New Arrivals - Deershucker Emergers & Buzzers

Stillwater & River Essentials

It's safe to say that we are now on first name terms with our local DPD & DHL delivery guys! We've had so many parcels of flies arrive over the last few days that we've only just managed to list them all on the site. I've decided to just pick out two of the most popular selections for this 'back in stock' email, we wouldn't want to overwhelm you!

As the weather starts to warm the water, buzzer patterns will come more into the fore as far as the stillwater angler is concerned - especially adult buzzer imitations:

For Stillwaters:

Buzzer fishing on stillwaters is generally dependent upon the wind:

  • When it's Still: Use a floating line, long leader and a team of three buzzers. Cast out and, before the flies start to sink, pull the the line to straighten out the leader. Then pause (keeping in touch with the flies) and wait for the flies to drop, takes usually come with the buzzers on the drop. You should spot a take before you feel it, keep an eye on the fly line and leader for any abnormal movement. If the buzzers hits the bottom, just a few pulls on the fly line should bring them back to the surface, and you can start again by letting them sink.
  • When it's Windy: Still use a floating line, but this time use a shorted leader. Check the direction of the wind and cast out across the wind (i.e. the wind is side on to you) - always make sure the wind is to your left shoulder if you are right handed (and the right shoulder if you are left handed). Again, using a team of three buzzers, cast out and allow the buzzers to drift with the wind. You should not need to retrieve your line, as the wind will make sure your leader straightens up. Again, you will usually see the take before you feel it - just remember to strike in the opposite direction to the direction your flies are moving. Once at the end of your drift, lift the flies slowly from the water, it's surprising how many fish take your buzzers as you're about to re-cast!.

Our Buzzer Selection is now available as a selection of 24 flies (6 different patterns, 2 each of sizes 12 & 16). We are supplying all of these for only £24.

All are supplied in our eco-friendly packaging. Just click on any image or button in this email to view the buzzers in more detail.

For Both Rivers & Stillwaters:

As you can see the patterns are quite 'rough and ready'. Similar in design to the Deer Hair Emerger, the key to this style of fly is in the rough body and the deer hair used - it has to be hair from the winter coat of the animal as this is more buoyant due to the increased amount of air contained within each strand (each strand of deer hair is hollow and is a great insulator).

The key to fishing this style of pattern is how you treat the fly when dry - just apply a little gel floatant to the tips of the deer hair - both front and back. This will sit the fly in the surface film of the water, you need the fly to sit so you can only see the deer hair on the water surface.

For more tips on fishing emerger style flies, please check out the end of this email - as we've added a section on how to fish this style of fly.

We asked our guys who tie for us to come up with some classic Deershucker style patterns which will work for both Rivers and Stillwaters. We've curated this Deershucker Selection based on the flies which:

  1. We've found are the most popular colours on our site; and
  2. Ones which I use myself on my local river

To this end, we have created our Deershucker Selection which contains four colour variations - Olive, Pheasant TailDennis The Menace & Holo Red:

Our Deershucker Selection is now available as a selection of 16 flies (4 different patterns - see above, 2 each of sizes 14 & 16). We are supplying all of these for only £20.

All are supplied in our eco-friendly packaging. Just click on any image or button in this email to view the flies in more detail.

Dry Fly Leader Setup for Emergers

Firstly, when setting up your leader for fishing emergers, 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.

Target Slower Water

When fishing in the summer season the fish will not be as active, so target the deeper slacker water either to the side or below any riffles. As you will be fishing with an 'emerger style' fly which is not very visible you may struggle to see it (or it will sink) when in very turbulent water - in this case use the 'double dry' technique:

The Double Dry

This technique is the same setup as the duo, but instead of using a dry fly and a nymph - use two dry flies, one larger and more visible; and one small, the trailing fly should be the smaller one. How to rig:

  1. Tie the larger more visible dry fly to the end of your tippet.
  2. Tie a separate length of tippet (usually around 2ft long) to the eye of the larger dry fly.
  3. To the end of this tippet, tie in your smaller fly.

Remember: When casting a rig such as this it is better to use a slow/medium rod and a wide casting arc - a fast rod will cause the loops to be too tight and will cause you no end of tangles. A slower rod (glass is ideal for this style) will allow you to cast a heavier dry rig with a wide loop at short distances.

Get out there and have fun!