Opening day of River Helmsdale attracts more than 100 anglers from as far afield as Surrey and Skye

The River Helmsdale opened this morning with a traditional ceremony involving a pipe band, speech and ceremonial first cast.

More than 100 anglers from as far afield as Surrey, Glasgow and Skye took permits out to fish the river, according to local fishing tackle, outdoor and country shop Glencoast.

Fishing is free to all in the first fortnight.

Onlookers gathered in pouring rain to watch as members of Sutherland Schools Pipe Band marched down Dunrobin Street around 10am and stood in a circle to play next to the Bridge Hotel.

Helmsdale District Salmon Fishery Board manager Sir Michael Wigan, Borrobol, made a short speech to the assembled crowd.

The honour of making the 2020 ceremonial first cast from the bank of the nearby river went to teenage angler Findlay Adams (17), who has won the local flycasting championships a number of times.

* See next Friday's Northern Times for a full report and more pictures.

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