The Helmsdale has slowed down a little, low water and the annual gap between MSW fish and grilse is evident. Seatrout however normally plug the gap and this year is no different on the Association water at least. Good bags are still coming off when the tides suit and one lucky angler had a very pleasant surprise. Regular visitor Adam Macdonald already had seatrout in the bag when he moved slightly up river to keep ahead of the incoming tide in the darkness, once again his size 14 Kennys killer was deployed only this time to be grabbed by what was thought to be a very big seatrout, 10 mins later a 7lbs salmon was landed. Fish are getting caught most days now so this beat is well worth a visit.

The private beats were disappointing last week with around 25 reported and a few grilse sprinkled through.

The Brora has also picked up going on recent catches and one highlight was a double for Donna Carruthers on a flying visit and on the hunt for her first salmon. Welcome rain breathed life into the river after a long dry spell and an Alistair conehead tube was the smart choice for the business end. The morning offered a rise and pluck and a loss after a 2 minute scrap with a lively grilse. The afternoon saw cloud cover completely disappear and with it hopes of a first fish but not as far as Donna was concerned, she persevered and amazingly hooked and landed her first fish in the brightest sunshine in Bengie pool at 5lbs, but that was not enough. Madman pool was visited as the sun began to fade and her second was netted at 10 lbs to complete a memorable day.

So the moral of the story - fish in the bright sunshine or darkness and you will still catch salmon!

By the way, we have just added many of our best selling flies again which were out of stock, Posh Willie Gunn double, Alistair Flamethrower, Gold Bodied Willie Gunn copper tube, Micro SuperSnaelda, Willie Gunn Mylar tube, Black & yellow Mylar tube, Willie Dog conehead, Park Shrimp Micro tube, Loop double Red Frances, Willie Gunn gold conehead, Cascade gold tungsten conehead, RS Blue Elver monkey and many more, all absolute killers!! have a good look through the site for your favourites...

The RS Alistair Flamethrower - click to buy now.

Donna with her sparkling first fish from Bengie pool at 5lbs.

No 2 released from Madman pool at 10lbs

Action from Madman as the fish goes daft!

The deadly wee Alistair conehead which you can purchase by clicking on the link below right now -

http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/helmsdale-alistair-uv-c/h.html

Adams night fish