The Helmsdale is slowly easing out of hibernation and 10 fish have now been recorded. One came from the hot beat of the moment last week, beat 6 for Kildonan rods courtesy of Jock Young and ghillie Donald Sutherland landed one for Suisgill rods from beat 2 in Johnny Gordons. Kildonan added another fish today ( Monday 27th ) when ghillie Gordon Trail grassed a sealiced 9 pounder out of the Woody pool beat 3. Remarkably Gordon was fishing a floating line and willie gunn Conehead tube, testament to the extremely mild conditions. With the river around 45 degrees and air temp regularly over 50 fish will most certainly be jumping the Falls of Kildonan and progressing right through the system. Borrobol and Suisgill have rods picked up another couple of fish from beat 6 since last update so we are now on 12. Don't forget, we are still in PRICECRASH mode and you can stock up on top quality spring flies right now on-line while stocks last. This is our longest sale ever and many anglers are taking full advantage, please feel free to tell all your angling friends also.

Torrish Ghillie Jean Bain has landed No 7 today Sat 18th. She hooked the 6lbs sea-liced fish fishing the Swirl on beat 6 from the North bank on a Pot Bellied Pig tube. The river has risen to around 2ft and it is looking very good for next week. Fortunately I am on the Dee from Thursday to Saturday, Little Blackhall & Inchmarlow should also be in great order!

Graham Robertson had his first February springer in his sights when he arrived at the tackle shop. He was heading to beat 6 fishing Kildonan rods and was obviously meaning business as he was also looking for a new net! A lightweight 24" "Fastnet" was purchased, Alistair gold 1.5" copper tube deployed and the result an hour later was this fine 10 pounder. The fish was taken in the Little Rock Pool and is No 6 off the river.

The Alistair Gold copper tube

 

We have dropped the price on some more stunning spring salmon flies including Monkeys, Coneheads and copper/aluminium & tungsten tubes. These are even lower than our "PRICE CRASH" prices so get stuck in and order on-line NOW while stocks last.

 

Rogie Conehead Available in 3/4" slashed to only £2.00

 

 

RS Rogie available in 1.5" Copper down to £1.50

 

 

Ally Dog TD Available in 1/4" Silver conehead or 1/4" gold conehead £1.99

 

 

Mosquito TD Available in 1/2" and 3/4" slashed to £1.99

 

 

Tungsten Mega Monkey available in yellow, orange or green 1" body 6" wing £3.00

 

 

Dee Monkey silver conehead available in yellow or chartreuse 1" body 4" wing down to £3.00

 

 

Dee Monkey gold conehead avalable in orange 1" body 4" wing down to £3.00

 

 

Kola Monkey available in Green 1" body 4" wing £3.00

 

 

Green Highlander TD conehead available in 1/2" or 3/4" smashed to £2.00

 

 

Eternal Optimist available in 2" aluminium and 1" or 1/2" copper with real Jungle Cock only £2.25

 

 

Junction Shrimp available in 2" copper or 2" Aluminium real JC only £2.25

 

 

Black and Orange JC available in all sizes copper or aluminium slashed to £2.25

 

 

Torrish Morangie available in 1/2", 1", 1.5" and 2" copper now only £1.50

 

 

International Torrish Morangie available in copper 2", 1" and 1/2" or aluminium 2", 1.5" and 1" now only £2.25

 

 

Silver Wilkinson available in 2", 1.5", 1" and 1/2" copper or aluminium 2", 1.5" and 1" beautiful spring fly only £1.99 each

 

Our legendary ghillie, pictured below (semi-retired but just cant keep off the river!) Johnny Hardy, guided guest Mr Chris Connorcon right onto a fine springer today 6/2/12 on beat 1. John's pool was the spot and a Willie Gunn copper tube was the fly. Well done to the team and this was no 4 off the Helmsdale, a fine sea-liced 8 pounder.

Later in the day Mr Tony Smith fishing Suisgill rods had a fine 10 pounder from Kilphedir pool beat 2. A monkey bottle tube did the trick. Looks like the springers are on the move! With the river fairly low, the Association water is well worth a cast now for £25 per rod.

Tony Smith with his 10 pounder from Kilphedir

 

We are still in fly "PRICE CRASH" mode please tell all your friends!!

You can see from the 2 Association water pics below that the ice grue has gone today - lets hope it stays that way

Saturday very icy

Tuesday fine!

Here is the latest fishing press release from local Rag...for those of you who don't get it sent out weekly!

Some flies by the vice right now...

Fish number 3 was taken on the Association water 26/1/12. Ex Torrish Ghillie Andy Sutherland had a fish of 9lbs in the tail of the Flat pool (South bank) on one of our Willie Gunn Feeler tubes. This water is currently the best beat on the river and you can fish it for only £25 per rod per day.

The first fish was taken today ( Sat 21st ) by Local Michael Dudgeon. The weather was rough, the river was high but this did not stop Michael from heading to one of his favourite pools on the river, the Tail of the bay on beat 3. Armed with a fast sinking tip and a 2" Millie Gunn copper tube Michael was soon into his 10lbs fresh run springer! we are now off and running!

No 2 has come from the Association water on Monday 23rd - 7lbs caught by Peter Macmillan, the first of the season for this beat! great to see spring salmon are taking advantage of the unseasonably open weather. At £25 per rod per day, the Association water is well worth a cast - tickets available at the Tackle Shop from 9am.

We are still on a spring tube fly "PRICE CRASH" stock up online now while stocks last.

Michael's fish The first springer of the season.

The killer new fly designed by Ron Sutherland - the Millie Gunn. The thinking behind this fly was to upgrade the legendary Willie Gunn with new materials and colours more in tune with the growing female angling fraternity - hence the name "Millie Gunn" as you can see, it works for the lads too!

 

Michael ( below ) receiving the Bridge Hotel trophy and bottle of Clynelish + £100 tackle voucher for returning the fish. Scott Mackenzie (presenting) 3 times World Spey casting champion, was visiting the tackle shop showing off his generation 2 line of hi-spec salmon rods. Scott's rods have been a great success since launch 2 years ago - we now have the new G2 range available which are even more advanced and user friendly. We will have them on-line for sale soon - call Ron for more information.

No fish off yet apart from a couple of farmed and last years models. Some opening day action courtesy of Mike Shepley here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM4oqD0enlw

Day 4 - Saturday, Another very cold but fine day racked the overall number of angler participation to 175 for the 4 free days. Unfortunately no springers were caught! It has generally been an excellent few days for the village with so many anglers flocking to the fishing and staying in local accom. Next week Helmsdale will be back to normal and very quiet as fishing availability returns to almost zero and 2 rods per beat. Day tickets will be available on the Association water however for £25 per rod. The "first fish" prize is still up for grabs and the local mile provides a very good chance early in the season.

Don't forget we are still on spring fly "PRICE CRASH" so stock up NOW!! No other on-line store can offer a better deal on top quality salmon flies...

Day 3 - The river settled to around 2ft today after a hard frost which had rod rings freezing for anglers until mid morning. Reports of a fresh fish lost at the net by Mike Shepley raised spirits but as yet, the first springer remains elusive! however, there is one day left to win all the spoils. The river will drop again tonight and tomorrow it will sit just the way we want it at around 1ft 6! Many more pools will start to fish better including the site of many a first fish capture, Little Rock pool beat 6. I have a good feeling about tomorrow, get over for a cast if you can and remember, it's all free once you register at the Tackle shop. Dont forget our fly PRICE CRASH!!! your chance to stock up! we are open from 8.45am.

Day 2 - A very high river greeted anglers on the second day of the season which spoiled things a little. It was another good turnout for the free fishing but once again only kelts were caught. The weather is set to calm down tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday looks even better. With the river dropping fast, chances should be very good as fishing conditions improve.

Opening day report - Water levels and weather were awesome. William Jappy kicked things off with the first cast but nobody told the fish to turn up! A baggot was caught on beat 1 and another fish awaits the results of scale readings. No springers were caught on opening day.

Don't forget out "PRICE CRASH" on all spring tube flies...check out the website for superb fly deals all spring.

William Jappy launches the traditional first cast of the season.

A large crowd gather for the pipes

The Alistair Tiger tail tube caused havok amongst the kelts!

The Boys enjoyed the sponsors dram from Clynelish!

A baggot from Upper Caen caught by Brian Maskel...the closest we got to a fish on opening day returned.

Tight lines to all who participate in the 4 free opening days.

Massive "PRICE CRASH" from the Helmsdale Company for the new season on all stock spring tube flies in Copper, Tungsten, Aluminium & conehead tubes. New economic price structure and now the lowest priced top quality flies on the market - get stuck in while stocks last - www.helmsdalecompany.com

The Bridge Hotel, Helmsdale are offering deals for the river opening 4 days, £75 Dinner b & b per person per night and you are staying right on the banks of the river. Timespan are selling bacon rolls etc on opening day morning also.
The conditions are fairly mild at the moment with no serious cold snap in the forecast. The river will be totally clear of ice this time round and chances will be excellent. The latest opening day forecast is 11 degrees and very mild, Thursday will be cooler, Friday & Saturday are looking flat calm and should very pleasant. Fishing conditions will be great so get the rod out and come over for that first cast of the season for free!

We are donating to the first fish prize by offering a £100 tackle voucher to the lucky angler who catches, photographs, verifies and safely releases the first springer of the season. Tight lines to all...

I have been informed that there are 3 spring weeks available in March on the full Helmsdale rotation, details below.

Week 1 beginning Feb 27th - 2 rods £1345 inc 2 ghillies

Week 1 Badanloch rods - 1 ghillie, call for details.

Week 2 beginning March 5th - 2 rods £1419 inc 2 ghillies - SOLD

Week 3 beginning March 12th - 2 rods £1722 inc 2 ghillies - (under offer 19/01/12)

Call or mail me for any further details - shop 01431821372 - text me on 07554510036,

We also have news of fishing on the Upper Brora, wk beginning Feb 27th for 4 rods including the lodge, call for details.

Remember there are still have 2 weeks fishing available in early February on Suisgill rods - see below for details.

We have been informed of the following 4 spring weeks salmon fishing available on the Helmsdale river for Season 2012 courtesy of Suisgill estate.
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W/c Monday 16th January – 2 rods on full rotation - SOLD
W/c Monday 23rd January – 2 rods on full rotation - SOLD

Rods available individually at £120 + vat or purchase both for £200 + vat
No accommodation is provided.
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W/c Sunday 29th January – 2 rods on full rotation
W/c Sunday 5th February – 2 rods on full rotation - SOLD

2 Rods salmon fishing available per week for £250 + vat

New Government consultation seeks big changes for Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries act 2003, what effect is it likely to have on the management of Highland rivers - see here for information and a chance to respond - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/12/06081229/7

Check out our fab new Video recording polaroid sunglasses. These will be absolutely superb for capturing all those memorable fishing moments. Treat yourself, these will be all the rage in 2012! we have the cheapest ones on the market.

Ron has been designing some stunning new hybrid tubeflies using dyed zonker strips - they are called "Tiger Tails" (below) He may tie some to order but they won't be cheap!! we hope you like them. Please feel free to comment.

Willie Gunn Tiger Tail.

Alistair Tiger Tail

Black & yellow Tiger Tail

 
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Contact Ron on 01431821372 - e-mail enquiries@helmsdalecompany.com

Check out some great opening day action from spring 2011 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ2auAFfDFc

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The Forss river crashes into the sea on the North Coast of Caithness, a delightful little salmon river where I have had some superb fishing recently. Please take a look at the film and web-site links below.

Helmsdale Company have added the new local Post Office to the Tackle Shop.

Best of luck to wife Karen (left) and niece Yvonne. All smiles so far!

Don't forget to order your boxed Christmas flies online here starting from £10 only. Expect superfast delivery now!! mind you, we are a little busier!

We have some cracking discount Christmas boxed fly selections on offer for your fishing friends fron £10. These selections are made up of flies which have proven their worth and many are new designs exclusive to Helmsdale Company - see below and on our homepage. Buy them here right now while stocks last. We can also send them direct to your friends if you let us have their address whilst ordering.

Don't forget also the superb new fishing DVD featuring Paul Young on the mighty Norwegian river Alta. A super film for a dark winters night from the best atlantic salmon fly river in the world. Buy from our homepage now to secure your copy for Christmas.

Helmsdale specials

International selection

 

 

 

At the recent Board meeting it has been agreed that the river opening days in 2012 will be free to the public for the first 4 days of the new season. The river opens on Wednesday Jan 11th. The free fishing takes place both banks up to the Kildonan falls as usual. Keep an eye here for updates and get your accom booked asap if you are interested in this superb early season opportunity to catch the first salmon in Scotland. Have a look at some of our archive reports for opening day information and pictures.

The Board have also set new Association water visitor ticket prices for next season. In line with the dire state of the economy and a noticable drop in day tickets sold this year, the prices will all come down from £35 per day to £25 flat rate for the whole season. Discounted weekly tickets also drop to £100.

The Angling Club have a meeting this week on Friday 28th at 7.30 in the Bridge Hotel unless otherwise stated here. Dee and Brora spring fishing are on the Agenda amongst other things.

We have some superb new Red Park Shrimp tungsten and copper tubes & Red Monkey bottle tubes for late Autumn fly fishing. Perfect if you are fishing the Tweed, Annan, Nith etc soon. These flies are limited and seasonal so I would advise you snap some up ASAP.

We also have a super new supply for Dyed feelers for salmon flies (below). These stripped dyed cock hackles will take the pain out of tying Frances & Feeler style flies - no more arduous hackle stripping!! just cut them to size and tie the fly!

All new products and flies are available on-line so you can buy them here right now!