The Helmsdale season had decent ending with around 70 fish reported for the last 5 day week bringing the estimated total to 1200. Not the best and not the worst but 2016 could have been much better if conditions were onside. There seemed to be no shortage of fish after a slow spring which is encouraging for the future, lets hope the spring picks up and the general trend continues. The cessation of costal netting and continual C & R efforts must help in the longterm.

I did not manage a late cast on the Helmsdale but have been lucky enough to pick up a few days on the Spey. The latest was last week on Lower Wester Elchies testing the latest rod from Loop tackle, the Q 15ft...I can tell you that there will indeed be a que for this rod which is astonishingly priced at under £300 in 15 and 13'2. The medium fast action handled a Loop GDC 10/11 S1/S2 no problem, infact it was casting it almost right across the river which is not exactly narrow at Aberlour. For the short time I had with the rod it hooked and landed a hefty powerful cock fish of around 18 - 20 lbs and handled everything very well indeed, I was really bending into the fish and pushing casting to the limits. These rods should be around by mid December, let me know if you fancy one as I'll be ordering some soon for 2017 season, Along with the best of the best from Loop with SX and S1 this rod will sit well and be very popular.

Returning the Wester Elchies fish.

On the fly scene, we are on RED/ORANGE predominantly from now until end Oct/Nov on the Tweed etc, a pic of one of the absolute best is below, our RS SuperSnaelda red/gold which you can buy right now by clicking here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-super-snaelda-red-gold.html

Also don't forget our superb range of Solar SuperSnaelda which were a big hit when introduced last year - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-solar-supersnaelda-flaming.html

RS Red/Gold SuperSnaelda

Solar SuperSnaelda

We have many more Autumn killers in stock like Tyne Toucan, Red Frances, coneheads and copper tubes. Keep the rods out if you can and grab some autumn action if you can, when temps finally drop there will be some great sport to be had! Tight lines.

Please also check out our new Christmas Cracker fly selections for stocking fillers, We will add a personal message to each box for you if you tell us in the comments section when ordering, click here to view and buy them - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/

New Gold & Red Rival doubles also in stock now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/new-rival-silver-doubles.html

Don't forget our online shop is open 24/7 you can buy your flies and accessories ( and Christmas presents ) right now using your smartphone or tablet, on the go!

The Helmsdale is drifting towards the end of the season picking away. Great water last week after a dry spell would normally have heralded a killing, but it was not to be. The river topped 3 ft at one point but a drop in temperature is now required to finish the season with a bang. Recent weeks have reported around 40+ fish off so the sport has not exactly switched off but you have had to work for your reward. Locally Gordon Davidson and John "Hardy" Sutherland had fish and a few visitors got in on the act too. As usual its the angler who can best adapt to the conditions who catches the most fish so my recommendation to all is to have the following flies to hand if they want to score.

RS Willie Gunn Feeler tube, one of our deadliest back end fly designs - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/feeler-uv-willie-gunn-copper-tube.html

It is no secret that reds, oranges and black or combinations in all work very well in the Autumn and we have best flies at the ready.

Tungsten tubes - Frances and black boar for cooler conditions and deep presentation.

Coneheads, tungsten or brass, Cascade, Black & Red TD,  Red Alistair, Red & Gold SuperSnaelda, again for deeper presentation in coloured water.

Sunray Shadow,  Laerdal Hot Orange for clear water close to the surface.

Bottle tube Monkey, red or orange for a deep big swing across the fish.

SuperKrill for high coloured water, salmon cannot resist them.

Willie Gunn Feeler and Solar SuperSnaelda for general high water on sinking tips.

Micro Tubes, micro coneheads and tiny doubles for low clear water.

We have all the sinking tips required also and a huge range of hooks.

The season in Scotland is open on some rivers until the end of November, get on the water if you can as there are lots of fish around this season, fish deep when temps drop and stand by for action, big fish are waiting!

Don't forget our online shop is open 24/7 you can buy your flies and accessories ( and Christmas presents ) right now using your smartphone or tablet, on the go!

Helmsdale continues to slow down typically for the time of year. However, a fairly decent spring and summer run has deposited a good head of fish throughout the river, the next spate will give excellent sport and if temps drop soon enough in September the fishing should perk up as per usual. last week reported a hard fought 40 for the week roughly with Frances flies, coneheads, sunrays and wee doubles doing most damage.

With a view to the Autumn we have loads of deadly tubes in stock and ready to deploy. Our new Solar SuperSnaelda are proving to be very popular in coloured water as are our huge variety of coneheads and coppertubes. we also have all the sinking tips to get these flies right down to the fish where you can make it much easier for them to grab your fly.

The deadly RS Solar SuperSnaelda, click here to buy now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-solar-supersnaelda-black-yellow.html

I was delighted to be part of Loop Europe team testing last week on Lower Wester Elchies (Spey) with some of the top rod, line and reel designers in the world,  These guys really know their stuff and with their combined experience the equipment they produce is second to none. There is no destination on the planet Loop have not fished and they have the equipment to deal with anything that swims. I tested all their new rods and in particular the fast action Cross SX rod. Seamless power do deliver maximum distance and delicate presentation with minimal effort, what more do you need! and all on the space age nano resin blanks that have been taking the world by storm over the last few years.

Incidentally, Lower Wester Elchies will have some great fishing available next season, its one of the most scenic under fished beats on the Spey, that's about to change. The beat sits right opposite the lovely village of Aberlour where you can cross the swing bridge at the top of the beat if you want to eat locally or next season you will have the option of superbly decked out new self catering accom right by the river.

Watch this space as I will have all the new details of availability on this hidden gem of a beat. 6 rods will be up for grabs and pricing will be super reasonable. The Spey is fishing well again and full of fish so demand will be high next year, I for one will definitely be fishing this fine beat, I hope some of you will too. Please contact me if you are interested in any of the fishing throughout the season.

Jaran Gustavson of Team Loop explaining the benefits of another rocket launching Loop salmon rod, call me for best UK prices which always include £50 of free salmon flies.

We have a very special deal on Simms G3 Gore-tex and Loop Lainio jackets this week only, call us or email asap to snap one up, these will go quickly so treat yourself fast!

Here is what we have on offer.

Simms G3 Gore-tex jackets in (M), (L) & (XL) for £399 + £100 worth of free flies and accessories of your choice. http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/simms-g3-gore-tex-jacket.html

Loop Lainio jacket Blue (L) and Loop Lainio (M) £439 + same fly offer http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/new-loop-lainio-jacket.html

The fishing is slowing down now, plenty of fish are in the river but tempting them is not so easy. The main summer run is over so we are dealing mainly with the dreaded residents although there are still some nice fresh fish running.

We are also offering top end Loop Cross, Hardy & Mackenzie rods and top of the range Simms Waders with boots for a half price deposit and monthly terms thereafter. let me know if you fancy treating yourself to some of the best equipment on the market.

Reports from the river are good as over 100 fish were caught last week, conditions were still unsettled at times but fresh fish are running and they are in great condition. All beats are scoring well and the Association water keeps producing also. Adam Macdonald has been successful on most visits and some nice fish are coming off.

Coneheads are fishing very well as per usual when the water is good as are our SuperSnaelda and SuperSquid, this is a typical order (below) snap some up asap when we have good stocks.

We have the Highland games on this weekend and I will be there with top of the range Loop Cross rods for both the salmon and trout casting comps.

Nothing super special about the run this season but the last 2 weeks produced around 130 and 50. last week was somewhat blitzed with incredible flash flooding at kildonan which killed off fishing for around 24 hours. Coneheads are still working great and some solid fish are still entering the river. Gordon Sim ( Loop CEO ) worked away very well for his few hours spent on the water bagging a number of fish in pretty unsettled conditions.

Most rivers are fishing well this year and the Thurso had over 100 again last week.

Don't forget, we have loads of killer coneheads and one of the latest hot killers is the Calvin's shrimp it would seem, we have those crackers for sale too! perfect for all the spate water this season, buy them clicking right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/calvin-s-shrimp-pro-choice.html

The Helmsdale Company has relocated to Speyside. Things are not fully tuned in yet but we are almost there. If I could now stress to our huge client base to order from us online from now on and we will send the next day, we can do Special Delivery if required for next day delivery if you are in a real rush but generally Royal Mail first class will get your order to you within 2 days UK and approx 4 in EU.

We can still offer you the best deals on all the major rods reels and waders from Simms, Loop, Mackenzie, Hardy & Vision etc, just call me and every order over £500 receives £50 of our deadliest flies.....infact if you order any tackle there will be free flies involved. Our customer base is loyal and extensive and we thank you all for shopping with us over the years in the Tackle shop Helmsdale as well as online, but things move on.

We are now an online tackle shop completely and still ship worldwide, but if the opportunity arises and the location is right, we would not rule out another high st tackle shop. Please still feel free to call Ron personally for any advice on tackle and flies on 01343870158.

We are also looking at residential 2 day salmon fly tying courses at a top Speyside hotel covering all of the secrets shortcuts and styles, these will be advertised soon as high end packages with the best accom and food Speyside has to offer. Anyone interested please contact via our email at enquiries@helmsdalecompany.com there will be 6 spaces per course.

The last two weeks have not set the place on fire exactly but the second week of July provided around 135 fish including Association water catches. Last week was very unsettled with thunder & lightening causing havoc all over Scotland and the Helmsdale did not miss out on the water, anglers reported many fish running but they were not interested. However, A few were picked off and here are the highlights. A delighted Sonny Jappy grassed his first of the season at 5lbs, Alistair Jappy had a memorable day landing 4 after astonishingly loosing 6 early in the morning, with a little luck it could have been an incredible day. Graham McCulloch nailed a belting 23 pounder in the Flat pool and beginner Donna Carruthers added another lovely fish to her fast growing tally. The Association water will always give fish in July almost daily, the best may be yet to come. Willie dogs, baby TDs and Alistair coneheads are deadly. If the river settles and drops, the fishing could be superb.

Donna Carruthers with a perfectly formed 5 pound grilse hypnotised by her Conahead Alistair on the Association water.

A typical wee grilse taken on the Alistair by Ron



Rons deadly Alistair Flamethrower is fast becoming a best seller!



 

We are on the move this week so please be patient on the order front.....the fishing is hotting up too but I don't think we have hit peak time yet. Report to follow soon.

The Helmsdale has slowed down a little, low water and the annual gap between MSW fish and grilse is evident. Seatrout however normally plug the gap and this year is no different on the Association water at least. Good bags are still coming off when the tides suit and one lucky angler had a very pleasant surprise. Regular visitor Adam Macdonald already had seatrout in the bag when he moved slightly up river to keep ahead of the incoming tide in the darkness, once again his size 14 Kennys killer was deployed only this time to be grabbed by what was thought to be a very big seatrout, 10 mins later a 7lbs salmon was landed. Fish are getting caught most days now so this beat is well worth a visit.

The private beats were disappointing last week with around 25 reported and a few grilse sprinkled through.

The Brora has also picked up going on recent catches and one highlight was a double for Donna Carruthers on a flying visit and on the hunt for her first salmon. Welcome rain breathed life into the river after a long dry spell and an Alistair conehead tube was the smart choice for the business end. The morning offered a rise and pluck and a loss after a 2 minute scrap with a lively grilse. The afternoon saw cloud cover completely disappear and with it hopes of a first fish but not as far as Donna was concerned, she persevered and amazingly hooked and landed her first fish in the brightest sunshine in Bengie pool at 5lbs, but that was not enough. Madman pool was visited as the sun began to fade and her second was netted at 10 lbs to complete a memorable day.

So the moral of the story - fish in the bright sunshine or darkness and you will still catch salmon!

By the way, we have just added many of our best selling flies again which were out of stock, Posh Willie Gunn double, Alistair Flamethrower, Gold Bodied Willie Gunn copper tube, Micro SuperSnaelda, Willie Gunn Mylar tube, Black & yellow Mylar tube, Willie Dog conehead, Park Shrimp Micro tube, Loop double Red Frances, Willie Gunn gold conehead, Cascade gold tungsten conehead, RS Blue Elver monkey and many more, all absolute killers!! have a good look through the site for your favourites...

The RS Alistair Flamethrower - click to buy now.

Donna with her sparkling first fish from Bengie pool at 5lbs.

No 2 released from Madman pool at 10lbs

Action from Madman as the fish goes daft!

The deadly wee Alistair conehead which you can purchase by clicking on the link below right now -

http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/helmsdale-alistair-uv-c/h.html

Adams night fish

Low water has put the shackles on the run recently so seatrout anglers had the best of the sport locally. The last full week on the river produced around 35 including a sprinkling from the Association water. William Jappy notched up another 3 super fish up to teens in weight including the superb fish in the pic below. Baby TDs have been working great as usual.

A good head of seatrout are now in the system and if you are fishing at nighttime with the tide suiting you will catch them. Philip Marshall has landed the best specimen so far at 4.5lbs from Roaries pool and Duncan Mackay had a fab hour before midnight Saturday landing 6 in an hour in the Coach pool. I have also had a few to the cdc Nightmare fly and Cascade Seatrout special featured below.

Today we have 1ft of dirty water tumbling down the glen and that will curb seatrout catches temporarily but salmon fishing should be good now that all costal nets are off?. I have also been on my travels and had a nice fish from Castle water on the Spey on an aluminium Monkey tube, the Spey is fishing very well right now.

All the flies below and many more can be purchased on our website here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/

One of Williams cracking fish

Ian Muir with another superb specimen from earlier in the season at 18lbs

RS CDC Nightmare blue

 

RS Cascade Seatrout Special

A typical bag of seatrout up to 2lbs from last week. 10ft Loop cross S1 7wt floating line, Blue loop Evotec, 8lbs maxima, CDC Nightmare.

A very broadbacked 15 lbs Spey fish taken on the Aluminium Monkey tube in Upper Birks pool Gordon Castle water.