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Post by jimthefish on Jan 9, 2007 12:47:19 GMT
.......and ready to go for a swim in the Helmsdale on Thursday.  Good luck to all fellow intrepid anglers heading up North for a cast on opening day. |
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macsalmo
Member
Salmo dreamer
Posts: 370
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Post by macsalmo on Jan 9, 2007 12:54:07 GMT
They look cracking flies Jim. Good luck on Thursday. (Its just too far for me  ) Gary |
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Post by fishingd0 on Jan 9, 2007 13:12:58 GMT
Jim
Looks like you are all set. Lovely looking flies.
I am planning to go up for the Friday and Saturday.
Lets hope we don't get too much more rain as the strath is already to the neck.
Gordon
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Post by jimthefish on Jan 9, 2007 13:51:50 GMT
Thanks Gordon,
As far as I can see from the SEPA website the Helmsdale was running about 9 or 10" on the guage early this morning although there looks to be some heavy stuff coming this week.
Will look out for you.
Jim
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Post by salmonking on Jan 9, 2007 17:37:06 GMT
Really like them tubes,esp the tosh...you must be confident with those...tight lines.
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Post by kercock on Jan 9, 2007 17:53:32 GMT
Well tied and good luck on Thursday. Down here on the Tay my gauge is underwater and it's 6ft 6" so I reckon it to be 7/8 ft and rising today we need -12c for a few days to bring it down to 2ft,fat chance. Good luck.
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elwyman
Member
A nice autumn day on the Conwy
Posts: 1,035
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Post by elwyman on Jan 9, 2007 18:34:19 GMT
Best of luck Jim, great looking flies.
Fraid I can't join you, i'll have to content myself by rereading the chapter in one of Bill Currie's book called "In the Strath of Kildonan".
It sounds like a wonderful salmon river, with some interesting pool names, like the "Vale of Tears".
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Post by williegunn on Jan 9, 2007 19:07:44 GMT
The weather forecast is not that enthusiastic, lots of rain on Friday.
Good luck boys.
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Post by jimthefish on Jan 9, 2007 19:38:17 GMT
Fraid I can't join you, i'll have to content myself by rereading the chapter in one of Bill Currie's book called "In the Strath of Kildonan". It sounds like a wonderful salmon river, with some interesting pool names, like the "Vale of Tears". Thanks Elwyman, Bill Currie is a good friend of mine and I usually take his book "The River Within" with me on my spring trips to the Helmsdale as a source of inspiration. There is also a good chapter called "Helmsdale Februaries" in his book "Days and Nights of Game Fishing". I think he is the best angling author of our generation..... by a long way. Jim. |
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elwyman
Member
A nice autumn day on the Conwy
Posts: 1,035
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Post by elwyman on Jan 9, 2007 19:49:19 GMT
I have both books and agree they are excellent. A good read on a winter's night, to remind oneself of warmer times ahead!
Does Bill still fish? I think someone on the forum fished with him on the Dee last year, Tyneandrew possibly?
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Post by jimthefish on Jan 9, 2007 20:38:58 GMT
I have both books and agree they are excellent. A good read on a winter's night, to remind oneself of warmer times ahead! Does Bill still fish? I think someone on the forum fished with him on the Dee last year, Tyneandrew possibly? Bill unfortunately had another stroke at the end of last year but he is mobile and improving. I dearly hope that he will make a full recovery and continue to write, as well as fish, in the future. |
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Post by storlaks on Jan 9, 2007 21:17:44 GMT
Good luck chaps. At least water temps won't be too low. Heard the Naver was running at 44deg F.
Not cold for Jan.
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Post by robmason on Jan 9, 2007 21:45:55 GMT
Nice flies Jim, useful for the GT as well I shouldn't wonder! With the heavy rain forecast, what's you plan B?
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Post by tyneandrew on Jan 9, 2007 22:47:03 GMT
I have both books and agree they are excellent. A good read on a winter's night, to remind oneself of warmer times ahead! Does Bill still fish? I think someone on the forum fished with him on the Dee last year, Tyneandrew possibly? He was fishing with us at Aboyne in May last year and was still catching fish. Hoping he will be doing the same this year. Great company on the river. |
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Post by jimthefish on Jan 9, 2007 22:59:57 GMT
No plan B. The Helmsdale lies in a "rain shadow" area created by the considerable bulk and height of the hills in West Sutherland. It also has a chain of lochs at its head which soak up a lot of the rain and give a controlled flow. They did have one of the biggest spates in memory last October right enough so I guess the Lochs will be lying full.
Famous last words... but I have never found the river unfishable in any of my spring trips there in January or March.
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elwyman
Member
A nice autumn day on the Conwy
Posts: 1,035
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Post by elwyman on Jan 10, 2007 9:31:11 GMT
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Post by jkboy on Jan 10, 2007 15:31:45 GMT
Tidy looking flies there Jim, tight lines on Thursday.
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elwyman
Member
A nice autumn day on the Conwy
Posts: 1,035
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Post by elwyman on Jan 11, 2007 21:32:44 GMT
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