Helmsdale Opening Season 2011

Sir Michael Wigan formally opened the 2011 season on the River Helmsdale, Sutherland on Thursday 13th January, along with Icelandic guest Orri Vigfusson, Chairman of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund.
Three-times world Spey casting champion Scott Mackenzie gave an impressive demonstration to an enthusiastic crowd on Kilphedir Pool, Beat 1 and hooked and released a grilse kelt during the casting session. Anglers were given tuition by Scott and Ron Sutherland of Helmsdale Tackle, using the latest rod designs from Scott's new range of fly rods.

The statutory season starts from January 11th, and the first fish was taken on opening day by Torrish Estate's gamekeeper, Richard Bain, a fine fresh-run 8 pound springer, carefully released after photographing.

With such an early start and the record catches in the north last season, the hope is that there will be a continued improvement in early spring runs this year.

Mike Shepley

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• River Helmsdale
• Borrobol
• Torrish
• Kilphedir
• Salscraggie
• Yellow Torrish
• 2011 salmon season
• salmon fly fishing
• Spey casting
• Scott Mackenzie
• Sir Michael Wigan
• Orri Vigfusson
• NASF
• North Atlantic Salmon Fund
• Atlantic salmon
• Salmo salar
• kelts
• spring salmon
• springers
• catch and release
• Ron Sutherland
• Helmsdale Tackle Company
• fly rods
• salmon fly fishing tackle
• salmon flies

[DavieMcPhail]

I would like to wish you all the best for the new season...

All the best Davie