Raw Easterly winds and low water made the going tough on the Helmsdale last week but for those who stuck it out the rewards were there. 14 fish were recorded last count but surprisingly no fish were taken above the falls even though water temps held in the 40s and hit 46 for a short spell midweek. Beat 1 also failed to produce any action apart from a few kelts. Torrish, Borrobol and Badanloch rods all caught 4 fish. Jean, Richard and Jimmy Bain all scored for Torrish rods in Baddy Wood, Clay Bank, Lower Torrish and Falls pool, an Ally's tube doing the damage for Jean. Borrobol rods David Macleod party had a grand day on beat 2 landing 3 with 2 from the Park pool. Yours truly had 3 out of 4 fish on Badanloch rods with Hugh (Shug) Wilson returning a fine hard earned 13 pounder in the Flat pool beat 6 caught on a copper tube Monkey, All were released.

Casting was tough most days with a challenging wind but I have to say that the new Loop set up I have been using has been an absolute powerhouse. 3M technology is very much ALL that it has been made out to be in lightness and strength, when the power was needed it was there in abundance, most other rods would have struggled badly. The rod does not do it all of course, the new GDC shooting head balances the rod perfectly and feeds power like a bolt of lightening. If you want an idea of what I am talking about please step into the Loop experience right here, check out the amazing filming of the line in action - http://vimeo.com/68340715 This combo will make casting easy for anyone and in more experienced hands it is quite phenomenal.

Enough about the gear, here are loads of pics from a great week with Ghillie Alex Fraser and Hugh Wilson on Badanloch rods including my 3 fish of 11, 12 & 15 from Johnny Gordons, Breakwater and Black Hole.
Another star this week was my new Tiger Monkey ( on trial ) which caught 2 of my 3, my other fish was caught on a Skullhead Cascade tube.

Hugh Wilson shows off his 13 pound bar of silver from the Flat pool beat 6. The black & yellow Monkey 1/2" coppertube did the business.

Cousin Derek Macrae up for the day on beat 5, as you can see by the toggs - not the warmest day in the world!

Beat 5 with Hugh Wilson

Alex Fraser returns Hugh's fish in the rocky Flat pool beat 6

Rons new Tiger Monkey

Hamish Macrae searching for a springer on the upper Helmsdale

 

RS Fulling Mill Cascade Skullhead

Another clonking springer heading back to fight another day.

My fish from the Black Hole pool beat 4, been in a few weeks.

My fish from Johnny Gordons beat 2 which took the Cascade Skullhead

My new Tiger Monkey conehead and outstanding Loop combo

Another day on the river, beat 4.

A thumper from the Breakwater pool safely in the bag on the Tiger Monkey.

Take good care of your fish before releasing!

Beat 2 fish

Cascade Skullhead firmly in the scissors.

Team selfie, Ron, Hugh (Shug) Wilson and ghillie Alex Fraser. Thanks for a memorable week Alex.

Look at the shoulders on this sea-liced beauty, Tiger Monkey does the job again.

My new Bottle tube Tiger Monkey.

Prospects for the week ahead are not great, we are not getting rid of the chill upstream wind and it is due to strengthen as the week goes on. The river also needs more water as we are down to summer level. Every cloud has a silver lining - these conditions really suit chances on the Association water so come on over and fish the big tides this week, fish are running daily now.