Helmsdale monster

The river Helmsdale will swing into action soon as the 2007 season gets ever closer. Chances of an opening day fish were boosted by the fact that World Spey casting champ Gordon Armstrong will be amongst the starting line up. The river will once again be open to the public for the first 3 days beginning on Thursday 11th January and if last year is anything to go by we will be celebrating the occasion with the first fresh Springers in Scotland. Hugh ( Shuggie ) Wilson grassed the all important first (9lbs) on the 13th on an Ally's shrimp in the Oasis pool Bt 3. The Atlantic salmon was fresh run and was the first of a record braking 6 fish taken in January. This might not seem much but it was a real talking point in the Highlands as sea-liced Springers are rare at this time, needless to say I got in on the act on the 17th Jan with my earliest fish ever at 8lbs - another small salmon but what size of fish is Mike Sheply holding up?? This was a true monster for the Helmsdale and at approx 48ins long i think we can safely put it in the 40lb bracket...The huge skeleton was discovered this season below the kildonan falls on beat 6. After spawning for probably the second time this cock fish had obviously run out of gas on the return journey to sea, hopefully its DNA contribution will help boost some bigger fish for future Spring runs "oh to have hooked that one in Jan!!".