11/1/11

Torrish estate gamekeeper Richard Bain proudly shows off his opening day fish from the Park pool on beat 2. Richard knows the river well and beat 2 is just below his house, it was fine and handy that the Torrish rods were drawn for beat 2 on the day! The fresh run salmon weighed 8lbs and was returned quickly to win a superb Scott Mackenzie DTX salmon rod and the Bridge Hotel Trophy. Conservation of spring salmon is high on the agenda on the Helmsdale River  and Richard has been duly rewarded for his fine conservation gesture. When Scott Mackenzie was asked if he would donate a prize for the return of the first fish, he had no hesitation in donating one of his new top of the range salmon rods for the cause. Scott will be holding a demo and instruction day on the Kilphedir pool (beat 2) on the official opening day of Thursday 13th. This is a super chance to try out the latest awesome rod technology and watch the three times World Spey casting champion in full flow, many thanks to Scott for generously donating a rod and offering free instruction for the day. I will also be there offering free instruction and dishing out a few drams from our famous local Clynelish distillery - an event not to be missed!

The killer fly was a 2" Morangie copper tube selected from the Helmsdale tackle shop only the day before. The Morangie fly was designed by former opening day first fish captor Andy Sutherland who ghillied for the same estate for many years. See and buy the deadly Morangie fly here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=72

Scales were taken for research purposes but there is no doubt that this is a fine fresh run springer. The big opening for visiting anglers will take place on Thursday 13th with 3 free days fishing up to the Kildonan falls - get those rods out!! The springers are here!