The new salmon fishing season is only a few days away for rivers in the North of Scotland but new restrictions will will curtail celebrations. However, government guidance does not stop the fishing itself, along with golf and some other outdoor activities life goes on as long as strict guidance is adhered to. This means that’s fishing is on, albeit in a local basis. So all eyes will be on the earliest rivers to open again, the Helmsdale, Thurso & Naver etc. Who would bet against an opening day springer from the far North.....

We have all the tried and tested spring flies you need. The Helmsdale company was created on the basis of pure passion for fishing alongside offering the highest quality salmon flies tied by the worlds best fly tiers and all centred around the insatiable tying flair and cutting edge ideas of hardened salmon angler Ron Sutherland. No fly tier has pushed the boundaries of salmon fly tying and taken so many new concept designs and turned them into deadly mainstream favourites. The list is extensive. It all began by refining the deadly presence and effectiveness of large Scandinavian Templedog tubes, Ron realised the potential of creating tiny arctic fox conehead and baby TD versions for uk summer fishing which were a meteoric success. Next it was the legendary Frances fly which was simply deadly and “go to” in Iceland, Ron explored the prospect of adding the tantalising feelers to uk favourites for all season, again an instant success, Feeler Black & Yellow, Feeler Willie Gunn and Cascade to name but a few. Many more concept flies followed - infact a book could be written so let’s forward wind to recent history to save time. TigerTails, SuperSnaelda, SuperSquid, Willie Gunn Krill and the lethal Solar Monkey. All have caught January Springers and opening day fish amongst them, they are absolute trend setters available in most tackle stores all over europe but the Solar Monkey is the big trend setter right now along with yet another new RS design, the Spring Alistair and you can order them all from the Helmsdale Company, the salmon fly specialists.

The Rs Solar Monkey conehead

RS Solar Monkey double

The view at the vice today (Boxing day) RS Willie Gunn Special in full production with Semperfli fly tying thread, simply the best....both of them.

As we approach the new salmon fishing season I look forward with optimism and trepidation. Will we have the luxury of a full fishing season right from the off or will restrictions plague the format yet again. I get the feeling it will be a slow start as regional lockdowns keep everything in check for obvious reasons, but, within those regions i think we will or at least should have the freedom to get out on the water to enjoy the fresh air in isolation on our favourite pools.

We get the message, we have all had the memo, we know how to stay safe and keep others protected so let’s hope fishing can be booked and the outdoor economy can function in a safe manner acceptable to the powers that be. I for one will be hunting for that elusive springer first chance I get! Look out for a bunch of our best flies coming back in stock and our new spring Alistairs which we can’t tie quickly enough right now, you can see them in the reports below...

Most of our tubes now come with a hook option which takes the guessing out of correct sizing for many anglers, this has been a great success so chose your option of tube double, treble or single when you order and you are set up to go. We also have our super popular Swedish tube fly boxes back in stock ( we call them the perfect tube fly box ) because there are! Solid, waterproof and pocket size with 5 compartments for tubes and hooks. We also have the favoured Brown Maxima nylon which is as good as it gets in the popular spring weights of 20, 18 and 15lbs. We are adding more accessories to the website due to the growth in demand of online shopping lately so have a good look through the site for all the handy bits and pieces you need.  A suggestion for starting your checklist could be Flies. hooks, Maxima, Gaelforce sink tips, lines and rods, this will get you going very nicely.

So, sharpen your hooks and check out your gear, grab what you need and get ready for that very special first cast of the season. Stay safe, stay clever and respect everyone you might meet, at distance. We wish you tight lines and a very safe season.

Our perfect tube fly box

Since the launch of our new Spring Alistair we have been swamped with orders for our pocket boxed sets for Christmas - many thanks indeed. There is still lots of time to purchase these little beauties along with all our other great sets of flies.

The Spring Alistair comes individually in 3 different sizes of 1/2, 3/4 & 1" BUT, we now also have a cool twist on this great new pattern. The RS SuperSquid series of flies have been best sellers so we have now included the Spring Alistair in this mega popular series. Check them out below....Alistair lovers will love these! and if you have not yet tried this deadly fly design yet, you should.

RS SuperSquid Spring Alistair conehead

The new RS Spring Alistair has been launched on the back of the phenomimal success of the Red Alistair, (See them below) These will make unique Christmas gifts for the angler who has everything...they are also boxed in quality pocket size waterproof boxes perfect for your Christmas stocking!

Ofcourse we have many more great boxed sets of flies so please have a good look through them and order asap as demand will be high earlier this year. We very much appreciate your business as this Christmas will be a tough one for all but these will brighten it up a little for anglers.

Grab them right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/

Well here they come.....We have some great new Special edition flies on the go alongside new exclusive boxed fly selections for you or as unique Christmas gifts.

Ron has taken the hugely popular RS Red Alistair to a whole new level by tying them on a Special edition Partridge Patriot red double hook which we think suits the fly of beautifully.

Ron will be tying these himself so you know you are getting the best Helmsdale Co quality, and, all come with a choice of hook options which has been a very popular offering.

You can check them out and buy below, these are "must have"

Special edition RS Red Alistair SuperSquid conehead, buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-special-edition-baby-td-boxed-set.html

Special edition RS Red Alistair SuperSquid Patriot double, buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/special-edition-red-alistair-red-patriot-double.html

Special Edition Red Alistair boxed selection, buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/special-edition-red-alistair-boxed-selection.html

Special edition RS Baby TD boxed set, buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-special-edition-baby-td-boxed-set.html

SR Solar Monkey boxed set, but here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-solar-monkey-boxed-set.html

And orders being placed right now (below) for 3 stunning different sizes of RS Red Alistair coneheads, we can't stop selling them!!

Please look out for our amazing new unique salmon fly selections and flies coming online very soon to compliment what we already have on offer, all to be revealed this week, and you don't want to miss out on them as we have some very very special selection boxes for you.

I hope you managed to get a cast this year eventually, it has been the most unpredictable season on record, hopefully next season runs more smoothly and we have open access to fish all our favourite rivers again.
Christmas is looming fast and we have another vast offering of superb fly selections which are always well received gifts for the keen anglers among us. We love our flies and at Helmsdale Co we offer the very best out there setup in quality fly boxes. Our innovative and unique flies have been at the forefront of angling for many years so if you think your salmon fishing friends have it all then think again as our very latest selections will excite and recharge any anglers armoury.
Please may I ask you to order in good time this year if you can as delivery may be slightly delayed due to nationwide restrictions, we don’t want you to miss out so make your fishing friends smile this Christmas and drop them one of our fab selections. We have some absolute cracking new selections for you and you cannot get then anywhere else in the world!
We also have a great new member of staff this year, Sonya Stewart ( my fiancé and very keen angler ) and she will take care of customer service and make sure you get all the flies and accessories you need for those special Christmas stockings - on time!

Start your fly selection shopping right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/helmsdale-co-flies/fly-selections-home-and-abroad.html

Sonya on the stunning river Findhorn recently at Altyre.

The Helmsdale season is almost over but the cooler temperatures are starting to switch a few fish on. Fish were taken from the top to bottom of the river with a nice solid late runner reported from beat 1 below and a big fish from beat 5 above  The heavy rain forecast for the week ahead will unfortunately arrive a little too late for a big finish as the loch is extremely low.

On the Helmsdale Co front online we are producing flies like never before as anglers rev up for their autumn fishing, some of our latest deadly tubes below.

Frances on Fire 1" tungsten tube - a serious shimmering new Frances design which will get right down in front of fish as the water cools - these will cause havoc if you fish them sink and draw style in the deeper pools, stand by for action!

RS Ruby big boy Ruby Cascade ( these are superb large predominantly red Cascade coneheads perfect for higher coloured cool water in autumn )

RS Red Alistairs remain the most popular

The fishing does not contain many headlines at the moment other than rain is much needed, most rivers in the North are very low and catches are struggling. Rain is forecast this week, lets hope it tops everything up so the season can finish with a bang!

It is fly-tying season all season nowadays but as the darker nights draw in, more anglers get the vice out and start creating new patterns for the season ahead and start replenishing their flyboxes.

We have loads of great materials and components and below we will feature some of the best.

Semperfli in our opinion now offer the absolute best tying threads on the market. 2 specific types, waxed thread and the incredible Nano silk. Nano silk is unbreakable and if you have not tried it then you should, you will be amazed at the strength right down to 18/0. The waxed version is my 'go to' thread for salmon flies, also very strong ( much stronger than standard uni-thread ) 8/0 and 12/0 are superior for most salmon fly tying in the waxed range and the nano 18/0 will tie anything in small and micro sizes. You must try them, the colour range is also superb from FL red to white, there is something there for everyone for gorgeous colourful fly heads. see the range below which we have for sale right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/semperfli-classic-waxed-thread.html

We also have the award winning Partridge Partiot doubles in stock in Gold and Silver plus 2 great new colours in red and green. See below and buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/hooks.html

Eumer coneheads are also great sellers in a range of colours, FL red and orange are most popular at this time of the year as well as gold which we use to cap off our deadly Red Alistairs. You can buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/eumer-coneheads.html

Not many highlights on the fishing front apart from the fact that some rivers are fishing quite well due to some fresh fish still hitting the system like Ness, Spey and Tay. I also hear that the Nith, Towy and Tyne are fishing pretty good too. Most of the Highland rivers would still benefit from more water and some proper spates to get them fully charged again.

However, on the fly front, one or two flies are standing out for us at the moment. Our new range of Baby Tds are selling like hot cakes with the added option of buying with trebles, doubles and single tube hooks to suit, anglers are really taking advantage of the choice of hook with each fly, you can ofcourse purchase these little beauties without a hook.

The RS Red Alistair seems to be getting better as the season goes on which is no surprise, red/black always scores well as the water cools and Simon Mellard proved this fishing the Tyne last week at Bywell. He was part of a 5 rod party who caught 20 fish for the week between them. Simon grassed 11 of the 20 fish to his own rod and 10 came to our Red Alistair conehead pictured below. A great result for Simon and another stunning example of the power of the Red Alistair.

We currently have tubes for sale on plastic and copper and will soon add the exact conehead version that was so successful for Simon on the Tyne.

Simon with one of his Tyne fish on the red Alistair.

Simons deadly Conehead Baxters Babe Red Alistair, still in decent shape after doing battle with many fish!