A-lure-ing Flies

Morning,

Here in the Barbless Flies household, we have an informal family motto:

" si unus es habiturus, magnus es"

which loosely translates to:

"If you're going to have one, get a big one."

We're not that grand really, but the saying is often quoted - specifically when buying chocolate, beer or cars.

The above motto was brought to mind just recently when chatting with the guys who tie for us, we were discussing flies to catch the bigger fish (both game and coarse) - streamers were the obvious choice, but I wanted to do something a little bit different ...

In this email, we are bringing to you the fruits of that discussion - our NEW Selection of Barbless Larvo-Streamers, flies which are equally as successful fished in both Stillwaters and Rivers (for both Game and Coarse fish):

In colder weather, fish in both rivers and stillwaters are actively on the hunt for food. If you've been in - or on the edge of - any water over the last few weeks, you will have noticed that the amount of small black fry has been building up day by day. These juvenile fish are classed as the 'main course'  where game and coarse fish are concerned! 

FYI: If you read towards the end of this email, you will find some great tips on how to fish our NEW Larvo-Streamers.

Our NEW Larvo-Streamers

Larvo-Streamers are mini streamers made with wire and resin-covered polymerised bead bodies.

The bodies are made with various coloured beads covered with UV resin, to make them virtually indestructible (should a Pike take a fancy to it!). The tails are made of flexi-floss & tinsel - offering a realistic movement and light reflection.

Each streamer has a body profile to match minnows with 2 realistic eyes.

These streamers are all tied on long shank barbless Size 10 hooks and have the exact size of a minnow (each fly is roughly 5cm long), the perfect size for reservoir and stillwater trout (and don't forget these can be saved to use on those early-season brownies in the river) - they also make great flies for coarse fish with teeth! Such as Perch & Pike.

This style of fly/lure is not really trying to imitate anything specific - although originally designed to imitate small fish/fry - they are more used to provoke the fish's interest, and they take it more out of curiosity/anger.

To a fish, these patterns seem very much alive when any action is imparted to them; therefore, these are fished quite actively - see below.

Our NEW Larvo-Streamers are available in three different colour variations (see below for detailed images:

I would urge you to at least try a couple of these in the next few weeks - it's just great to get out in the fresh air and throw a streamer about. It also has the added bonus of keeping you warm - streamer fishing is a very active pastime, as you're always on the move. 

*** Due to the cost to us and the time it takes to tie these, we only have really short supplies of each of these patterns (less than 20 of each), so if you do fancy giving one or two a swim, you will have to be quick! ***

*** Due to the cost to us and the time it takes to tie these, we only have really short supplies of each of these patterns (less than 20 of each), so if you do fancy giving one or two a swim, you will have to be quick! ***

When fishing with bigger (and heavier) flies, it's all about control and your connection with the fly.

A shorter leader helps you keep better control of the streamer and how it fishes.

Start with a level piece of mono, 3 to 4 feet long. When in doubt, go shorter.

There are 2 main types of retrieve employed when streamer fishing: the stripped retrieve and the swing (down and across on rivers). Just remember to keep in touch with the streamer and try to impart some action into it (by moving your rod tip) as the fly moves in the current.

On Stillwaters - Fish these streamers as you would any other lure on your favourite stillwater, short leaders with lots of short jerky movements.

Rivers - High Water - When the rivers are running higher than normal or coloured, try running a streamer through the back eddies. Keep out of the main flow, and think like a minnow! Also, try dead drifting the streamer downstream, then retrieve it back (across the flow) with the odd twitch.

Rivers - Low Light Conditions - With fish feeding more confidently in low light conditions, try a streamer after the evening rise has finished. You will be surprised by what you can catch (even in just a few inches of water). Concentrate on fishing the tails of pools and shallower riffles. It's also worthwhile pulling a streamer through any flat water just as nightfall starts, again, trout feed more confidently after dusk.

Please Note: Our Larvo-Streamers have all been tied with extra-long tails. Should you find that fish are not taking the fly and are short-striking the tails, just cut (or nip off) a centimetre or 2!

Tight lines.