The beats reported a healthy 90 fish approx last week in a week when cold Northerly winds once again kept the temps down. Flaming June has not showed it's face yet and anglers are scoring as a result. Cool water temperatures are always preferrable in the summer. Although the river is at summer low, salmon are still running in good numbers. Coneheads, wee doubles, small plastic tubes and Sunrays are all fishing well.

The Association water is also starting to produce a few. William Jappy made his first impact of the season in style with 3 fish on Monday morning and Geordie Sutherland also got off the mark. Another one came later in the week for William followed by one from visiting angler Norrie Wilson. But it was the sea-trout fishing which grabbed most of the headlines. With the low river, favourable tide and sea-trout pouring in, there was always the potential for good sport. That was proven correct when yours truly landed 11 up to 3.5lbs on the Tuesday night. Another 7 solid fish followed on Thursday with some of the best nightime sport witnessed in years. Many more were caught during the week by all who stayed out late, I would estimate that around 60 - 70 trout were caught over the 1lbs minimum size. The top flies were CDC doubles pictured below and you can purchase them here right now http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=11

Ron's deadly CDC sea-trout doubles

The Brora is also fishing remarkably well in the low water conditions, There were 6 off the lower Brora on Monday, one of them (pictured below) which was fooled by one of our Kazcade doubles pictured in scissors. Surprise surprise, you can also buy them here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1124 a superb summer fly which ticks all the boxes.

The upper Brora had a good week in the low water also. I was talking with one of the party on Saturday who told me that they caught 18 all on a Hitch fly, a super result and obviously the correct tactics deployed for the conditions. food for thought! below is a classic Icelandic Collie dog hitch pattern which works a treat in the UK. Fish these tiny tubes on a short leader off a floating line and watch fish hit them on the surface as they wake across the pool. If you have not fished this method before I recommend you try it this summer - believe me, it works brilliantly! buy some here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=49 these team up with size 12 doubles or silver vmc trebles.

Tight lines

This week was spoiled slightly with adverse weather conditions and unsettled water levels but the river still provided some super sport if you were in the right place at the right time. From what I can gather (with no mobile phone signal in the area for the last 3 days) Kildonan rods have had another solid week with over 20 fish and the total tally will probably make upwards of 60 fish.

The Association water started brightly with 3 off on Monday but cold North easterly winds dogged the river for the rest of the week making for poor fishing conditions. We did have a welcome rise in water levels midweek to around 1ft 6 and another rise on Friday up to 2ft. This unsettled things but John Hardy Sutherland (junior) made the best of the slightly inproved conditions on Saturday by landing a cracking 16.5 pouder from the Upper Allan pool on a conehead tubefly, he went on to do the double from the same pool later with a 7 pounder. John travels the world working for oil company Macdermots but his base is in Helmsdale where he enjoys nothing better than fishing the river on his holidays. His father is well known Ghillie, Johnny (Hardy) Sutherland) who has ghillied for Borrobol rods on the Helmsdale for over 40 years. Charlie Tams on a visit from Wick also got in on the act with a 7 pounder from the Flat pool and Peter Macmillan added one to his tally, Saturday was a very good day with 4 off the Association water.

John below with his tide fresh 16.5 pounder.

Prospects are good for next week once again so sharpen those hooks! Association water day tickets only cost £25 per rod per day and we have plenty tickets and deadly flies available. Oap's are half price and under 16s get on for free.

Latest -The week finished with around 80 fish, Borrobol rods had a super 7 on Saturday taking their total to approx 22 to head the scoring.

I am reporting early this week (Friday) due to the extended bank holidays. It would appear that Achentoul rods dominated the sport last week with a fine show of 15 fish in the book expertly guided by George Sutherland. Regular visitors and angling partners Ted & Sam shared around 6 (pics below) caught on our mini Temple Dogs and coneheads and word has it that most of the other fish caught by estates also succumed to small coneheads. In a week of low water the scoring has been surprisingly good as anglers welcomed the cooler air & water temps. Around 65 fish have been reported, strangely, no fish have been taken from the Association water.

There are signs that a few sea-trout are in the system as a nice fish of 3lbs was taken by David Mackay fishing Roaries pool. Check out our deadly range of sea-trout flies here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/admin/docs/home.php?homeLang=en and have a look at my first design below, the CDC Blue. These flies have proven irrisistable for sea-trout on midgy balmy nights, it's the ultra mobile CDC which turns them on we think! there are 3 in the series. The Blue CDC, Black CDC and Black Brahan CDC which fishes incredibly well on the Aberdeenshire Dee especially.

Ted Bowers with a tide fresh fish from Clay Bank on beat 5

Sam shows of a cracker also from beat 5.

Meet the RS Super Snaelda which bagged over 70 fish to the rod of Greig Thompson (salmonfishings) on the Russian Varzuga and Kitza rivers last week - an awesome new design which you can order now - call for details of this deadly new tubefly from Wednesday June 6th on our return to work.

One of our new picture postcard shots of the Lower Woody pool beat 1 above from last week.

CDC Blue sea-trout fly

27/5/12

The North was bathed in sunshine last week apart from the odd interruption of an Easterly harr on the coast. High pressure and an easterly flow are not condusive to top sport when it comes to salmon fishing. All things considered we had a hard act to follow if last year was anything to go by. This week last year the Ian Muir team of husband and wife smased all records for Kildonan rods with 43 for the week! a year on and the the conditions demanded the same application but in a more constructive way, we had a completely different challenge with bright sunshine and difficult clear low river but remarkably the same team topped the week with an admirable 10 fish. It was a superb effort by Shona Muir who made all the headlines this time round landing 6 of the 10 recorded from Kildonan showing some well executed tactics and super precise presentation, well done to Shona, a fabulous score indeed in very testing conditions.

The total for the rest of river amounted to around 35 including 3 fish from the Association water. Regular visitor Gordon Stuart had a morning to remember landing 2 fish up to 14lbs on a Cascade fly from the Well pool and streams and Peter Macmillan also netted a 6 pounder. We are now on the look out for the sea-trout to arrive anytime - the midgies have made an appearance so the sea-trout are not far away. Get stocked up on our CDC sea-trout flies for great sport - these new concept mobile flies invented by Ron are super deadly for sea-trout as proven first time round on the Helmsdale river last year. You can order right here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1125 

Tight lines.

20/5/12

From my weekly feedback it would seem that approx 70 fish were caught last week. Water levels were very good for most of the week after a washout on Monday but most rods had some decent sport. Kildonan rods would appear to have had the best of it with 19 fish and Borrobol were hot on their heels with 18. The cold spell of weather dictated tactics and fairly large copper tubes and coneheads fished well. The weather for the week ahead looks to be settled and dry with more seasonable temperatures so maybe we will have the luxury of fishing floating lines, smaller tubes and doubles. We have loads of great new fly options available now. The Association water was surprisingly quiet but Alistair Jappy saved the blank again with a super 15 pounder on his favourite deadly 0.75" copper Alistair tube. The fish was hooked in the same pool that his record breaking 27 pounder came from the previous week - Upper Allan. With the river set to drop this week the Association water should fish better. Day tickets are great value for money on this beat at £25 per rod per day, 70yrs and over and 16 and under are half price.

All the deadly flies below are available to buy now right here in a range of sizes so get stuck in, you need an edge! check out all our flies as we have many new options back in stock.

The beautiful Alistair Gold tube

The legendary Willie Gunn Double

Modern Yellow Torrish double

Explosive Flamethrower tube

Deadly Cascade Feeler double

How can you resist these flies...order some now while stocks last!

The Helmsdale river roared back into form this week and the scoring was topped by a magnificent record breaking fish of 27lbs for local angler Alistair Jappy. Water levels have been excellent once again and on Saturday evening the upper Allan pool was looking good when Alistair arrived on the ebb of the high tide. His favourite Alistair fly (3/4" copper tube) was promptly chosen for the slightly peat stained water and 30 minutes later the biggest fish caught on the Association water in recent memory was grassed.

Alistair Jappy with his trophy 27 pounder and Upper Allan pool in the background.

.

The deadly monster catching Alistair tube. BUY HERE NOW - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1214

The private beats also produced many hefty fish in a week where the score probably reached an encouraging 50 off. The biggest came from the rod of David Rand fishing Achentoul rods at 23lbs, the Upper Carew on beat 2 below was the hot spot and it was caught on a willie Gunn Conehead. Achentoul caught 5 that day on beat 2 just before the river started to rise and spoil things. Martin Grant had a 22 pounder on Kildonan rods and other estates reported fish of 20, 18 & 17lbs.

David Rand with his 23 pounder

Association water day tickets are available for only £25 per rod per day - 16yrs and under and 70yrs and over are half price. I think you will agree it is well worth a cast! Call Ron at the Helmsdale Company (01431821372) for all the details and tactics required for a successful day and don't forget to stock up on those deadly Alistair tubes and many more right here - Coneheads were also fishing great last week.

 

 

 

Salmon catches in general eased off last week in the North as water levels fell away and temperatures dropped dramatically. Achentoul rods got off to a flyer on Monday beat 6 on the Helmsdale with 5 fish but unfortunately that was the last scoring day for them. Overall catches were reported at around the 20 mark so you had to work hard for your fish. Anglers were seeing very few fish for the time of the year, I guess we have been spoiled by the greatness of May 2011! Incedentally we have new flies in stock on our homepage, check some of them out here  http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php tiny Crimp coneheads, Classic Alistairs, Posh Willie Gunns!

On the local front, Alistair Jappy dropped in from Sea and quickly added to his tally with a fine 12 pounder from the Sewerage pool (amidst heavy snow showers) one of our deadly Willie Gunn Temple Dogs did the trick tied on a 0.5" copper tube. The weather forecast is for heavy rain early next week so lets hope that there are many more fish waiting for it.

The Helmsdale River Board meeting takes place this week and many will be awaiting the outcome of pressure to tighten up the Helmsdale river spring conservation policy. Spring salmon are declining everywhere especially in Jan, Feb, March and now April it would seem and the current policy which allows you to kill the first one you catch is not acceptable or sustainable. It results in almost 100% catch & Kill for the first 3 months of the season. The whole local economy from ghillies to B & Bs need salmon in the river especially early in the season. Something must be done to help save the future of these priceless fish. With all that is currently against the survival of salmon stocks in general - mortality at sea, strict seal protection, increasing numbers of costal netting stations, sea-lice infestation to name a few. It would seem that we are potentially the last chance they have.

We have a few more cracking fly offers for you (see pics below) - Frances flies tied on Loop doubles will especially appeal to anglers heading abroad to fish in the summer. Loop doubles are very strong and have landed many huge salmon in Russia/Norway etc, they are a great favourite at big fish destinations as are the Frances flies reduced from £34.90 to only £19.90 - BUY NOW CLICK LINK http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1223 We also have Black Boar Shrimp flies on offer - these flies are a more modern version of the legendary Ally's Shrimp fly. Boar bristles in the tail of a fly seem deadly for Summer salmon - you can have a deadly selection for only £16.50 reduced from £30 - BUY NOW CLICK LINK http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1224

We have also taken delivery of a superb new salmon film from Sasha Savic - A Passion Called Salmon. This movie is a "must have" for keen salmon anglers with superb big fish action from famous rivers around the world including the Alta, Yokanga and Grand Cascapedia etc. it also adresses the very serious topic of salmon decline. I have watched it and recommend it highly - BUY NOW CLICK LINK http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1211

Black Boar Shrimp selection

Loop Frances flies

A Passion Called Salmon

 

A long dour spring has finally given way to some action in the North and many who have failed to contact a springer this season have finally hooked up, including myself! but I had to book a week on the Brora river to land 2.

Cracking water on the Upper Cliff pool Brora South bank

Water levels were excellent all week on the Helmsdale but overhead conditions have not been so kind with a stiff raw North Easterly reminding us we are still in April. Barring a rising river on Friday, the river did not go below a foot on the marker so the scene was set for some seasonal sport maybe! The action eventually did arrive but for a lucky few. It was a case of being on the right beat at the right time and beat 6 was the place to be as fish held back from the falls of Kildonan with high water and cool temperatures. Suisgill rods provided the first clue that there were a few more fish starting to enter the system by recording 4 midweek from beat 6. Enter Graham Robertson and Ross Mackay fishing Kildonan rods next day and they would surpass the previous days score with a super 6. Swirl, Little Rock 2, Vale of Tears 2 and the Falls made for a memorable day. Ross & Graham (both from Caithness) have fished the rotation in spring for a few years now and they were due a great day - the fish were there and these guys were well equipped to sniff them out and keep ghillies Martin and Gordon on the hop! Kildonan totalled 8 for the week. Some other rods were lucky, some were not. Count for the week was probably between 25 & 30.

First Brora fish in the net on an Alistair Tiger Tail tube.

The Brora had some high scoring on the upper river and proved that fish were clearly running hard and keeping their noses down. The North bank recorded 4 with 2 to John Mackay, Bill Baxter and Corrie Cormack had one each. Yours truly had 2 and Brother Andy 1 on the South bank. I don't think anybody saw a fish moving all week - 14 sea-liced fish were taken from the upper river on one day whilst the lower river struggled badly, the cool temps were good but high water obviously does not suit the lower Brora! The Oykel reported 24 fish in 4 days so it would seem a run of sorts has arrived.

Keep an eye out for some super fly offers in the weeks ahead as we move around some old and new stock. Listening to all the reports this week it would seem that most fish were taken on floating lines and sink tips with a wide range of flies from doubles to quite large Monkey tubes. The week ahead looks to offer better weather than last so smaller coneheads and size 8/9 doubles should fish well as rivers fine down to excellent levels. The Helmsdale Association water will be a very good bet for sport this week and at only £25 per rod per day you would do well to have a go! Local Robert Mackay had his first of the season midweek at 13lbs. Tickets are available from the tackle shop along with all the flies and tips required for a successful day out.

Tight lines.

 

last week provided around 15 fish for the rotation. Rain on Monday night generated the first real spate of the season but this was not enough to tempt in too many fish. Alistair Jappy had an early fish in the Association water on Monday and this was followed by an unseasonable 2lbs grilse to the rod of Mick Butterly. High water spoiled things on Tuesday and the rest is history! It is very evident that few fish are on the coast and we are experiencing a very quiet April.

Check out out latest short action movie below - some great salmon & sea-trout action on our flies. With special thanks to Damian McColgan for puting it together AND catching lots of huge fish!

 

Dee Mc Colgan , Ron Sutherland & Pablo Hevia showcasing flies from The Helmsdale Company with special guests the MacKenzie DTX crew.

The fly BOGOF is now closed - many thanks to all who took the opportunity to stock up.

 

 

We have our traditional fly BOGOF ( buy one get one free) in operation this week starting right now....this has caused some slight confusion in the past but in order for you to get what you want please note that whatever flies you order - this quantity will simply be doubled up. Happy hunting - a fab chance to stock up on a few flies! take advantage while stocks last or you may be unlucky.

The fishing is still on the quiet side here right now, I have an estimated 13 fish off for the week which won't go down in history as being one of the most memorable April weeks! this week last year produced around 30. The river has generally been in good order holding at around 9/10" but there are few fish entering the system it would seem, yet!

Fishing Badanloch rods, Adam Macdonald got the ball rolling Monday with a super 15 pounder from beat 4 above on a Temple Dog tube, the same party had to wait until late on Friday to meet another taker and it was Callum Gillies who landed his first Helmsdale fish from the Dyke pool beat 6. Adam then followed with another sea-licer from the fall pool. Encouraging numbers of fish were seen on the day.

Achentoul rods also had 2 from beat 6 and 1 out of the tail of the Shepherds beat 5 for ghillie George Hardy. Tara Parker saved the blank on Torrish rods with an 8 pounder and Husband Tom further eased the pressure with a sea-licer from Johnny Gordons beat 2 below. John Young and Roy Bagnall had a couple on Kildonan rods but it was all very hard work!

The Association water should offer a great chance next week if the water and cool temps holds and I think the river in general will fish ok with hopefully upwards of 15 in the book. Time will tell...

We have a great new salmon fishing DVD available, A Passion Called Salmon, 70 minutes of action to keep you engrossed! Buy on-line here now for £24.99. All proceeds from this film will be used for the ongoing efforts to protect and save Atlantic salmon.

More big news is that I can tie you up some of our new Tiger Tail tube flies as my list of orders is now under control. Check out the pic our awesome Flamethrower 3/4" tube below, all tubes are tied in this style...

Choose from the following list of TT tubes - all in copper, £3.50 each

Flamethrower TT 3/4"

Halley's Comet TT 3/4"

Willie Gunn TT 3/4" - 1"

Black & Yellow TT 1/2" - 1" - 1.5"

Alistair TT 1/2" - 1" - 1.5"

To order these please drop me an e-mail or call the shop on 01431821372

Deadly Halley's Comet invented by Mike Shepley

 

 

SIMMS + RODS & REELS, LINES SALE, check out our lists below for some great deals - please mail us or call the shop on 01431821372. Postage at cost.

SIMMS STOCK –                                                            WAS               NOW

RIVERTEK BOA BOOT – Lt Brown                                  £189.00           £150

UK Mens 9   EU 43

UK Mens 10 EU 45                                                        

UK Mens 11 EU 46

UK Mens 12 EU 47

FREESTONE BOOT – VIBRAM                                         £149.00           £120

UK Mens 9   EU 43

UK Mens 10 EU 45

UK Mens 11 EU 46

UK Mens 12 EU 47

FREESTONE STOCKINGFOOT ( new model )                    £249            £199

Brown M  

Brown XL

RIVERSHED BOOT STUDDED AQUASTEALTH          £149.00           £99

UK 7 EU40

GUIDE BOOT STUDDED FELT                                         £149.00           £99

UK 7 EU 40

UK 8 EU 42

GUIDE BOOT  FELT            UK 7 EU 40 x1                                 £179.99            £149

GUIDEBOOT  FELT  UK 6 EU 39                  

FREESTONE 11 STOCKINGFOOT            (grey model)             £199.99            £150

LK   

XL   

XXL

GUIDE STOCKINGFOOTS G3                                           £399.00           £350

XXL

LL (12-13 foot)

GUIDE STOKINGFOOTS G4                                             £549.00           £350

MK Sterling

Women’s HEADWATER SAGE (s)                                £349.85           £299

HEADWATERS L SAGE                                               £329.85           £280

L2 STOCKINGFOOTS Sterling XL                               £249.00           £199

 SIMMS ACCESSORIES STOCK                                                       WAS                NOW

SIMMS WADING SOCKS                                                   £19.99             £15

Large

XL 

RIVERSHED SWEATER                                                  £119.00           £65

Sterling Lrg

Sterling M

RIVERSHED CARDI x Large Brown                                  £149.00           £80

HEADWATER TACKLE BAG                                       £119.95           £95

SIMMS WADERWICK LAYERING                                  £29.95             £15

Crew Top –

Small

Med

Large

XL

Bottom –

Small

XL

SIMMS CHUNK KNIT BEANNIE                                     £27.95             £15

 Black or Sterling

SIMMS VISOR BEANNIE                                                  £27.95             £15

 Grey or Green

FREESTONE CONVERT GLOVE/MIT                              £29.00             £20

Lrg 

Med

XL 

STRETCH NECK GAITOR - Black                                £17.95             £15

GUIDE FLEECE BIB (All in 1)                                            £79.00             £55

Lrg

XL

Sm

RODS AND REELS                                                                        WAS                NOW

TROUT

SHAKESPEARE Trout 3pc 9’6 wt – Reel and line Combo    £74.99             £

SHAKESPEARE Odessy 9ft 3pc - Reel and line Combo        £69.99             £

DAIWA Trout 10ft 7wt 3pc                                             £99.00             £85

DAIWA Trout 10ft 8wt 3pc                                             £99.00             £85

VISION 3pc 10ft Fast Action                                          £175.00           £99

KOLA Salmon / Sea trout 9ft 4pc 7wt                                  £149.00           £99

SALMON                                                                                          WAS                NOW

BLOKE SPEYMASTER 15ft AFTM 10/11 3pc                   £299.00          £ 199

HELMSDALE CLASSIC 13’6 9/10 3PC                             £549.00           £449.00

MacKENZIE DTX 16ft 11wt 4pc with FREE DTX line        £685              £450

MacKENZIE DTX 14ft 36-40g 4pc FREE 3x Shooting Heads £650         £430

MacKENZIE SIGNATURE 16ft 11/12                                £499.00           £350.00

SHAKESPEARE ORACLE 14ft with FREE floating line                            £110.00

KOLA Salmon 14ft #9 8.7oz 4pc                                          £299.00           £150.00

SHAKESPEARE EXPIDITION 13ft 6pc 9wt                                    £84.99             £75

BRUCE & WALKER SPEYCASTER 14ft 9wt 4pc                        £425.00           £350

GUIDELINE AWM 14’9 10/11                                            £299.00           £200.00

HELMSDALE CLASSIC B & W 12’6 8/9                                       £549.00           £300.00

BLOKE XL50 13’6 4pc                                                         £299.00           £199

SHAKESPEARE EXPEDITION 15ft 10wt 6pc                     £94.99             £85

 

REELS                                                                                   WAS                NOW

SHAKESPERE PFLUGER TRION 10/12 7.8oz                  £119.00           £105

MUSTANG REEL SPRING DRAG 6/7                              £15.00             £

ALPHA FLY 5/6 x2                                                               £19.99             £

SHARPES OF ABERDEEN Belmont Duo 4/6                    £45.00             £35

WILDERNESS 200                                                         £26.99             £

WILDERNESS 300                                                           £29.99             £

SHAKESPEARE PFLUGER TRION 9/10 6.9oz                £104.99           £89

VISON KOMA 7/8 and 6/7                                               £69.99             £65

LOOP CLASSIC 5/8R Trout                                                             £399.00           £250        

LOOP EVOTEC HD196 9/13L                                             £349.00           £299

VISION DEEP 11 Black                                                   £64.99             £

GUIDELINE REELMASTER LA911                            £159.99            £140

Lines

Carron Jetstream original (Int) 11/12 85ft long belly head. Was £89.99 - Sale - £75 superb big river line!

Rio Spey VersiTip 8/9 UK Power Spey (63ft head 42gm). Was £129 - Sale - £75 to clear

Rio Spey VersiTip 9/10 Shooting head kit (39ft head 38gm). Was £99 - Sale - £69 to clear

Shakespeare Worcestershire DT11 float 38yds. Was £45 - Sale - £25 to clear

Ian Gordon Partridge Spey (med head) 11/12 intermediate. Was £60 - Sale - £25 to clear

Scientific Anglers Mastery series backing 250yds 50lbs. Was £44.90 - Sale - £25 to clear

Shakespeare Wercestershire DT12 med Sink 38yds Was £45 - Sale - £25

 

 

 

 

On holiday - report to follow ... As far as I know there were 10 fish off last week. Kildonan rods had the best of it catching 2 on beat 6 and 3 on beat 5 the next day. The association water provided 1 fish while the river was still low. We have super water now after heavy snow and rain, unfortunately the river height has been very unsettled leading to very little action. Either there are very few fish around or the unsettled conditions are putting them off! This week will be interesting and should easily produce 20 fish or more.