Parachute Emerger - A new addition to the RFB

I have just added a step-by step for tying parachute hackles on the River Fly Box.



Hook: Varivas 2200BL-B #14
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, tan
Abdomen: Orvis Spectrablend, Light Olive
Wing post: Funky Fibre, yellow
Thorax: Orvis Spectrablend, ginger
Hackle: Whiting, Golden Badger




~Dave

Biot Nymph - A new addition to the river fly box

I've just added a new addition to the River Fly Box: The Biot Nymph




Hook: Varivas 2120WB (Wave Barbless) #14
Bead: Tungsten 2mm
Thread: Sheer 14/0, tan
Tail: Coq de Leon fibres
Abdomen: Turkey Biot, olive
Thorax: Argentinian Hare, dyed olive

~Dave

Swedish Fly Fair, March 2010

I am delighted to say that I have been invited to tie at the Swedish Fly Fair in March (11th - 14th March). It'll be great to see some old friends and meet some new ones. This will be my first vist to Sweden too, so I'm really looking forward to it.

More information can be found here: Swedish Fly Fair 2010

~Dave

A very happy Christmas to everyone who visits and reads my blog. Since I started the records of visitors, the blog has received over 12000 hits from more than 80 countries. I am delighted that so many people have taken an interest and encouraged me to continue with the blog. I wish you all a lovely Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

I have always tried to keep the blog dedicated to fly fishing and tying. However, I wanted to add the news that my son, Oscar, was born on Christmas Eve. A better present you could not receive.

Best wishes,
~Dave

When the going gets tough... #30

A couple tied on #30 hooks... they really do have their day:

CDC Dun



Hook: Varivas 2210 #30
Thread: Synton 0.05 x2, olive
Wing: CDC, brown, fibres in split thread



CDC Shuttlecock



Hook: Varivas 2210 #30
Thread: Synton 0/05 x2, olibe
Abdomen:Light Olive
Wing: CDC
Thorax: Ginger

~Dave.

Smutting Shuttle

Small flies can save the day. When tying in the #24 and below sizes I very much like the use of CDC. There's little weight from such a small hook and, as a result, just a small amount of CDC will keep these floating all day.


Here's an example:



Hook: Varivas 2300 #28
Thread: Synton 0.05 x2, olive
Tail: 2 strands DNA Frosty Fibre
Abdomen: Tying thread
Rib: Tying thread
Wing: Natural CDC
Thorax: Superfine, #19 Sulphur Orange

~Dave

Frosty Reception

I saw a window of opportunity today to take the rod out and pursue a few winter rainbows. I rarely fish small stillwaters, but with good water (with excellently conditioned fish) just a few miles from home and usually a good winter fishery, I thought it was worth a crack. As I drove further up the valley, there was a little snow on the ground. When I found the lake, it was heavily iced over. Back home to the vice then to tie a few for warmer days.




~Dave.

CDC Loop Emerger (spray)

I've mentioned it many times, but the effectiveness of the CDC loop emerger can be, I believe, credited to the footprint. It floats well, but also gives a busy, fussy foorprint in the surface film. There is so much scope with which to play here with endless possibilities of materials and styles. Here's another varaition ~ a little similar to the method used for the CDC Spent Spinner, with a CDC thorax allowed to spill from either side of the loop ~ hence 'spray'.



Hook: Partridge BN15 #16
Thread: Sheer 14/0, tan
Abdomen: Orvis Spectrablend, light olive
Rib: Tying thread with Zelon (caddis amber) inserted between strands
Trailing wing: Woodduck fibres
Thorax: CDC, olive, inserted in split thread
Loop Wing: CDC, natural




~Dave.

CDC Spent Spinner

Hook: Varivas 2100 #12
Thread: Sheer 14/0, tan
Tails: P. Whillock Antennae, black
Egg sac: Glo Brite Floss #12 green
Abdomen: Turkey biot, rust
Thorax / Wing: CDC, light brown / Khaki blend
Wings split with 2 plumes of natural CDC.



~Dave.

Shrimp & Czech Nymphs - New addition to the River Fly Box

I have just made a new addition to the River Fly Box: Tying Shrimps and Czech Nymphs






~Dave

Shrimp à l'orange (et rose)

Shrimp à l'orange (et rose)

Hook: Partridge SHR #14
Ballast: Flat lead
Thread: Moser Powersilk 10/0, olive
Shell back: Orange raffine, varnish over
Body / legs: Rabbit & pink seal-sub, in split thread
Rib: Tying thread

The orange raffine takes on a lovely pink hue in certain light conditions.

~Dave

Hook: Partridge SHR #14
Ballast: Flat lead
Thread: Moser Powersilk 10/0, olive
Shell back: Cream / White raffine, varnish over
Body / legs: Rabbit, in split thread
Antennae: Partridge
Rib: Tying thread

~Dave

Hook: Partridge SHR #14
Ballast: Flat lead
Thread: Moser Powersilk 10/0, olive
Shell back: Wapsi Thin Skin (coloured at thorax wth black pen)
Abdomen: Speactrablend, cream
Thorax: Argentinian Hare , olive / natural blend
Rib: Tying thread

~Dave

The 'S Loop Nymph' - A new addition to the River Fly Box

I have just made a new addition to the River Fly Box: The 'S Loop Nymph'.




The next time you are fishing a river or stream, turn a few submerged stones and witness the many life forms that inhabit this environment. Your eyes will usually be drawn to the bigger caddis larvae, pupae and perhaps the stone clingers. However, take a closer look and you cannot fail to see that many of the nymphs are very small and slender - and they often move very quickly and with great agility. It starts to make you realise that even your carefully tied size 14 may be a little on the large side. Therefore, it pays to carry some patterns tied in smaller sizes. For me, this is where the 'S Loop Nymph' comes into play.





~Dave

...and on a #20

To demonstrate the versatility of the CDC dun patterns for the River Fly Box, here it is on a #20 Partridge SUD. (A great hook for dries & nymphs)



Hook: Partridge SLD #20
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, tan
Tail: Coq de Leon
Abdomen: Orvis Spectrablend, brown
Wing: CDC, brown (in split thread)

Now both together:



~Dave

CDC Dun - fast water

A variant of the CDC Dun, this pattern does away with the microfibbet tails and introduces hackle fibres instead.

This is a big 'searching' pattern. At times, a larger, high riding pattern can persuade a fish to take and the extra CDC it carries allows it to cope well in faster riffles of water.



Hook: Partridge SUD #10
Thread: 14/0 Sheer
Tails: Rooster hackle fibres, honey dun
Abdomen: Turkey Biot, tan
Wing: Light brown & dark brown CDC blend

~Dave.