We have a Loop demo day at the Helmsdale Highland games fly casting competition on Saturday 18th August.

Come and try your hand at casting for distance and accuracy using the latest rods from Loop.

We will have the new 3M Loop Cross S1 models on show to try out.

There will be prizes in Open and Confined competitions for the following

Salmon for distance
Trout for Distance
Trout Accuracy

Competitions start from midday, be great to see you there.

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We can now say with confidence that the peak of the summer run was the second week in July on the Helmsdale and Brora, just like old times but the last two weeks have been pretty good if not patchy and nothing to write home about. The Association water has fished steadily and anglers who are putting in a good shift are being rewarded. Visitor numbers on this water peaked in the last week of July and regular Robert Orr probably had the best of it with steady action and landing 4 on Baby Tds and Alistair tubes. Tim Piers Gamble visiting from the States had his first Atlantic salmon in Lower Allan after only 1 hour on the water at 6lbs and he had never cast a double handed rod or fished for salmon before. He was expertly guided by yours truly ofcourse but he did a great job after rising the fish twice, it was landed in 5 minutes and very much enjoyed in La Mirage in the evening. The killer fly - Alistair tube.

Tim with first fish, Lower Allan pool in the background

Another highlight from last week was an unforgettable day on beat 1 for local twins Alistair & William Jappy fishing Badanloch rods for the day with 15 salmon mostly fresh, some estate rods dod not come close to this total for the whole week! great to see locals getting a cast on the private water and boy did they make the most of it. Baby Tds once again doing most of the damage.

I have not missed out on the action either as you can see here - https://vimeo.com/46907736 a nice 6 pounder lunging at the dropper ( Loop double Kazcade ) was duly dispatched for the successful Harbour day Lifeboat raffle. Tackle was once again the super light Loop Cross S1 14ft and Carron Jetstream line. I have never used such a light and powerful salmon rod, it really is a serious step up from all other rods and an absolute joy to fish with.

Prospects for the week ahead look good with more heavy showers forecast to keep the river topped up. We have a better quality of fish running the river now so the Association water is a very good bet at only £25 per rod per day with over 65s half price and under 16s free. Availability is good so get yourself out on the water.

Derek Macrae  searching for a fish on the local water

The deadly Kazcade fly is turning out to be a real fish catcher, especially if fished on the dropper. Buy online right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1124