Archive
I have now returned from 10 days abroad to a climate 23 degrees cooler! The river is running at around 1ft and in perfect shape, prospects are very good for early April so let’s hope the fish keep coming. A brief update on the last 3 weeks… The 3rd week March rallied with around 16. Visitor Kevin Steel stole the show with a fabulous day on the Salscragie pool beat 1 below when he landed 3 super springers on RS Willie Gunn and Alistair Feeler tubes. The best was a 15 pounder and his fishing partner William Jappy also got in on the act with a fish from the tail of the Marrel. Andy Sutherland also added another to his tally from a rather unusual lie well down Shepherds pool beat 5 to get Torrish rods off and running Monday on a black & orange RS Monkey conehead. Kev with the biggest of his 3 beauties from Salscraggie pool beat 1.
A low river resulted in a rather dour week on the Helmsdale last week in March. 2 fish for Achentoul rods including the first fish off the top river was the highlight along with another fish for that man Andy Sutherland from the Association water Golden Shot pool, the week ended on 4 and the Month on around 50. Last week was nothing to write home about either and only around 6 fish were caught up until Friday. However, 2 fish were caught in the Foam pool beat 5 Saturday afternoon by Brian Lovering Kildonan rods, Brian had 4 to his rod for the week including a super 15 pounder from beat 6. Not to miss out on the action, I was keen to swing the rod again and had an evening flick on the Association water. The water temp was good at 44 which is just around where you start expecting fish to rise to the fly. Not much sign of life to begin with but then a fish jumped at the head of the pool a good half hour after I had fished it. The gear was reeled up extra fast and a large conehead Monkey tube was launched squarely in the direction of the fish. Tactics were set, The rod tip was raised and drawn towards the bank, the fly was stripped at speed and the response was immediate. One of the keenest fish I have ever had the pleasure to catch, it attacked the fly with furious passion 6 times before finally managing to get a hold. Luckily my good friend Adam Macdonald was on hand to witness the madness, land the fish and get a pic. The fly was the exact tube that caught the first fish of the season, do NOT visit a river without one of these incredible tubes in your box! you can buy them here right now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/classic-dee-monkey-silver-conehead.html The lethal RS Monkey
The fish that just couldn't resist it...
The popular Scottish Salmon Fishing Surgery recently published a neat article on Helmsdale Co if you want an insight on how it all began and where we are now, check it out here - http://www.scottishsalmonfishingsurgery.com/reel-stories/info_10.html On another note – it is encouraging to see the Helmsdale River Board finally complying with the Aquaculture & Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013 by publishing it's obligations online. You can now view the Annual Report, Audited accounts and Minutes of recent meetings right here - http://helmsdale.dsfb.org.uk/publications/ 15 March This week I will just let the pictures do the talking as all rods seemed to catch. 16 fish were landed from what I heard taking the total for the season to an encouraging 30. Pete Daniels got the week of to a good start with an early fish from the Manse pool beat 6 on one of out 1" Tungsten willie Gunn Specials. Andrew Thomas and Gavin Perry from Wales worked hard on Achentoul rods to land 4 gleaming rewards (2 each) on Monkeys and Willie Gunn tds. Borrobol Ghillie Glen Macdonald also had a good week with the highlight being a thumping 20/21 pounder from Kilphedir pool once again on a Monkey, Glen had another 2 later in the week on beats 6 & 5. Pano Constantinedes saved the blank for Badanloch rods on Saturday late on with an 8 pounder from Lower Torrish. Robert Mackay also dusted down his gear and had a couple of fish for his week from Clay bank and Kilphedir pool. The Association water missed out but very few rods were on. The tides are good for the week ahead through the morning and with the water levels heading for the low side there is a super chance of a fish on this stretch. There will be no report next week unfortunately as I will be abroad....but I may be able to keep you informed via the Helmsdale anglers facebook page as news filters in, ask to join on facebook if you want to catch that feed. I attended at the Atlantic Salmon Trust roadshow in Lairg Community centre last week. Director Tony Andrews talked us through a very informative and eye opening evening which was well attended by around 60 people from all over the North. This organisation really has its finger on the pulse of every move the salmon makes. if you can support it in any way, please do as they are organising some incredible projects for further study on salmon at sea. Approx 95% of salmon smolts entering the sea are not returning to their home rivers - we really need to try and find out why! http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org/ Andrew Thomas with a little cracker late on Saturday from Kilphedir at 8lbs
A 14 pound stunner from Clay Bank, Andrews first of the week.
Gavin Perry with his second fin perfect springer at 10lbs from Woody Pool beat 3
Glen Macdonald with a nice one from Church streams beat 6
And his 20 pound clonker from Kilphedir
The deadly RS Willie Gunn TD.
8 March 8 fish were reported last week but surprisingly nothing has yet been caught above beat 3. A mild week in general got off to a great start for John Sweetman fishing Badanloch rods when he landed 2 springers in his first hour on the river. Starting his week half way down Kilphedir pool, he quickly had ghillie Alex Fraser scrambling for the net on tide fresh fish of 7 and 10lbs, one of our Conehead Monkeys doing the damage. Upper Torrish pool on beat 3 then produced a brace for Martin Grant and Glen MacDonald on consecutive days with Martin scoring again the following day on beat 2 tail of the Park. All the classic big spring pools were fishing beautifully at around 1ft 9 and full intermediates and sinking tips were swinging round in perfect fashion with anticipation on every cast. John Sweetman fishing Lower Caen pool beat 1 in grand order
People will be getting fed up with me harping on about the rodding situation on the river, but I make no apologies for once again stating that whilst personally fishing one rod on beats 3, 2, & 1 last week, 2 rods hardly scratched the surface trying to cover these majestic stretches of water. At an average spring height of between 1 - 2ft these beats are quality 3 rod beats all day long. The point I keep trying to get across is that no fish will be harmed due to any extra rodding or fishing pressure under a catch & release system (which will probably soon be enforced on us all via the Scottish Government Fishery review recommendations). One of many extensive spring pools on the lower Helmsdale. The Viaduct pool on beat 1 fully 500yds long
Upper Torrish beat 3 where 2 fish were caught last week.
The Helmsdale river Forum has exploded into action over the last 3 weeks with a surge in users and constructive debate on this exact subject and others so drop in and check out the inside track. Simply sign in automatically using an email and username of your choice, it's all done in the best possible taste... The deadly new fly
12 pounder securely in the net for release and Blue Ass WG tubefly showing up nicely!
In a round up of other Northern rivers - The Brora river finally got off tha mark last week when Duncan Shelly Tain landed the first fish of the season from Rallan pool and I heard that the Thurso also produced its first fish at the end of last week. The Naver river is catching much the same as the Helmsdale. Duncan Shelly proudly shows off his Brora first fish of the season at 11lbs
1 March
The River eased up to 6 fish in the book last week. In an unsettled week with copious amounts of water Borrobol ghillie Glen Macdonald got the ball rolling with a super 15 pounder yet again from Salscraggie. A large Monkey tube fished deep and square on a full Carron Jetstream did the trick just below the burn. It was Friday before another fish appeared and it was a carbon copy 15 pounder, this time from George Maclean in Kilphedir pool. Achentoul rods then ended the week on a high with fine sea liced 12 pounder from the Park pool beat 2. A gleaming 15 pounder from George Maclean
The big Auction event, race night and dance took place on Saturday night and the winning bids for the fishing lots were as follows. 23 February As a Fishing Tackle shop owner in Helmsdale I continually get asked by anglers from all over the world via the shop and email etc "can I fish on the Helmsdale river" 14 February The week is getting better - Kildonan Ghillie Martin Grant has landed No 3 from Salscraggie pool once again. The sea-liced fish weighed in at around 11lbs.
Colin Armer, Brora, has caught the second fish of the season from Salscraggie pool beat 1. Colin was fishing Achentoul rods and the bar of silver weighed in at a healthy 12lbs. The fly was a red & yellow conehead home tie from Colin on a 2" tube.
We are still on a buy 3 get 1 free on all flies. This great offer will run all through the spring and it is going great gunns so stock up before we run out of your favourite flies!
2014 was one of our most successful years since Helmsdale Co was formed 15 years ago. With out a doubt the internet is where you need to be as business and the international market is where it's at as we are seeing more and more anglers heading abroad to satisfy their fishing needs. The UK is still a strong market but a tad in limbo and we predict it will remain so unless salmon numbers bounce back this year and re-energise the sector. New fly designs, additional brands & popular accessories have helped us grow year on year and our customer data base is now into 5 figures. We pride ourselves in a quality personal service over the much bigger tackle companies as we feel we need to get to know our customers and that they feel there is an experienced person answering their call - not a call centre or robot. We see this as one of the big keys to our success and cannot thank our loyal customers enough. We have given up the Post Office wing of our business feeling that after 3 years, it was not right for us, due to a National Government Network Transformation programme, it simply had to go, but, it certainly helped expand our local client base by showcasing our full range of products to people that otherwise would not have visited the local "fishing" shop. Fulling Mill salmon flies are going from strength to strength worldwide due to our continued engagement with the company and more flies and ideas are in the pipeline. Our Helmsdale Co fly brand remains our premium range and we also have a good selection of Caledonian flies. We have flies for everyone and prices and offers to suit all pockets. This year we will be expanding our saltwater and freshwater predator range of lures as well as adding more hooks from market leader Mustad. Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit fishing is gaining popularity globally as is bass, pollock & seatrout fishing on the Uk coastline. On another note we are witnessing major developments on the fishery management front which are sure to affect our business in the long term. The distinct possibility of Sunday salmon fishing is in the air for the first time. Sunday is the busiest recreational day of the week for families generally so the area is sure to welcome more anglers fishing for salmon & seatrout, however, a national Rod License (if introduced) may hamper day trippers by adding a significant cost. Hopefully any rod license is graded in some way. There are many other recommendations as a result of the recent Freshwater Fishery Review, some of which are set to re-write the whole fishery management framework. This has mixed appeal as there is sure to be much more bureaucracy involved stretching Boards & Tackle shops to the limit with carcass tagging systems and licensing docs etc etc. We have some great chat about all this on the Helmsdale River Forum right now, just sign in with an email address and username to check it all out and take part. On the local fishing front, all is quiet. Absolutely nothing is happening anywhere. Junction pool on the Tweed is the only place producing the goods with over 40 springers accounted for in the opening 2 weeks. Thank you for your continued support and here are a few recent pics from our shop. The latest waterproof jackets from Loop , Simms, Vision, Snowbee etc
Top reels from Loop, hardy, Vision, Shakespeare...
All the rocket launching line technology from Loop, Mackenzie, Carron, GaelForce, Scientific Anglers & Rio
The top nets from Fastnet and weigh nets from Mclean
Waders from Simms, Vision, Scierra, Ocean & Snowbee
All the sinking tips and leaders required
A large range of fly-tying materials with the superb Foxy Tails now onboard.
All the bits & bobs, flasks, flyboxes, rod holders, waterproofing spray, shooting pellets etc etc
Salmon rods of all prices from Loop, Mackenzie, Guideline, Greys, Shakespeare...
Pop in for a chat next time you are in the area...be great to see you! 8 February And so it begins! 1 February Don't forget we are still in a "buy 3 get 1 free" mode on all flies throughout the spring. So far we have had gmajor takeup on this cracking deal which means you are getting top quality flies for real good prices so long as you purchase in multiples of 3, this does not have to be the same fly either, mix and match as much as you like and we will add the free flies based on your order. Get stuck in as we have some amazing new flies on offer - check out the "Hot new RS flies" category. Please also feel free to bid on the Archie Foundation fishing lots on the last fishing report or my personal facebook page, some interesting lots there and all for a great cause, Well done to Dawn Cowie for organinsing. Bids close Feb 28th and if you want to be called during the actual Auction on the night please leave a contact number with us. The river was all over the place last week as water levels and temperatures fluctuated almost daily. Kelts were the norm once again for the few hardy rods that ventured out for a cast. Generally we are blasted down the glen by North Westerlies but as you can see from the pic below, we have a blizzard closing in and working up the river for a change from the North East, not the most pleasant conditions! The tail end of Kilphedir pool looking as magestic as ever was dropping fast and running around 3ft when the photo was taken.
Good luck to all who are fishing opening days tomorrow... My niece Dawn Cowie is running a big auction for the Archie Foundation for sick children which has supported her and many others through ill health for many years. Public support had been fantastic so far and we are helping out with the auctioning of numerous fishing lots kindly donated. The list will be growing so keep checking for updates right here and on our facebook page. To place a bid, simply contact us on facebook, or by email or text and we will register the bid on here against the lot No so you can keep up with things. Closing date is Feb 28th at the final Auction night in Helmsdale - Highest bidder by 28th Please leave us a mobile number if you want to be contacted during your chosen item being auctioned. lot 1 is a stunning Loop/Mackenzie combo which we are donating worth around £1200, bidding starts at £300, view finer details here £780 bid - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/mackenzie/loop-superdeal-combo.html
Lot 2 - Season ticket on the Helmsdale Association water (donated by Helmsdale river Board) £200 bid Lot 3 - Week ticket on the Helmsdale Association water x 3 (donated by Helmsdale River Board) £130 bid (1 ticket) £150 bid (2 tickets) Lot 4 - 3 rods on River Halladale for W/C March 23rd (donated by Halladale river Board) Lot 5 - 1 day brown trout fishing 2 rods loch Ascaig (donated by Sir Michael Wigan & Peter Quail) Head bailiff Peter Quail will ghillie and prvide fuel & outboard. £60 bid Lot 6 - 1 x secret loch fishing for big brown trout in Sutherland 2 rods, pickup Helmsdale. (donated by Peter Quail ) £70 bid Lot 7 - 1 days salmon fishing on river Dunbeath with Mac Young ( donated by Dunbeath estate ) £150 bid Lot 8 - 1 night accom and meal at the Overscaig Hotel ( banks of loch Shin Lairg ) £100 bid ( can the person who has bid this please contact us with a telephone number please, thanks. Some great fishing and deals there, please dig deep for this worthy foundation for sick children - Good luck A stunning first Helmsdale fish has been landed yet again by that man Andy Sutherland and what a story.... After a sickening loss only an hour earlier, he dug deep and continued on in search of a fish on what he thought was a perfect fishing day. Fishing beat 2 with a river slowly on the rise he had landed a number of kelts until he arrived in Eldrable pool. At 1ft 2 the river was in fine fettle even on the rise, it was still clear and he hooked a fish at the tail end of the pool (in the hot spot). Played out, the fish was a perfectly formed sea-liced springer of around 9lbs but just as he was about grab the fish which was semi beached, the hook came flying out and the chance had gone to claim the first fish!...you just don't get a second chance in January right - wrong! he duly shook off the painful disappointment and headed up to the Private pool. The head of the pool was quickly covered and it was onto the tail end where horrendous wading is required to cover the best lie properly. A trademark long line was cast with his favourite Black & yellow Monkey conehead tube and another fish was on. After a very lively battle which involved going over the boots (chest waders) to wade past trees in the Old Bridge Pool a spanking 18 pounder was landed with the help of Torrish Ghillie Jean Bain. As Andy had no net, he made a quick call to Jean to see if she was around, luckily her house overlooks the pool and she was on hand to quickly grab a net and come to the rescue. The results are below - photo's also courtesy of Jean Bain.
The tail of the Park pool where the 10 pounder was lurking.
An absolute pristine Helmsdale springer as fat as a pig!
Daughter Yvonne and Grandson Aaron Grant present the first fish prize once again to Andy.
Duly released to fight another day.
Brother Rons lethal Monkey Conehead which hooked 2 springers and a bag of kelts today (yes Jan 23rd!). If you have any fishing lined up this year anywhere for atlantic salmon you gotta buy some right here right now! - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-dee-monkey-silver-conehead-ghillies-choice.html Don't forget we are running a "Buy 3 get 1 free" on all flies throughout the spring....
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