The rain's hammering on the window, and whilst I too am beginning to wonder when the warmer fronts will be with us again, and perhaps a more gentle breeze, it's safe to say that the rivers will be all the better for a flushing through. The fish certainly seem to increase in activity, and with a few terrestrial patterns in the box, expectations are suddenly hightened.


Small, perhaps, but very welcome in less than ideal conditions:


~Dave

This unweighted nymph works well fished 'Klink & Dink' / 'New Zealand' style:



Hook: Varivas 2120WB #18
Thread: Sheer 14/0, tan
Abdomen: Squirrel
Rib: Hends wire 0.09, shell pink
Tail & Wing buds: Lemon Woodduck
Thorax: Light hare's mask

~Dave

Sedges

With most of the significant up-wing hatches behind us, thoughts turn to terrestrial patterns. However, in the evenings, there is still some superb sport to be had with sedge imitations.

Here are a couple to try; a version with CDC and another with an Elk wing:

With the CDC wing:


...and from beneath:


With an Elk wing


Hook: Varivas 2200BL #18
Thread: Sheer 14/0, tan
Abdomen: Porcupine quill
Thorax: Squirrel
Wing: Either CDC or Elk

~Dave

A couple of useful patterns; both quite generic. A change of size allows you imitate many different upwings emerging and as the dun.

Theses two examples are in the box to imitate Large Dark Olives:

Ascending S-loop Nymph:



Hook: Partridge BIN #16
Thread: Sheer 14/0, tan
Tail and wing: Woodduck
Rib: Hends 0.09 wire, gold
Abdomen: Wapsi Superfine #12 olive
Thorax: Squirrel

Dun:






Hook: Partridge SLD #16
Thread: Sheer 14/0, tan
Tail: Coq de Leon
Abdomen: Wapsi Superfine #12 olive
Thorax: Squirrel
Post: Funky Fibre, grey
Hackle: Barred Dark Ginger

~Dave

Hook: Partridge SUD #10
Thread: Sheer 14/0, tan
Wing: Lemon Woodduck
Tail: Coq de Leon
Abdomen: Wapsi Superfine #5
Rib: Tying thread
Thorax: Hare's mask
Hackle: Silver Badger

~Dave

A little variation on the loop emerger, this time tied with a copper tag:



Hook: Partridge YK12ST, black #20
Thread: sheer 14/0 Orange
Tag: Copper tinsel, small
Abdomen: Wapsi Superfine #7
Rib: Tying thread, darkened
Wing: CDC
Thorax: Hare's mask

~Dave

During this last year, many of you will have noticed I've been using materials from Funky Fly Tying. Well, their website is now live and taking orders: there are some great materials: Fly Tying Materials from Funky Fly

Please follow the link and take a look - you will not be disappointed!

~Dave