Morning,
It's been pretty warm out!
This can be very challenging for fishing - especially with low water levels and in some cases, where the water temperatures are too warm (generally above 19-degrees C), it's probably better to retire to the pub. And while you're in there you could have a read of our Summer Watercraft article - see the very end of this email - it may give you some ideas ...
But, if you are located in some of the cooler parts of the UK (like us here on the North-East coast), then there's some great fishing to be had - especially in the late evenings (or early mornings).
Today's missive will be quite short, but I wanted to give you a bit of a steer on which flies should be tucked away in your box for just these occasions, and we will start with an 'evening' pattern:
The Emerging Caddis
A surface film pupa imitation for Caddis/Sedge hatches on Rivers and Stillwaters.
Tied on the Ahrex FW503 light barbless dry fly hook, this Clipped Deer Hair Emerging Caddis Pupa sits in - not on - the surface film, imitating a caddis pupa at the point of emergence. The body is densely spun deer hair, clipped to a segmented profile that suggests the texture and movement of a live insect. Trailing shuck fibres complete the picture.
How To Fish It: Fish it dead drift during a hatch, or use the pop-and-pause technique - pull under the surface on the retrieve, then stop and let the natural buoyancy of the deer hair drive the fly back up through the film. That sudden upward movement is one of the most reliable take-triggers in summer dry(ish) fly fishing. Works equally well on rivers (upstream dead drift or duo rig) and stillwaters (floating line, figure-of-eight or static).
Our next pattern is a specialist 'afternoon' pattern ...
The Agapetus
The Agapetus is a micro Caddis fly - it's only 5mm long as a fully grown adult! These flies are mainly found in East and North Yorkshire (and especially the rivers around Driffield) - I've not heard of them found in any other rivers in the UK, but this pattern works wherever you see clouds of midges above the water.
This fly is only available in size 20 for £1.75 each - including free delivery to anywhere within the UK.
Top Tip: Drift your Agapetus (or any other black midge pattern) directly under the cloud of flies. Males often fight each other with the loser falling onto the surface of the water - the fish seem to know this and sit there waiting!
Our last pattern is a specialist 'early morning' one ...
The Tricolore
This 'morning' Caddis imitation is one of the best floating flies I've ever seen. the detail is outstanding, I'm sure both you and the fish will love these!
This Caddis imitation will float well even in the roughest of waters. This is a classic French fly and best fished in the faster-riffled water. We do recommend you use a slightly thicker leader than normal when fishing these (as they act like little propellers and twist your tippet)!
These flies are available as a selection of 12, containing 4 each of sizes 12, 14 & 16, for only £18 - including free delivery to anywhere within the UK.
Keep Cool This Summer - With Our 'Vintage' Trucker Cap
Our Barbless 6 Panel Vintage Trucker Cap combines classic retro styling with sustainable materials. Featuring recycled polyester mesh rear panels, this cap offers enhanced breathability while reducing environmental impact.
Designed with a mid-profile and a soft unstructured crown, it provides a comfortable, relaxed fit that contours naturally to the head. The curved peak shields the eyes from the sun, while the contrast stitch detail adds a subtle, high-quality finish to the vintage aesthetic. An adjustable snapback size adjuster ensures a secure, customisable fit for a wide range of head sizes. The pre-curved peak provides ergonomic sun protection - perfect to shade your eyes so you can see your fly on the water.
At only £27.50 - which includes free delivery to anywhere within the UK - our Barbless Vintage Trucker Cap is your perfect partner on those warmer fishing trips.
Watercraft - the ability to read water and understand the underwater world - separates us regular anglers from truly exceptional ones.
During the summer months, when UK waters are at their most complex and challenging, mastering watercraft becomes absolutely critical for consistent success with both wild and stocked trout.
Summer presents unique challenges: lower water levels, increased angling pressure, elevated water temperatures, and sophisticated fish behaviour. Yet for those who understand how to read the signs, summer also offers some of the most rewarding fishing of the year. The key lies in developing an understanding of how trout behave in different water types, how they respond to changing conditions, and how to use environmental indicators to predict both fish location and feeding patterns.
Continue to read the full article on the Barbless Flies Learning Centre ...
Tight Lines.
