The Helmsdale had another reasonable week with around 70 - 80 fish off with over a dozen from the Association water. The grilse are definitely running now but not in huge numbers. If you are lucky enough to meet a pod the sport can be fast and furious. The quality of fish are generally good with a little red vent showing up and a few 2 lbs fish but on the whole they are in plump condition.

Brian Maskel grassed a couple early in the week on Cascade Pigs when the water was dropping and starting to look good, Mick Buttery had 2 from Horseback on Willie gun TDs and I managed to keep my eye in by landing a lovely fat 5 pounder from Roaries pool midweek on one of our deadly Helmsdale shrimp doubles fished on the dropper. John Sweetman rolled in and had a 4 pounder but the classic visit came from Andrew Gordon from Edinburgh. Andrew popped into the tackle shop late Thursday afternoon hoping to get a ticked for the evening, he hired one of our rods and just used the fly that was on the end, 1 hour later he had landed 2 fish of 2.5lbs and 9lbs and was very happy with himself indeed! Both fish were taken in the Style pool at the top end of the local water. The fly was one of our new RS Kinermony Rainbow coneheads. Click here to buy now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-kinermony-rainbow-conehead-p2095.html

RS Kinermony Rainbow conehead.

RS Helmsdale shrimp Loop double, click here to buy - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-kola-sparkle-shrimp-loop-double.html

5lbs grilse and Helmsdale Shrimp impaled

Quality grilse caught on quality loop tackle!

The Style pool earlier this week at around 9" where Andrew Gordon had his 2 fish.