It has been another tough week on the Helmsdale as the river has been on the high side and a rise to 3ft on Friday did not help matters but fish were still caught. Beat 3 was the hot spot for some reason but that was not totally surprising as it holds some long quality spring pools which fish in high water, especially the Tail of the Bay and that’s where 3 of 4 from the beat were caught. It also produced the fish of the week, a blistering 24 pounder for Alan Stone who I believe also had an 18 pounder from beat 4. Lower Torrish produced another fish for beat 3 and beat 5 scored again to make it 6. Saturday settled a little and 3 more fish were caught on beats 1, 2 & 4 to take the tally to a respectable hard fought 9 for the week

So we have created a new Monkey fly category for arguably the deadliest spring salmon flies on the planet. Check it out here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/monkey-tubes.html

There are many classic and outstanding patterns so we thought it best to put them all on the same page which will make it easier for you to peruse and buy some. My memory was jogged to remind you about these fabulous flies on the back of an invite to fish the wonderful Wester Elchies on the Spey where Solar Monkey has been so successful for me with blistering springers up to 25lbs. Tactics for all fly densities? Cast them fairly square and don’t mend your line unless you need to up the speed in slower water with a line mend towards your own bank. Springers love to chase and aggressively hit fairly fast moving flies once water temps are in the 40s and 50s so give these a swim and brace yourself! This is RS Solar Monkey time so get them in the water ASAP

RS Solar Monkey (below), In my opinion the deadliest Monkey pattern ever created! and you can buy them by simply clicking right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/solar-monkey-black-yellow-pro-choice.html

Classic Monkey fly in copper, Plastic, alumimium, copper and tungsten tubes and on Loop Bottle tubes & Partridge Patriot doubles, you can buy them all here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/monkey-tubes.html