The water is still cold at around 4/5 degrees but catches are hotting up at long last and around 20 fish were reported including one or two off the Association water. All the usual suspects are catching, Alistairs, Coneheads, Willie Gunn and monkey tubes, if you want a lethal selection drop me an email or simply order on-line from your phone, tablet or pc, its so easy now...We also have a great selection of flies and tackle in Baxters Fochabers so drop in and grab some superb proven killers! and see our New Collection flies.

I also keep saying it and great to see some of you are taking it onboard...There is nothing better in my opinion than a Loop Cross S1 rod combined with a Gaelforce line and there is a combo for everyone. If you enjoy a large graceful D Loop and fish some of the bigger rivers then the Cross S1 15ft with record breaking Gaelforce 80ft head or 63 ft will suit you fine, on the other hand if you fish more medium to small rivers, its the 13 or 14ft teamed up with a 54fy Spey or integrated shooting head system that would be the punchy perfect setup for you...we have them all, and in Baxters too.

Never underestimate the legendary power of the Gold Body Willie Gunn, Michelin Star salmon food and now on a 1.25" Waddington with double hook. Click here and grab some quickly while in stock! http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/pro-golden-willie-gunn-double-hook.html

Not a week to write home about on the Helmsdale but it was still the best week of the season so far. Around 15 were accounted for including another cracking 15 pounder for Jim Forsyth in Croy pool of the Association water.

Borrobol had 4 fish up to 16lbs from Saluscraggie beat 1, Pilkingtons point beat 5 (16lbs) and fish off 3 ans 2. Beat 6 remains a real disappointement with only 1 fish off last week on the Achentoul rods. The water is still cold and season later than recent years, hopefully things warm up next week in all departments. Its not just the Helmsdale that is struggling, The Spey is not exactly on fire yet either. Heavy nowmelt this weekend and rising rivers should induce a fresh run everywhere.

Temps were up to 16 degrees yesterday (Sat 7th) on the Findhorn river and it was pleasing to hear that they are doing rather well. I was excited to join a good friend of mine Adam Macdonald and his party under the very experienced watchful eye of guide Lesley Tyson on Friday/sat. We fished the Altyre & Darnaway beats and saw quite a few fish. 5 fish were taken on the beat for the week before I tightened into a superbly conditioned fish estimated in the teens of pounds in the tail of Scurr pool, (exactly where Lesley said he would be!) The setup for you tecky people out there was as follows and my usual - Loop Cross S1 15ft, Gaelforce Spey 63ft head with 10 ft 7ips Gaelforce sink tip, Loop Evotec reel, Maxima nylon 18lbs and an RS Willie Gunn Special 1.5" copper tube with Fulling Mill Tube double, unbeatable and seldom lets me down on any river for water coverage or strike rate.

I think the spring fishing is about to really take off this week so get your flies ordered and rods out and get on the water. Grab one of our new McLean nets, Loop rods or reels and Gaelforce & Carron lines in Baxters Fochabers where we have set up a tackle area with all sorts of gear. or simply call me or buy online with us. Its time you were treating yourself to a new rod, stoip struggling with old gear and get some slick rocket science under your belt...you won't be disappointed! Loop Cross rods are unbeatable teamed up with Gaelforce lines at the moment, you know you want one! contact me for a great deal on any Loop/Gaelforce combo or simply treat yourself and pickup in Baxters.

Findhorn silver at its best for Ron

The trusty RS Willie Gunn Special invented by Ron which catches springers over and over again! grab them here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-willie-gunn-special-copper-tube-pro-favourite.html