As One Door Season Closes ... Another Opens

Today is the closing day of the trout season on my local river - as you're reading this I will probably have just left Gregg's with a few sausage rolls and a coffe - and heading down to the river to get my last 'trout' fix of the year - althought if I'm honest, I would prefer to hook into a few Grayling, as they are just sytarting to show themselves.

I always make one promise to myself when fishing the last day of each season ...

Dry Fy Only

With this in mind, if I were to select just one item of equipment that I think has rekindled my passion for fishing our local small streams (for both Trout and Grayling) over the last few years, it’s the use of a silk line - I’ve found nothing better for presenting small dry flies on long light leaders, and it really does put the ‘art’ back into casting.

In fact, I find a silk line is perfect for targeting Grayling with a dry fly - they don't stretch, so you're instantly in contact with the fly, which is a definite plus when trying to entice a 'dry fly Grayling' - their takes are like lightning!

TL;DR - Too Long; Didn't Read

I know that some of you are pressed for time and save our emails to read later in the day, by this time our flies/lines/leaders are sometimes sold out (I get lots of emails from customers pointing this out to me).

I've put this section at the beginning, so you can grab your flies silk line and furled leaders now - and save reading my musings for later.

This email is all about Silk Lines (both as Christmas Gifts to yourself and for Grayling dry fly fishing) and some epic Furled Leaders.

We've just received the last batch of silk fly lines from Ian Moxon (DT2's, DT4's & DT8's), and our last batch of Furled Leaders for 2025 - grab yours while you can, they won't hang around for long.

Plus - We're also giving you the option to have your New Silk Line gift boxed and sealed, so you can buy it as a Christmas present and surprise yourself!

I started on my own silk route a few years ago (with one of Ian's stunning lines) and it has completely changed the way I feel about fly fishing.

Don't get me wrong, I still love plumbing the depths with nymphs, for Grayling when the waters high, but when it comes to small streams and even smaller flies I instinctively reach for my silk line - the presentation is so much better, and it just makes me feel much happier! They are also very simple to care for (see below).

Don't think that to get the best out of a silk line you need a cane rod - just try one on a medium action carbon rod - or better still a glass rod - there really is nothing better.

I'm sure that at some point in your fly fishing odyssey, you may have contemplated using a silk line, if so:

Read on McDuff ...

What better way to look forward to a new season (it's only 6 months away!) than with a silk line, especially when said line is made right here in the UK, in Sheffield to be precise - by a guy called Ian.

These silk lines have been designed and made with a 'fine tip' and built-in loops which effectively means they have a very thin 'built-in' furled leader (see below for more "Furled Leader Chat", so you just attach a level piece of tippet to the end.

Ok, so why should I use a silk line then? We're glad you asked:

• They have no memory - completely limp
• There's no stretch - improved hookups
• They are denser than plastic fly lines and therefore much thinner, and thinner lines mean much less wind resistance
• They float better than plastic fly lines - they float on the water surface, not in it, making roll casts and mending line much easier
• You get 3 lines in one; When fully greased it's a floating Line, grease everything except the tip and you have a midge-tip line, don't grease it and you have an intermediate/sinking line
• They can last a lifetime - so long as they are cared for and stored correctly a silk line can last a lifetime - and indeed will get better with age

We've just received a parcel here @ Barbless Flies HQ - direct from Ian in Sheffield and it's full of his silk fly lines - we've now got these stunning full-length silk lines in weights (DT2, DT4 and DT8).

Special Offer: We've now included the option for you to recieve any of Ian's Silk lines in a handy Gift box (to keep them as a surprise for the big day and also to store them in when not on the reel) - all our Ian's silk fly lines are also supplied with a microfibre cloth (to clean/help dry them) and full line care instructions.

These lines are made in the UK (in Sheffield, Yorkshire), by Ian Moxon, will last a lifetime and are outstanding value for money, they are now available and still from only £89.99 - which for a silk line is fantastic value, when it should last you a lifetime!

*** We've only a few of each weight of line - and no more stock arriving until 2026, so if you would like one, grab yours now ***

Please Note: We do realise that silk lines may be very new to some of you, and you will have some questions. Please either reply to this email, or give me a call on 0330 66 00 587 and I will answer them as best I can.

A Touch Of Finness...

If you still want a little bit of the 'silk line presentation', but without the cost, why not try adding a Furled Leader to your current fly line:

Furled leaders, constructed from twisted threads of various materials including silk, nylon, or modern synthetics, offer a completely knotless alternative to a mono tapered leader, which many fly anglers swear by.

These leaders transfer energy smoothly through their twisted construction, creating exceptional turnover characteristics while maintaining flexibility throughout their length. The furling process creates a leader that tapers naturally through the twist density rather than diameter changes, resulting in remarkably smooth energy transmission and delicate presentation capabilities.

Tight quarters demand precise presentations, and furled leaders provide exceptional accuracy at close range. Their inherent flexibility prevents the line memory problems that plague conventional leaders in confined spaces, while their energy transfer efficiency allows delicate placement of flies in pocket water and undercut banks.

We have teamed up with The Furled Leader Co to offer Marcus's exquisite Furled Dry Fly Leaders - still only £10.50 each - they are stunning and will last forever (not literally, but I do have a furled leader which was made 10 years ago and it's still as good as new).

 

Tight (silk) lines.