The stunning caterpillar of the Vapourer Moth, Orgyia Antiqua. Pictures taken on an apple tree in the front garden:

I have seen these colourful creatures on the underside of leaves lining the river banks. Perhaps not worthy of a specific imitation, but a caterpillar pattern can be worthwhile in the height of the season.

~Dave

Ephemera Danica, Imago

It has been a bumper year for spinner falls in the evening. What magical creatures they are too.

~Dave

As darkness falls...

~Dave

Mayfly & Uffe's Killer

This year has been (and still is!) superb for E. Danica hatches. Infact we are getting to to the stage that the fish are proving very picky - why bother risking, when there are so many naturals on the water?

That said, with careful presentation, there is every chance of fooling these tricky fish. Sliding into position, and ensuring a drag free run can bring the goods. It also gives you a chance to work on some new patterns - and patterns that you have borrowed from others. Uffe's Killer (by Ulf Hagstrom) has proven its worth for me this year. Thanks Ulf! It has worked fantastically as a spinner pattern.

The rise of a good fish at the head of a pool

Uffe's Killer, tied with CDC

~Dave

Mayfly

As predicted, the Mayfly show has been something special. The spinner falls have been amaxing and the fish have responded. Some beautiful wild fish have shown too. Evenings like these are something to behold.

~Dave

A very pretty wildie that fell for a #14 Caddis imitation:

~Dave

Exquisite: Yellow May Dun (Heptagenia Sulphuria, Female)

From this evening:

~Dave

Lucian Vasies' Mayfly

Check out this excellent tutorial from fellow fisher and friend Lucian Vasies:

Tying the Mayfly

~ Dave

Hawthorns

It's been a good year for Hawthorns and they're still flying now. Get out if the wind blows and you could be on for some good sport.

My imitation above:
Hook: Varivas 2200BL-B
Thread: Sheer 14/0
Legs: knotted PTN
Body: Black/ peacock spectrablend
Wing: CDC

~Dave

Well done to Nick, who joined me this morning for a few hours, learning to fly cast and get to grips with the ever important art of fly presentation. We made huge progress and ended the session targetting a fish that rose to the wool tag whilst practising (suffice to say it preferred some orange fluff to a skillfully presented Klinkhamer!).

Nick works on casting across the body

~Dave

CDC Emerger - A new addition to the River Fly Box

I have just added a new tutorial to the River Fly Box - the CDC Emerger.

This is a pattern that I have been using for a couple of seasons now with great effect and it highlights a method for neatly securing the CDC:

The slim line emerger

The important locking thread wraps to secure the CDC

The finished fly in the tutorial

A full tutorial can be viewed here: CDC Emerger

~Dave

S&DAC Open Day 2012

I spent enjoyable day teaching some fly casting at the Salisbury & District Angling Club today. 'May' weather it certainly was not, but at least it stayed dry and the sun put in a welcome appearance:

Charles Jardine kicking off the casting display

Club members working hard to develop their casting

~Dave

The good old PTN

A classic from the Frank Sawyer stable, I wonder if there is any river fisher's fly box that isn't graced by this simple pattern. In the true style, I prefer to use copper wire as the 'thread', but I really like addition of a tungsten bead. This results is a fly that, even in micro sizes, sinks quickly through the water column.

Worth noting perhaps that the whole pattern is tied with just one bunch of Pheasant tail fibres - perhaps just three or four.

The hook is the trusty Partridge SLD #20

~Dave

Keep 'em small and delicate

I have noticed a few Hawthorn flies hanging in the air, so if the rivers fine down a little, there's a chance of some good dry fly sport this weekend.

But whilst we await the appearance of the Danica this year, small nymphs can be an essential early season tactic. You could do a lot worse than trying this dainty offering:

Hook: Partridge SLD #20
Bead: 1.5mm tungsten, copper coloured
Thread: Sheer 14/0, grey
Tail: Coq de Leon
Body: Natural peacock quill

~Dave