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

Partnering with https://salmonfishingholidaysscotland.com/ Superb salmon fishing holidays in Scotland

At last there is a fish off up North with an 8 pounder sea-liced off the Oykel river from the famous Langwell pool. The Dee is picking away amongst others and the mighty Spey opens tomorrow alongside the Findhorn, hopefully more to report from there very soon.

We now have a great deal on our deadly RS Willie Gunn Specials too to help you along. This is one of our SuperTubes invented and designed by Ron a few years ago when he took his favourite legendary Gold Bodied Brora Willie Gunn to a whole new level by adding a little sparkle and shrimp like body along with real junglecock. A true heavyweight spring salmon catcher and his most successful spring tube to date.

We are offering them on a special "buy 3 get 1 free" deal. You just have to buy 3 of any size and we give you another for free, its that simple so don't delay, buy today and snap some up!

RS Willie Gunn Special copper tubes - they look the part and do the business! buy here now - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php

Some nice springers are now being caught on Scottish rivers so the season is hotting up at last. The Helmsdale is still to report a first of the season but it is only a matter of time.

We have another superb new conehead tubefly online from today and hot off Rons vice, The RS Stealth Cascade which was just made for spring salmon fishing. With a 1" body and 3" hairwing you can fish this stunner in almost any water height right through Feb, March and April/May. We do not have many tied up so if you like the look of them then you best order as soon as you see them! Plenty of hook options too and if you want black instead of clear extension tubing just let us know in the comments section when ordering.

Buy the RS Stealth Cascade right here from our homepage - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php

A few pics

As far as I know there are only 3 spring fish off the mighty river Tay so far and thats it.

But, Another 2 sleeping giants open their waters to salmon anglers this week along with a few others. So we are taking this opportunity to offer you a great season opening deal on a stunning RS salmon fly, our Golden Willie Gunn SuperKrill.

Salmon feed on Krill at sea and their large black eyes are a stand out feature as you can see from the pic below. Ron has added this deadly “black eye” feature to his best selling SuperSnaelda salmon series and now his deadly Golden Willie Gunn Feeler tubes incorporate this striking focal point for salmon to hit. So, why don’t you grab a few to try on our special offer for the big opening weeks ahead. Just £2.99 each and available in 5 sizes, a great deal on a unique fly for 1 week only.

Grab some right here at this great price before we sell out, click here to buy - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-golden-willie-gunn-krill-pro-choice.html

RS GWG SuperKrill

The Helmsdale is still very quiet with just a few kelts showing up and bending the odd rod. Conditions are very good so it is only a matter of time before a textbook springer shows up.

We have added a superb new reel to our website, the Vision Hero 10/11 which is great value for money and a solid powerful reel at that, perfect for 14 & 15 ft salmon rods. We are also offering it with one of our super popular Gaelforce lines and Rio backing all set up to make life very easy for you. We will rig it up ready to fish if you require in any Spey or shooting head  line option in the 10/11 range, just take your pick from the drop down box right here - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/new-vision-hero-salmon-reel-10/11

New Vision Hero reel

The Helmsdale river is well and truly open after the customary first cast and large turnout and the chase for the first fish is on. Conditions have been good with excellent water levels feeding all the large classic spring pools. Kelts have been thin on the ground this year so there is not a lot of action yet but the river is fishing beautufully by all accounts and it is just a matter of time before a lucky angler bumps into a fresh runner.

Our big raffle for the 'salmon season in a box' was drawn on opening day and the winning ticket went to Mr Ian Stewart from Nairn, well done, you are a very lucky boy! The raffle raised £417 from 139 tickets and Mr Stewart has nominated all of the proceeds to go to the Gamekeepers Welfare trust as his charity.

So, the new season is up and running and more rivers will follow on opening around the country and the first springers on view will probably come from the mighty river Tay tomorrow.

It's time to dust down your gear, get that new line on your reel, grab some sparkling big new spring tubeflies, some new razor sharp hooks and get out on the water somewhere soon, there is nothing like it...and you never know, your line may tighten with the ultimate prize for a salmon angler - a spring salmon fresh from the sea!

As usual, we have all the best flies available for you, greatdiscounted fly selections, tube hooks, nylon, Gaelforce salmon lines, tubefly boxes, rod holders, scissor/pliers, sinking tips, wading staffs, fly tying materials and the ultimate salmon weigh nets from Mclean.

Have a look at our homepage link here - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php  and if you can get past that without grabbing something then I'm sure you will find something else on our site, we have something for everyone, speaking of which, take a look at a snip from Rons tying lately below where you can see a nice mix of flies and styles for orders which just keep coming in....thank you all for your loyal repeat custom and to all our new customers who have found our amazing flies online.

Partnering with https://salmonfishingholidaysscotland.com/ for the best salmon fishing holidays in Scotland.

2 legends from the Highlands of Scotland, the Gold Bodied Willie Gunn and Alistair salmon flies combining for the new season, the RS Highlander is ready to seek out springers!

Grab yours right here - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php