For all the detailed, beautiful, fancy patterns available, it is nice to tie simple, suggestive patterns. More and more my fly boxes are becoming loaded with these simple flies. Profile is the key. I don't know whether the loop 'wing' suggests splitting wing buds or legs. I guess it doesnt matter: they give me confidence. Fish them dead-drift without any hint of drag, or drawn purposefully up through the water to induce a take.

Looped Baetis Nymph


Hook: TMC 102Y #15 - 21
Thread: Powersilk 10/0
Bead: 2mm tungsten
Tail & 'wing': Woodduck
Body: Dark olive spectrablend
Thorax: Peacock / charcoal spectrablend

~ Dave

I'm steadily tying some flies for the bench at the BFFI. A few CDC loop-wing emergers, para-duns, nymphs and heavy bugs are already done. I thought it would be a nice idea to pre-tie some of my favourite river patterns - and hopefully demonstrate some of the techniques and materials I'm using.



There's a fantastic exhibition of tyers' work planned at the show. Away from Fly Tyer's row, there will be some exceptional tying displays too. Take your chance to visit their website and see who will be present. It's lining up to be a great weekend.



My copy of the 2009 edition of Hatches landed on my door mat a few weeks back. I've been making my way through it, continuing to be fascinated by some of the great articles.



It covers everything from fishing flies through to the artistic & realistic. When you delve into to it, fly tying is a hugey diverse subject. Whether your interest lies in saltwater, rivers, lakes, fully dressed salmon flies, tiny trout flies... (the list is endless really), you will find yourself appreciating the magazine. This is only the third year that Hatches has been published. This year there are a few place where the magazine an be purchased in the UK. Either way, if your over this side of the pond, it's worth ordering and having all three to hand. You won't be disappointed!

~D.

So that's it. Another trout season done and dusted. Every year I plan to get on the water more; every year I always feel I could have managed more. But this season gone has been a good one. I didn't manage much fishing since August, but I don't think I missed a great deal. I have, however, enjoyed my fishing more than ever and I hope that continues. Whilst I try to sort out my season's returns, my mind is starting to wander to colder weather, misty mornings and the on-set of some grayling fishing. Yes, dry flies and small nymphs can catch plenty of fish before the heavy guns put in an appearance, but there's no harm in stocking the boxes...

Heavy Mallard


Hook: Dohiku 644 #14
Beads: 2mm Tungsten x2
Thread: Olive Powersilk 10/0
Tail and wing: Mallard
Abdomen: Dark olive spectrablend
Thorax: Peacock spectrablend

~ Dave

Orvis and the BFFI 2009

This weekend (Saturday 10th October) I'll be doing a tying demonstration with Dennis Shaw at the Orvis store in Burford. Take a look at Dennis' flies by clicking the link on his name.

I'm also delighted that I've been invited to tie at the BFFI 2009 on Flytier's row. More details to follow on the website. If you're planning to visit the show which is on the 7th and 8th November (always worth it), please pop by and say 'Hi'.

Brassed Off: Tying and fishing the Brassie

Love it or hate it, the inevitable need to go deeper and find the fish, is married with the arrival of colder (and often wetter) weather. Whilst it may not be the dry-fly fishers’ idea of fun, big and heavy, lead-packed nymphs are often the answer. Fished in a variety of styles, they can be hugely effective. Given running water of suitable depth and flow, short line, ‘Czech –Nymphing’ with a team of these heavy bugs can be a super-productive method – often allowing good numbers of fish to be brought to the net. However, when faced with fluctuating depths and speed of the flow, this style can become a more of a hindrance than a winning technique. Plus there are times when the fish demand something smaller, but at depth. So it’s time to start changing patterns and approach...

Click to read more in Hatches Magazine...


~Dave

Out of all the dry flies tied and ready for action, it is the CDC loop emerger that ticks all the boxes for me. I know I post variations on this theme alot, but trust me, they are a worthy addition. Big rivers, tiny freestone streams, brooks, chalk streams and vast reservoirs have all seen this style of tying persuade fish. Here's another alternative to hopefully whet the appetite:



Hook: TMC 212Y #17
Thread: Sheer 14/0 tan
Abdomen: Wapsi Superfine, olive
Rib: Tying thread, darkened with black permanent marker
Thorax: Rabbit
Wing: Natural CDC

~Dave.

Another couple to share. Firstly a change of bead and wire colour to the brassie can make all the difference when the fish are being picky. Who knows exactly how colour is perceived by the fish, but certainly a slight change can make the difference between success and a dry net.

The Brassie Rouge:



Hook: TMC 2487 #14 - #20
Bead: Tungsten 'Nymph-Head'
Body: UTC Ultra wire, red
Thorax: Synthetic claret, split thread


Next, a tiny offering that works well either trailed behind a dry fly, NZ style, or in conjunction with a bigger nymph. This is the answer to those days where the fish seem willing to hit only small offerings. Fir the sacrificial bug, I would suggest a dark, drab offering - since when picky enough to only take sub #20 nymphs, a large, flashy bug may just spook them:

Titchy Brassie:


Hook : TMC 2488 #22
Body: Copper wire, fine
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, orange
Thorax: Synthetic olive / yellow

~Dave