The Helmsdale finally burst into life last week  for Torrish rods at least. After very poor conditions and 2 blank weeks on the river Duncan Mackay got things rolling with a 7lbs fish from lower Torrish beat 3 on Thursday. Duncan quickly followed this up on Friday with his second and the biggest from the river so far this season measuring in at 38" for 21lbs from Kilphedir pool beat 2 . The 2 fish were caught on Willie Gunn Special and Black & Yellow Tiger tail copper tubes (from our shop of course!) You can clearly see the WG Special below still in the mouth of the cracking 21 pounder.

Willie Gunn Special - BUY HERE NOW - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=34

Black & yellow Tiger Tail - BUY HERE NOW -  http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1377

Saturday proved to be the best day of the season and the Torrish rods were once again amongst the fish when Richard Bain had a 15.5 pounder out of Salscraggie. Robert Mackay also got in on the act with a fish from Upper Caen at 9lbs to end their week on 4. Not to be outdone, Andrew Thomas, our regular visitor from Wales landed a lovely 16.5 lbs fish in Little Rock pool beat 6 fishing Achentoul rods. Kildonan Ghillie Martin Grant also had his second fish of the season from the Craggie Bend on beat 5 at 9lbs to lift the season's total to 11, Martin lost another solid fish in Pilkingtons point and a fish was lost at the net on beat 6.

Other news - I was instructing for an afternoon on the Brora last week with Mrs Anthea Turrall who was an absolute beginner to salmon fishing. After 15 minutes she was presenting a good line in the Madman pool off the North bank, after another 15 minutes I was delighted to net her first salmon of 10lbs also caught on a Black & Yellow Tiger Tail tube, very well done but unfortunately Mrs Turrall now thinks salmon fishing is easy haha...!

A delighted Mrs Turrall with her 10lbs bar of silver and Madman pool in the background.

Black & Yellow Tiger tail tube - we had to cut the hook free as it was so far down the throat!

The Thurso also had a great week last week with 8 springers reported total now 11. The Brora produced a few more, one of which was caught in the Greenbanks by Vince Keaney South bank. It would seem that things are happening now after rain and great water. The week ahead holds very good prospects wherever you are fishing in the Highlands.

 

The 15ft G2 is now my 'go to' salmon rod. I have never turned over large flies at distance with such ease. The deep power reserves of his rod are unmatched in my opinion for overhead and Speycasting situations. The rod is lightweight with phenomenal power and it will hold up against any other on the market. My preference is the G2 10/11 64ft head line for the best accurate long range presentation. Well done Scott Mackenzie - a master stroke! You can demo this rod anytime, just call me. We also have the Loop Cross S1 15ft available for demo amongst others. 

Check out these rods here - Mackenzie G2 15ft - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1572

Loop Cross S1 15ft - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1487

We have Greig Thompson of Salmo International ( http://salmo-blog.com/ ) up this week for a few days fishing and filming on Badanloch rods for the increasingly popular Fishing TV channel ( http://www.youtube.com/user/SalmoFishingsTV?feature=watch ) lets hope the salmon are biting!

Tight lines.