The Helmsdale is still fishing quite well although as the season progresses a wider range of tactics are required to be successful. There is a good stock of fish in the river now but tempting them onto the hook a challenge. Sporadic pods of fresh fish are still showing up, mainly grilse. The river scored around 70 - 80 fish off for the week including about 10 from the Association water.

Mick Buttery got off to a fast start Monday in Roaries & Sewerage pools landing 3 fresh grilse on a home tied Frances conehead and Werner Steiner had a fine 10lbs fresh run fish from the Style pool on a Cascade gold double. Visitors caught most of the fish over the week and all were pretty fresh. Check out the website for loads of great new flies too...http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/

Prospects are still good as there are plenty fish in the river and more to come. As we aproach the last 5 weeks of the season most estates are already up on last years totals. Be prepared to mix things a little from now on, fish hitch flies, frances coneheads and tungstens, sunrays and small SuperSnaelda as well as the usual killers. Standard practice will always bag a few fish but try a dropper, its classic Helmsdale form and should not be overlooked as a deadly way of picking up more fish. The dropper is very often taken after the point fly is ignored as you fish down a pool. Dibble in the fast runs, Red Brae and New stream are classic examples, and there are none areas finer to dibble than the water on beats one & two above. Atlantic salmon have always been keen to rise to flies skated on the surface so don't miss out on this opportunity. On the other hand Frances style flies fished deep get lots of interest in skilled hands. if you can get to grips with swinging these unusual looking flies at the right depth and speed you will also score.

Werners plump bar of silver from Style pool which is pictured below.

The tail of the Style pool at the top end of the Association water which has provided regular sport for anglers this season.

Red Frances conehead which really starts to fish well as the season heads into the autumn, you can buy them right here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/red-frances-conehead-pro-choice.html

Alistair Hitch tube, buy here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/alistair-hitch-tube.html