Still no fresh fish off. last free days fishing today - Sat 25th January

We have launched a Spring 3 + 1 on all of our world renowned salmon flies so grab a few when you have the chance. Simply place an order of more than £30 and you receive a free fly for every 3 you purchase.

The river has not produced a fresh fish yet and conditions are very good. With one more week of the free fishing to go there should be every chance of a lucky angler hooking up with the most prized fish of the season, a January springer.

I have fished the river since I was strong enough to launch a fly across the water and have caught many spring salmon. My earlest was ofcourse on opening day in the Little Rock pool on beat 6 in the days when fish could be retained. The set up was full sinking line, 25lbs maxima nylon and a 2" copper gold bodied Willie Gunn, classic spring tackle to present the fly deep as spring salmon are not very interested in moving far to take a fly, yes, they will hit large Monkey tubes fished square etc when the water warms up a little but to maximise your chances do not be afraid to fish slowly with large flies fished as deep as you dare....

Mix things up and be prepared to change tactics from pool to pool sometimes, sometimes even from top to bottom of the same pool. a 2" Copper tube fished off a fast sinking tip may be fine for the middle of the pool you are fishing but as you approach the shallower tail of the same pool which may have another good taking spot you should change your tip to a medium sink and aluminium tube possibly to cover the right depth without snagging the bottom all the time.... in general concentrate in the deepest areas as thats where early fish prefer to rest, they want to expend as little energy as possible in the cold water so be patient and methodical in the best known salmon lies, fish slowly step by step giving a fish every chance of seeing your fly and you may just get a surprise! Early spring fishing is all about grinding a fish out and not flying around having a flick here and there.

My top pools for the weeks ahead if the river is around 9"- 1ft would be Little Rock and Manse pools on beat 6 just below the Kildonan falls or Lower Caen, Salscraggie Boils on beat 1 below. If the river is much higher then Upper Caen beat 1 and Kilphedir pool beat 2.

We have all the lines, sinking tips , nylon and flies you need to present your fly at any depth in any pool anywhere. Have a good look through our website and grab some gear to maximise your chances at the click of a button right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/

Ron with a few thumping springers from rivers where he has caught them all over Scotland.

 

Lower Caen pool just above the village on beat 1, one of the top hot spot for a spring salmon

 

 

Tight lines