09/03/2008

The Helmsdale River is now on 10 fish off,

The Helmsdale River is now on 10 fish off, last week providing 9. Beats 5 + 6 are giving most fish as they seem to be moving through the lower river at pace. Pick of the bunch was a fine 16 pounder by Don Mackay from Caithness of beat 3 - and Paul Young got in on the act also on beat 6 with a bonny 8 pounder from the Church streams - Paul was trying out my latest new secret pattern, as you can see, it worked first time out! I may show it off here this week sometime....watch this space. Check out my Mad March deals below - the Vision Bootfoots are awesome

New Vision Extreme Bootfoot breathable waders with new zip front - £229

Vision Emerger II Grip dual sole wading boot stitched felt/studded - £59

All Deerhunter jackets & trousers half Price while stocks last.

Fishing Jackets from Guideline Vision, Loop, Simms, Scierra, Daiwa half price for first 3 interested customers in the door – better be fast for this deal!

Guideline XL Breathable Stockingfoot waders – half price

New Scott Mackenzie Signature 15ft salmon rods 5 & 3 piece - £425

Free Scot Mackenzie Spey casting Masterclass DVD with these rods

Guideline AWM shooting head system Rod 14’9” reel - lines - £299

Shooting heads are a great option to have in reserve when extra distance is required.

Call me for a demo on these amazing distance casting rods.

Loop Adventure salmon kit 15ft rod/reel/line/rod case – Special price £299

Loop G3 15ft/13’2, Vision Koma, Rio Windcutter ready to fish Now- £299

Daiwa Exceler 14ft salmon, rod case – Special price - £159

Helmsdale Classic salmon rods by Bruce & Walker slashed by £150 - £299

Shakespeare salmon rods from £59

Second hand LTS X1 17ft 4pc (Mint) Crazy half price cash - £450

Salmon lines slashed with every rod purchase

Rio Windcutter Spey – £59.95 Now 39.95

New Rio Skagit shooting Spey – was £59.95

Shakespeare Double taper 9s, 10, 11, 12s £39.95 Now £29.95

Loop Quattro Tip - £95 Now £69.95

Carron Jetstream Spey lines £75 Now £59

Ian Gordon Spey lines - £39

Scientific Anglers DT trout lines £24.95 Now £19.95

Rio Mainstream trout lines DT & WF £29.95 Now £24.95

Many more rods & reels from Vision, Loop, Shakespeare, Leeda, Airflow, Daiwa

Daiwa Seahunter boat rod + free Accudepth Reel with line counter – Special - £69

Shakespeare Tidewater Flotation Suits – were £80 Now - £49

Many more crazy deals!

Dunrobin St – Helmsdale

Call Ron on – 01431821372 Mob - 07780861466

Published on Sunday 9 March 2008 by Ronald Sutherland

06/03/2008

The Helmsdale has come to life at last.

The Helmsdale has come to life at last and the total to date is now 5. Since Martin Grant landed the first last week on Tuesday the going has been tough. I fished on the Torrish rods for the week with nothing to show but kelts and no other fresh fish were taken. On Saturday (Bt 1) I even had the mighty 3 times World Spey casting Champ Scott Mackenzie up to cover the water with his friend Nobuo the managing director of CND fishing tackle all the way from Japan - two fabulous anglers, still nothing! It was a great pleasure watching Scott expertly cover the water with ease and I would recommend his new instruction DVD to any standard of Spey caster. You can purchase it on this site of-course and it is worth every penny.

This week things are all change. After a big river on Saturday the water dropped to approx 1ft 6 on Monday and surprisingly 3 fish were landed. Regular on the spring score sheet Andy Sutherland took the first in little Rock - beat 6 at 9.5lbs on a red Snaelda PBP ( see it on site ). Beats 3 and 5 provided fish for another local Robert Mackay ( Tail of the Bay 7lbs ) and Mr Thomas Achentoul rods (6.5lbs) in Kilearnan bridge.

Today ( Tuesday ) Andy Sutherland caught another super sea-liced 12 pounder, the Killearnan Bridge pool on Bt 5 amazingly providing the sport once again. New female Torrish Ghillie Jean Bain expertly netted the fish for Andy and it was returned safely.

Published on Thursday 6 March 2008 by David Mason

27/02/2008

The first Helmsdale salmon of the season

First Fish off.....

The first Helmsdale salmon of the season has been landed at long last by Kildonan head ghillie Martin Grant. "Marti" netted the prestigious Bridge Hotel trophy for the second time by catching his fish ( 7.5lbs ) on the Manse pool on beat 6, a conehead fly constructed from his own vice did the trick.The fresh run fish had a serious bleeding seal wound to the back of the head. This is a pretty late start for the Helmsdale which is renowned for producing salmon as early as January, hopefully this will jump start the season. Scores to date in the Highlands are - Morriston 6, Brora 4, Thurso 2, Borgie, Naver, Halladale & Helmsdale 1 each. Marti also wins a fine bottle of local Clynelish whiskey donated by Helmsdale River Board manager Sir Michael Wigan.

Published on Wednesday 27 February 2008 by David Mason
Last edited on Wednesday 27 February 2008 by David Mason

11/02/2008

The River Helmsdale is as dead as a dodo!

The River Helmsdale is as dead as a dodo!

water levels and temperature have been excellent since the middle of the week but there are simply no fish around. Most rods have fished the best beats hard this week only to land kelts. There are obviously spring salmon arriving on the east coast of Scotland, we only need to cross the Moray firth and nip around the corner to Aberdeen to see the evidence, 85 salmon off the Dee since opening day 8 fishing days ago ( many fish in the 20lb range + a 42 pounder ). If things don't pick up on the Helmsdale in the week ahead - alarm bells will be ringing! If you have a fishing trip planned, now is the time to brush up on your casting technique by watching the experts on DVD and stock up with some bright new flies. Please call the shop if you require any information regarding fishing tackle as we can offer great combo prices on almost any brand or single purchase. I have recently treated myself to the new Scot Mackenzie Signature Series 15ft rod from Daiwa, I can honestly say it is as good a rod as I have ever used for Spey or overhead casting sinking lines. If you want to try it out, be my guest and pop along to the shop - from around £390 it can stand shoulder to shoulder with rods at double the price!

Published on Monday 11 February 2008 by Ronald Sutherland

28/01/2008

Another week has passed on the Helmsdale with no sign of a fish

Another week has passed on the Helmsdale with no sign of a fish. It is still early days of course and high water levels have washed out the last few but temperatures have increased and prospects are looking more favourable for the week ahead. If all rods fish and water levels continue to drop I fancy this week could provide our first fresh runner. Today ( Jan 27th ) the river is at a season high 43 degrees - air temp 50, this will certainly draw fish in.

However - There is an added incentive to get the rod out early this year, the lucky angler who captures the first salmon will receive an extra £100 tackle voucher from the Helmsdale Tackle Shop as well as all the other goodies on offer – but there is a catch! The salmon must be returned safely to pick up the extra Tackle Shop bonus.

Please handle such fish with great care and take some photos quickly for verification if you are fishing on your own (everyone has a camera nowadays right!). Cameras, weigh-nets and catch & release tools are as commonplace now with the modern angler as priests and scissors once were.

If there is another angler in the vicinity to help this may also give you the opportunity to take a quick scale sample from just below the back of the dorsal fin for valuable research. If you are lucky enough to catch a fresh run springer there is usually no doubt of the fact and sea-lice are often evident.

Successful spring salmon fishing on our great rivers is vital to the Scottish economy; it directly affects the viability of all rural businesses, accommodation, shops, bars and of course the local tackle shop at a slow time in the calendar year. This in turn has an economic knock on effect for us all whether you fish or not.

It is common knowledge that Spring salmon numbers returning to our rivers is approaching an all time low and we all need to do our bit to help bring back stocks – this is the tackle shop "bit" - for a very important stock fish!. Incidentally, I will personally be returning all springers that I may or may not be lucky enough to catch in the future; hopefully my camera will be well used!

Of all the rivers in Scotland the river Dee is the model which has shown the most significant turnaround in spring salmon numbers. The action was direct and in 1995 the unpopular “catch & release” was pioneered – they have not looked back since and expect to (and do) catch many fresh run salmon on each season opening day on February 1st and continue with good numbers throughout the spring. The river Helmsdale also provides a commendable record of “fair play” and “conservation” for its anglers and release rates are currently high and on the increase. The Tackle shop is very happy to further support in this encouragement so get those rods out, return that springer and pick up your bonus! Tight lines.

Permits for the Association water are currently available so have a day out on the water anytime. Chances are very good on this beat at this time and 3 years ago the first fish was caught in the Flat pool at the top of the beat. Tickets cost £26 per rod and you can pick them up at the tackle Shop from 10am until March when the shop opens from 9am.

Published on Monday 28 January 2008 by Ronald Sutherland
Last edited on Tuesday 29 January 2008 by Ronald Sutherland

23/01/2008

Helmsdale River opening 2008

A record gathering of 170 rods signed in for a free cast on the river Helmsdale today. Fabulous weather conditions greeted the huge expectant crowd this morning and it was local long serving angler George Sutherland who had the honour of casting the first fly. River board manager Sir Michael Wigan welcolmed everyone, wished them good luck, and stressed that kelts should be returned with care.

The water level was a very encouraging 1ft 8 and dropping fast, the water temperature however was a bone-chilling 35 degrees. Unfortunately no springers were reported at the end of the day...maybe tomorrow!

George Sutherland (below) casting the first fly above the Telford Bridge on the Association water.

George Sutherland (below) casting the first fly above the Telford Bridge on the Association water.

Published on Wednesday 23 January 2008 by Ronald Sutherland

23/01/2008

Helmsdale River opening 2008 Day Two

Day two of the free fishing saw another large turnout on the river with many anglers fishing the Helmsdale for the first time. After an early frost, fishing conditions were favourable once again as the river had dropped to around 1ft 3, The only negative aspect being the water temp - a mere 35 degrees. With river water temperatures so low we do not expect too many spring salmon to be coaxed out of the warmer sea so it was no surprise that the day provided another blank. If the forecast is correct we should experience milder conditions this week ahead.....I might just be forced to have an odd cast in my lunch breaks, watch this space!

Many thanks to all who attended yet again to make the past three days a spectacular occasion for the village.

Published on Wednesday 23 January 2008 by Ronald Sutherland

23/01/2008

The first full week of the season 2008

The first full week of the season has come to an end and we have nothing to show for it. There have been 5 rawners (male) and 1 baggot (female) reported caught but no sign of any fresh run salmon yet. The amount of rawners caught this season is high and is a sure sign of the seasonal change we are witnessing everywhere. The river temperature has been a consistently low 35 - 36 degrees all week which is around 2 degrees lower than the temperature of the inner Moray Firth, I fear we will not see too many springers enter the system until river temps rise.

Fly of the Month - The Willie Gunn (below), in any shape or form, this fly is an early Spring legend fished on a fairly large tube.

Click here for the Helmsdale Company website

Published on Wednesday 23 January 2008 by Ronald Sutherland

09/12/2007

New Helmsdale Angling Club Formed

For details and the latest fishing report click on Helmsdale Company >>>

Published on Sunday 9 December 2007 by Ronald Sutherland
Last edited on Saturday 15 December 2007 by Ronald Sutherland