17/1/11

Check out some Helmsdale opening day action here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ2auAFfDFc

The opening 3 free fishing days on the river Helmsdale were very well attended once again with over 200 anglers grabbing the opportunity to fish prime spring fly water. Many kelts were caught and a handful of baggots & rawners made anglers miss a heartbeat or two but another fresh runner remained elusive after the capture of the first fish on the 11^th. 

The profile of the event was heightened this year with the visit of Orri Vigfussun, head of the NASF and Scott Mackenzie. Scottish Television, Eric Steel and Mike Shepley with Media Forth productions were also all armed to cover the excitement on the day. The traditional first cast was launched by local angler Sonny Jappy after a fine display of dancing and piping by the Sutherland school pipe band and local country dancers managed by Angela Macbeath Brora. Sir Michael Wigan offered a warm welcome to the large gathering and mentioned how lucky we were to have so many VIPs in attendance this year.

Orri Vigfusson was flown in by US film Director Eric Steel who is working on a film documentary about legendary local fly tier Megan Boyd. This is sure to be a fantastic story of her life and work and the film will hopefully be launched at the end of the year.

Orri was a great friend of the late Megan Boyd who loyally supported his organisation. The plight of the Atlantic salmon is always centre stage when Orri is around and it took him no time to warn the Scottish Government that their current policy towards saving wild salmon was seriously flawed. The NASF have worked tirelessly over the years with the Greenlanders, Faroese and Icelanders in an effort to eradicate the netting of salmon on their feeding grounds and therefore offer free passage back to Scotland for thousands of these priceless fish. Incredibly the “powers that be” in Scotland are completely wasting all of these efforts by remarkably still allowing large mixed stock netting stations to ambush salmon all around the coast of Scotland . This ludicrous and unsustainable stance is decimating wild salmon stocks on their return to UK rivers. 

 I have to say that I agree 100% with Orri and every salmon angler in the country needs to support the NASF and lobby ministers to change policy before it is too late for the salmon. The Faroese, who have offered most netting concessions over the years, are horrified by the sheer arrogance of the Scottish Government towards protecting the wild salmon that they have spared. If this barbaric situation is not rectified soon by the Scots then the Faroese will once again decide to net salmon on North Atlantic feeding grounds, this would be disastrous for the Scottish economy and herald the end for almost all salmon returning to the UK. 

On a brighter note – The Kilphedir pool was the place to be on opening day. A steady procession of anglers called in to try out the superb range of new DTX rods and lines designed by Scott Mackenzie. Scott was on hand all day offering key instruction and advice on every aspect of fly casting and fishing tactics. Everyone who attended whether experienced or novice picked up some great tips and commented on the lightness and power and of these rods.

The day was rounded off with a presentation to gamekeeper Richard Bain who landed the first Scottish fly caught salmon of the season. Richard hooked the fine fresh run 8lbs salmon in the Park pool on beat 2 fishing for Torrish rods. He was using a Morangie copper tube fly. Richard was presented with the coveted Bridge Hotel trophy, a bottle of fine Clynelish and a 15ft DTX salmon rod for generously releasing the first fish.

The Helmsdale Tackle shop would like to thank all involved in making the opening day such a success especially our sponsors Clynelish and Scott Mackenzie, it was also nice to see so many visiting anglers staying in village accommodation. This popular annual free fishing event is a major boost for Helmsdale at an otherwise quiet time in the tourist season and thanks must be given to the Helmsdale River Board for opening the river beats to the public. 

A full range of DTX rods and lines are now available from the Helmsdale Tackle Shop for all to enjoy. The range consists of DTX rods perfect for Spey and overhead casting up to 16ft and a new range of slightly stiffer rods up to 15ft for use in all casting situations especially with shooting heads. Personally, I have been using a 15ft DTX for the past year and it is the without doubt the most user friendly and technically advanced rod for the money on the market. These rods and lines are perfectly balanced for each other and make a days fishing blissfully effortless! If anyone would like a deal or information on the fabulous DTX range, please call me at the tackle shop on 01431821372 to discuss or visit www.helmsdalecompany.com