Can't see what the trout are feeding on? - Try these
Summer Success = Small Dries
I'm writing this after a few very wet days (I even considered starting to build an ark), but my local beck is already dropping to even lower than its usual summer level, and that's when to break out the small flies. During the warmer summer weather with low flows and even lower rivers, most of the fish during the day will head for cover. This will usually be in deep pockets, undercut banks and under their favourite overhanging trees/bushes. When they are hanging out under trees and bushes they are in the perfect spot for opportunistic meals which will either float past or drop from overhanging vegetation. This is when you should break out the small dry flies.
We have a few things for you today, including a freebie for which you might be able to find a good home.
Read on McDuff ...
The Micro Dry Selection from Polish Quills
These stunning Micro Dry Flies from Polish Quills are exquisite and so nicely tied they are amazing, so we thought we would create a small selection from them. We are supplying these flies in a selection of 10 flies including Ginger, Grey, Green, Olive & Yellow all in size 20. These flies are essentially very small emerger patterns with a CdC wing and dubbed coloured bodies. Being very small (some only measure 4mm long), they require fine tippet, we have checked them with tippet and can thread 7X (0.10mm) through them. You might be wise to rig these flies up on short lengths of tippet before you venture out fishing though!
These are great dry flies for stealthy fishing on those low and slow rivers.
These flies are only available as a selection of 10 and are available now for only £20, including free delivery. We only have 30 of these selections available, so if you would like one you will need to be quick!
Leader Setup for Small Flies
Firstly, when setting up your leader for fishing very small dry flies, do not use fluorocarbon tippet, as this will sink and drag your fly under with it, use a thin supple mono (there are plenty to choose from such as Stroft & Orvis SuperStrong Plus etc). When building your leader, take note of the river size, if you are fishing a small overgrown stream, it's going to be difficult in most places to cast a 14ft leader, so try cutting back a 9' 6X leader by a few feet, and replacing what you cut off with your chosen tippet. All it means is you will need to wade very carefully in order to not spook any fish.
Which Cast To Use?
Try a Bow & Arrow cast to get your fly into those tight spots:
- Hold the dry fly with your free hand (by the bend of the hook)
- Whilst trapping the fly line with your finger on the rod, force a bend into the rod
- Using the rod tip as a sight, point it to where you want the fly to land and release the fly
Out she flies hopefully landing in your chosen spot. It may take a bit of practice to get the cast exactly right, so try it in a spot where you will not disturb any fish to get your accuracy first.
Top Tips When Fishing Small Dry Flies
Here's a few tips to help you when fishing with small dry flies, which we hope you find useful:
- Use the most flexible and limp tippet material you can find, often in 6X & 7X. If possible, do not use fluorocarbon, as this will sink and cause even more drag.
- Make the tippet length form about 30% of the total leader length. This can make the tippet pile up when presented, which may give you a few more seconds of drag free drift.
- The majority of the time you will lose sight of the dry fly once you have cast it. One option is to de-grease your leader, but leave the last foot near the fly, this should then allow you to see the leader and then track it to your fly.
- Another option to indicate where your fly is positioned, is to use a minute yarn sight indicator, place it about 3 feet up your leader.
Alternatively, why not fish with 2 dry flies, about 18" apart. Use one with a visible sighting post in size 18 and then maybe a size 24 dry as a point fly.
Straight Talking - An Introduction to River Fly Fishing
If you, or someone you know, are just getting into our fantastic sport, then we have just the thing for you - and best of all, we're giving them away for FREE, until the end of this week:
Over the last few months, we've received loads of calls asking how to get into river fly fishing, also asking what the different terms actually mean etc. So we've spent the last couple of months putting together this small ring-bound booklet to try and demystify all the language and give as much info as we can on how to get you started fly fishing rivers. It has 32 concise pages, all the info you need to get you started, from choosing equipment, setting it up and identifying where to fish. We've also included all of our monthly hatch diagrams.
It's a 32-page ring-bound booklet (A6 in size), which we feel sure that you will find helpful - and we're giving it away for FREE to our loyal email community.
Get your FREE copy here - Just add it to your basket
As previously stated, we are giving our 'Intro to River Fly Fishing' booklet away for FREE, you don't even have to order anything from us (it would be nice if you did though!), just click the button above and add it to your basket, we will also ship it to you for free - so what have you got to loose!