We still have good water on the Helmsdale and catches are reflecting this with some estates catching up to and over 30 per week recently, there were around 190 caught including 17 from the Association water. Large flies in coneheads copper and tungsten on floating, sink tip and intermediate lines are fishing well. Fresh fish are not in abundance at this late stage in the season but a few fresh grilse and salmon were caught on the Association water and throughout the river. The upper beats provided most of the action in a week which had the feeling of March fishing more than late summer. So much superb water on offer with all the big pools in good order on the lower river too. Fish were everywhere, not showing in big numbers but they were caught all over the river. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if another rod or two were permitted to fish when the river tops over 1ft on the gauge? There were some very large parties up last week all jostling for a cast…. 

And, there is no place to hide from the Ice Bucket Challenge - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlEs3E3nCR4&list=UUpHoAF1kZfmbCkwPebWsVkg&index=1

Some highlights - Hugh Colville fishing Torrish rods got off to a flyer recording 11 fish on Monday & Tuesday to his own rod fishing 3 & 4 above. John (Hardy) Sutherland on a break from oil work abroad had a superb week on the Association water catching 11 fish up to 14lbs along with a number of seatrout to the 3.5lbs mark and Billy Cowie ended the week with a sea liced grilse from the Flat pool on the 1” Red Feeler copper tube. Half Johns catch was fresh and taken on one of our deadly Chartreuse Feeler tubes tied on a 1” copper tube, the black & orange version also scored. These flies are gathering a large following now. Ron has morphed the legendary properties of the Icelandic series of Frances flies with popular UK salmon patterns and they are producing some stunning results for anglers who are giving them work. They are not our latest design by any manner of means, but if you have not yet tried them, its time you did! For best results fish them on intermediate lines and get them right down in full view of the fish especially in the peaty Scottish water.

There is good availability on the Association water next week and a great chance of a hook up with superb fresh fish like the one below. weather conditions are settling down a little so more of this stretch will become fishable as water levels finally start dropping.

Stop press! - William Jappy with probably the last fish of the week from the Association water Flat pool on Saturday night which provided 6 in total for the day. An Alex Fraser Tiger Conehead did the trick.

Below are a few of the most popular Feeler tubes and an offer that we are currently running on them right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1278

The Chartreuse Feeler tube which worked so well last week - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1045

Cascade Feeler tube - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1828

Black & Red Feeler Tube - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1763

Willie Gunn Feeler tube - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=871