The river started to produce sport like it should last week. Based on what I have heard there were around 85 - 90 fish caught in a typical May week. Achentoul rods had a good one with 22 fish and a monster 27 pounder for David Rand on 3 above. Most other rods got into the teens and it was good to see a nice run of fish. The river rose to over 2ft midweek which spoiled things a little, Achentoul blanked on beat 2 as an example.

The Association water produced another 4, all to visiting anglers. Mr Bell on Monday 13lbs, Martyn Jones 8.5lbs Tueaday and David Allan on an exchange ticket from Inverness AC had 2 fish on Thursday/Friday at 9 & 10lbs. This water will fish well now and chances are very good for the visiting angler. At only £25 per rod per day it is well worth a day out, over 65s half price and under 16s free.

David Rand's 43" long 27lbs fish caught on the deadly Willie Dog conehead - Click here to buy now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=575

I was sent a nice photo courtesy of William Shaw. The pic is of Mrs Verdin playing another fish! She has fished the Helmsdale river on 52 consecutive visits, 83 visits in all residing at Badanloch. A very keen angler and a good one too, here we see her playing a fish in the Black Bank on beat 4 above where she landed another May fish of 13lbs.

Another fish on the deadly Sunray

Our deadly new Black & Yellow Feeler Fly which is starting to hit fish on UK rivers - Click here to buy now -   http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1479

And the super Willie Gunn Feeler double - Click here to buy now -  http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1482

Get the rods out as the fish are running everywhere, just check out the girth on this 36 pounder caught on the Tay last week at Murthly 2, head ghillie Tony Black can hardly lift it out of the water, it was caught by Mr John Broughton - an awesome fish for the UK!

Watch out for some hot new patterns and fishing tips and exclusive deals coming soon as we crank up the content in the fishing report.