The Helmsdale finally burst into life last week  for Torrish rods at least. After very poor conditions and 2 blank weeks on the river Duncan Mackay got things rolling with a 7lbs fish from lower Torrish beat 3 on Thursday. Duncan quickly followed this up on Friday with his second and the biggest from the river so far this season measuring in at 38" for 21lbs from Kilphedir pool beat 2 . The 2 fish were caught on Willie Gunn Special and Black & Yellow Tiger tail copper tubes (from our shop of course!) You can clearly see the WG Special below still in the mouth of the cracking 21 pounder.

Willie Gunn Special - BUY HERE NOW - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=34

Black & yellow Tiger Tail - BUY HERE NOW -  http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1377

Saturday proved to be the best day of the season and the Torrish rods were once again amongst the fish when Richard Bain had a 15.5 pounder out of Salscraggie. Robert Mackay also got in on the act with a fish from Upper Caen at 9lbs to end their week on 4. Not to be outdone, Andrew Thomas, our regular visitor from Wales landed a lovely 16.5 lbs fish in Little Rock pool beat 6 fishing Achentoul rods. Kildonan Ghillie Martin Grant also had his second fish of the season from the Craggie Bend on beat 5 at 9lbs to lift the season's total to 11, Martin lost another solid fish in Pilkingtons point and a fish was lost at the net on beat 6.

Other news - I was instructing for an afternoon on the Brora last week with Mrs Anthea Turrall who was an absolute beginner to salmon fishing. After 15 minutes she was presenting a good line in the Madman pool off the North bank, after another 15 minutes I was delighted to net her first salmon of 10lbs also caught on a Black & Yellow Tiger Tail tube, very well done but unfortunately Mrs Turrall now thinks salmon fishing is easy haha...!

A delighted Mrs Turrall with her 10lbs bar of silver and Madman pool in the background.

Black & Yellow Tiger tail tube - we had to cut the hook free as it was so far down the throat!

The Thurso also had a great week last week with 8 springers reported total now 11. The Brora produced a few more, one of which was caught in the Greenbanks by Vince Keaney South bank. It would seem that things are happening now after rain and great water. The week ahead holds very good prospects wherever you are fishing in the Highlands.

The 15ft G2 is now my 'go to' salmon rod. I have never turned over large flies at distance with such ease. The deep power reserves of his rod are unmatched in my opinion for overhead and Speycasting situations. The rod is lightweight with phenomenal power and it will hold up against any other on the market. My preference is the G2 10/11 64ft head line for the best accurate long range presentation. Well done Scott Mackenzie - a master stroke! You can demo this rod anytime, just call me. We also have the Loop Cross S1 15ft available for demo amongst others. 

Check out these rods here - Mackenzie G2 15ft - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1572

Loop Cross S1 15ft - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1487

We have Greig Thompson of Salmo International ( http://salmo-blog.com/ ) up this week for a few days fishing and filming on Badanloch rods for the increasingly popular Fishing TV channel ( http://www.youtube.com/user/SalmoFishingsTV?feature=watch ) lets hope the salmon are biting!

Tight lines.

A welcome rise in water levels took the Helmsdale up over 1ft 3 on Friday and this was topped up on Saturday but due to bonechilling Easterly winds the river still remained blank for the week. The week ahead is set for a very cold spell initially with winds blowing in from the North backing North West by the end of the week. I would ecpect a fish or two to show up this week to get the river off and running again. 

Don't forget to check out our new range of Fulling Mill RS salmon flies at the link below, some superb new patterns are starting to arrive in stock.

We also have the superb New Mackenzie G2 15ft and the awesome New Loop Cross S1 15ft in stock. A demo on either can be arranged and as always, there is a great deal to be had. We are offering a Mackenzie G2 line or a selection of Salmon flies with each rod on purchase. The new Mackenzie G2 lines are quite simply unbeatable on both of these rods. If you want to really up your casting to A game, you know the number to call....

Check out the Mackenzie G2 15ft right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1572

6/3/13 - The Helmsdale is running at approx a low of 5" at the moment and not much happening at all, the recent dry settled spell has slowed everything down. The latest forecast is giving some heavy rain for Thursday so lets hope the river gets a freshen up and we have something to report.

We are slowly taking delivery of our new awesome new Fulling Mill flies and have a few in stock now for sale - check them out here http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=85

The new Cascade Monkey Conehead

If you would like to see some cracking short films by my friend Greig Thompson of Salmon Fishings keep an eye on our report for direct links to his film library - Recently here we have springer action from the North and South Esk - watch out for our deadly flies! - North Esk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx6507E8jAU

South Esk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vQcRc7hMt28#!

Greig will be up fishing the Helmsdale 3rd week in March with the film crew, watch this space.

The Helmsdale Co website is now integrated with Facebook so please help our cause and "like" some of our products and flies...let's see some action on Facebook from you, many thanks.

Achentoul Ghillie George Hardy landed a super deep 8 pounder this morning (Tuesday 26th) to take our tally up to 5. The Killernan dyke pool on beat 4 was the hot spot and our large Rogie Conehead did the trick. The photo is not great but it clearly shows the quality of the fish.

The Rogie conehead - buy here now http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=657

Check out this stunning new Loop Combo up for grabs this week (below) - a one off deal on a superb outfit which we can do on 14 & 15ft rods - first come first serve and a selection of our new Tiger flies will be included free of charge. £499 is the RRP and we are offering it for £399 ready to fish, 2 deals in 1. SOLD   CALL US FOR MORE DEALS WITH CARRON JETSTREAM LINES.

Loop Xact rod 14ft with case, Loop Xact reel, Rio Windcutter line, 100yds gelspun backing. A very cool set up which will cast your line like a rocket! call, text, mail us to secure the deal. We will only do this deal once so snap it up for yourself or for a birthday gift or for a top quality starter kit for someone.

Mark Mahoney (Aberdeen) brightened things up on the Helmsdale again this week landing a super 17.5lbs fish on the Manse pool beat 6 on Friday (22nd), This creeps the tally up to 4. A Garry Dog brass tube 1.5" was the fly. Mark was fishing the Kildonan rods with the Craig Mackay party.

Mark returns his fabulous deep fish.

The Garry Dog tube below (I seem to remember seeing a 30 pounder on this exact fly for Andy Sutherland recntly on the Spey) so don't underestimate the powers of traditional tubes! you can buy them right here right now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=286

I had word today (Mon 18th) of a super 19 pounder from Kilphedir pool beat 2 which fell to the rod of Wick tackle dealer Hugo Ross. This is only the 3rd fish off the river in what is looking like a rather lean spring. I had a report from a friend on glorious Lower Crathes today on Deeside where the 4 rods fished all day for 1 kelt! However, latest news from around the North is an opener on the Findhorn last Saturday for Graham Bell, 2 off Carron, 2 off Naver, 1 off Brora and 3 off Helmsdale. The rivers are now all in settled and dropping mode and should start to score better.

We have a great selection of cool new fishing caps in stock right now, buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=87

Also check out Greig Thompson's cracking footage of playing and landing an opening day spring salmon the North Esk last week. One of our deadly Chartreuse Monkey Conehead tubes did the trick,  watch all the action here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx6507E8jAU

Some more late footage of the Opening day this year from Mike Shepley - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0jP3M_OorE

Get the rod out, get some of our flies and get on the river! the springers are gathering, tight lines.

The long awaited Loop Cross S1 15ft is here at last! we have had so many enquiries about this rod after we tested the 14ft last season with great effect. The 14 was superb, light, responsive, strong and we could not fault it in any department. The 15ft is set to be stupendous!! perfect for salmon fishing on all medium to large rivers.

Call us for deals on rods, reels & lines especially Loop, we can now access the whole new catalogue. LOOP are BACK with a vengeance.

http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1487

After the dust settled on last weeks first fish excitement, Kildonan ghillie Martin Grant caught (and returned) a second fish of 14lbs from the Tail of the Bay beat 3. Martin was fishing a large Willie Gunn style conehead tube. 

A few more youtube clips of the Helmsdale river in spring here - http://www.youtube.com/user/helmiesutherland?feature=guide

Congratulations go to local Free Church Minister Eric Paterson (Golspie) for catching the first fish of the season. Eric was fishing beat 1 Upper Caen pool on Achentoul rods when he landed the crome fresh 9 pounder. The old favourite Gold bodied Willie Gunn copper tube 1.5" and a gold Salar double did the trick. Eric returned the fish to fight another day and wins the Bridge Hotel trophy, A bottle of Clynelish and a selection of deadly Helmsdale flies. 

We are very lucky to see these excellent photographs of the fish as Eric was fishing by himself when he landed the fish. In a slight quandry he held the fish in his net in the water for a few minutes and managed to flag down another passing angler Donald Stewart. Donald took these excellent photo's and captured the memorable moment for Eric. We are off and running!

A classic spring torpedo with thick set shoulders - no second guessing the quality of this one!

Eric receiving all the prizes from Tackle shop owner Ronald Sutherland

Gold Bodied Willie Gunn copper tube which did the trick! Buy them right here....

Lovely Springer Eric well done! Postmistress Karen Sutherland wins the first fish sweep (£50) for drawing the Upper Caen pool!

Ron has tweaked a superb salmon pattern this week. With the permission of Jock Royan head ghillie on the Kinermony beat of the river Spey, Ron put the "tiger" in his popular pattern the Kinermony Killer. We will be putting it in production soon and are taking forward orders for it. The fly will be in the style of the picture and tied on Salar silver doubles in sizes 7, 9 & 11.

The new Kinermony Killer Tigerback

We have a "Buy one get one free" in operation for 1 week only on all flies ending Sunday midnight on the 3rd Feb. With more notable rivers opening at the end of this week (Friday 1st Feb) and springers gathering, its a great time to stock up with deadly spring flies! Please order soon as stocks of some flies will run out! This offer does not include Classic flies or Selection boxes.

Simply place your order on-line and we will double it up.

There is particular interest this year on our new Tiger Tail tubes which fished so well last year.

Black & Yellow TigerTail

Alistair TigerTail

We have some awesome new fly tying materials sourced from the States for sale online here - check them out below.

Full Tiger Rabbit hides for tying all those superb looking new Zonker Tiger flies.

Amazing New Opal Mirage for adding to hairwings in 2 different sizes - micro and standard, you need to see these to believe the stunning glint.

The Helmsdale river has been in good order recently and ice free but no fresh fish have been seen or caught yet. The weather conditions on the other hand have not exactly helped encourage many anglers out. Persistent Easterly gales have now eased and next week looks much better with the onset of an unsettled but Westerly flow. Temperatures are to remain above freezing so there will be nothing to stop a springer ease into the bottom beats.

Friday sees the opening of the Rivers Dee, Tweed & Brora, by Saturday we should have some fishy pics from these rivers especially the Dee & Tweed. We have loads of great spring flies in stock, Willie Gunns, cascades, Black & yellow, Flamethrower, you name it - we have it so don't forget to visit our on-line shop to stock up. We are also fully equipped with rods, reels, lines, sink tips and leader material, everything you require to get hold of a springer if you are lucky enough to meet one.

I had a trip to beat 6 yesterday on the Helmsdale courtesy of Achentoul rods, The wife, Karen joined me at lunchtime so at least I could take some bonny pics! The water looked excellent but there were no fish around of any kind.

Flat pool looking perfect

Karen enjoying the famous Kildonan Falls pool (this pool stops most fish in their tracks until the temperature rises above 40 - 42 or so)

Karen on tail of the falls pool ( Dogs nose ) see it on the left?

Posh Willie Gunn copper tube 1.5" looking awesome in the morning sun.

Karen on the Dyke pool waiting for that take!

Church streams looking good

We have a cracking article this month in the Trout & Salmon magazine about Fulling Mill and our flies. I have tied up 70 new patterns for them to start modernising their whole range for the trade. We will ofcourse be carrying the full range when they are available in February - look out for them! We have also added more opening day pics in the opening day report.

The 4 free days fishing are now over and unfortunately the first fish has remained elusive. Conditions have generally been very favourable for the time of year so it is a little disappointing that over 200 rods could not find a fresh runner anywhere in the Helmsdale river. The Tay opened today with 15 spring salmon recorded up to 21lbs. Here is some more footage of the opening from Mike Shepley - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0jP3M_OorE

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Television report - STV news 22mins into the link here - http://player.stv.tv/programmes/news-at-six-aberdeen-north/2013-01-11-1800/ No springers to report from day 2 on the Helmsdale as strong bitterly cold easterly wind blowing upstream made for very demanding conditions. However Roddy Gillies had hold of what we think may have been a good fish in the Fall pool beat 6, roddy hooked the solid fish but was quide quickly broken by him due to the ferocity of the short fight. The fall pool is not known for producing anything other than fresh fish on the run and in the mild temperatures we have had I think it sounds like Roddy had a springer on the end.

The first two days have recorded the highest ever figure for angler participation with 185 names in the book for the free fishing. Monday & Tuesday will be open to the public again, lets hope the weather holds for the next batch of keen visiting anglers.

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The Helmsdale Opening day was enjoyed by 130 keen anglers with a busier day expected tomorrow (Saturday). Yours truly opened up the season this year after delivering a toast of Clynelish whisky from the new opening quaich. " A toast to the good health of the river and an abundance of salmon, to the anglers and ghillies i wish you good luck and tight lines for the season ahead". Most anglers in attendance had a Clynelish in hand by this time offered by (the better half) Karen Sutherland, The first few casts were made and the river was pronounced "open for business".

Sir Michael Wigan got the ball rolling with the Sutherland schools pipe band as usual, both were on top form and enjoyed by the large gathering.

Conditions were very good with the river running at 1ft and very pleasant weather. Lots of kelts were caught and a farmed fish was also recorded but no fresh springers were teased from the clear running river. With water temperatures hovering around 40 degrees there are sure to be fish in the system, someone just needs to get lucky!

We have another 3 days free fishing so get the rod out and get over - the first fish prize awaits you!

A few pics from the day and a couple of movie snippets from the opening days below - the official film/photos will be posted soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUKwkVxvVek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1FsbhSA8TY

The Sutherland Tartan set up for the first cast with DTX salmon Rod, Loop Evotec reel, Carron Jetstream line and Posh Willie Gunn.

Ron & Rob Gibson - Nice to see the Scottish Government on the scene enjoying the festivities.

Ron & Sir Michael lead the way to the river.

Sir Michael welcomes the large gathering.

The Toast

Ron rockets the first cast towards the Telford bridge built 1811.

Lower Caen beat 1

Sonny Jappy enjoying Salscraggie pool beat 1

Bacon rolls from Timespan tasting great as Monica delivers to Lower Caen pool

The one that got away was this size guys? Local Artist Frank Beg And Ron look on amused...

Kilphedir pool looking good

Shop banter after dark, Clynelish time (again!)