Loop Cross rods and reels are on special offer in the Club Helmsdale Forum for members this month and we will be running a members fly BOGOF very soon! it pays to be a member of Club Helmsdale!! insider information on the Forum and regular deals on all sorts.

We have been informed of the following fishing availability -

River Brora, Laxelva & Aroy Norway

Brora WC 2^nd March 4 rods and Struan lodge £4,257.32

Brora WC 3^rd August 6 rods and the Lodge £6,957.94

Brora WC 24^th August 6 rods and the lodge £5,498.95

Norway Aroy – 3 rods left for August 10-14 – last available rods of the season - £3,775 per person for 3 days fishing, ex flights

Norway Lakselva – 4 rods for 10-17 August - £6,750 ex flights.  This is the private water option

Norway Lakselva – 2 rods for 17-24 August - £4,750 ex flights – a combination of private and public water

Call me if interested, fair offers will be considered.

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The river is still on 4 fish off, Conditions excellent with good water levels. Association water tickets available for £25, OAP and under 16s half price.

Don't forget our Tiger flies were catching last spring and are already hooking fish this year, you can buy them online right here right now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php

Black & yellow TigerTail conehead

Flaming TigerTail

Kinermony TigerTail

Willie Gunn TigerTail

Alistair Tigertail

Caithness Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed an announcement from First Minister Alex Salmond that there will be an independent review of wild fisheries management in Scotland. Announcement here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx8u0UPkQQM

The First Minister said that freshwater fisheries must be ‘robust, sustainable and fit for purpose in the 21st century’, and to this end the Scottish Government has asked outgoing Scottish Natural Heritage Chairman Andrew Thin to chair the review.

The aims of the review are to:

•           Develop and promote a modern, evidence-based management system for wild fisheries fit for purpose in the 21st century and capable of responding to our changing environment.

•           To manage, conserve and develop our wild fisheries to maximise the sustainable benefit of Scotland’s wild fish resources to the country as a whole and particularly to rural areas.

Mr Gibson who as convener of the Rural Affairs Climate Change and Environment Committee carried out an inquiry into the management of the aquaculture and wild fishing sectors said an independent review was a welcome development.

“The announcement is important as the wild fish sector is critical to the rural economy and environment. It is that the management of the fishing assets in Scotland has changed little in generations and therefore needs updating for modern times. This should include much more water for local angling clubs wherever possible.

 “I have seen up close how this management does not work, both from issues raised by constituents and the evidence taken by the RACCE Committee. Our Committee said that there needed to be a fit for purpose management of wild fishing and the Government has listened and are acting to make sure that there is.

“This approach will help lay a new course for wild fishing in coming decades. It has an excellent steward in the guise of Andrew Thin and I look forward to the progress that it makes.” 

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The River Helmsdale is still on 4 fish off. After the fantastic opening week in which over 250 salmon anglers took advantage of there is hardly an angler on the water now. This it the tragic state of play on the Helmsdale river! There are loads of anglers who would pay to fish for the chance of a spring salmon - Helmsdale Co could sell 4 rods per beat all through the season for estates let alone in the spring, I get constant enquiries for the fishing and people are lining up to pay but the availability is simply not there and the local community needs it.

On that note, there are still 2 rods available on the river first week February full rotation with a cottage on the riverbank for £675 + vat at £135 - total cost £810. This works out at £67.50 per day per rod which is less than most spring fishing on the Dee and accom is included here, not bad value when you look at it like that!