The Helmsdale opened in a blaze of winter, conditions eased on Saturday but still no springers to be seen. Around 150 brave souls registered for a cast over the first 4 days. The water was well covered with every conceivable fly and line combo but only kelts were responding. Local favourite to sniff one out, Andy Sutherland, methodically picked his way through all his secret hot spots but still had nothing to show for it. Regular visitor David Baird and his team had a great few days bending the rod many times in expectation but all were models from last year unfortunately. Personally I fished all the best spots also along with my partner Donna but only kelts and brown trout were interested. I may return in the week ahead as conditions are set to get much warmer as you can see from the forecast.

 

If you want my advice of 40 years fishing for these priceless early runners then bag up on Willie Gunn copper tubes in any combination of Feeler, Gold Body, Classic or conehead. The Willie Gunn is simply unbeatable, aside from those the more modern Dee Monkey would be my second choice closely followed by the RS SuperSnaelda in Willie Gunn, Cascade or Black & Yellow. These patterns will ensure you have a great chance of catching spring salmon, trust me, they have caught thousands of springers all over the Northern hemisphere let alone Scotland, click here for our full selection of spring tubes, hooks, sinking tips, rods & reels. If you want any advice on buying gear/flies please feel free to contact me direct on 01343 870158

A few pics from the opening days.

RS UV Feeler Willie Gunn - click & buy now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/feeler-uv-willie-gunn-copper-tube.html

RS SuperSnaelds Black & Yellow - click & buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-supersnaelda-black-yellow-rons-pro-choice.html

Dee Monkey - click & buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/classic-dee-monkey-silver-conehead.html

Davie Baird returning one of many kelts on beat 5.

Donna Alcock returning a kelt on Kilphedir pool beat 2 in weather standard for days 2 & 3.

Jordan Marshall launching the first cast of 2017 closely watched by Sir Michael Wigan.

Ron Sutherland returning another kelt on the Dee Monkey, they were hammering it all over the river.

Glorious weather window on Upper Torrish beat 3.

Sutherland Schools Pipe band braving the storm on opening day, hats off to daughter April and the gang.

Fish on for Donna on beat 4 in yet another blizzard.

 

 

 

 

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