20/3/11

Action came to a sudden halt last week on the Helmsdale for some unknown reason. Hopes were high as this week has produced results well into double figures for the last two years. Tides were high, water levels seldom shifted from an excellent 1ft 3 but amazingly only 5 fish were caught.

Ric Marr, fishing Kildonan rods, had his eye on the ball on Monday & Tuesday taking fish from Kilphedir and Lower Caen (15 & 9lbs). Crawford Little had a 12 pounder fishing Borrobol rods from Kilphedir midweek and Johnny Hardy and Crawford scored again for Borrobol rods on Saturday (bt 6) with 2 fine fish from Church Stream. Crawford commented that both fish were sea-liced and the second, around the 15lbs mark, was in exceptional condition. Overall, a rather dour week with 5 fish limping the river total to 32.

The Lower Brora suffered almost an identical fate producing only 3 for the experienced Vince Keany team on South bank. A temporary local blip perhaps but that's fishing! Word has it that the Naver river had by far it's best week of the season last week with a score in the teens...maybe that's a sign of fish heading our way!

Get out on the Helmsdale Association water asap if you can as very few fish this week could mean lots in the coming week - a good run must start soon!