Salmon catches in general eased off last week in the North as water levels fell away and temperatures dropped dramatically. Achentoul rods got off to a flyer on Monday beat 6 on the Helmsdale with 5 fish but unfortunately that was the last scoring day for them. Overall catches were reported at around the 20 mark so you had to work hard for your fish. Anglers were seeing very few fish for the time of the year, I guess we have been spoiled by the greatness of May 2011! Incedentally we have new flies in stock on our homepage, check some of them out here  http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php tiny Crimp coneheads, Classic Alistairs, Posh Willie Gunns!

On the local front, Alistair Jappy dropped in from Sea and quickly added to his tally with a fine 12 pounder from the Sewerage pool (amidst heavy snow showers) one of our deadly Willie Gunn Temple Dogs did the trick tied on a 0.5" copper tube. The weather forecast is for heavy rain early next week so lets hope that there are many more fish waiting for it.

The Helmsdale River Board meeting takes place this week and many will be awaiting the outcome of pressure to tighten up the Helmsdale river spring conservation policy. Spring salmon are declining everywhere especially in Jan, Feb, March and now April it would seem and the current policy which allows you to kill the first one you catch is not acceptable or sustainable. It results in almost 100% catch & Kill for the first 3 months of the season. The whole local economy from ghillies to B & Bs need salmon in the river especially early in the season. Something must be done to help save the future of these priceless fish. With all that is currently against the survival of salmon stocks in general - mortality at sea, strict seal protection, increasing numbers of costal netting stations, sea-lice infestation to name a few. It would seem that we are potentially the last chance they have.

We have a few more cracking fly offers for you (see pics below) - Frances flies tied on Loop doubles will especially appeal to anglers heading abroad to fish in the summer. Loop doubles are very strong and have landed many huge salmon in Russia/Norway etc, they are a great favourite at big fish destinations as are the Frances flies reduced from £34.90 to only £19.90 - BUY NOW CLICK LINK http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1223 We also have Black Boar Shrimp flies on offer - these flies are a more modern version of the legendary Ally's Shrimp fly. Boar bristles in the tail of a fly seem deadly for Summer salmon - you can have a deadly selection for only £16.50 reduced from £30 - BUY NOW CLICK LINK http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1224

We have also taken delivery of a superb new salmon film from Sasha Savic - A Passion Called Salmon. This movie is a "must have" for keen salmon anglers with superb big fish action from famous rivers around the world including the Alta, Yokanga and Grand Cascapedia etc. it also adresses the very serious topic of salmon decline. I have watched it and recommend it highly - BUY NOW CLICK LINK http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1211

Black Boar Shrimp selection

Loop Frances flies

A Passion Called Salmon