Just back from a fabulous day at the Scottish Gamefair Scone Palace Perthshire where I tried out the latest new rod from Scott Mackenzie, the Perflex. I have to say, this rod performed like a rod double the price, I was castiing into a breeze with absolute ease, overhead and Spey. Scott has a real gem of a rod here and at a fabulous price of around £300 - 400. Watch out for it on here when it becomes available very soon.

The Helmsdale rallied with around 50 fish last week which was an excellent effort on low warm water. A few more grilse are arriving and the Badanloch compensation water is keeping things fishable when most other rivers in the North are on bare bones. Small flies and Sunrays seem to keep working well and fishing early and late like the summers of old is proving most productive.

The Association water struggled with only 5 fish, surprising, as low water usually suits this stretch throughout the summer months. Gordon Davidson had a purple patch on Monday after a stroll along the riverbank. He helped out a visiting angler who was having a rather unsuccessful time, Gordon who was rodless at the time noticed a few fish were around and was quick to take up the offer of a cast from the visitor, he promptly caught 2 and lost 1 on a small Cascade double. I also had a nice grilse on Tuesday night before a session at the sea-trout, once again a few fish were spotted and a Sunray Shadow was quickly deployed from the 10ft trout rod, a few minutes later I was playing a grilse on the Sunray and a trout on the dropper simultaneously! both were landed with a struggle! 

The dry spell is set to continue so it is well worth a cast on the Association water. Pop into the shop and grab a day ticket, we are fast approaching the peak of the summer run!

Ron, wife Karen and wee April showing off her new tweed hat! at the Gamefair with Scone Palace and fabulous blue sky in the background.

Nothing more to be said - Magic Murray!

I snapped a visitor landing a fish in Roaries pool on the Association water midweek.