Archive

23

January

No fish off

Ronald Sutherland

The 10 free opening days are over and no fresh springers have been landed. Conditions have generally been decent and from midweek last week almost perfect. Experienced local John (Hardy) Sutherland has covered the water well on a daily basis picking up 2 baggots and a rawner plus numerous kelts but the first sea-liced springer still remains elusive after the efforts of over 150 anglers. The opening 10 days were a success for the village once again, the load was spread well and the river never too busy apart from opening day.

With the rest of the UK rivers opening very soon its a good time to get your fly orders in, The Dee, Tweed & Brora are due to open next week so grab as many Monkey's & Willie Gunns as you can, if the rivers are reasonably low just pop on a loop to loop sinking tip in 10ft or 6, we have plenty to chose from and the popular Maxima Chameleon nylon in BS up to 20lbs. We also have some great new flies available plus all the favourites, check them out below, you can start ordering with one easy click right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/

Kamasan tube trebles, Loop tube doubles, Owner cutting point tube trebles doubles and singles are all available also - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/hooks.html

Loop Q series rods are now available in the UK, read our Oct 2nd 2016 report for details of these cracking rods at a superb price in 15 & 13ft 2. There is a lot of interest in these rods so place your orders very soon as they are sure to run out.

Kinermony Pot Bellied Pig - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/kinermony-killer-pro-choice.html

Cascade Wilie gunn gold in 6, 8 & 10s - buy here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/cascade-willie-gunn-gold.html

 

Willie Gunn grizzle Monkey - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/new-willie-gunn-grizzle-monkey.html

Flamethrower Conehead - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/flamethrower-conehead-red.html

Rio and Gaelforce have a good range of Sinking tips - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rio-versi-leaders-sink-tips-10ft.html

15

January

Tough start

Ronald Sutherland

The Helmsdale opened in a blaze of winter, conditions eased on Saturday but still no springers to be seen. Around 150 brave souls registered for a cast over the first 4 days. The water was well covered with every conceivable fly and line combo but only kelts were responding. Local favourite to sniff one out, Andy Sutherland, methodically picked his way through all his secret hot spots but still had nothing to show for it. Regular visitor David Baird and his team had a great few days bending the rod many times in expectation but all were models from last year unfortunately. Personally I fished all the best spots also along with my partner Donna but only kelts and brown trout were interested. I may return in the week ahead as conditions are set to get much warmer as you can see from the forecast.

 

If you want my advice of 40 years fishing for these priceless early runners then bag up on Willie Gunn copper tubes in any combination of Feeler, Gold Body, Classic or conehead. The Willie Gunn is simply unbeatable, aside from those the more modern Dee Monkey would be my second choice closely followed by the RS SuperSnaelda in Willie Gunn, Cascade or Black & Yellow. These patterns will ensure you have a great chance of catching spring salmon, trust me, they have caught thousands of springers all over the Northern hemisphere let alone Scotland, click here for our full selection of spring tubes, hooks, sinking tips, rods & reels. If you want any advice on buying gear/flies please feel free to contact me direct on 01343 870158

A few pics from the opening days.

RS UV Feeler Willie Gunn - click & buy now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/feeler-uv-willie-gunn-copper-tube.html

RS SuperSnaelds Black & Yellow - click & buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-supersnaelda-black-yellow-rons-pro-choice.html

Dee Monkey - click & buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/classic-dee-monkey-silver-conehead.html

Davie Baird returning one of many kelts on beat 5.

Donna Alcock returning a kelt on Kilphedir pool beat 2 in weather standard for days 2 & 3.

Jordan Marshall launching the first cast of 2017 closely watched by Sir Michael Wigan.

Ron Sutherland returning another kelt on the Dee Monkey, they were hammering it all over the river.

Glorious weather window on Upper Torrish beat 3.

Sutherland Schools Pipe band braving the storm on opening day, hats off to daughter April and the gang.

Fish on for Donna on beat 4 in yet another blizzard.

 

 

 

 

uploading.....

12

January

Day 2

Ronald Sutherland

No fresh fish reported on day 2 as far as I know but plenty kelts. Conditions were better as the high winds dropped but heavy snow kicked in as the day progressed. Tomorrow the river should be in great order at around 1ft 6, get the rods out!

12

January

Opening day report

Ronald Sutherland

Winter bared it's teeth for the first time yesterday as the Helmsdale river opened amidst gales and snow showers. As per usual the Sutherland schools pipe band provided the entertainment but their performance was pushed to the limit by vicious weather. Local junior angler Jordan Marshal had the honour of casting the first fly of the season and he set things rolling in style. Unfortunately the river was in rising mode all day as it crept up to around 3ft from 9" the day before. The unsettled conditions offered little chance of a fresh fish and only a few kelts were reported by the hardy anglers who battled the high winds. Today, Thursday, heavy snow has changed the whole scene but the river is dropping so chances are much better.. 100 anglers checked in for opening day.

10

January

Opening day registration

Ronald Sutherland

Registering for the 10 free opening days will take place at Thyme & Plaice and from the Belgrave Arms Hotel from today (Tuesday 10th). Both will be open late to cater for the big influx of anglers.  

I will have a large selection of killer flies onboard this year as the shop is up for sale, look out for the Black Hilux with Loop on the back around the Bridge Hotel car park, but if I'm fishing, I'm fishing! I'll also have maxima 15, 18 & 20lbs + Sinking poly-tips and lines. I look forward to seeing you there But I won't be around for long as I have plans to catch the first fish!! smiley

The river is looking very nice and there will definitely be fresh fish in the system due to the mild winter so far. The water is clear and fairly low so grab a Monkey tube, a Willie Gunn and a sinking tip and get stuck in!

Tight lines to all