Les Trois Caddis Colorés

Morning,

Here at Barbless Flies, the late Spring and Summer months are by far and away our busiest months, you will often find both Jack and I burning the midnight oil at least 6 days a week: getting all of your orders out in a timely fashion, working on new fly patterns whilst also continuing to write books/articles and emails.

I often find that by the end of the day, I am completely exhausted - both mentally and physically - so I don't often fish in the evenings, I prefer to sit quietly with a good fishing book and a glass of something Scottish (or Irish)!

----- Interlude -----

Fancy A Freebie This Weekend?

Whilst chatting with a friend back in June, he commented on our River Hatch Chart, which I have as a screensaver on my computer (kindly designed for us by Ryan Keene over in the USA) and said they'd look really good framed - he asked if we had a couple he could take away - fast-forward a few weeks, and he returned with this:

We love it - and it's now proudly hanging in the office. I asked if he could do a couple more for us, to give away (over the next 2 weekends) to our loyal customers for the fantastic support you have given us over the season so far - I've even devalued it by signing it!

All you need to do to enter is place an order with us at any point this weekend, for more than £30 - the more orders you place, the more entries you will have!

We will put all of the qualifying entries into a 'flat cap' and draw out one lucky winner on Monday morning (18th August).

As this is a competition of sorts, there are always some rules, and here's ours:

This competition will close at 23:59 on the 17th of August; any orders received after this time will not be considered.

• The competition will run from today (16th August) until 23:59 on the 17th of August.
• The judge's (i.e. my) decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Each individual order placed that totals more than £30 will be classed as an entry.
• Barbless Flies is compliant with the Data Protection Act. Our policy is such that we will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent.
• If you have any questions on any of the above, please email me by replying to this email.

Please Note: As we have 2 of these to give away, we will be running the exact same giveaway next weekend as well - giving you a 2nd chance to own a small piece of Barbless Flies history!

----- Interlude Ends -----

During our busy months, I have to plan my fishing trips accordingly, and fish very early in the morning - I have to drive alongside the river on my way into Barbless Flies HQ, so it would be rude not to stop for a cast or two (or three) while the mornings are so light.

At this time of the day, one of the most popular dry fly imitations I use is the Caddis/Sedge pattern - these are nocturnal insects that return to the water to lay their eggs, just as I'm arriving on the river.

The Tri-Colour Caddis

There are many different variations of Caddis/Sedge fly, but this season, I've found that one stands head-and-shoulders above all others.

It was originally devised in France to fish on the faster, more riffly water - it floats high on virtually all types of water and will fool fish throughout the UK, no matter which river (or stillwater) you are on!

It's called the Tri-Colour (Tricolores) Caddis ...

The Tricolores is a French palmered fly pattern used to entice both Trout and Grayling.

A palmered hackle is one which starts at the bend of the hook and runs the full length of the hook shank, finishing at the eye. This style of tying is most commonly found in the Griffith's Gnat and makes the fly ride high on the water and less prone to sinking.

The original fly pattern recipe suggests it is a 'bug' with a graduated dark hackle (which is extremely difficult to find). However, more modern interpretations of the pattern usually use the three colours (White, Brown & Black). It's not unusual, in the more rural parts of France, for this pattern to be tied in White, Olive & Lime to imitate the vivid green upwinged flies they see during the summer months.

We've only got 40 of these Tri-Colour Caddis Selections available - I'm keeping a few back for myself, to use over the next 6 weeks or so!

Our Tri-Colour Caddis Selection contains 4 each of sizes 12, 14 & 16. That's twelve flies in total, for only £18.00 delivered free of charge to anywhere in the UK.

Please Remember: We've only 40 of these selections available, so if you want a set, you will need to be quick - These flies can also be bought individually here if you would like to top up your selection!

Go on, treat yourself - you know you want to - at only £18 for the selection, these will not hang around for long!

Tight lines & have a great weekend.