‘It felt sad not to do something to mark the opening’: Locals gather for toast to River Helmsdale after official opening ceremony cancelled
The official opening ceremony for the River Helmsdale, which was due to take place last Saturday, January 11, was cancelled due to the wintry weather conditions.
The Helmsdale District Salmon Fishery Board made the decision to call off the ceremony earlier in the week as the weather continued to deteriorate.
But the wintry conditions didn’t stop a number of hardy locals from holding a small ceremony of their own.
They gathered on the old Telford Bridge for a toast an watched as John Struthers, known as Harris John, who was to have made the ceremonial first cast, threw a dram from a quaich into the river.
Yvonne Grant, of Glencoast tackle and outdoor shop in Helmsdale, said: “We just did a very small impromptu dram. It felt sad not to do something to mark the opening of the season. Harris John will still do the official cast next year.”
She added: “River Helmsdale Opening Day 2025 was our coldest start to a season in a long time.”
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A gin tasting by Latheronwheel’ s Ice & Fire Distillery went ahead at Glencoast as planned last Saturday.
The river is open for free fishing until Saturday, January 25, but anglers still need to register to fish, which can be done at Glencoast.
Ms Grant continued: “We had just over 50 hardy souls register, but with such cold temperatures, fishing was really out of the question, although a few did try.
“With the thaw now setting in, the free fishing continues until January 25. I am sure we will see a few faces over the next few weeks. Thank you, Helmsdale River Board, for the fishing opportunity.”
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