Author Archives: wan

The Helmsdale River Board welcomes visiting anglers to its Open Days in 2021. Soundings have been taken by the Board with community bodies and all are in agreement that it would be a great shame not to continue with this … Continue reading →

The Helmsdale season ended with a flurry of larger-than-life catches. The long drought which started in May was broken when rain fell heavily in mid-September. Through the long dry summer catches had never altogether ceased but angling had been difficult … Continue reading →

The season has ended with a respectable catch total of 1720 salmon and grilse on the private beats. The Lower Helmsdale too had good catches. The rain continued most of the year but never resulted in enormous spates. River levels … Continue reading →

The River Helmsdale has fished reasonably well all season. There have been no bumper weeks, but also no weeks without fish swimming up. Weights have been unusually high, in common with some other northern rivers. Three fish have weighed 30 … Continue reading →

The River opened on January 11th with the Sutherland Schools Pipe Band bravely marching down the High St and soon to be lost in swirling sleet. However, hardy anglers from far and wide as usual turned out in numbers. They … Continue reading →

Please note: Visitor Angling Tickets for the River Helmsdale may be bought from either: Thyme and Plaice, 10 Dunrobin St. Helmsdale, tel 01431 821598 email: robertstephenson81@hotmail.com or from the Bannockburn Inn, Stafford St., Helmsdale, tel 01431 821461, email: tartanlounge@aol.com

The Open days starting January 11th saw a large number of faithful visitor anglers returning once more to the River Helmsdale Opening. The Sutherland Schools Pipe Band led the procession down the High St and the Opening Cast was performed … Continue reading →

Early season fishing has been in tough physical conditions.  For two March weeks a bitter east wind laced with dry snow made angling almost impossible. Fewer fish than average were caught on the beats in this time but as the … Continue reading →

The River Helmsdale opened on Jan 11th with a ceremony on the High St, with a stirring performance from the Sutherland Schools Pipe Band.  There were more visitors than in previous years demonstrating that this event is becoming part of … Continue reading →