Naked Kinermony & Cascades are landing in loads of flyboxes and catching fish! The Naked body series get no tinsel damaging bite marks so they last longer...perfect value for money!

We also have a great new range of 5 Flamethrower doubles as below in Ruby red, Hot Orange, Scandi Green, Global Blue & Willie Gunn.

RS Scandi Flamethrower

The water is still cold at around 4/5 degrees but catches are hotting up at long last and around 20 fish were reported including one or two off the Association water. All the usual suspects are catching, Alistairs, Coneheads, Willie Gunn and monkey tubes, if you want a lethal selection drop me an email or simply order on-line from your phone, tablet or pc, its so easy now...We also have a great selection of flies and tackle in Baxters Fochabers so drop in and grab some superb proven killers! and see our New Collection flies.

I also keep saying it and great to see some of you are taking it onboard...There is nothing better in my opinion than a Loop Cross S1 rod combined with a Gaelforce line and there is a combo for everyone. If you enjoy a large graceful D Loop and fish some of the bigger rivers then the Cross S1 15ft with record breaking Gaelforce 80ft head or 63 ft will suit you fine, on the other hand if you fish more medium to small rivers, its the 13 or 14ft teamed up with a 54fy Spey or integrated shooting head system that would be the punchy perfect setup for you...we have them all, and in Baxters too.

Never underestimate the legendary power of the Gold Body Willie Gunn, Michelin Star salmon food and now on a 1.25" Waddington with double hook. Click here and grab some quickly while in stock! http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/pro-golden-willie-gunn-double-hook.html

Not a week to write home about on the Helmsdale but it was still the best week of the season so far. Around 15 were accounted for including another cracking 15 pounder for Jim Forsyth in Croy pool of the Association water.

Borrobol had 4 fish up to 16lbs from Saluscraggie beat 1, Pilkingtons point beat 5 (16lbs) and fish off 3 ans 2. Beat 6 remains a real disappointement with only 1 fish off last week on the Achentoul rods. The water is still cold and season later than recent years, hopefully things warm up next week in all departments. Its not just the Helmsdale that is struggling, The Spey is not exactly on fire yet either. Heavy nowmelt this weekend and rising rivers should induce a fresh run everywhere.

Temps were up to 16 degrees yesterday (Sat 7th) on the Findhorn river and it was pleasing to hear that they are doing rather well. I was excited to join a good friend of mine Adam Macdonald and his party under the very experienced watchful eye of guide Lesley Tyson on Friday/sat. We fished the Altyre & Darnaway beats and saw quite a few fish. 5 fish were taken on the beat for the week before I tightened into a superbly conditioned fish estimated in the teens of pounds in the tail of Scurr pool, (exactly where Lesley said he would be!) The setup for you tecky people out there was as follows and my usual - Loop Cross S1 15ft, Gaelforce Spey 63ft head with 10 ft 7ips Gaelforce sink tip, Loop Evotec reel, Maxima nylon 18lbs and an RS Willie Gunn Special 1.5" copper tube with Fulling Mill Tube double, unbeatable and seldom lets me down on any river for water coverage or strike rate.

I think the spring fishing is about to really take off this week so get your flies ordered and rods out and get on the water. Grab one of our new McLean nets, Loop rods or reels and Gaelforce & Carron lines in Baxters Fochabers where we have set up a tackle area with all sorts of gear. or simply call me or buy online with us. Its time you were treating yourself to a new rod, stoip struggling with old gear and get some slick rocket science under your belt...you won't be disappointed! Loop Cross rods are unbeatable teamed up with Gaelforce lines at the moment, you know you want one! contact me for a great deal on any Loop/Gaelforce combo or simply treat yourself and pickup in Baxters.

Findhorn silver at its best for Ron

The trusty RS Willie Gunn Special invented by Ron which catches springers over and over again! grab them here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-willie-gunn-special-copper-tube-pro-favourite.html