We've Just Had This ...

Which will, inevitably, lead to this:

Which means, you'll need this:

At this time of year, fishing can be very challenging, mostly due to the variable amount of water in the rivers. Assuming it is safe to actually fish - as floods can considerably weaken the riverbanks, then most fish will be nailed to the bottom of the river and you will need nymphs with a little more weight to reach them. This is where fly choice and technique come into play:

1. Fly Choice - This is pretty easy, something with weight, that is natural-looking. With a little colour if the water is coloured, or drab if the water is clear.
2. Technique - This is where a little knowledge of Fluid Dynamics comes into play (don't bother reaching for your copy of the 'Dummies Guide to Fluid Dynamics', I'll briefly explain here) - When a river is flowing, the water on the surface moves faster than the water below it - the faster the flow the more difference in speed between the surface water and riverbed water. When you cast a nymph upstream you need to give it a chance to sink to where the fish are holding. Generally, in fast water, the nymph doesn't sink fast enough to get there - so the fish will never actually see the nymph at all! To fix this, once you have cast your nymph and it hits the water, quickly perform an upstream mend, this will allow the nymph more time to sink and get to the target zone.

To read a more in-depth article on fluid dynamic in rivers (and stillwaters), you can click here to read our FREE articles on The EDGE.

And so to those Artisan Flies I mentioned last night ...

In co-operation with our Artisan tyers we have put together a specialist selection of heavier nymphs (all incorporating tungsten) that will be ideal for use over the next few months (for both Grayling and early-season Trout), especially if the rivers are 'up and coloured'. These should be all you need for a fantastic new-year 'stress-relieving' day on the river.

The patterns included in our selection of 16 are 2 each of:

• Czech Weapon - Tied on size 12 & 14 AHREX FW541 barbless hook
• Duracell Jig - Tied on size 12 & 14 VMC 7077 barbless jig hook
• Green Bomb Jig - Tied on size 12 & 14 VMC 7077 barbless jig hook
• Violet Bug - Tied on size 12 & 14 AHREX FW541 barbless hook

Please Note: We've also included a few tips on how to handle and present heavier flies at the end of this email.

We only have a limited number (38) of these Artisan 'Heavy Mob' Nymph Selections, so if our previous offerings are anything to go by, you will need to be pretty quick off the mark!

Our stunning heavier nymphs come in a cost-effective selection. You’ll get 4 unique patterns, with 2 of each in sizes 12 & 14 - making a total of 16 flies, all tied on the best quality hooks available, for only £28 for the FULL set. 

Just click any button or image to check out the patterns included in this great selection!

Each of the patterns included within our Artisan 'Heavy Mob' Selection can also be bought (and topped up) individually, you can find more details on each of them below:

A classic tungsten jig pattern, tied with a gunmetal bead and green collar which is very successful in faster/deeper water.

This fly is only available in size 12 & 14, tied on a VMC 7077 barbless jig hook.

• This nymph in a size 12 weighs 0.40g
• This nymph in a size 14 weighs 0.26g

These are very high-quality flies tied on high-quality barbless VMC 7077 hooks and are available individually in sizes 12 & 14.

This Nymph is a generic nymph in that it represents many mayfly and caddis nymphs and is often used as a searching pattern. Its shaggy appearance resembles many species of nymphs when they shed their skins or shucks as they progress into the next stage of their life. The more scruffy this fly is, the better it is at catching fish, and this one is pretty scruffy! 

This Czech Weapon is tied on size 12 & 14 AHREX FW541 barbless hooks.

• This nymph in a size 12 weighs 0.42g
• This nymph in a size 14 weighs 0.28g

These are very high-quality flies tied on high-quality barbless AHREX FW541 hooks and are available individually in sizes 12 & 14.

Another one from the competition scene (originally designed by Craig McDonald), a Czech style nymph, fantastic for both Grayling and Trout in coloured water. A classic grayling tungsten nymph pattern that is very successful in faster/deeper water.

This fly is available in sizes 12, 14, 16 & 18. All tied on VMC 7077 barbless jig hooks.

• This nymph in a size 12 weighs 0.40g
• This nymph in a size 14 weighs 0.25g
• This nymph in a size 16 weighs 0.16g
• This nymph in a size 18 weighs 0.10g

These are very high-quality flies tied on high-quality barbless VMC 7077 jig hooks and are available individually in sizes 12, 14, 16 & 18.

A fly with a gunmetal tungsten bead, violet thorax and red hot-spot which is especially successful when used to target Grayling.

This fly is available in sizes 12 & 14, tied on an AHREX FW541 barbless hook.

• This nymph in a size 12 weighs 0.36g
• This nymph in a size 14 weighs 0.24g

These are very high-quality flies tied on high-quality barbless AHREX FW541 hooks and are available individually in sizes 12 & 14.

*** We've only 38 of each of these selections - so if you want one you will need to be quick ***

Fishing With Heavy Flies

If you have ever tried to cast a heavy multi-fly rig, you will know that you are just asking for trouble, if you cast in your normal style. Heavy flies and tight loops are a recipe for disaster - here are a few tips which you can deploy to make life a little easier when casting heavier rigs:

1. Widen Your Casting Arc - This opens up your loops and by default keeps the heavy rig away from the rest of your leader (and your fly rod - the last thing you want is a heavy bead hitting your pride and joy).
2. Slow Down - By slowing your casting stroke you are immediately slowing down your line speed, this, in-turn reduces the kick (and associated slack line) which happens when a heavy nymph changes direction as a result of the cast.
3. Increase The Fly Line Size by 1 - Over-lining the rod by one size can improve your presentation when casting heavy rigs.
4. Lift & Cast - Lift your rig to the surface of the river first, before starting the cast. By beginning your cast with your rod tip low, and taking up any slack in the system your cast will be more efficient.
5. Use The Lob Cast (or Water-Load Cast) - Simply, this is a low backcast to get the whole rig downstream of you. Wait for the river flow to take up the tension in the entire system, then push your rod tip forwards as you would for a normal cast, this will see your rig cast in an arc (or a 'lob') and enter the water, already under tension and ready to fish. The benefit of this cast is it keeps the entire rig away from your rod and is much easier to control, with the added advantage that the point fly enters the water first and is fishing effectively straight away.

The above techniques are best practised on a quiet stretch of water where there is no overhanging vegetation.

Tight lines, have fun, but most importantly - keep warm.