We are letting our latest fly BOGOF run until the end of this week (Sunday) so fill up the coffers when you have the chance, don't forget to put Club Helmsdale BOGOF in the comments section and also please feel free to have a go on our new Helmsdale river Forum. Just sign in with a username, wait for authorisation and off you go!

Last week was a non event on the Helmsdale, probably 30 - 40 fish maximum. The water is still dropping and although there are lots of fish around they are not easily tempted. Anglers who are prepared to chop and change tactics are scoring better than most.

The Association water provided a handful of grilse for William & Alistair Jappy and David Melville landed a nice 8lbs fish. lots of fish around again but treasing them up to the fly is becoming a real challenge hence the lack of information for this latest report. Rain will change everything and we are all still hoping for that big flood to end the season with a bang!

We have upgraded some of our fly selections recently in time for the Christmas rush. Fly selections make grand stocking fillers so don't forget where to get them. Below is a hot one for female angling friends, the Pink Collection...we have many more.

Norwegian Selection

Russian selection.

Another pic of our gorgeous new Alistair SuperSnaeldas below which you can now order anytime, call us or email. These will work brilliantly in coloured water.

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Latest river Report below. But fthis week the major highlight is a fly BOGOF on all flies available online - you must put "Club Helmsdale BOGOF" in the comments section when ordering to qualify or you will not receive the BOGOF. Please also call the shop if you prefer. This covers almost all flies apart from some of the Helmsdale Special flies like Alistairs and Red Alistairs which we have to tie to order.

Also we still have our handy tube vices at half price for Club Helmsdale members and we are starting a more interesting topic over on the new Club Forum. We are asking for views on the river rodding set up and whether or not you think there should be more rods available on the river. I have had countless anglers in the tackle shop who are less than impressed with the strict rodding regime. They said that the high price paid for the fishing should offer more flexibility so that Lodge parties can fully utilise the excellent fishing generally on offer. "Even if some of the kids could have a chuck with a trout rod whilst the adults were fishing" was one comment which stuck out...feel free to comment over on the Forum. Sign in with a username (wait to be authorised) and join the discussion...

We have given up on rain here and the fish are getting fed up also! The beats are struggling apart from odd days of success on the lower river and most of the fish have seen most of the flies and they are getting decidedly more difficult to excite! If the water cools down things may change as the spawning urge kicks in. A fair percentage of the fish being caught are still fresh salmon and there are more to come. Most rivers in the highlands are awash with fish waiting at the river mouths so I would predict good fishing to come yet providing we get a spate before the season comes to an end only 5 weeks from now.

The Association water produced around 5 fish towards the end of last week so maybe the water is indeed cooling down and freshening up.

One of our awesome new flies below is the Alistair SuperSnaelda hot on the back of the success of our worldwide killer RS SuperSnaelda. It should do the business on the Helmsdale for sure in coloured water. These can be tied to order once my arm is functioning normally again!

Some pics of another first fish success on the Helmsdale last week courtesy of Badanloch rods.

On the afternoon of Friday 16^th August, Jemima Landale caught her first salmon...and put her father, managing director of the top fly manufacturer Fulling Mill, to shame. Badanloch ghillie Alec Fraser had just taken Jemima into the head of the Oasis Pool on beat 3 (?) to teach her the basics of salmon fishing. The water was low and the sun was beating down – in short, not great salmon fishing conditions. “To be honest, I didn’t think we stood much a chance of catching a fish,” commented Alec. “I was all set for an afternoon of teaching Jemima and her younger brother Ottie to fish, when suddenly the line tightened. No one was more surprised than me!”  After 10 minutes and some wonderful runs, Jemima brought a 5 ½ lb cock fish to the net. The requisite photographs taken, the fish was returned to the river to continue its journey up the river. Jemima’s father proceeded to fish the rest of the day, but failed to match his daughter’s feat. So, another Helmsdale first and one that just goes to show that fishing is indeed a true leveller!

Fish on, steady as she goes.

Almost there...

Relief, fish in the bag.

The prized first fish.

Returned safely, job done and smiles all round.