Back to the small stuff

OK, so the weather's unsettled at the moment, but I actually think we have been served a real gem of a spring. After a very mild winter, the rivers were in desperate need of a good flushing and that's exactly what we got. River levels rose a little and the unwanted silt and weed that had gathered across many of the beds of my local streams were washed clear. Then came the warm spell of beautiful summer-like evenings, coninciding with some of the most spectacular mayfly displays I have seen for a while. Fish responded to the fresh water and offering of cracking Danica spinner falls.

Whilst there are still some Mayfly to be seen and on some rivers the fish will happily target them, the beginning of June heralds the start of 'Summer' fishing proper. Smaller olives patterns, caddis imitations and terrestrial patterns all come into play. Great stuff! Don't get me wrong ~ I love the Mayfly weeks as much as anyone, but there is something very reassuring about the return to smaller patterns, lighter tippets and the challenge of seeking out a lunker feeding any an array of different insects.

The CDC Dun - click on the photo for a tying tutorial

Slim, sparse & tapering bodies are required ~ keep them dainty

The foam beetrle ~ click on the photo for a tying tutorial

The BFFI 2012 is nearly upon us. I'll be tying there again this year, but only on the Saturday. I'll be concentrating on these smaller Summer patterns. If you visit, please come over and say 'Hello'.

~Dave