21/2/10

Almost one month has passed since my last report - nothing has changed! The river Helmsdale is still deep in hibernation and now sitting at a bone chilling 34 degrees once again. From the last week in January we had a spell of reasonable conditions when the river was very fishable but with only kelts to show for it. There have been reports of 3 good fish lost and one or two spotted on their travels but as yet the Bridge Hotel trophy remains safely on the tackle shop counter for all to admire.

The river is very quiet for the time of year and this season has been no different from the last few years. Either there are no spring salmon around or their arrival is simply getting later just like the Helmsdale grilse run. Recently June has been a very good month for msw salmon and August has seen the main grilse run arrive in the first two weeks. All things being equal it would be fair to say that the early springers that the river was once renowned for are now arriving later like everything else.

This phenomenon is happening all over the UK and many rivers are now in the midst of fishing trials beyond their traditional closing day. Early results from these experimental fishings indicate that fresh salmon are indeed entering rivers later. Many river boards are seriously thinking about seasonal adjustment in an effort to maximise catch returns and provide better value.

On the Tackle Shop/web-site front it is business as usual as all the main Scottish rivers are now open and many anglers are out in search of that prized spring salmon. Weighted tubes are still the norm for the month up to at least 2" in size and fished off sink tip, intermediate or sinking line depending on where you are fishing. It is also good to carry a range of sinking poly-tips to make sure you can adapt quickly to any change in depth or water temperature etc - always be prepared.

Our big deal for the next few weeks is on the new Scott Mackenzie DTX salmon rods + DTX Multi-Tip lines + floating lines which will turnover any poly tips no problem. I had the luxury of spending 3 days on the river Dee testing the whole system where I used the DTX 15ft and a 10/11 Multi-tip system; these are a match made in heaven. The line is perfectly balanced to the rod and an obvious 6" black marker defines the head clearly from the ridge running line. Spey-casting from the bottom croy of the famous Mill pool on Lower Crathes I was able to shoot the full DTX line + running line and that doesn't happen with many other lines. I would rate the DTX rods in the same box as G-Loomis & Sage easily. One more point regarding the DTX line is the top quality running line, of all the Spey lines I have used the running line is the best at staying out of trouble regarding knots etc and this is a real bonus. The deal we are offering on these rods & lines is buy any rod & line combo and we will throw in a Scot Mackenzie or new Guideline Jan Erik Granbo casting DVD + 2 dozen deadly Helmsdale Co flies. The New Guideline DVD has just been released and is not on our web-site yet, both DVDs offer superb and detailed casting instruction from two of the best casting instructors you will ever see.

Tight lines.