The fishing is improving each week on the Helmsdale as grilse arrive in good numbers. last week reported the best score of the season providing excellent sport throughout the length of the river. The Association water struggled however, partly due to high water levels early in the week. Visiting anglers boosted the catch on Wednesday with 7 off, myself included, the total for the week was around 15. Once again coneheads scored heavily in the peat stained water but the river is set to fall steadily in the week ahead with very little rain forecast. Lower water is preferred for the Association water and I would predict that the next two week will be the peak scoring weeks of the season.

This week there are few photo's but I have acquired a GoPro so we have a link to some action from the Association water here - https://vimeo.com/45763675 - In the short film I am testing the superb new Loop Cross S1 salmon rod and a new budget salmon reel from Vision - both were quite superb in action and for £60 the vision Deep reel was as good as many more expensive reels on the market, good capacity on a u shaped arbour, tight drag system and it looks the part. The loop S1 is as good a rod as you will ever cast, http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1271 so light you can cast single handed and the 3M technology (same as in Hardy Sintrix rods) makes it super strong when a big fish turns up and effortless when you need to cast that extra long line. We also have a full range of budget 4pc Loop XACT rods in stock from £277 - 12ft 6 - 15ft.

Ron's new Rainbow conehead Flamethrower tube which is working great right now.

I note the Helmsdale District Fishery Board have gone live with a new website here - http://helmsdale.dsfb.org.uk/ However, the current river information is a little baffling stating that it is the second longest river in Scotland with a main stem of 107 miles?