It’s been a tough season so far on the Helmsdale and by the sound of it it’s been the same everywhere apart from one or two exceptions. But, fish are arriving in better numbers now with around 20 off the whole river this week. Some nice sea licers are being caught and seen on the Association water now too which suits low water conditions and Andy Sutherland is taking full advantage with his season tally up to 12. Sunray Shadow season has begun in ernest too with fish chasing and hammering them on the surface. The next spate should really get things going so have your rod at the ready wherever you are, the fishing season is about to crank up.

The Helmsdale company have all the flies you need and more to make sure you have success when you step on the water. Check out our cracking fly selections which are all discounted and have a good look through our many fly categories to find your favourites. If we don’t have certain flies in stock just drop us an email and maybe we can tie some up for you. 

Check out what we have been tying up below for the mighty Alta and Gaula in Norway, some serious flies!

RS Tigertail

RS Tigertail coppertubes 3 - 5" on the varnishing bench

RS SuperSquid Phatagorva Blue

Tiger Monkey, Solar Monkey & Stealth green solar monkey

The fishing is still not great anywhere right now, sunny and dry weather partly to blame I guess and the Helmsdale only managed around a dozen fish off including the Association water. It looks like a better fishing week ahead so hopefully a few more fish turn up.

On a more exciting note we have launched a stunning new Monkey tube tied stealth style which has proved to be hugely popular on our Cascade and Willie Gunn tubes, These little beauties are tied on 1/2" tubes with 2 options of black or orange extension tubing and with or without tube doubles. Serious tubes for the large atlantic salmon which will be entering our rivers through May/June. You definately need some in your flybox!

RS Stealth Monkey in both options

Water levels were all over the place last week but the Association water has been giving a few nice fish. Adam Macdonald had a lovely well worked fish in the Sewerage pool wich was finally grassed after rising to 3 different flies. Alistair Jappy also got in on the act with another cracking springer from the tail of the Flat pool on Helmsdale's best kept secret fly, the Alistair Squirrel tail conehead. There have been a few more off and the upper beats have also been working away.

Perfect timing for one of out deadliest and most handy discounted fly sets perfect for May/June full of RS Specials which will cover different water heights to maximise your chances of catching salmon on any river.

Read all about it and buy now here by clicking the link before we sell out of them - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-may/june-deadly-dozen

RS May/June Deadly Dozen

The Helmsdale had around a dozen fish off last week so nothing really to get too excited about. Nothing has been caught on the upper beats yet either which is surprising, there is just no great bulk of fish around anywhere really.

We still have our spring 3 + 1 deal running so its still a good time to stock up on your killer flies.

As you may have seen on our home page we have added a few more new flies and one has been a bit of a secret killer for years, the Alistair squirrel tail pictured below. We now have them for sale in many options for you to try too in coneheads or tubes. You can buy them from our homepage.

It has been very dour on the Helmsdale lately and last week there were no fish off in great conditions for Monday & Tuesday. Action finally started on Wednesday in the face of adversity when Andrew Thomas landed the first of the week from the Pipe pool beat 2 on a rising river. Thursday served a high river but when things settled a little on Friday there were fish there.

Six fish were caught on Friday & Saturday on beats 3, 2 & 6 with the highlight being a super 14 pounder out of the little Rock pool beat 6 for Gavin Perry.  Andy Sutherland just had to make the report again with fish off the tail of the bay and Kilphedir to end a much better week with 7 landed.

Don't forget we are still running our "buy 3 get 1 free" on all flies apart from our selections which are already discounted so get a few of our killers in your box to help you bend into that fabulous spring salmon!

Click on this link to our homepage to see all our fly categories and start shopping for your freebee flies - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php

Some of Ron's most recent workon the vice.

Andy's superbly conditioned 10 pounder from Kilphedir

The touch paper has not yet been lit on the Helmsdale as another disappointing week passes. A high unsettled river was the problem in the second half of the week but the river was in good order for the first 3 days. The blank was saved yet again by that man Andy Sutherland. A late call for an afternoon cast on beat 6 on Thursday, with the river rising, had Andy homing in on the Little Rock pool off the South bank. Another strategic decision which rewarded with a lovely 10 pounder. Apart from that there were a few more kelts caught but the springers are not there in any numbers yet.

Don't forget about our popular spring 3 + 1 deal which is running right now. it may be quiet on the Helmsdale but some superb salmon are being caught on our flies all over the Uk.

Hit this link to start shopping for your free flies, every 3 you buy, we give you one free, its that simple - shop now here for the best salmon flies you can buy - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php

Some of our latest awesome RS salmon tubes

Anglers were handicapped with very low icy temps and snow last week so results were not going to be good. I heard of 1 fish off beat 6 on Monday before the ice and snow really set in.

Next week looks cold again to begin with but later in the week I think we are set for a big thaw and big rivers. This should really get the spring season going so its looking good to get the rod out if you have not already had a go. End of March into April is traditionally when we see a decent run of salmon entering our rivers so it is a lovely time to be out on the water as you know there are definately more fish running.

We have our popular 3 + 1 fly deal running right now to help you on your way with fly selection so its a good time to grab a few free Willie gunns and Monkey tubes which are legends of spring salmon fishing!

Here is the link to our homepage where we have lots of goodies for you but don't forget to have a proper look through our fly categories to pick your favourites too - grab your free fies right here when you buy 3 or more or any multiples of 3 - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php

One of our greatest spring flies - the Rs Willie Gunn Special yellow which you gan grab on our 3 + 1 deal.

The Helmsdale had a very surprising blank week last week. Conditions overhead were very calm and the river was settled but on the low side and although all rods were fishing hard, no springers were reported. Kelts were also very scarce so sport in general was all rather dour. A big high pressure was hovering over the North all week too and that never helps fishing.

But, to brighten up the season ahead we have launched our hugely popular "buy 3 get 1 free" deal on all flies. Simply put, for every multiple of 3 flies you buy, any size, we add another for free so this is a great time to stock up your flybox with our world renowned flies.

Start your shopping for free flies right here - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php

Tight lines

Ron

Andy Sutherland saved the blank for the week on the Helmsdale with a sparkling springer from Lower Caen on beat 1 at 8lbs. The river was high so the South bank was chosen to fish one of his favourite pools through the beautiful inside track away from the main flow of the North bank. A monkey conehead was chosen and it was not long before his decision was rewarded.

A disappointing week for the river but the form was on par with most other rivers where fish were also few and far between. With high pressure set to dominate the forecast for the next week, the river should settle nicely and hopefully some more fish arrive. Watch this space!

We are very busy with flies and accessories right now and our Gaelforce salmon lines are proving to be a best seller. You will not find a more slick salmon line. The integrated Spey and shooting head lines are a dream to cast even with a sinking tip and conehead or weighted tube attached. This is the perfect setup for most of the spring and we have it all right here for you. We all love salmon fishing, make it a better experience and fish with the best line out there.

Grab the best line you will ever buy below in 2 options.

Gaelforce Integrated Shooting head - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/gaelforce-equalizer-integrated-shooting-head-pro-choice.html

Gaelforce Integrated Spey line - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/gaelforce-equalizer-spey-line-pro-choice.html

Check out some of our latest orders below which we are flying out and you will find all of them on the website.

RS Pure Gold Monkey coneheads

The Helmsdale finally woke up last week and Graham Nichols had the honour of catching the first fish off the river from the Church Streams beat 6 at 8lbs. The next day Jean Bain caught an almost identical fish in the pool above at the Swirl to make it No 2.

Stuart Foxall had one backing up the Old bridge pool on beat 4 and not to be outdone, Andy Sutherland landed a thumping 18 pounder from Eldrable pool beat 2 to make it 4 off for the week.

Other rivers are catching too but not many. Only 3 or 4 off the Dee for the week, 6 reported from the Tweed, 5 from Tay and the Spey had its first 2 fish yesterday from Aberlour and Craigellachie.

The good news is that there are now some lovely spring salmon in our rivers and one would presume that the fishing will only get better week on week. On that note we have added another great looking RS fly design to our offering to help you tempt a stunning springer to the net, The RS Pure Gold Solar Monkey, see below...it is not cheap or easy to construct with expensive real junglecock and Solar flanks but we think it is worth it!

You can buy it now right here in 2 sizes - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-pure-gold-solar-monkey

The 18 pounder from Andy Sutherland

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