Another tough week on the Helmsdale saw 8 fish reported up until Friday night and I have not heard of anything caught on Saturday yet. Borrobol had a fish from beat 1 below Monday and Achentoul ghillie George Sutherland grassed one from Dempsters Wednesday, Suisgill had 2. On Thursday Borrobol rods struck again with 2 from the One Minute Hole beat 4 and Badanloch rods John Browett had a super day with a 15 pounder from way down the tail of Lower Caen followed by another from the Woody pool on the upper beat. Local expert Alistair Jappy was called in as second ghillie for part of the week on Badanloch rods and put John right onto his sea-liced 15 pounder in a spot that is often overlooked unless the river is high.

The river is still low and running on compensation water at around 5". I have never known springtime to be so dry. Floating lines with coneheads and small copper tubes are doing the damage. The deadly Cascade tungsten Conehead (below) is fishing very well - I would get a few ordered while we still have stocks, they are disappearing fast!

Dont forget we are still in "pricecrash" mode on-line with all spring flies. We also heve the new range of Scott Mackenzie shootine lines available, these lines are outselling all lines right now with the exception of the Carron Jetstream. New technology has made casting so easy now with very slick and well balanced lines on shorter heads. Couple these new lines with very lightweight rods and fishing is an absolute pleasure - it's not all about catching fish...but it is nice when you do with little effort and no aching muscles at the end of the day.

Prospects for the week ahead are slightly better than of late with some rain and cooler temperatures forecast.

1. The week starting Sunday 1^st July 2012

Salmon fishing on the River Mallart and Trout fishing on Loch Choire, Loch Truderscaig and Loch Beallach and three further hill lochs. Self catering accommodation for up to 12 guests in Loch Choire Lodge.

Please call for details

 

2. Week starting Sunday 15^th July 2012

Salmon fishing on the River Mallart and Trout fishing on Loch Choire, Loch Truderscaig and Loch Beallach and three further hill lochs. Self catering accommodation for up to 12 guests in Loch Choire Lodge.

Please call for details

Week starting Sunday 26^th August 2012 

Stalking for two rifles, with the expectation of eight stags for the week, Salmon fishing on the River Mallart, Trout fishing on Loch Choire, Loch Truderscaig and Loch Beallach together with three further hill lochs and accommodation for up to 12 guests in Loch Choire Lodge on a self catering basis.

Please call for details, Due to late availability on these weeks the price has been significantly reduced.

 

 

 

25/3/12. Remarkably it would appear that around 12 salmon were caught last wek on the Helmsdale and one of 4lbs pending scale results. A slight lift in the water on Monday was gone by midweek and conditions were back to summer low once again. Visitor Niel Strawson had a day out from the Brora river and caught a sea-liced 7lbs fish from Roaries pool on the Association water on a small Park Shrimp conehead and William Jappy landed a fish of 4lbs with no lice. Due to the small size of this good looking fish, scales have been taken to confirm status. It could well be a 2SW fish or a very early grilse. Suisgill rods took the first fish from above the falls in the Woody pool beat 1 and the week ended on a strong note with 5 fish off on Saturday. The forecast for the week ahead is very settled with a stubborn high pressure in firm charge and no rain in sight. Summer flies will be the order of the day once again with small coneheads, tubes and doubles required on floating lines for the best chance of a fish. We still have a superb set of half price Park Shrimp flies on offer (see below) and all spring flies are still on "Pricecrash" mode to buy right now online.

18/3/12. The total is up to 27 fish after a good start to last week. Suisgill rods had 3 fish from beats 1 & 6, Kildonan took 2 from beat 2, Badanloch (as already mentioned below) had one from Dempsters on beat 4 and Peter Macmillan added what one would call a typical summer sea-liced grilse to the Local tally ( scales to confirm status ) not forgetting Sonny Jappy who had a cracking 10 pounder on Monday. All in all a great start to the week. As the week went on, the water dropped and sport basically came to a halt from Thursday onwards as water levels fell away to around 4ins. With no rain of any consequence on the forecast the prospects look bleak for the week ahead unless compensation water is introduced from Badanloch. Check out our great deal on Park Shrimp flies below for less than half price, snap up a box while stocks last.

In a big new move for the Helmsdale Company portfolio, Ronald Sutherland has now teamed up to consult with the worlds biggest fly manufacturing outfit Fulling Mill. Ronald has agreed to update the Fulling Mill salmon range available to trade dealers/tackle shops worldwide by providing cutting edge new patterns and modernising some old favourites. The new Fulling Mill fly catalogue is due out later in the year and it is set to make a big impact with superb new trout and salmon flies - "this is exciting times for the Helmsdale Company, we have been designing some amazing salmon flies recently with a range of innovative new materials, watch out for the new FM catalogue, the new salmon range will be absolutely stunning" check out the latest Fulling Mill press release here - http://www.fullingmill.com/blog.php?t=Fulling+Mill+team+up+with+Ronald+Sutherland&b=94

A view down Salscraggie pool beat 1 below on Saturday evening, more water required!

We have a superb offer on 12 boxed Park Shrimp doubles for LESS than HALF the advertised price - Normally £43.08 - NOW ONLY £21.50

Sonny Jappy got off the mark early this season with a super sea-liced 10 pounder from the Sewage pool on the Association water. Sonny was fishing on the afternoon ebb of the tide and a 1.5" copper gold bodied Willie gunn did the damage. Tickets for this water are now available for the reduced price of £25 per rod per day following the worst grilse run in memory, let's hope things get back to normal this summer - OAPs and Under 16s are half price. Tickets are available from the Tackle shop and Strathullie crafts.

Badanloch also reported a sea-liced fish from Dempsters pool beat 4 which brings the seasonal total up to 19.

The Killer Gold Bodied Willie Gunn below - now only £1.95

Last week came to a rather surprising and limp end with a blank day on Saturday 10/3/12. The river was still running well at around 8/9" and conditions were mild and overcast but there were no more fish to be found. Generally the river performs much better at this time of the year, infact what we are now catching in March used to be the norm in February. The catches are not too surprising considering the lack of rods fishing 9 miles of water below the falls of Kildonan. Soon the amount of water will more than double for the same quantity of rods and the fish will be even more difficult to find. Interestingly the private rotation works out at 1 rod per 2 miles double bank when the full length of river is populated with salmon. Luxury indeed.

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Andy Sutherland landed his second of the season and No 17 off the river today on the Association water 9/3/12. Huge midday tides, 10ins fresh water on the guage, downstream wind, cloud cover and mild, what more could lure you down for a cast, perfect conditions! Andy wasted no time in landing a cracking 12 pounder full of sea-lice from the Upper Allan pool on a Hot orange conehead Monkey tube, (see fish & fly below) a few more fish were spotted running today so prospects are looking good for the beats tomorrow.

Hot orange conehead Monkey Tube

Duncan Mackay Took No 16 from the Kilphedir pool yesterday beat (2) 8/3/12 a fine sea-liced 12 pounder went in the books for Torrish rods. The river has risen to an excellent height of around 10" so we would expect a good run to enter the system after a long low spell of water.

Spring Fly PRICECRASH still on

Bringing you right up to date - Becky Smith landed a superb 16 pounder from the Flat pool beat 6 yesterday 6/3/12. She was fishing Borrobol rods and Glen Macdonald ghillie was on hand to help land the fish. A dangerous place to play a fish, the Flat pool has seen many fish head down the falls for the sea to disaster but not this time! well done to Becky, keeping a hand in for the ladies amongst a very experienced party of lads .

Badanloch Ghillie Alex Fraser landed the first for his estate on beat 6 at the end of last week to take the river total to 14 for the season (6 off last week) Alex's fish weighed in at 14lbs and was caught in the Flat pool. 

We desperately need water now as the river is sitting at around 4ins. The local water is a good chance in these conditions so worth maybe having a go at £25 per rod. We have all spring tubes on a price crash right now so a good chance to get stocked up!

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Information from Ken Reid River Dee Development officer below that you may be interested in. The Helmsdale Co continually support the river Dee Trust who tirelessly raise funds for worthy river projects.

"As you may have seen in the media the River Dee Trust have recently hosted an auction in London at the home of the Flyfishers Club.

We have shifted 11 out of the 14 River Dee Trust auction lots and have 3 left over-would you be interested in any of them ?

River Reisa (sister river to the Alta)-Any full week between 8^th July and 19^th August-Fishing for one rod, full board accommodation, guide and river boat transportation-Guide £ 4.5 k-will look at any reasonable offer www.reisatua.no

Yokanga River-4^th August to 11^th August or 11^th August to 18^th August-full board and accommodation provided for full weeks fishing for one rod including all helicopter transportation etc-Guide £3.5 k but will look at any reasonable offer www.flyfishyokanga.com

Rio Grande, Tierra Del Fueggo-Fishing for two anglers in the top weeks in February 2013 through Charlie White at Roxtons with full board accommodation, guides and access to 30 miles of the most amazing sea trout fishing in the world-Guide £ 12k but will look at any reasonable offer www.roxtons.com

If so please get in touch

Kind regards

Ken

Ken Reid

Fisheries Development Officer

DDSFB & River Dee Trust Office

Mill of Dinnet, Aboyne

Aberdeenshire, Scotland,AB34 5LA

D +44 (0) 13398 80411

M +44 (0) 7979 878971

E-Mail ken@riverdee.org

www.riverdee.org

www.fishdee.co.uk

River Dee Trust Registered Charity No SC028497

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.