There were over 20 fish off the river last week....full report to come tomorrow, and thank you all for taking full advantage of our spring 3 + 1 deal in March.

Inside track - our Solar Monkeys are having some serious success right now on rivers all over the UK, Grab some at Twisted Thistle Fochabers if you need them right now or order online for delivery in a couple of days.

Our display at Twisted Thistle, full of yummy fishy things, especially Monkey tubes!! come and grab some...

RS Solar Monkey

The quality of the fish is stunning on the Helmsdale, this was one of many, a 19 pounder from Gavin Perry

It has been another tough week on the Helmsdale as the river has been on the high side and a rise to 3ft on Friday did not help matters but fish were still caught. Beat 3 was the hot spot for some reason but that was not totally surprising as it holds some long quality spring pools which fish in high water, especially the Tail of the Bay and that’s where 3 of 4 from the beat were caught. It also produced the fish of the week, a blistering 24 pounder for Alan Stone who I believe also had an 18 pounder from beat 4. Lower Torrish produced another fish for beat 3 and beat 5 scored again to make it 6. Saturday settled a little and 3 more fish were caught on beats 1, 2 & 4 to take the tally to a respectable hard fought 9 for the week

So we have created a new Monkey fly category for arguably the deadliest spring salmon flies on the planet. Check it out here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/monkey-tubes.html

There are many classic and outstanding patterns so we thought it best to put them all on the same page which will make it easier for you to peruse and buy some. My memory was jogged to remind you about these fabulous flies on the back of an invite to fish the wonderful Wester Elchies on the Spey where Solar Monkey has been so successful for me with blistering springers up to 25lbs. Tactics for all fly densities? Cast them fairly square and don’t mend your line unless you need to up the speed in slower water with a line mend towards your own bank. Springers love to chase and aggressively hit fairly fast moving flies once water temps are in the 40s and 50s so give these a swim and brace yourself! This is RS Solar Monkey time so get them in the water ASAP

RS Solar Monkey (below), In my opinion the deadliest Monkey pattern ever created! and you can buy them by simply clicking right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/solar-monkey-black-yellow-pro-choice.html

Classic Monkey fly in copper, Plastic, alumimium, copper and tungsten tubes and on Loop Bottle tubes & Partridge Patriot doubles, you can buy them all here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/monkey-tubes.html

Not such a great week on the Helmsdale with only 4 fish reported. The river was unsettled but fish were caught on beat 5 (2) Kilphedir pool beat 2 and the Tail of the Bay beat 3.

We have great new flies back in stock including one of our absolute best sellers, the Rs baby TD (below ) snap these up for the summer when you have the chance as they are real killers! You can buy them right here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-baby-td-aluminium-tube-rons-favourite.html

The river is simmering away and producing some nice fish. John (Hardy) Sutherland got the week off to a flyer hooking a perfect 14lbs sea licer at 9.05 am. The Whinnie pool beat 1 was the spot, Willie Gunn with green body did the rest! Another 5 were reported. Andy Sutherland struck again with an early morning 12 pounder from Lower Caen (bt 1) Jim Forsyth had his second from the Association water at 10lbs. Graham Nichols grassed a 9 pounder from Kilphedir (bt 2) on an Alistair tube and another fish was reported from beat 5. The best of the week fell to William Jappy who collided with a bruising 20 pounder covered in long tailed sea-lice on Friday, Dempsters pool (bt 4).

Andy with another missile at 12lbs

John Sutherland 14 pounder

With the river sitting at around 6” and temps still baffling for the time of year, floating lines and short sinking tips are all that’s required, even full floating lines will do set up with a variety of fly body density. Coneheads are superb and present the fly just sub surface and usually come with brass or tungsten heads. Aluminium tubes also work well, the list is endless and we have them all online. The key is to be prepared. We have the full range of Gaelforce tips available in 4 densities and lengths from intermediate to 7ips in 6 & 10ft. buy now right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/gaelforce-tapered-sinking-polyleader-6ft.html
Prospects look good for the week ahead although the weather coming is to be much more unsettled. The fish are running and are being caught all over Scotland now on our flies. Don’t forget they are available from Twisted Thistle Fochabers too and online here so no excuse! Tight lines....

There are around 4 off the Helmsdale now. Since the first fish came off there have been 2 superb fish at 20 & 24lbs. Jim Forsyth had the first fish off the Association water, Flat pool on an Alistair tube and a 24 pounder was caught on beat 6 along with another fish there later in the week. Water temps were up to 43/44 during the week so fish will be ascending the Kildonan falls at this rate, unheard of at this time of the year.

We are still running our super successful 3 plus 1 offer on all salmon flies so grab the chance to stock up on your fave flies! Some great tubes are back in stock including Chartreuse and black & yellow Loop bottle tubes and our famous Willie Gunn Specials (yellow) which have been one of our best sellers for years, (pic below) arguably the best fly of all time and invented just down the road on the Brora river.

We are now running our popular 3 + 1 on salmon flies, every multiple of 3 you buy we will add a free similar fly, its that simple. Our flies are catching superb spring salmon on the many rivers right now as they always have done, so get stuck in while stocks last!

Andy Sutherland has caught the first Helmsdale river fish again, a tide frseh 9 pounder from Caen Streams beat 1. The fish was caught on a Golden Angel tube very similar to his trusty Garry Dog which landed him his biggest ever salmon, A Spey 30lbs from Arndilly many years ago. A simple fly design with no frills but a tried and tested pattern which just keeps on catching.

Our flies and accessories are now also available from the Twisted Thistle gift shop Fochabers, drop in and see all the other superb gifts on display. The shop is very handy and right next to the Gordon Arms car par.

The stunning RS Fly Cube

Its pretty quiet on the fishing front right now, not many kelts on the go and no sign of a springer in the Helmsdale river yet, but, heavy rain has lifted the water again and the river is in full spate this weekend. The free public days are over and the river will revert to being lightly fished. Its time to get your fishing gear in order and plan your attack for the rest of the season.

Most of the big rivers are still closed but thats all about to change when the Tweed, Dee Spey and Findhorn all get under way in the next 2 weeks. Tweed and Dee on Feb 1st and Spey and Findhorn on 11th Feb.

Advice? don't go anywhere without a selection of the best selling Gaelforce sinking poly-tips which now come in 4 densities from Intermediate to 7ips. These are density compensated with strong loops at both ends which fish great and turn over off any good floating line. We have the full range right here in 6ft and 10ft so its easy to buy some anytime, click here to purchase 6ft - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/gaelforce-tapered-sinking-polyleader-6ft.html

Click here for Gaelforce 10ft tips - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/gaelforce-fly-fishing-spey-tapered-poly-leader.html

And click here to purchase one of our best selling killers which I think you will agree looks stunning, the RS Naked Alistair which was designed with no tinsel on the body to stop damage from those razor sharp salmon teeth, especially kelts! and they will definitely be hitting these...

Buy here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-naked-alistair.html

The deadly RS Naked Alistair, fish them on our full range of sinking Gaelforce tips

Just a couple of snaps to warm up your winter nights....There have been a few  Springers off the Tay system and 2 crackers off up North. One off the  river Naver at 16lbs held by Peter MacGregor and a superb thumping 25 pounder off the river Morriston on the Ness system caught by John Macisaac. Well done lads....great to see superb springers like that in January.

Naver fish

Mr Macisaac with his superb 25 pounder

The Helmsdale river flew into action once again with the usual good show of anglers for the free fishing, unfortunately no fresh run fish were landed on the Friday or Saturday. The river was low running at around 5" and kelts were few and far between, temperatures were also unseasonably high, it was not what you would expect in early January.

The river has risen considerably since opening day and hopes will be much higher for the week ahead. If there are any spring salmon in the area then they will be crusing into the river as we speak.

Martin Grant launched the first cast and was piped in by April Sutherland ( my daughter ) from the Sutherland Schools pipe band. A great day was had by all and business was brisk in the village in general from the amazing seafood platters on offer to the delights of Ice & Fire Gin tasting at Glencoast, there will be a few sore heads and tales of the one that got away but the real game starts this week as the river will be in superb condition after the heavy rain.

Get the big flies and sinking tips and lines out, don't mess around too near the surface even though it is still on the mild side, temps are set to plummet and you need to get the fly down deep to seek out that priceless January springer.

My top 3 flies for early salmon

Willie Gunn is hard to beat, these cracking 1.5" double hook Waddingtons are superb as they are a mix of the legendary Waddington weight and the gold body Willie Gunn

The RS Solar Monkey is also in my top 3 for pure success. Black & yellow is hugely popular in the spring, add the super effective Monkey profile, Jungle Cock, a conehead to balance profile and RS innovation in the form of our deadly Solar flanks and you have one "Bad Ass" salmon fly that has proved its worth many times.

Then there is the RS TigerTail Alistair, This fly has a huge folllwing now and continues to fish well all over the Northern hemisphere let alone the Helmsdale. It has caught everything from opening day springers in Scotland to Baltic salmon and 25lbs TDF Seatrout! A true heavyweitht design from Ron which just keeps catching and we now have them available in tungsten and copper down to an amazing 1/4" tube.

Tight lines, get out on the water if you can with these 3 flies and you will have totally maximised your chances.

We are running a competition from today (30/12/18). Last season one of our flies really stood out from the rest, if you are first to name it you will win a dozen in a selection of sizes. It's worth the guess as you will catch fish on it next season for sure. Email or answer on our latest facebook post to win. Naked Kinermony wins...Allan Marandola was first and wins 12 & Mark Elder wins 6. you can buy them here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-naked-kinermony-killer.html

Photo by Alan Bithel

In less than 2 weeks (Jan 11th) the stunning river Helmsdale (above) once again opens for business and ex Ghillie Martin Grant will have the honour of casting the first fly. Tickets for the annual free fishing will be available from "Glencoast" on the Main st. Yvonne Grant (my niece) is the new business owner which she runs from a re-vamped old tackle shop location. Glencoast specialise in gifts and Gins and also have a range of fishing tackle and clothing, they are hosting a Gin tasting on the day from 3 - 5 so don't miss that either or the opening day! On a personal note, Yvonne worked in the tackle shop with me for many years and she knows the angling scene very well and her outgoing personality and knowlege will make sure the business is a great success, also, her father is the legendary salmon angler Andy Sutherland... I wish her all the best for a great river opening.

Proceedings will emanate from the Belgrave Arms hotel as usual with the Sutherland Schools pipe band marching "up the street" and entertaining the gathering, Sir Michael Wigan will say a few words and then the fishing action will begin in ernest.

The extra mild winter is sure to have enticed a few early runners so sharpen your hooks and get stuck in. Tactically if the river is on the low side at (6" - 1ft 6) then you need to get up to beat 6 and fish the waters immediately below the Kildonan falls as thats where salmon will stop until water temps roughly pass 40 degrees. If the river is high (2ft+) its still beat 6 but your best chance is the tail of the Manse (North bank) or tail of Church Streams (South bank) if no fish are caught on beat 6 on the first few days you should concentrate on the deep pools of the lower beats 1 & 2 just above the village.

At Helmsdale Co online we have all the deadly flies as you might expect, our tubeflies have caught most first fish in recent times so we all know they work. Personally I have been lucky enough to have caught a few January salmon and I would not look past our RS Willie Gunn Special. Many years ago I looked at the famous Willie Gunn pattern and decided it needed modernising slightly and I knew I could improve my favourite pattern. I did, and caught more springers than ever and once we popped it online for sale it became a huge fave for many fishing in the UK and abroad. Then The massively successful summer Alistair tube got the same treatment, I added a new TigerTail to the design and it immediately caught the first fish on the river, and on many others! We have all the gear, we are the specialists through experience.

Tight lines to all, have a fantastic prosperous healthy and big fish New Year!

Our deadly RS Black & yellow TigerTails (below) are back in stock in 4 sizes down to an incredible tiny 1/4" coppertube and you can buy them right here now - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-tigertail-black-yellow.html

Check out this totally new stunner also, another New Collection killer from Ron, you cannot buy these anywhere else unless you stock them! The RS Willie Gunn FireTail on a Gold Patriot double. We think these are going to be very big sellers as our Solar range are already hugely popular, read more and buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/rs-willie-gunn-firetail.html

Check out these great new tubefly boxes, we have plenty in stock. They have fully adjustable partitions which you can scale to any length or size of fly. Keep all your hooks and extensions in them also. Buy here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/new-tube-fly-box-pro-choice.html