The river slowed right down last week as low water and more Easterly winds set in. Around 7 fish were reported including a 12 pounder from the Association water for Alistair Jappy on a Temple Dog Achentoul rods had the second fish in 4 days out of the Black Hole pool beat 4 for the Nutting party. Badanloch had a fish in Clays beat 1 and one came from beat 5. Serious rain is now desperately required and as luck would have it the weather is changing and winds are backing Westerly for the next week threatening bands of rain.

Alistair Jappy returns his fine Association water 12 pounder from the Sewerage pool.

The deadly Willie Gunn Temple Dog designed by Ron, buy it now here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?_a=category&cat_id=12

 It's been a tough week but not as tough as the season on the lower Brora which blanked for the whole of Feb & March! This is unprecedented form and is quite baffling for a river with a renowned early spring run and the upper river has only hit double figures this week. I'm sure the situation will change very soon but it is worrying none the less. (stop press!) I have just received some information and pics from David Raper of the Lochaill Guest House on the banks of the river Brora, the situation has changed to the tune of 5 off the Lower river in the last few days with 2 North bank fish for Duncan Stewart and another 3 South bank fish for Ian Reynolds and Les Cope. Les is pictured below with a stunner at 19.5lbs from Upper Stoney pool which was returned. The fish was caught on a Gold Bodied Willie Gunn double size 9 ( what else on the Brora!! )

Les Cope shows off his stunning Brora fish with Upper Stoney pool in the background.

In the net, peak condition.

The picturesque Lower Brora above the Ford bridge

Looking up to the lovely Well pool on the lower section.

People have a habit of absorbing negative stats too easily nowadays, the spring run is in marked decline but the slow burn effect of this seems to make it acceptable to many. You only need to listen in to conversations with some of the old ghillies to realise that the early fishing sport has dropped off the scale. Great catches on the fly in February and March constantly crop up,(some of my own included ) those days are long gone but is it completely mortality at sea that has caused the car crash? Maybe a large part is indeed to do with commercial netting but I think the current Freshwater Fisheries Review must address fishery protection on a wider scale. Everything in nature which has salmon on its menu is heavily protected, this imbalance must be redressed. There are seals (population increasing annually) living way up the river Tay, a seal was reported above loch Brora this week, they are patrolling the Helmsdale estuary for most of the season, this is not on and makes a mockery of meaningful fishery management, fishery managers should not have to jump through hoops to control obvious threats like this. Salmon farm production is on the increase, more costal netting stations are cropping up, the problems for salmon are well versed and growing, make no bones about it, the king of fish is up against it!

And now we hear from the big conference last week that all along hatcheries have been doing the exact opposite of what we had thought. A monumental statement from the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards and Rivers and Fisheries Trusts Scotland, the advisory lights in Scottish fishery management have specified that due to the degeneration and weakening of each hatchery reared fish, we must cease all artificial stocking and pour all resources into habitat restoration. A huge statement indeed but one carefully based on many years of scientific evidence. There is no doubt that “natural selection” in nature produces the strongest and fittest, it is as simple as that, Charles Darwin has long proven that theory. Give nature the best chance to go forth and multiply and abundance will probably return. We know salmon are swimming further to access adequate feeding grounds nowadays therefore smolts must be in better condition for their perilous and exhausting voyage - a hatchery tank is not best preparation.

This situation needs to be eradicated asap. Sheep with full trample access to the river banks and silting up of the best spawning grounds, fences required!

Severe riverbank livestock damage which will openly aid the silting of the river when it rains. This is completely unacceptable in this day and age.

Sheep running riot, both banks with full access to the river.

A perfect riparian "buffer zone" with fenced off graze free river banks regenerating and strengthening the watercourse.

Discussion must begin, habitat restoration is on the Agenda for the next River Board meeting, it is time to make some grownup decisions and I for one as proprietor of the Helmsdale Company am willing to donate hard cash towards this important cause and I will call on all who fish this superb river to follow suit. We need to launch a Fund and fastrack a radical habitat project which prioritises the river and all its tributaries. Every inch of spawning gravel must be protected from livestock and other threats. A catchement survey is required and critical spawning zones identified and fenced off. This won’t happen overnight but the campaign begins here right now! If anyone has views on this matter, please feel free to comment in the Club Helmsdale Forum "Habitat restoration" thread and don't forget to check out all the latest news on our facebook page Helmsdale anglers.

Raw Easterly winds and low water made the going tough on the Helmsdale last week but for those who stuck it out the rewards were there. 14 fish were recorded last count but surprisingly no fish were taken above the falls even though water temps held in the 40s and hit 46 for a short spell midweek. Beat 1 also failed to produce any action apart from a few kelts. Torrish, Borrobol and Badanloch rods all caught 4 fish. Jean, Richard and Jimmy Bain all scored for Torrish rods in Baddy Wood, Clay Bank, Lower Torrish and Falls pool, an Ally's tube doing the damage for Jean. Borrobol rods David Macleod party had a grand day on beat 2 landing 3 with 2 from the Park pool. Yours truly had 3 out of 4 fish on Badanloch rods with Hugh (Shug) Wilson returning a fine hard earned 13 pounder in the Flat pool beat 6 caught on a copper tube Monkey, All were released.

Casting was tough most days with a challenging wind but I have to say that the new Loop set up I have been using has been an absolute powerhouse. 3M technology is very much ALL that it has been made out to be in lightness and strength, when the power was needed it was there in abundance, most other rods would have struggled badly. The rod does not do it all of course, the new GDC shooting head balances the rod perfectly and feeds power like a bolt of lightening. If you want an idea of what I am talking about please step into the Loop experience right here, check out the amazing filming of the line in action - http://vimeo.com/68340715 This combo will make casting easy for anyone and in more experienced hands it is quite phenomenal.

Enough about the gear, here are loads of pics from a great week with Ghillie Alex Fraser and Hugh Wilson on Badanloch rods including my 3 fish of 11, 12 & 15 from Johnny Gordons, Breakwater and Black Hole.
Another star this week was my new Tiger Monkey ( on trial ) which caught 2 of my 3, my other fish was caught on a Skullhead Cascade tube.

Hugh Wilson shows off his 13 pound bar of silver from the Flat pool beat 6. The black & yellow Monkey 1/2" coppertube did the business.

Cousin Derek Macrae up for the day on beat 5, as you can see by the toggs - not the warmest day in the world!

Beat 5 with Hugh Wilson

Alex Fraser returns Hugh's fish in the rocky Flat pool beat 6

Rons new Tiger Monkey

Hamish Macrae searching for a springer on the upper Helmsdale

RS Fulling Mill Cascade Skullhead

Another clonking springer heading back to fight another day.

My fish from the Black Hole pool beat 4, been in a few weeks.

My fish from Johnny Gordons beat 2 which took the Cascade Skullhead

My new Tiger Monkey conehead and outstanding Loop combo

Another day on the river, beat 4.

A thumper from the Breakwater pool safely in the bag on the Tiger Monkey.

Take good care of your fish before releasing!

Beat 2 fish

Cascade Skullhead firmly in the scissors.

Team selfie, Ron, Hugh (Shug) Wilson and ghillie Alex Fraser. Thanks for a memorable week Alex.

Look at the shoulders on this sea-liced beauty, Tiger Monkey does the job again.

My new Bottle tube Tiger Monkey.

Prospects for the week ahead are not great, we are not getting rid of the chill upstream wind and it is due to strengthen as the week goes on. The river also needs more water as we are down to summer level. Every cloud has a silver lining - these conditions really suit chances on the Association water so come on over and fish the big tides this week, fish are running daily now.

Unsettlerd Conditions lead to a few blank days last week but a few good days also. 5 fish came off Tuesday and the first fish from over the falls was caught by William Jappy on 2 above at 15lbs on Badanloch rods.  Thursday produced another 3, 2 of which were to the rod of Kevin Steel amazingly from the Groyne pool beat 6 at 10 & 12lbs. Kevin had a 12 pounder from Beat 2 earlier in the week fishing Badanloch rods along with William. The river was on the rise again on Friday so it was not until Saturday that the river settled once again. Torrish rods had been blank for the whole week until Andy Sutherland once again got amongst the fish. Fishing the foam pool on beat 5, Andy took a 9 pounder on his first run through. He then decided to "back up" the pool and duly hooked a 10 pounder. In the afternoon his form continued when he landed a 14 pounder in the Craggie bend to round off a great day. Another fish came off the Woody pool beat 3 to take the total for the season to 46.

7 of the fish caught last were on Monkey tubes and RS Willie Gunn Temple Dogs.

This is the RS Willie Gunn Temple dog copper tube, we have them for sale right here in the website!

The deadly Monkey fly. (black & orange and black & yellow are best )

The wife releases a lovely Carron fish from the weekend. Caught on her own fly again the Kazcade.

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,