The 2024 season on the River Helmsdale is now officially open after Suisgill Estate ghillie Donald Sutherland made the ceremonial first cast this morning.
Donald Sutherland, centre, with Michael Wigan, left, manager of Helmsdale District Salmon Fishery Board, and Andy Sutherland.Donald Sutherland makes the ceremonial cast.
Accompanied by Michael Wigan, manager of Helmsdale District Salmon Fishery Board, Mr Sutherland marched in front of Sutherland Schools Pipe Band, down Dunrobin Street to the roundabout in front of the Bridge Guest House.
Also in the procession were pupils from Helmsdale Primary School waving banners they had made with salmon on them.
Pupils from Helmsdale Primary School marched behind the pipe band, waving banners they had made with salmon on them.Sutherland Schools Pipe Band performing at the roundabout in front of the Bridge Guest House following the opening procession.
Mr Wigan made a short address to waiting anglers and spectators before he and Mr Sutherland went to the riverside for the cast. A ceremonial dram was poured into the river.
The river is open to all anglers without charge until January 20 and around 80 anglers were given permits for the first day.
Mr Wigan said the biggest spate in 20 years had dislodged rocks and gravel.
He told anglers that the "pools would not be the same" and that some of the "salmon nests" would have been washed away, but it would not be know until later in the year how many of the eggs had turned into fry.
This group of friends from Glasgow are celebrating their tenth year of fishing the Helmsdale. Each year they wear personalised matching jackets and hats with their name, a salmon and 'Helmsdale' printed on them, along with the year. From left, Gordon Murray, Jason McRoberts, Bob Murray, Michael McAnenay and Davie Baird.This group of friends from Glasgow are celebrating their tenth year of fishing the Helmsdale. Each year they wear personalised matching jackets and hats with their name, a salmon and 'Helmsdale' printed on them, along with the year.Artie McKerron and Greg Milne, both from Elgin. Artie has fished the Helmsdale for the past seven years while 2024 is Greg's second year.Veteran anglers, from left, Mark Tait and Steve Boyd, Elgin, and Scott Hay, Forres.Graham Greaves, left, and David Macleod, Kinlochleven.Angler Andy Musgrove, Inverneil, Argyll.Michael Donnachie, left, from Dingwall, and Jonathan Massey, Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway.James Fleming and Dani Morey who are both ghillies on the Spey. It was James's first time at Helmsdale.
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