The Helmsdale finally woke up last week and Graham Nichols had the honour of catching the first fish off the river from the Church Streams beat 6 at 8lbs. The next day Jean Bain caught an almost identical fish in the pool above at the Swirl to make it No 2.

Stuart Foxall had one backing up the Old bridge pool on beat 4 and not to be outdone, Andy Sutherland landed a thumping 18 pounder from Eldrable pool beat 2 to make it 4 off for the week.

Other rivers are catching too but not many. Only 3 or 4 off the Dee for the week, 6 reported from the Tweed, 5 from Tay and the Spey had its first 2 fish yesterday from Aberlour and Craigellachie.

The good news is that there are now some lovely spring salmon in our rivers and one would presume that the fishing will only get better week on week. On that note we have added another great looking RS fly design to our offering to help you tempt a stunning springer to the net, The RS Pure Gold Solar Monkey, see below...it is not cheap or easy to construct with expensive real junglecock and Solar flanks but we think it is worth it!

You can buy it now right here in 2 sizes - https://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-pure-gold-solar-monkey

The 18 pounder from Andy Sutherland

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