All the talking is nearly over and the action gets into full swing Monday 11th. A big crowd is expected as the river will be totally ice free after the warmest run up on record, river temp has not dropped below 40 degrees since closing in September so fish will DEFINITELY be in the system! The free fishing extends from Monday 11th right through to Saturday, many thanks again to the Helmsdale River Board for this generous offering to the public.

This year we have the luxury of having one of the biggest global tackle heavyweights on site, Simms flyfishing. As one of our sponsors, Steve Peterson will have a selection the latest gear and accessories on site for Opening day in the tackle shop, A state of the art Simms Primaloft lined GoreTex jacket will be up for grabs if you catch the first fish! Loop tackle also are in on the act with a Cross S1 for the person who guesses the pool where the first fish comes from - please have a go in this comp right here and select you pool or pools - Spring salmon fishing legend Andy (torrish) Sutherland has spoken and picked his 3 top pools which you can see on the just giving page here - https://www.justgiving.com/Ronald-Sutherland/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=20160107_

A £5 minimum donation is required online or you can chose a pool on registration at the Tackle shop on any opening day. It is for a great cause this year ( The Archie Foundation ). Bacon rolls and meals are on offer from Thyme & Plaice and Timespan and Thyme & Plaice are offering a bottle of whisky for the first local to catch a fresh salmon. Clynelish, our longest standing Sponsor are also offering drams of their special malt on the day from the tackle shop and a bottle + the Bridge Hotel trophy will also go to the captor of the first fish, superb prizes, many thanks to all our sponsors.

As per usual we will have a huge selection of all the past and present killer flies and many of Rons latest new designs, If you have nothing better on next week, best get yourself over here and get a fly in the water!! You never know, you could catch the first UK salmon!

Suisgil Ghillie Donald Sutherland will lead the Sutherland Schools pipe band this year and open the river around 10am after the opening speech by Sir Michael Wigan. My daughter April Sutherland will also play her part by performing with the full Pipe Band for the first time, a proud moment for me!

The river is set to be high but clear so big flies will be the form on sinking tips and heads - very best of luck! see you there...

This is what we are looking for....Andy Torrish with last years January beauty of 18lbs taken on our lethal Monkey Conehead tube.