The river shrunk back to almost summer levels last week but fish were still running, 3 fish off on Monday proved this. Kildonan had a thumping 21 pounder in Lower Caen beat 1 taken on a Morangie Conehead. Suisgil grassed a 10 pounder in Kilphedir beat 2 and Pano Constantinedes had his first fish on Craggie bend beat 5 for Achentoul.

Morangie conehead which you can buy online right here.

Pano with his first fish and the Craggie Bend pool in the background

Andrew Thomas with a spanking 13 pounder


The action eased off for the next 2 days as high pressure and sunshine took over. Thursday brought a change in the weather and regular visitor Andrew Thomas made his mark for Achentoul rods landing a lovely 13 pounder in the Gate pool beat 2. Next day the Westerly gales moved in to spoil things, the winds were ferocious and made standing up almost impossible let alone fishing. However, Pano C doubled his total with a fish from Lower Caen and Robert Mackay got off the mark on beat 6. The storm continued on Saturday and it's has not eased as I write on Sunday afternoon. Less wind and more water is required, it looks like next week is very unsettled so water should be on the way.
Copper tubes and coneheads are producing the goods as usual.

Stop press - 2 off beat 1 Saturday for Borrobol rods! so 8 for the week.

This fly just keeps catching - The RS TigerTail Fulling Mill copper tube

For more tackle deals and great pics from a successful adventure on the Carron river check out the Helmsdale Forum under the Other Rivers thread. We have also some great replies to the topics going on in there - have your say! simply sign in with a username and password to take part if you are a Club Helmsdale member.

The fishing is improving by the week right now on the Helmsdale. Another good week reported 9 springers to bring the tally to 25. Kildonan rods got the week to a fast start with an 8lbs fish from the Vale of Tears before the river went on the rise. From Tuesday it was the Sweetman show on Badanloch rods when Elizabeth S had a lovely 12.5 pounder from Kilphedir pool beat 2. Not to be outdone, Hubby John duly grassed cracking 15 pounder next day from Salscraggie beat 1. The same day another 2 fish were caught on beat 6 and beat 5.

Badanloch ghillie Alex Fraser with a delighted John Sweetman

John's wife Liz with her 12.5 pounder from Kilphedir pool

The RS Fulling Mill Monkey tube doing some serious damage yet again. The Monkey fly is really making it's presence felt this year already having had a number of spectacular seasons. Black and Yellow is always good in spring, but tied Monkey style there is nothing better. We have them tied on skullhead, Conehead, tungsten, aluminium and plastic tubes - do yourself a favour and call Ron for a selection with hooks to suit - 01431821372. Or simply purchase online here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1822

Thursday/Friday were blank surprisingly but Saturday produced 4. The first for beat 3 came off, beat 6 gave another and Graham McCulloch had a memorable day on beat 5 landing 2 sea liced fish from the Whinnie and Craggie bend a 8 & 9lbs. The week ended on 9 and we are now up to 25 fish off.

I had a lovely day on another river on Saturday, no takers on the day but I was extremely impressed with the attention to detail. When we arrived the ghillie guided us through the whole beat to set us up which was very helpful indeed but even better was to come, the layout of the beat had every pool named with the starting point and end of each pool clearly marked, you could not go wrong, we were then handed an A5 note with the order of all the pools. This was the best attention to detail I have seen on any salmon river (and I have fished a few! ) it really settles you into the water quickly and makes for a very enjoyable and organised day. Can you guess where it is...?

Bishops pool!

Green disc for starting point

Red disc for the end of the pool

A perfect livestock buffer strip

Stunning setting

The Master (Andy Torrish ) searching for yet another springer in amazing scenery.

A stat before we get going here - we are now on 14 fish off March 2nd, last year we only had 11 fish off by March 17th....a big improvement. Week 3 is still available too for 2 rods on the full rotation, details on last weeks report.

We also have the long awaited Loop doubles back in stock as tube doubles and down eye for tying on - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=77

Last week was website upgrade week for the Helmsdale Company, we hope that everything looks cleaner and more modern and that navigation is better. Due to ageing software, it had to be done and we hope the results last well into the future. We have lost a few images in the process but don't let that stop you buying anything, just call us if you are in any doubt about any products. Offering a first class personal service is always our pleasure and you can speak direct to me anytime.

Settled weather and water led to a good week on the Helmsdale last week. Kildonan rods got things rolling when Alan Stone grassed an 8 pounder on beat 6 Big Rock, he followed this with the first fish from beat 2 Eldrable pool.

Achentoul rods got off the Mark with another 9 pounder from Eldrable and Badanloch rods had one from beat 1 Lower Caen. Kildonan Ghillie Marty Grant and Andy Sutherland fishing Torrish rods both had 10 pounders from the Tail of the Marrel beat 1 and I managed to nip out of the shop on Friday morning and land a 9 pounder in Little Rock pool beat 6 on a TigerTail Conehead Kinermony Killer. This is a gorgeous new fly and one of my new custom designs for Fulling Mill based on Ghillie Jock Royan's lethal killer on the Spey.

RS Kinermony Tiger

The amazing Loop Cross S1 15ft doing the business on beat 6 - Dream Combo - Loop Colour Concept Evotec (green)  GDC Low Float shooting head, 6ft Rio Versitip med sink. I have never cast a better combination, effortless power, accuracy and turnover. Call us for superb deals on these.

We have more pics from this weeks action on the Forum.

The new Fulling Mill salmon collection is making a huge impact this year at all the big trade shows and retail events across Europe. No other company can offer such a mix of great looking innovative and traditional flies that actually catch fish.
The difference with our flies is that they have been tested in Iceland, Russia Scandinavia etc and in the UK by hardcore anglers and guides putting them through their paces on the water.
There are too many flies out there that look like Christmas tree decorations with legs and bits that have been dreamt up in some far away place by people who have never held a salmon rod, and they cost too much too!
You can purchase the top Fulling Mill RS designs here for only £2.99 each. Tell your friends and fill your boots! We have many more to come as we continually re-shape the new range.

Andy Sutherlands fish from beat 1 was also caught on one of my striking new Monkey designs, the Elver Monkey, this one is an absolute stunner and the best looking Monkey tube I have designed or seen. You really need to have a look at it on the Forum Hot New Flies section, I have a feeling that I am personally going to have to tie up hundreds of these!

To date we have 14 fish off the river. 8 from beat 1, 3 from beat 6,  2 from beat 2 and 1 off the Association water. The return rate has risen to an impressive 93%. Prospects are good for the week ahead and the Association water will start producing fish if it gets fished. £12.50 and £25 per rod per day it is very good value for money and we know full well that springers are running. The river is running at a 9" which is a good height for the local water. Availability is good.

Stop Press!!

The 3rd week in March ( w/c 17th) has just cropped up on the Helmsdale, 2 rods - if anybody wants it the cost is £1825 but, if you get the week I have the assurance that you will keep it in future. Contact fast, it won't be around for long! Contact me for more details...ASAP

Andy Sutherland continued his good form on the river last week by grassing No 5 from beat 1 Salscraggie. As the pic shows, it was a spanking fresh fish and weighed in at around 8 lbs. The fish was hooked and returned low down the pool opposite the SEPA hut on one of our 1.5" black & yellow copper tubes fitted with a new Fulling Mill Magni silver tube double. It was the first fish taken on Torrish rods. Black & Yellow tubes are more than proving their worth right now in Scotland and especially the Dee where Monkey tubes are catching loads of springers on Middle Dee, some pics of classic Monkey tubes in Aluminium and bottle tube below.

Black & Yellow Copper Tube, you can buy it here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=563

Classic Black & Yellow Monkey tubes

Aluminium Monkey

Later in the week (Saturday) Gerald Davidson, fishing with the Hugo Ross party (Borrobol rods) landed 2 cracking fish of 12 and 14lbs from Lower Caen and Johns pool. Amazingly he almost had another fresh fish in reach when the hook came out in the Viaduct pool.
Next weeks prospects are good as the weather looks to be settling down a little and I hear the dredging in the harbour is over. There should be a good chance on the association water so grab the rod and get out for a cast. Tickets available from the Tackle shop.

On another very positive note, I have been in correspondence with the River Board recently and as a result there will be an extra item put on the agenda of the public River Board meeting in May regarding Diffuse Pollution and the severe damage to riverbanks and salmon habitat due to unfenced livestock. If you read the October 29th fishing report, and have a look on the Forum you will see exactly what we are talking about! Thanks to all who have posted input on the subject in the Forum - keep it coming, this is where we have a chance to discuss all the issues that affect the river and most importantly get views across to the River Board. If there are any other issues you would liike to put to the Board at the Public May Meeting let me know ASAP and I will make sure they are heard.

We still have an offer on rods and lines for Club Helmsdale members - check out the Helmsdale Angling Forum for all the insider news and join us on facebook under Helmsdale Anglers.

We had tough fishing conditions on the river last week with unsettled water levels and it is believed that dredging at the harbour mouth is not helping matters. The coastline has had a real battering recently and as a result inshore water clarity has been very poor at the mouth of the river. Add to this the constant dredging and associated swill of foul smelling mud greeting migrating salmon and you have a possible reason for the lack of fish entering the system.  This of course means we are still stuck on 4 fish off.

Hopefully there will be a full complement of rods on the river in the week ahead and we will be able to notch up another fish or two, it is mid February after all! I recall a weekend in the not too distant past when I had 2 lovely springers off the Association water in mid Feb let alone the whole river so there are sure to be fish running.

Our latest fly BOGOF ends tonight at midnight for Club Helmsdale members but do not dismay, we have another special offer in the wings. Anyone who buys a Mackenzie or Loop salmon rod in the next two weeks will receive a free line of their choice and a casting lesson if they can make it to Helmsdale. You can upgrade anytime to full Club Helmsdale membership for £9.99 anytime and scoop up some great deals all through the season - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1672

On a completely separate note, here is a fascinating short movie on the incredible effect of nature on rivers ( only 4 mins long ) - http://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/how-wolves-change-rivers/

To brighten things up a little, here is a selection of some of our latest killers - you need some if you are fishing soon!

Last 2 days of Fly Bogof for full Club Helmsdale Members ending Sunday night midnight 16th February

There is still 1 rod available W/C 17th Feb next week on the Helmsdale, let me know if you fancy it and ill give you all the details.

last week was quiet on the Helmsdale river but as usual, not all rods were let and only around a half dozen folk were on the water. We are still stuck on 4 fish off as the other rivers in the North begin to wake up. In my opinion this dire rodding philosophy needs to stop on the Helmsdale and I will be debating the issue on the Helmsdale Forum under Helmsdale river rodding where you will see a compelling reason for development.

A spin around other Highland river totals reveals 2 off the Thurso and 3 off the Brora. Water levels are good on all rivers and with the mild conditions persisting a pattern of running fish is emerging. Both Thurso fish were caught on the upper river on beat 13 and loch Begg. Brora also has 2 fish off the upper river with the latest coming from the rod of Anne Cameron just below Balnacoil falls. These conditions are perfect for migrating spring salmon and I would predict beat 6 on the Helmsdale should produce a fish or 2 this week - providing there are rods on the water.

The undoubted highlight of week goes to regular Helmsdale angler Jim Fisher who was on his annual pilgrimage to Deeside. Ballogie was the place and 7 springers and 2 days later Jim was the talk of the town! I have a special feature on the our Helmsdale Forum revealing Jim's fabulous catch and the fly he used to such devastating effect. The tube is one of my previous designs which Jim took a fancy to and now ties perfectly himself. Well done Jim and a great shame you were washed off the water Wednesday, the news and pics of your superb catch brightened up an otherwise gloomy February week! To login to the Club Helmsdale Forum where its all happening please follow the link here to upgrade - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1672

Whilst the fishing is a little slow in the Highlands at the moment we thought we would inject some excitement into the mix by offering a mouthwatering one off Loop SuperDeal. Below we have the outstanding new Loop Cross S1 14ft salmon rod with New Loop Evotec Colour Concept 8/10 set up with the incredible arrow like loop DDC shooting head low float. To attach to this on the business end we are giving away a full set of Rio Sinking tips to cover all fishing options, and a Tubefly box full of some of Ron Sutherlands best new Feeler salmon tubes and coneheads.

Bogof below extended for 1 more week to cover all members and the stunning Loop deal needs to go this week - first person to make me a fair offer grabs a stupendous deal!!

We will be running a fly BOGOF (buy one get one free) all this week for full Club Helmsdale Members only ending Sunday 9th midnight - fly selections not included.

The Full market price on this gorgeous set up is currently £1285.00

Watch the amazing casting produced withn this combo here -  https://vimeo.com/68340715

The first person to offer us £999.00 secures the deal. Treat yourself! This deal won't last long!!!

Call/text or FB us right now or miss out - 01431821372

Have a look at the recent Helmsdale weather here, not many anglers on the water and probably not many salmon entering the system in these conditions - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUR3REV0tmQ

Last week provided the hardy few anglers that ventured out with a sprinkling of kelts only. Conditions were unsettled to say the least with lots of wind and rain but on a positive note it remains unseasonably mild. The Angling Club have the luxury of fishing Achentoul rods this week again and only 2 rods are available, 1 rod Monday beat 5 and 1 rod Tueday beat 4. If you want to keep up with Angling Club news we are on Facebook under Helmsdale Anglers, and on the Club Helmsdale Forum. I think these 2 platforms will morph into one soon and it is looking like the Facebook option will prove to be the most accessible for all. I will take this opportunity to thank Achentoul Estate for their continued support and generosity by offering early season fishing for free and thanks to Ghillie George Sutherland for keeping us up to date with availability.

The river Brora had an opening day fish to the rod of Mr Bell Forres yesterday Saturday 1/1/14. The fish came from the falls pool and weighed in at 7lbs.

We can also add some more fishing to last weeks list, the fishing available below is on the fabulous Ness Castle beat with Gordon Armstrong on the river Ness

Wc 28th July 5 rods £4500 + Vat . Accommodation is an optional extra.

Wc 21st September 5 rods and Accommodation in River Lodge. £8500 inc Vat.

We will be running a fly BOGOF (buy one get one free) this week for full Club Helmsdale Members only ending Sunday 9th midnight - No fly selections are included. Please write "Club Helmsdale Bogof in the comments section or you will not receive a fly BOGOF - it starts from the moment you read this report! and will end next Sunday. Treat this part of your Club Helmsdale membership as a type of loyalty discount scheme similar to what other well known tackle companies have in operation. Call us for discounts on all tackle items throughout the season and state Club Helmsdale in all correspondence or chat.

If you are not already a member, you are missing out on all the Forum info where we have insider gossip on the river and new flies pics and much more. You can upgrade your status and join right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1672

A couple of pics from my recent visit to Farlows London to see my latest flies on display (below) we have the new Fulling Mill collection in all the big tackle shops now including Sportfish and Glasgow Angling Centre. The new designs have really caught on and are selling very well all over Europe. we are getting the balance right by offering some really innovative new patterns along with the traditional favourites. Anglers like to have a edgy design in the box but they like their "go to" patterns also. We provide both and at very good prices. There are copies out there on sale for £4,50 which is quite ridiculous.

Farlows famous shop window

Here are some of our deadly flies which will catch loads of fish this season.

The super popular black & yellow selection

Tight lines,

Loop Cross rods and reels are on special offer in the Club Helmsdale Forum for members this month and we will be running a members fly BOGOF very soon! it pays to be a member of Club Helmsdale!! insider information on the Forum and regular deals on all sorts.

We have been informed of the following fishing availability -

River Brora, Laxelva & Aroy Norway

Brora WC 2^nd March 4 rods and Struan lodge £4,257.32

Brora WC 3^rd August 6 rods and the Lodge £6,957.94

Brora WC 24^th August 6 rods and the lodge £5,498.95

Norway Aroy – 3 rods left for August 10-14 – last available rods of the season - £3,775 per person for 3 days fishing, ex flights

Norway Lakselva – 4 rods for 10-17 August - £6,750 ex flights.  This is the private water option

Norway Lakselva – 2 rods for 17-24 August - £4,750 ex flights – a combination of private and public water

Call me if interested, fair offers will be considered.

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The river is still on 4 fish off, Conditions excellent with good water levels. Association water tickets available for £25, OAP and under 16s half price.

Don't forget our Tiger flies were catching last spring and are already hooking fish this year, you can buy them online right here right now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php

Black & yellow TigerTail conehead

Flaming TigerTail

Kinermony TigerTail

Willie Gunn TigerTail

Alistair Tigertail

Caithness Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed an announcement from First Minister Alex Salmond that there will be an independent review of wild fisheries management in Scotland. Announcement here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx8u0UPkQQM

The First Minister said that freshwater fisheries must be ‘robust, sustainable and fit for purpose in the 21st century’, and to this end the Scottish Government has asked outgoing Scottish Natural Heritage Chairman Andrew Thin to chair the review.

The aims of the review are to:

•           Develop and promote a modern, evidence-based management system for wild fisheries fit for purpose in the 21st century and capable of responding to our changing environment.

•           To manage, conserve and develop our wild fisheries to maximise the sustainable benefit of Scotland’s wild fish resources to the country as a whole and particularly to rural areas.

Mr Gibson who as convener of the Rural Affairs Climate Change and Environment Committee carried out an inquiry into the management of the aquaculture and wild fishing sectors said an independent review was a welcome development.

“The announcement is important as the wild fish sector is critical to the rural economy and environment. It is that the management of the fishing assets in Scotland has changed little in generations and therefore needs updating for modern times. This should include much more water for local angling clubs wherever possible.

 “I have seen up close how this management does not work, both from issues raised by constituents and the evidence taken by the RACCE Committee. Our Committee said that there needed to be a fit for purpose management of wild fishing and the Government has listened and are acting to make sure that there is.

“This approach will help lay a new course for wild fishing in coming decades. It has an excellent steward in the guise of Andrew Thin and I look forward to the progress that it makes.” 

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The River Helmsdale is still on 4 fish off. After the fantastic opening week in which over 250 salmon anglers took advantage of there is hardly an angler on the water now. This it the tragic state of play on the Helmsdale river! There are loads of anglers who would pay to fish for the chance of a spring salmon - Helmsdale Co could sell 4 rods per beat all through the season for estates let alone in the spring, I get constant enquiries for the fishing and people are lining up to pay but the availability is simply not there and the local community needs it.

On that note, there are still 2 rods available on the river first week February full rotation with a cottage on the riverbank for £675 + vat at £135 - total cost £810. This works out at £67.50 per day per rod which is less than most spring fishing on the Dee and accom is included here, not bad value when you look at it like that!

First fish captor Andy Sutherland had landed a prestigious double on the Helmsdale by catching the first fish on the Association water this week. A Dee Monkey bottle tube did the trick in the Flat pool, the fish was sea-liced at 8lbs and was returned. Its very encouraging to see fish running as early as this and you can fish the Association water daily for only £25 per day or half price if you are on a pension or under 16, great value and a realistic chance of catching one of our prized spring salmon....

There is still a week available on the Suisgill rods from Feb 2nd with accom if anyone is interested.

For Club Helmsdale members we will soon start our first fly Bogof of the year, watch out on the Forum for news on that. We will also have some great discounts on rods reels and lines. It's easy to upgrade your membership to Club Helmsdale, just click on the link and register - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1672

The Dee Monkey Bottle tube which hooked Andy's fish, you can buy it here right now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1775

A vid of the 14 pounder caught this week on Thursday - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=689616167727534&set=vb.461168207238999&type=2&theater

We have the official opening movie on the Forum, awesome stuff!! don't miss it...

Some Helmsdale fishing if anyone interested...the springers are in!

February Fishing - With Accommodation
w/c Sunday 2nd February 2014
w/c Sunday 16th February 2014 - Sold
The cost of the week is £675 + VAT, to include the week's fishing (2 rods, no ghillie) and accommodation (Balvallioch cottage - sleeps 4). Please note that the fishing is not available without the accommodation.

you may need to hook up with me on facebook to view it as that seems to be where it is embedded. Let me know.
It was a fabulous week and the experiment absolutely worked out. I only heard of one kelt being miss-handled over the whole week from in excess of 260 anglers from all corners of the country. 3 opening week salmon was a fabulous result, the Helmsdale season is off to a flyer. I sold 2 Suisgill estate February weeks last night within 20 minutes of them hitting the net! I would say this is a direct result of the fast start.

There has been a huge call for more availability in Helmsdale spring weeks from anglers this week. They are amazed that after the opening week the rodding evaporates to only 2 rods per beat. A minimum of 4 rods per beat would be comfortably accommodated on the water. I will be writing to the Board to consider this on behalf of a very large group of keen anglers.
I would also like to think that due to the success of the past week that a free opening week will become an annual event. Once again I would like to thank the Helmsdale River Board for this unique opportunity, it was a great success all-round. Loop tackle also must be thanked for sponsoring the First Fish prize and donating one of their state of the art Cross S1 rods and a new Colour Concept Evotec reel.
I hear that the Sponsor of the River Opening, Clynelish distillery has this week announced that they are to double the size of their distillery in Brora! what should we read into that I wonder....

We are launching some absolutely amazing new flies this week - look out for them on the Club Helmsdale Forum. We will also start discussing what may happen in the new Fishery management review announced by the Scottish Government last week, this should be very interesting, there has never been such a review in our lifetime and now is the time to get things right. Please login and take part, this is too important to miss out on. Everyone engaged in Scottish angling should have their say.

One of our new classic Black & yellow tubes which is perfect for spring salmon fishing in copper & alumimium. http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1781