The new salmon fishing season is only a few days away for rivers in the North of Scotland but new restrictions will will curtail celebrations. However, government guidance does not stop the fishing itself, along with golf and some other outdoor activities life goes on as long as strict guidance is adhered to. This means that’s fishing is on, albeit in a local basis. So all eyes will be on the earliest rivers to open again, the Helmsdale, Thurso & Naver etc. Who would bet against an opening day springer from the far North.....

We have all the tried and tested spring flies you need. The Helmsdale company was created on the basis of pure passion for fishing alongside offering the highest quality salmon flies tied by the worlds best fly tiers and all centred around the insatiable tying flair and cutting edge ideas of hardened salmon angler Ron Sutherland. No fly tier has pushed the boundaries of salmon fly tying and taken so many new concept designs and turned them into deadly mainstream favourites. The list is extensive. It all began by refining the deadly presence and effectiveness of large Scandinavian Templedog tubes, Ron realised the potential of creating tiny arctic fox conehead and baby TD versions for uk summer fishing which were a meteoric success. Next it was the legendary Frances fly which was simply deadly and “go to” in Iceland, Ron explored the prospect of adding the tantalising feelers to uk favourites for all season, again an instant success, Feeler Black & Yellow, Feeler Willie Gunn and Cascade to name but a few. Many more concept flies followed - infact a book could be written so let’s forward wind to recent history to save time. TigerTails, SuperSnaelda, SuperSquid, Willie Gunn Krill and the lethal Solar Monkey. All have caught January Springers and opening day fish amongst them, they are absolute trend setters available in most tackle stores all over europe but the Solar Monkey is the big trend setter right now along with yet another new RS design, the Spring Alistair and you can order them all from the Helmsdale Company, the salmon fly specialists.

The Rs Solar Monkey conehead

RS Solar Monkey double