The beats are for two rods and each day the rods have an upper and a lower beat at their disposal. It is fly only, as many small Highland river are. Its pools vary from streamy moorland pools in the upper river to a variety of sandy and rocky pools in the lower section. There are few fly fishing rivers as good and as well managed as the Helmsdale. The spring fishings, which begin in January, strengthen in late February and are at their peak , according to year, in late March and April, are centred on the lower river,- up to the Kildonan Falls.
Sea trout run the whole river and enter the tributaries.
There are good trout lochs at the head of the Helmsdale, principally the Badanloch, Loch nan Clar, Loch Rimsdale, Loch Fearnan and, to the north several fine hill waters worth walking to and fishing. This is high, open moorland and hill country with a serenity and wildness which is marvellous to savour. The lochs are easy to get fishings on through local hotels. The Helmsdale is, of course, not an easy river to get access to. Most of the fishings are let through the six estates which own the river.