2/5/10

In the last two weeks the Helmsdale has stumbled along like most other rivers in Scotland. No great numbers of fish have been reported but the sprinkling of 12 rods over the beats have accounted for around 45 salmon with another 4 from the Association water. Water levels have been very favourable over this period and beat 6 has been by far the best spot. Badanloch rods took full advantage of their Monday slot on this beat by landing 6 super fish and loosing a few more, the best catch on the river this season.
Salmon are through the whole system now and rods should be looking at the loch for some sport as soon as conditions dictate. Water temps have reached over the magic 50 recently and salmon are now readily taking flies on the surface however, conehead flies are working very well. These deadly tubes with weighted heads cut through the water and present a tantalising target in the danger zone for salmon – they are snapped up immediately more often than not if fish are around.
I invented the Willie Dog and Ally Dog conehead tubes around 12 years ago and they have caught thousands of salmon all over the world now. Both these conehead tubes were inspired by the huge success of Willie Gunn and Ally’s Shrimp flies which I decided to modernise using arctic fox hair and the Scandinavian Temple Dog style of fly-tying, the rest as they say is history. A great selection of these flies can be viewed and purchased here   http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=12

The Helmsdale Angling club have just returned from a successful week on the river Brora landing 11 springers with the highlight being a first fish for Euan Sutherland from the Upper Potts pool at 8lbs ( on a Willie Dog conehead! ) Friday 30th was the top day when 8 cracking fish were caught mostly on the upper half and 4 from the Ford pool.

Euan proudly shows off his first fish from the lower Brora.

The "buy one get one free" offer is now closed.