About Us

Helmsdalecompany.com went live in March 2007 due to the screaming demand for flies tied and designed by Ronald Sutherland from Helmsdale in the Highlands of Scotland. Ronald got his inspiration from his father Andrew, a guide on the River Helmsdale for 40 years and mentor Megan Boyd one of the most famous tiers in the world who lived just down the road at Kintradwell, Brora.

Ronald has been a hardcore fly fisherman for over 30 years and caught his first salmon when it was almost bigger than himself. Now running the busy Helmsdale Tackle Shop Ron tries to get a cast as often as possible on his local rivers and fishes regularly on the Spey, Dee & Ness, Ron has also fished on the Kola Peninsular on the mighty Kharlovka, Litza & Rynda. He also gives instruction in all aspects of salmon and trout fishing in the Highlands. It was on one of his many ventures to the river that he met life long friend, fellow angler Gordon Sim. Since then Ronald and Gordon have undertaken many successful fishing adventures together.

Ronald's wife Karen is also an intregal part of the company, Karen has vast experience in the financial sector working in banking and accounting for many years and holds the position of company secretary. "It is this perfect mix of fishing and financial expertise which has made the company a real success, of that I have no doubt" says managing director and husband Ronald Sutherland. Karen has recently taken up salmon fishing and as you can see from her photo above, she now knows how to catch fish!


Gordon is a director of WhereWiseMenFish.com and the Helmsdale Company is delighted to be associated with this group.  WhereWiseMenFish.com  specialise in all-inclusive destination fishing trips to the most desirable locations in the world.

 For the first time Ronald & Gordon’s favourite flies and new designs are available worldwide thanks to many hours of dedication and market research.

Building a good reputation with people in fly fishing & fly tying takes many years. There is no substitute for real experience in your field  –  we are not about to destroy our reputation.

www.helmsdalecompany.com aims to build one of the most comprehensive selections of quality international Atlantic salmon flies found anywhere, fly quality has to be seen to be believed and we have just raised the bar for on-line fly shopping.

I challenge you not to buy dozens of our great flies!

Ronald Sutherland.