🎉 15+ Years Supplying Stunning Fishing Flies Across The World 🎉

🎉 15+ Years Supplying Stunning Fishing Flies 🎉

🏆🏆🏆 Unmatched Customer Satisfaction with over 10,000 5⭐ Reviews - Avg 4.9

🏆 Unmatched Customer Satisfaction with over 9,750 5⭐ Reviews

🚚 ✈️ Fast FREE Delivery On ALL UK Orders ✈️ 🚚

🚚 Fast FREE Delivery On ALL UK Orders

2wheels1rod

The Small Fly Manifesto

Our Small Fly Manifesto aims to introduce you to one of the most productive fly fishing styles for the warmer summer months, with low flows and even lower water levels, fly fishing can be tricky. Do not be put off by using small flies; often, a small fly will succeed where a larger one will fail and spook fish. The main reason most anglers shy away from using small flies is that they cannot see them when they are on the water. If you try anything this year, please give small flies a go; you will be pleasantly surprised! Some rivers are not as full of nutrients as others; it’s these rivers which tend to fish better using smaller flies, due in part to the fact that the river cannot sustain the production of the larger species. In these rivers, trout can still flourish; they just alter the way they feed. Instead of selectively taking insects as and when they please (as insects are in abundance on the more nutrient-rich rivers), the trout in less rich rivers are opportunistic feeders. This is where the small, imitative fly is king Rods: Fishing with small flies generally happens at close range, choose a rod you are comfortable with using very short casts – sometimes a softer rod is much more accurate and sensitive on short casts. Softer rods are also much better for playing fish on lighter tippets – something which most rod manufacturers don’t explain, they are more than willing to tell you how far you can cast with one, but not how well it plays a fish! If you’ve never tried a glass rod, they have an ideal action for fishing small flies. Reels: For small flies, you will generally be using lighter tackle (1wt to 4wt lines), so the reel will only really be used to hold the line and balance the rod. I prefer to play all of my fish off the reel (unless I’m on a Stillwater where the fish can be pretty feisty), due to this, I use a click reel – with no drag, using the bend in the rod to protect the lighter tippets. Fly Lines: Floating is a given, but should you choose a ‘double taper’, ‘weight forward’ or ‘triangle taper’? Read through any discussion forums, and you will see pages of discussion on which fly line to use for ‘small fly’ fishing. In truth, any fly line will do so long as it gets the best out of the rod it’s used on, but in my experience, here’s what I choose based on the weather conditions. Weight Forward: When it’s really windy and you have to punch short casts into the wind. Double Taper: When it’s a calm day and you want a nice, gentle presentation at a longer range. Triangle Taper: A ‘do-it-all’ line for small flies – an ideal compromise of taper, which is perfect for targeting fish in the low waters and low flows of summer. Leader: The standard formula for a tapered leader 60:20:20 – that’s 60% heavier butt material, 20% stepped down slightly thinner material and 20% tippet. Usually, you have 2 choices for leaders: Make Your Own: Take a look below for some leader configurations you can make yourself and experiment! Buy a ‘ready-made’ knotless tapered leader: New ranges of tapered leaders are now available, which make ideal leaders for casting small flies. However you decide to create your leader, the one thing above anything else which will increase your catch rate is the length! When fishing small flies on low rivers, you need to make your leader as long as you can possibly get away with. This is what has given rise to the new style Front-Heavy Tapered leaders in the longer lengths – 11ft to 16ft. It is not uncommon for hardly any fly line to be outside of the rod tip, and just the leader is cast. Tippet: Small flies generally require thin diameter tippets; therefore, you will be using 7X, 8X or even 9X tippets. These will range in diameter from 0.1mm to 0.07mm – pretty thin and delicate! This is one of the reasons why a softer rod is a must, as the action of the rod will give the much-needed protection to the tippet and allow you to land much larger fish on even the lightest of tippets. When dry fly fishing, you really need a tippet which will float (but you also may want to sink the last few inches to the fly to make it less visible). In this case, you would opt for a nylon (or copolymer) tippet material. I have a personal preference for either RIO Powerflex or Snowbee Gold. Tippet is a ‘confidence thing’, choose the one you have the most confidence in when knotted. TOP TIP: When trying to thread your tippet to a small fly, try cutting the tippet at a 45-degree angle; it makes it a little easier to get the tippet into the eye of the hook. Flies: The most important part of the chain. - It is the one piece of tackle that the fish sees and makes their decision on whether to eat or not. The most important part of a fly is, without doubt, the hook, even more so when we are using very small hooks. It is important when choosing small flies to look at the gape of the hook (i.e., the distance between the hook point and the body of the hook), make sure that the tied fly still has plenty of room between the body and the hook point, if there is hardly any room between the body of the fly and the point it will make it very difficult to hook a fish. Generally, the hooks which are sized at 18 and smaller all are ‘wide gape’. Often, the reason small flies are dismissed by anglers is that they have trouble seeing them, there are a few remedies for this: For most dry fly angling it is not a necessity to actually see the fly, generally you will have a rough idea of where the fly is, if you see a rise, just lift into it – 9 times out of 10 it will be to your fly! If you do want to know where your fly is, either use a small fly with a sighter post, or use the ‘Double Dry’ technique, where you use a visible dry fly and then tie a smaller dry fly from the eye of the hook on a long dropper – just like the klink n dink method, but using 2 dry flies.  If you are struggling to tie tippet to really small flies, pre-tie the flies to long lengths of tippet at home, then when you’re on the water all you need to do is attach the tippet to your leader. I hope the above has given you a little insight into fishing with small flies and that you will give it a try this summer.

Read more
The Small Fly Manifesto

The Advantage of Small Unweighted Nymphs - Summer Low Water Tactics

Morning, Firstly, I like to thank all of you who managed to snag one of our Bosnian Balon Pupa Selections - I'm already hearing great reports of catches with them! Our 'man in Bosnia' is already working on some new patterns to tempt you next month! This week has been pretty full on, with me being away for the weekend there's been loads of orders to get packed and out of the door. I did manage to get out for an hour on the way home the other afternoon, it was pretty tricky going as the fish seemed to be in their 'post Mayfly lull' and hiding in the shadows - taking small unweighted nymphs: When we first launched Barbless Flies - all the way back in 2014 - we started with only two selections of flies - a set of dry flies and a set of nymphs. Our initial aim was to put together separate universal selections which you could take to any water (be it river or stillwater) in the UK, and be confident of catching fish - no matter what time of year. From the back of a very successful summer last year, where I was predominantly fishing in afternoons, we've now developed a NEW set of nymphs - specifically designed for use in rivers and stillwaters, in the Summer - plus we've put a really special offer together on these, specifically for our email community (see below). These nymphs are all size 18 and most importantly - they are unweighted. This, along with the specialist knot used to tie them on (see below), makes them (virtually) irresistible to any passing fish - see the very end of this email for a great read on fishing with small nymphs, along with the leaders and knots to use. But, for now, on to those Unweighted Micro Nymphs I mentioned above: Our Unweighted Micro Nymph Selection contains five patterns (3 of each - all tied on quality size 18 barbless hooks): Red-Head Micro Nymph Hare's Ear Micro Nymph Olive Micro Nymph Orange-Head Micro Nymph Pheasant Tail Micro Nymph You will also notice that the above patterns are the very same patterns and sizes as our really popular Micro Tungsten Nymph Selection - but obviously without the tungsten beads! Please Note: These flies are brand new to us and we've only got 40 selections available. If they are as popular as we hope they will be, we've already primed our tyers to expect more orders! *** If you would like a set, grab yours now before we run out! *** I've found that the above Pheasant Tail Micro Nymph is deadly when drifted just under the surface - I've watched fish move a couple of feet from their regular feeding station to intercept it! Take a look at the end of this email for some tips on how to fish a Micro Nymph, and the specialist knot you never knew you needed! Our NEW for 2025 Unweighted Micro Nymph Selection is now available as a selection of 15 flies (3 of each of 5 different patterns - see above). We are supplying all of these for only £18 - which includes FREE Delivery to anywhere within the UK. All are supplied in our eco-friendly packaging. Just click on any image or button in this email to view the selection in more detail. SPECIAL OFFER: Buy one of our Unweighted Micro Nymph Selections and include some Specialist 8X Tippet (see below) and we will discount the tippet by 20% - making the total only £24.00. This offer is only available until midnight tonight - 12th June 2025. *** Go on, you know you want to! *** Here's Some Specialist Tippet For Your Micro Patterns? When fishing micro nymphs (and dry flies) it is really important that the tippet you use is pretty thin - so you can thread it through the smaller hook eyes. The only issue with thin tippet is the strength is usually pretty low (i.e. 1.5lb of less). We've managed to find some 'goldilocks' tippet ... It's thin - 0.09mm It's strong - 2.1lb; and It's very, very long - 50m It's a part of the Snowbee XS range of copolymer tippets, it's made in Japan (who know a thing or two about making tippet), this one's the snappily titled "XS-Plus Gold Super Copolymer" and it's perfect for fishing micro nymphs and dry flies (I use it all the time on the Yorkshire Derwent during Summer): XS-Plus Gold Super Copolymer tippet is the number one choice for the most demanding angler. No expense has been spared to create the ultimate tippet copolymer line to provide maximum strength, without sacrificing the other features demanded by today's discerning fly anglers. What is amazing about this line, notwithstanding its super high knot strength, is its limited stretch factor of 22-24% elongation, which dramatically improves bite detection, whilst allowing sufficient stretch to avoid shaking fish off when using barbless hooks. For convenience, the line is supplied on super-narrow 50m spools that will join together if required and at just 65mm diameter, fit easily into any fly vest pocket or tippet spool holder. We've managed to secure a supply of this specialist 8X tippet spools and can now bring them to you for only £7.49 - which includes FREE Delivery to anywhere within the UK. ***Go on, you know you want to, everyone needs some 8X tippet in their life!*** Summer Low Water Tactics: The Advantage of Small Unweighted Nymphs When summer arrives and water levels drop to their seasonal lows, many anglers find themselves struggling to connect with wary trout. The gin-clear water, reduced flow rates, and heightened fish selectivity that characterise low summer conditions demands a more refined approach. One of the most effective strategies for these challenging conditions is fishing small, unweighted nymphs - a technique that can transform frustrating days into memorable ones. Why Small Unweighted Nymphs Excel in Low Water Natural Presentation in Reduced Current - Low water conditions fundamentally change how aquatic insects behave and how trout respond to them. With reduced current velocity, natural nymphs drift more slowly and with less erratic movement. Small, unweighted patterns mimic this natural behaviour perfectly, sinking gradually and maintaining a lifelike drift that larger, weighted flies simply cannot achieve in these conditions. To help a more natural presentation, try tying your micro nymph on using a Non-Slip Loop knot (see below) - this style of loop know allow smaller flies to react more naturally in the currents: The absence of weight (and using a Non-Slip Loop knot) allows these patterns to respond naturally to subtle water movements, creating micro-movements that trigger strikes from fish that have grown increasingly selective. This natural action becomes particularly important when trout have ample time to inspect your offering in the clear, slow-moving water. Why Small Unweighted Nymphs Excel in Low Water Natural Presentation in Reduced Current - Low water conditions fundamentally change how aquatic insects behave and how trout respond to them. With reduced current velocity, natural nymphs drift more slowly and with less erratic movement. Small, unweighted patterns mimic this natural behaviour perfectly, sinking gradually and maintaining a lifelike drift that larger, weighted flies simply cannot achieve in these conditions. The absence of weight allows these patterns to respond naturally to subtle water movements, creating micro-movements that trigger strikes from fish that have grown increasingly selective. This natural action becomes particularly important when trout have ample time to inspect your offering in the clear, slow-moving water. Reduced Disturbance and Stealth - Perhaps the greatest advantage of small, unweighted nymphs lies in their ability to enter the water with minimal disturbance. In low, clear conditions where trout spook at the slightest unnatural movement, the gentle entry of a size 18 or 20 unweighted nymph can mean the difference between success and failure. These flies create virtually no splash, produce no alarming plop, and avoid the heavy disturbance that can shut down an entire pool. This stealth factor becomes exponentially more important as water levels drop and fish become increasingly pressure-sensitive. Matching the Prevalent Insect Life - Summer low water periods coincide with peak activity of smaller aquatic insects. Baetis mayflies, small caddis larvae, and midge pupae dominate the trout's diet during these conditions. Small, unweighted nymphs perfectly match the size profile of these abundant food sources, presenting trout with familiar, readily accepted patterns. The reduced metabolic demands of smaller insects in warmer water also mean they move more languidly, making the slow, natural sink rate of unweighted patterns even more realistic. I've made the full article on Summer Low Water Tactics: The Advantage of Small Unweighted Nymphs available on our "2 wheels, 1 rod" blog, click on the below button to read the full article. Tight lines & have a great time out on the water.

Read more
The Advantage of Small Unweighted Nymphs - Summer Low Water Tactics

Summer Low Water Tactics: The Advantage of Small Unweighted Nymphs

Summer Low Water Tactics: The Advantage of Small Unweighted Nymphs When summer arrives and water levels drop to their seasonal lows, many anglers find themselves struggling to connect with wary trout. The gin-clear water, reduced flow rates, and heightened fish selectivity that characterise low summer conditions demand a refined approach. One of the most effective strategies for these challenging conditions is fishing small, unweighted nymphs—a technique that can transform frustrating days into memorable ones. Grab Your Unweighted Micro Nymph Selection - only £20 Why Small Unweighted Nymphs Excel in Low Water Natural Presentation in Reduced Current Low water conditions fundamentally change how aquatic insects behave and how trout respond to them. With reduced current velocity, natural nymphs drift more slowly and with less erratic movement. Small, unweighted patterns mimic this natural behaviour perfectly, sinking gradually and maintaining a lifelike drift that larger, weighted flies simply cannot achieve in these conditions. The absence of weight allows these patterns to respond naturally to subtle water movements, creating micro-movements that trigger strikes from fish that have grown increasingly selective. This natural action becomes particularly important when trout have ample time to inspect your offering in the clear, slow-moving water. Reduced Disturbance and Stealth Perhaps the greatest advantage of small, unweighted nymphs lies in their ability to enter the water with minimal disturbance. In low, clear conditions where trout spook at the slightest unnatural movement, the gentle entry of a size 18 or 20 unweighted nymph can mean the difference between success and failure. These flies create virtually no splash, produce no alarming plop, and avoid the heavy disturbance that can shut down an entire pool. This stealth factor becomes exponentially more important as water levels drop and fish become increasingly pressure-sensitive. Matching the Prevalent Insect Life Summer low water periods coincide with peak activity of smaller aquatic insects. Baetis mayflies, small caddis larvae, and midge pupae dominate the trout's diet during these conditions. Small, unweighted nymphs perfectly match the size profile of these abundant food sources, presenting trout with familiar, readily accepted patterns. The reduced metabolic demands of smaller insects in warmer water also mean they move more languidly, making the slow, natural sink rate of unweighted patterns even more realistic. Grab Your Unweighted Micro Nymph Selection - only £20 Technical Advantages of the Unweighted Approach Versatile Depth Control Unweighted nymphs offer superior depth control in varying water columns. By adjusting your leader length, tippet diameter, and casting angle, you can precisely control how deep your fly penetrates. This flexibility allows you to target fish feeding at different levels without changing flies—a significant advantage when fish are scattered throughout the water column. The gradual sink rate also provides extended time in the feeding zone, particularly important in pools where trout may be holding at mid-depth rather than tight to the bottom. Superior Drag-Free Drift The light weight of these patterns makes them incredibly responsive to current variations, allowing them to achieve truly drag-free drifts even in complex water with multiple current seams. This natural presentation is crucial in low water, where any hint of unnatural movement will alert sophisticated trout. Extended Fishing Time per Cast Because unweighted nymphs sink slowly and drift naturally, each cast provides significantly more fishing time than weighted alternatives. This extended presentation period increases your chances of intercepting feeding fish and allows you to thoroughly work promising water. Grab Your Unweighted Micro Nymph Selection - only £20 Leader Setup for Small Unweighted Nymphs The leader system for small unweighted nymph fishing requires careful consideration of several factors: stealth, turnover, and depth control. Here's a proven setup for summer low-water conditions: Base Leader Configuration: Start with a 9-foot tapered leader in 4X (approximately 6.5 lb test) Add 2-3 feet of 5X tippet (4-5 lb test) Attach 18-24 inches of 6X for the final tippet section (3-4 lb test) Two-Fly Rig Modification: For increased effectiveness, consider a two-fly setup: Tie your first fly (typically size 16-18) to the end of the 5X section Add 12-18 inches of 6X tippet to the bend of the first fly's hook Attach your second fly (usually size 18-20) to the end of this dropper Key Specifications: Total leader length: 15-17 feet Use light tippet diameters to ensure a more natural drift Smaller diameter dropper section to prevent tangles This extended leader system provides the stealth necessary for spooky low-water trout while maintaining the delicate presentation that small unweighted nymphs require. The fluorocarbon construction ensures your leader sinks readily, keeping your flies in the strike zone longer. Grab Your Unweighted Micro Nymph Selection - only £20 Tactical Application When employing this technique, focus on longer, more precise casts to avoid spooking fish. Allow extra time for your flies to reach the desired depth before beginning your drift. Watch your line tip carefully, as strikes are often subtle with these small patterns. Position yourself to maximise your drag-free drift length, and remember that in low water conditions, patience and precision trump aggressive coverage. Each cast should be deliberate and calculated, taking full advantage of the natural presentation that small, unweighted nymphs provide. The combination of reduced disturbance, natural presentation, and precise depth control makes small unweighted nymphs an indispensable tool for summer low-water success. Master this technique, and you'll find yourself consistently catching fish when others struggle with the challenging conditions that define summer's most demanding fishing scenarios.

Read more
Summer Low Water Tactics: The Advantage of Small Unweighted Nymphs

Curated Specialist Fly Selection: Our Summer Fly Concierge Service

Morning, I hope you had a great weekend - I know I did - it wasn't fishing related, but my son and I made the pilgrimage to Wembley (for the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final) - for once our team came out on the winning side (just) and we made our way back north to Barbless Flies HQ very happy - it's the first time we'd won anything in 40 years! We've managed to get hold of some other specialist 'small fly' fly lines from Snowbee - see the very end of this email for more details - they are perfect for Summer fishing and great value for money! On the previous Friday, whilst travelling down to London, I caught up with Jeff Jones (fly box maker extraordinaire) and he's sent us the remaining stock of his wonderful pocket-sized oak fly boxes, we received them in the office yesterday - if you've never seen one of Jeff's hand-made oak fly boxes before, you're in for a real treat, see below: My recent long-form article over on our "The Fly Fishing EDGE" subscription platform about Fly Box Organisation seems to have struck a bit of a chord with lots of you - judging by the emails I've received over the last few months, all centred around two subjects: Saying what an easy way it is to organise your flies, whilst taking much less to the water; and Asking if we could make them available to buy through Barbless Flies The real difficulty with making a seasonal fly box available to buy 'off the shelf' is that Rivers and Stillwaters across the country have different fly life at different times of the year. We did something very similar for Gary a few weeks back, he left us a fantastic review: Thanks Gary, We love reviews like that  As it's Fathers Day on Sunday, I thought I would combine Jeff's stunning boxes with our Summer Fly Concierge Service - we're also going to include FREE 1st Class Tracked delivery (only available to UK deliveries), so you will receive the flies and box before the weekend. Our Concierge Service makes a perfect, unique, gift to your Father (or to yourself) - please feel free to forward this email to a loved one if you would like them to order one for you! Just like a Concierge at a hotel, there is no reason why we can't provide a personal service and curate sets of flies specific to you (or your Father) and the waters you / they fish - all we need to know is which part of the country you fish in and we can do the rest. We have over 2,000 different patterns in the warehouse, so the flies themselves aren't an issue! Each one of Jeff's oak boxes will contain a minimum of 40 of our best quality flies, along with the box of flies you will also receive a document explaining which flies are included in your box and information on how to get the best from each of the patterns. Here's how the process will work: You place your order for the seasonal curated fly selection through our website - you can click on any image or button contained within this email to view the Summer Concierge Fly Selection. Once you receive your order confirmation email, reply to it giving me the following details: your name, your order number and the location where you would like the flies for (please be as specific as possible). Please also include any extra information which you think is necessary, i.e. if there are any specific restrictions on your water. I will do the research into the flies for your particular area. I will then personally put the full fly selection together and ship them to you - 1st Class tracked, so it will arrive before the weekend. As you can probably imagine, this personal service does come at a little bit of a cost, £97.50 to be exact, but for that you receive: A minimum of 40 of our best quality flies, all presented in one of Jeff Jones's oak fly boxes - valued at £45 by themselves - these easily fit in wader or vest pockets; and A document outlining the fly box's content and detailed information on each pattern included - all tailored to you and your water. Please Note: Due to the unique aspect of this product (each is curated and tailored to your individual area), it's not something we can just pre-make, pluck off the shelf and ship the same day as you order it (like we usually do), to ensure we can ship your order on Wednesday 11th (tomorrow) for delivery on Thursday/Friday we'd appreciate it if you could place your order before 1pm today. Please Also Note: I believe this really is outstanding value when you consider the flies alone would be around £75 and the box £45, plus you receive a detailed run down of the fly patterns contained within your personally curated selection - and, I have to spend quite a bit of time researching the best flies for the job! If you have any questions etc on our Concierge Service please get in touch with me and I will help where I can. *** We've only 20 of Jeff's fly boxes remaining, if you would like one, please order yours before 1pm today *** Did You Miss Out On The Specialist Fly Lines We Had Last Week? Having sold out of our Spectre Pro Ultra-Dry fly lines in record time last week, I gave the guys at Snowbee a call to see if we could get hold of some more - it turns out that we couldn't (there a huge waiting list for them) - but they did mention its 'sister' line, the Thistledown 2 Brook - same profile & technology, but at a significantly lower price. Try the Thistledown 2 Brook - more cost effective, the same profile characteristics and perfect for casting smaller flies to spooky fish: Snowbee's unique super-fine profile range of Thistledown 2 lines defy logic, how can one line weight work on a range of rod weights? Try them for the best presentation ever experienced. "There must be something in the taper / coating / core / diameter - it's like electricity, I'm not going to question how it works, it just does!" The new and refined components of the Thistledown 2 fly line combine to give the thinnest, most supple, weight-forward profile possible. The result is a line which weighs very little and delivers incredible stealth and accuracy at the same time. WF1 to 4 Thistledown 2 Brook Fly Line A lighter weight version designed for rods of #1 to #4 weight. The #1/4 model has a shorter, lighter profile than the #2/5 and #5/7 variations, providing super, delicate presentation with the lightest of rods. Colour: Olive / Buckskin Density: Floating Total Length: 90' The ultra-thin diameter - half that of a conventional fly line - creates minimal drag when casting. That means the line speed can be maintained throughout the casting action and delivers the fly (or flies) precisely where required, with minimal effort. As its drag coefficient is so low, even in a strong cross-wind, this line will cut through and deliver your flies perfectly. Tight lines & make the most of the good weather this weekend.

Read more
Curated Specialist Fly Selection: Our Summer Fly Concierge Service

The Bosnian CdC Balon Pupa - Direct from our man on the ground!

June is always a bit of a strange month (especially here in our little corner of North Yorkshire) .. It sees a transition from the plentiful bounty of the May hatches to the more sparse pickings as the river levels drop and the smaller flies come out to play. On my local small stream (Yorkshire Derwent), it's been strange fishing of late, especially with the recent warmer spell of weather and the resulting lower water levels we are currently seeing. Even with the lower river levels, I am still finding that when the fish are playing hard to get (probably full of Mayfly), the "go-to" fly is an emerger pattern, the real skill is to choose a fly that presents correctly on the water, lengthen your leader and keep any water disturbance to a minimum - take a look at the end of this email for some specific tips on Summer Watercraft and tips for success when encountering lower water levels. "So, what sort of flies should you use?" We asked 'our man in Bosnia' what he would use in the summer months - knowing that the fish over there are very picky - and here they are, these stunning Balon Pupa flies (Balon is the Bosnian for Balloon or Bubble - i.e. the looped CdC feathers just below the hook eye). "What makes these patterns so special?" We posed that exact question to our man on the ground, and his reply was -  "It's all to do with the looped CdC feathers just behind the eye of the hook. When in the meniscus it traps air and looks just like a pupa which is about to hatch. The key to this pattern is to only use Class 1 CdC feathers, they are difficult to get (and expensive), but well worth if for this style of pattern. And use the best quality, wide-gape hooks in the smallest size - preferably either the AHREX Superdry or Hanak H390BL." That was us sold on them - I kept a couple of selections back for myself last year and fished them relentlessly over the Summer to great success - they were the first patterns I used on all our local rivers. These flies are works of art - you'll want to frame them rather than fish with them! Please Note: These flies are back by popular demand - we did have these last year and they all sold out within 90 minutes! These are the fastest selling flies we have ever had - we have a few more available this year, but not loads, as they take ages to tie to this standard. These flies have been specifically tied for fishing in the low and slow summer levels and are ideal for both rivers and stillwaters: Our Bosnian Balon Pupa Selection consists of 12 flies, 3 each of 4 separate patterns: Pheasant Tail Balon Pupa (Hanak H390BL, size 16) Stripped Rooster Balon Pupa (AHREX FW525, size 16) Rusty Brown Balon Pupa (AHREX FW525, size 16) Yellow Balon Pupa (AHREX FW525, size 16) These flies are all tied on the best lightweight wide-gape hooks in the business, the AHREX FW525 Superdry and Hanak H390BL in a size 16. Each pattern is tied with Veevus thread bodies, and Class-1 Cul de Canard (CdC). We are supplying 3 of each of the above patterns, that's 12 flies in total for only £24 (which includes FREE Delivery to anywhere within the UK) - I know these are some of the more expensive flies we sell, but the quality is outstanding as you will see from the images below. Please Note: This premium Bosnian Balon Pupa selection is very limited (we only have 50 available - I'm again going to keep some back for myself!) and once they are gone, we will not have any more until next year. Just click on any image or button in this email to view details and grab your selection while we still have them. If you would like one, you will need to be quick off the mark! Here are a few more images (and full descriptions of each fly) to really tempt you: The Balon Pupa When the levels start to reduce and the flows slow down, it's time to reach for the emerger patterns, especial effective when fished on a longer leader. Each patterns is tied with a different body style, either Pheasant Tail, coloured thread or a stripped quill. Each pattern also sports a red hot-spot just below the hook eye and a short red tail. The balon wing is tied using 2 feathers of natural Class 1 CdC shaped like a bubble to easily trap air around the fly. Just as a reminder, we are supplying 3 of each of the above patterns, that's 12 flies in total for only £24 including FREE Delivery - I know these are some of the more expensive flies we sell, but the quality is outstanding as you will see from the images above. Please Note: This premium Bosnian Balon Pupa selection is very limited (we only have 50 available - I'm again keeping some back for myself!) and once they are gone, we will not have any more until next year. Just click on any image or button in this email to view details and buy your selection. Go on, you know you want to! The onset of Summer means only one thing - lower levels and spookier fish. Fly fishing in warmer weather when river levels are low presents unique challenges—trout become more cautious, oxygen levels drop, and the water often runs crystal clear. Success lies in adapting your approach to these pressured conditions. Here are some proven tips and tricks to help you stay one step ahead of the fish: Fish early or late: Target the coolest parts of the day - dawn and dusk - when fish are more active and oxygen levels are higher. DO NOT get into the water and wade, not unless you really have to - As the fish have less natural cover from predators, they are really spooky. Any disturbance in the water (or noise from your studded boots) will transfer its way to the fish. Use longer, finer leaders: A 12- to 15-foot leader with a light tippet (5x to 7x) reduces drag and avoids spooking wary fish in clear water. Try experimenting with a longer French Leader setup - they really come into their own at this time of year.  Downsize your flies: Opt for smaller, more natural patterns like size 18 - 22 dries, emergers and nymphs to better match the sparse summer hatches. Try experimenting with a single small unweighted nymph (size 18 or smaller) - again, more about these in a future email (they've just arrived in the office and they are stunning! Stay low and stealthy: Wear muted colours, approach from downstream, and use bank-side cover to avoid being seen. Focus on deeper pockets and shaded runs: Fish will seek out cooler, oxygen-rich lies - try under overhanging trees, behind rocks, or in deeper pools. Watch for micro-currents: Even in skinny water, tiny seams can hold fish - target them with delicate, drag-free presentations. With a careful, subtle approach and the right tactics, summer fly fishing in low water can be both rewarding and technically satisfying.   Tight lines & have fun in the sun (hopefully).  

Read more
The Bosnian CdC Balon Pupa - Direct from our man on the ground!

It's A Kind of Magic - I don't know how it works, but it does!

I've something a little different for you today - it's pure magic - I've no idea how it works, but it does! It's not very often that we do something other than flies, but today I have a fly line which I would like to introduce you to ... But first, I want to give you a little bit of background info ... At the BFFI in early February, we had a stand for Feathersmith, we were situated in Hall 2 - just across the hall from a very well-known fly fishing company who just so happen to manufacture their own fly lines. Very prominently displayed on their stand was advertising for their new 'Dry Fly' line - which were made in the UK (so that's box 1 ticked). Their advertising must have been soaking into my brain over the course of the weekend, because at a quiet spell on the Sunday I wandered across to have a chat with them - the line was rated as a WF2 to WF5, my interest was piqued and I wanted to find out how this was even possible! There followed a very technical discussion on fly line tapers, cores, coatings, densities and diameters - I just stood there nodding away, hopefully in all the right places, pretending I understood exactly what they were talking about - to be honest I didn't really have a clue! Something must have got lodged in my brain, because I gave them a call a week later to see if I could buy one - it turns out that I couldn't as they had not been released yet! However, they said as I was in the trade*, they would send me one once they were released. I do realise that as far as fly fishing goes, I am in a very privileged position - being a (very minor) part of the industry - I know that larger manufacturers have equipment available for demonstration purposes, so I chanced my arm and asked - I'm firmly in the camp of "if you don't ask, you don't get"! At the beginning of April a fly line shaped parcel arrived unannounced at the office with the words 'Snowbee' plastered on it. On opening the package, it was their brand new Spectre PRO Ultra Dry WF2 to WF5 line. As our river had only just opened up I took it out for a test on my favoured 3wt, to which it performed flawlessly - all i did was add a standard 9ft tapered leader and a couple of foot of tippet - flies were delicately presented (box 2 ticked) the line lifted cleanly from the water which no splashing (and finally box 3 ticked) and the fish were looking up - result! Later in April I had an invitation to fish our local stillwater - so I grabbed my gear (and a couple of rods - a 9' 5wt and 9'6" 6wt) and headed to the water - as I already had the line spooled onto my reel I thought I would start with the 5wt and see how it performed ... To my surprise, the line felt perfectly at home with the longer casts and heavier rigs employed on a stillwater with both the 5wt and even more surprisingly the 6wt.   "There must be something in the taper / coating / core / density / diameter - it's like electricity, I'm not going to question how it works, it just does!"   As you may be aware I have a passion for ultra-lightweight rods (and small flies) and for the first few weeks of May I used my Scott G 7'7" 2wt - I think it's a perfect pairing for this line. So ... the line felt equally at home on anything from a 2wt to a 6wt - one line that does seem to do it all, as far as dry fly fishing goes anyway! Earlier in May I called Snowbee to ask if we could get hold of some of these 'magic lines' - as I am sure that our email community (that's you) would find these very handy - and useful for the coming summer fishing season where smaller flies and more delicate presentations are required. It turns out that these UK made lines are in very very short supply and I could not get any - the proverbial Rocking Horse S*!t. I then received a call last week to let me know that they'd had a short run of the lines delivered and would I like a few - yes please! *** We've only received a very small allocation (only 20 of them) and I wanted to let you know about them today *** I've no idea when we will be receiving any more - if we ever do - so if you would like one, grab one today, you will not be disappointed. These fly lines definitely sit in the 'goldilocks zone' by being perfect for fishing with light tippets and small flies whilst also excelling on heavier weight rods when longer casts and heavier rigs are required. We now have these 'made in the UK'  Snowbee Spectre Pro Ultra Dry 2# to 5# fly lines available for £90 - which also includes FREE delivery to anywhere in the UK. I know that at £90, these lines are a considered purchase, they are not the cheapest fly line on the market, but when you consider that they perform flawlessly over a wide range of rod weights, they are made right here in the UK and we deliver them free of charge they are a bit of a bargain.  I really do believe these lines are currently the very best you can buy on the market today for dry fly fishing, especially if you regularly fish with different weight rods (as I do) - one line which really does do it all.   *** These fly lines are in very high demand (and we've only 20 of them) , so you may need to be quick as I do know they are in very short supply in the UK ***   Whether you’re fishing small streams for wild browns, throwing big dries for stocked rainbows, or chasing stillwater monsters at your local - this Spectre Pro Ultra Dry fly line will be your 'go to' means for delivering a fly - I know it is mine.   P.S. You're going to need a fly line like this (which can delicately present smaller flies) when you see the patterns we've got lined up for you over the next 4 weeks - they've just arrived in the office, I've finished photographing then and they are stunning!

Read more
It's A Kind of Magic - I don't know how it works, but it does!

Why You Need Rock Chick in Your Life

As we are now well into the trout season, I wanted this week's email to be focused on getting the most from your leader setups (for both Rivers and Stillwaters) - especially when using less aerodynamic flies - typically when using any 'spent' style patterns. A previous email this month focussed on the very basic styles of leader, this one however goes a little deeper into both Furled & Tapered leaders. Plus, we've just received a fly pattern (see the end of this email) which has been resurrected by popular demand: 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 selections 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 leaders & flies now - and save reading my musings for later. This email is all about Leaders (both Furled and Tapered Camo Co-polymer). In this email, we are also re-launching our Rock Chick (Rockerka) fly pattern by popular demand - it's the most requested fly pattern we've had in the last 6 months, I'd also forgotten how good they actually are! As you can imagine, while I am out on the river very regularly I get to use all sorts of different leaders - depending on the conditions. As I am also in contact with you (our email community) fairly regularly, I often get recommended great fly gear to try out. This email is about two leader recommendations I received back in April: * That's not me by the way, it's a stock image, I just love the way the leader is shown. When thinking about leaders, I always start from the size of the fly you will be using and work backwards. It's important that the leader you decide on is balanced - by that I mean the leader must be able to transfer the energy created by the taper in the fly line all the way to your fly in the most efficient manner possible. It's no good having a really long leader and using a large fly if the design of the leader doesn't transfer enough energy through the leader to turn the fly over - so I always start with the fly size and work backwards. As the riverside vegetation seems to be on steroids at the moment (especially now we've had some rain), being able to turn over your fly in a very short casting arc is essential - that's just one of the areas where a furled leader excels: The Furled Leader Furled leaders, constructed from twisted threads of various materials including silk, nylon, or modern synthetics, offer a completely knotless alternative that 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 Marcus from The Furled Leader Co to offer some exquisite Furled Leaders, which are designed specifically for dry fly presentation of both regular and smaller fly patterns. Q. So when should you use a Furled Leader? A. Furled Leaders act like an extension of your fly line, they help turn a fly over when you don't have the full head of the line (usually 30ft) out of the rod tip - especially useful when fishing smaller rivers and streams where roll-casts are required. The Dry Fly Furled Leader above is 6'6" long, to that you add between 4' and 6' of tippet to make up your overall leader length. We have teamed up with The Furled Leader Co to offer Marcus's exquisite Furled Dry Fly Leaders - for only £10.50 each - they are stunning and will last for ever (not literally, but I do have a furled leader which was made 10 years ago and it's still as good as new). *** Go on, You Know You Want To *** Tapered Leaders My email earlier this month on hand-built nylon tapered leaders elicited quite a few emails from our community urging me to try out the Snowbee Camo Tapered Leaders. I'd never tried a "camo" leader before, but do often tie my own with Maxima Chameleon, which I assumed would be very similar (it wasn't!).  Camo Tapered Leaders duly purchased (from Snowbee) I ventured onto the water, after a few session on the water in the heat of the mid-day sun - not ideal for fly fishing, but the only time the fly fairies would give me some time away from the office - I am a convert, especially when fishing during the day (or to very wary fish). These Snowbee 9' leaders start with the high stretch Camo coloured section, tapering to a clear tip. Designed purposely for dry fly fishing and are especially successful when used in low water (aka spooky fish) conditions, providing maximum stretch to absorb the harshest of takes on the finest of stealthy light tippets. Q. Why should I add tippet to the end of a tapered leader? A. Tapered leaders have a built-in taper to them (they are thicker at one end and thinner at the other), when you change flies you will always eat away at the line - making it shorter (and in this case yo will be eating into the clear section og the leader). If you just attached your fly to the tapred leader, once you've changed flies a few times you would completely eat into the taper, so you add in a 2ft or 3ft section of tippet to the end of the tapered leader and then change this section of tippet once it gets too short. It also allows you to extend the overall leader length should you wish for a more delicate presentation with smaller flies. Modern extruded co-polymer tapered leaders represent the latest evolution in leader technology, offering consistent tapers and reliable performance straight from the packet. These camo leaders utilise advanced materials and manufacturing techniques to create smooth, progressive tapers that rival even the best hand-tied alternatives. Advantages: Consistent, precise taper every time No knots in the leader body to collect debris or create disturbance Wide range of lengths, weights, and taper profiles available Reliable performance for anglers of all skill levels Quick and easy to attach and fish immediately Advanced materials offer superior strength-to-diameter ratios Excellent value for occasional or travelling anglers We have these Snowbee Camo Tapered Leaders in the following diameters:   Length Size Tip Diameter (mm) B.S. 9ft 4X 0.18 6.0lb 9ft 5X 0.15 4.1lb 9ft 6X 0.13 3.2lb   Please Note: Each leader is only available in packs of 3, in sizes 4X, 5X & 6X or a Mixed Pack of 3 which includes 1 of each. The Snowbee Camo 9ft Tapered Leaders are only available in packs of 3: Pack of 3 - 9ft - 4X | 6.0lb - only £9 Pack of 3 - 9ft - 5X | 4.1lb - only £9 Pack of 3 - 9ft - 6X | 3.2lb - only £9 Mixed Pack of 3 - 1 of each 4X, 5X & 6X - only £9 We've managed to get our hands on a supply of these Snowbee Camo Tapered Leaders (which is good, as I will be using them for the rest of this season) and we are offering them to you in packs of three for only £10.50 - which includes FREE Delivery to anywhere within the UK. *** Get yours while you can as we only have a limited number of the Camo Tapered Leaders *** The Rock Chick (Rockerka) This is a fly pattern which we thought we had retired about 4 years ago - only because we could not find anyone who would tie one for us - they use quite a lot of premium CdC and are very expensive to tied to this quality (and quantity). They were originally devised as specialist Grayling dry flies, but they work exceptionally well on Trout - especially in the early Summer months: The Rock Chick, or Rockerka - Looks strange, but catches fish - in fact, catches loads of fish. We have been requested to have these flies available again, so after quite a bit of searching, here they are. A great fly to use as a searching pattern also works really well when there are any sort of Sedge on the water. Try this fly in rougher water, the CdC body is tied long so the fly sits high on the water and can easily be seen (by both fish and humans!). Tied with a fluffy body (It's actually the best quality CdC you can buy) it looks odd, but it really works. We now have this pattern availablein size 14, 16 & 18, and have put this special selection of 9 flies together (3 each of sizes 14, 16 & 18): Our Rock Chick (or Rockerka) flies are now available to buy in a selection of 9 (3 of each size) for only £14 (use the button above) or individually for only £1.75 each (use the button below). Our Rock Chick patterns are all delivered FREE of charge to anywhere within the UK.   *** We've only got 40 of these Rock Chick selections available to buy - and we don't know when we will have any more as the tyers were running very short on these specific CdC feathers, so grab yours while you still can ***   Speedy Deliveries As we are now at that time of year when the dry fly fishing will be nearing its peak, we do understand that when you order your flies - you want to receive them as quickly as is humanly possible. So ... we've got you covered. When you reach the checkout, there's the option to use our Royal Mail 1st Class Tracked service for only £2.50 - this will allow you to get your order the 'very next day', assuming you can order before 1pm and are located in mainland UK. As with all things 'Royal Mail' we can't guarantee it will be the very next day (unless you use the Special Delivery option at checkout), but we will ship it using their 1st class service which does have a 95% success rate of delivering to addresses in mainland UK the very next day.   Tight lines and have fun out there, it's going to be a great weekend for fishing.  

Read more
Why You Need Rock Chick in Your Life

A Barbless Bonus + A Mayfly Restock

The fish up here in North Yorkshire are now starting to take the hatching (and returning) Mayflies - I watched a few small fish confidently taking Mayflies on Tuesday teatime. The last few weeks have been pretty busy for us (thank you), trying to get all of the Mayflies and other orders out to everyone in time for the hatches to start in your local area. As it had been a hectic day, I took a little time out on the way home from the office, and sat beside my favourite pool on the Yorkshire Derwent, just to decompress and have a little 'time to myself' - it made my day to sit for 15 minutes, listening to the running water and watching numerous fish taking returning Mayflies. I did have my rod in the back of the car, but thought I would leave them to enjoy the banquet on offer and see if they are still holding station at this weekend! Do You Fancy A Barbless Bonus? Then read the very end of this email ... On my local river, once the fish start confidently taking Mayflies, I've found it best to fish from around 7pm well into the dusk - so only a few hours - but recently the sport has been very good on both Sedge / Caddis patterns, along with the usual Mayfly imitations. As a quick reminder - the majority of Mayflies only live for one day. During this time they: Hatch Mature into an adult Mate; and then Die It's the ones that have had their fun and are returning to the water to lay their eggs that we are trying to imitate on an evening. They land very softly on the water and pause for a second or so to deposit their eggs - this is when the trout snaffle them up: * Above image courtesy of Ben Lupton - thanks Ben  Earlier this week (Tuesday) we received a restock of all our Mayfly patterns. We don't usually re-order Mayflies part way through the season, but with the trend and info that our Mayfly Tracker was showing it looks like the Mayfly season will be longer and more prolific than usual - so we thought we had better stock up again. You can find all of our Mayfly Individuals & Selections by clicking either of the buttons below: As we now have full stock of everything, we are focussing this week's email on a few patterns which you may find useful in the coming weeks - especially if you are fishing in the afternoon or early evening. I've picked out the ones below as the current customer favourites - so far as repeat sales go. Each of the patterns below can be bought individually, in packs of 5 or packs of 10 at reduced prices - the more you buy the cheaper they get!: Mohican Mayfly Rumour has it that this fly is the most popular Mayfly imitation of all time! A detached body mayfly imitation, super buoyant and tied to exacting standards. This fly has very short wings, this helps reduce leader-twist when casting. Make sure you have plenty of these, the trout love them! The most effective Mayfly imitation when spinners are on the water. A Mayfly Dun imitation in White/Cream & Brown (the natural colours) with a grey poly-yarn sighter post. These Dun imitations are tied on size 12 AHREX FW525 barbless hooks and correspond to the actual size of a Mayfly. Mayfly Loop-Winged Emerger A Mayfly emerger imitation in White/Cream & Brown (the natural colours) a little foam tied in at the head and looped wings, to allow the fly to sit correctly on the water. These emergers are tied on size 10 AHREX FW503 barbless hooks and correspond to the actual size of a Mayfly. Expert skill: Use an 8ft to 9ft rod, along with a floating line and 8ft to 10ft of leader. Use a cut-down 9ft tapered leader (use the last 5ft) and then 4ft of 5x tippet. Fish a large cream-coloured Mayfly Emerger (remember the insects are up to 2.5cm long). Pro Tip: Remember you are looking for sections of river which are below a slow-running silty section and preferably where the river narrows. This funnel effect will act as a conveyor belt delivering the mayfly to the waiting trout. The better-sized trout will be at the head of the pool, so steadily work your way up. Once the Emergers appear on the water the fish will ignore the nymphs. Artisan Mayfly Dun A Mayfly Dun imitation in White/Cream & Brown (the natural colours) with a grey poly-yarn sighter post. These Dun imitations are tied on size 14 AHREX FW525 barbless hooks and correspond to the actual size of a Mayfly. Pro Tip: If you see spinners dancing above you, pay very close attention to the water for softly rising fish, and look for dying Mayflies caught in small pockets of dead water behind rocks or debris. If you find any, pick them up so you can get a good idea of their size and colour and then select an appropriately sized pattern. Get them while you can, as we did run out last year! All of our individual Mayfly patterns are available now (from stock) from only £1.75 each - which includes Free Delivery to anywhere within the UK - in our Eco-Friendly packaging. Go on, you know you want to! Fancy A Barbless Bonus ... Then Read on McDuff: We've had some more of these stunning car bumper stickers made, from weatherproof vinyl - would you like one? As I write this we have just taken our 70,000th order, so both Jack & I wanted to say a big "thank you" by including one of our very own "Trout Bumper Stickers" in every order we receive today (they are not available to buy separately). As a "thank you" for all of your support (and orders) over the years, we will give you one for free, just place an order with us today and we'll pop in one of our car/truck/van/lorry bumper stickers for FREE - until stocks last - we have exactly 85 of them, so there should be enough for today - but you never know! * I know, the truck needs a good wash! Have fun out there!  

Read more
A Barbless Bonus + A Mayfly Restock

Fishing With The Adams Family ... of flies

  Fishing With ...The Adams Family (of flies) I know that we are well into the Mayfly Season now - everything seems to be running a couple of weeks early - but, there are times (and waters) which don't see any significant Mayfly hatches at all - as my inbox proves!. Over the last couple of weeks I've had quite a few emails from our community pointing that exact fact out to me - so if that's the case for your water, then this email is especially for you ... PLEASE NOTE: Towards the end of this email, you will find a nice write up on how to choose the right length/make-up of your dry fly leader, along with a few tips on how to get the balance correct. The subject of today's email is a staple dry fly - supremely successful on rivers, and now gaining much more of a reputation for success on Stillwaters - The Adams. Originally tied, in 1922, by Leonard Halladay and named after his good friend Charles Adams. The image above is taken from a fantastic book called, Tying Catskill-Style Dry Flies by Mike Valla, where there is a whole chapter dedicated to the Adams - if you are into rolling your own flies, this book is a worthy investment - we take lots of inspiration from it. No one is really sure which insects the Adams imitate - a good guess would be an Olive, but they really do work well, as such, the Adams is a fly which should be in all anglers fly boxes. Generally tied in two different styles, original and parachute versions: Original - With a hackle running a third of the way down the hook shank (as in the book image above). Parachute - With the hackle tied horizontally around a sighter post The way in which both of these variants are tied ensures the fly floats high on the surface - and stays there with only a little floatant added! The Adams fly is one that should be in all anglers fly boxes Our full selection of Adams-style flies consists of: Parachute Adams - Tied in the parachute style (with the hackle wrapped horizontally), with a white sighter post and in the original colours. Our selection contains 2 each of sizes 14 and 16. Adams Thorax - Tied in the original style (with the hackle wrapped along a quarter of the hook), with a tall sighting post and in the original colours. Our selection contains 2 each of sizes 14 and 16. Hi-Vis Parachute Adams - Tied in the parachute style (with the hackle wrapped horizontally), with a vivid yellow sighter post and in the original Parachute Adams body colours. Our selection contains 2 each of sizes 14 and 16. Micro Parachute Adams - Tied in the original style (with the hackle wrapped along a quarter of the hook), with a tall white sighter post and in the original body colours. These are extremely small flies! Our selection contains 2 each of sizes 18 and 20 (see the image below to get an idea for their size: Our Adams Selection is now available as a selection of 16 flies (4 different patterns - see above, 2 each of each size). We are supplying all of these for only £22. 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. Just a gentle reminder that all our products are shipped FREE OF CHARGE to anywhere in the UK The Foam Adams Family ... We've all been there - you're fishing on an evening in low light and you need something which you can see, but more importantly, will still catch! One of the great difficulties in fishing smaller dry flies is the ability to quickly spot where your fly actually is, with our NEW Foam Post Klinkhamer Selection of flies you will have no problem seeing them (the white foam posts show up extremely well against virtually any background). You will not miss a take with these - Our NEW Design Foam Post Klinkhamer Selection saves your eyesight even in the smaller sizes! All of these flies have been chosen for both their blank saving and high visibility. You will not miss a take with these - A selection of 16 flies to save your eyesight! All of these flies have been chosen for both their blank saving and high visibility in all conditions. We've all been there; you're fishing on an evening in low light and you need something which will still catch, but importantly - you need to be able to see it! One of the great difficulties in fishing smaller flies is the ability to quickly spot where your fly actually is, with this selection you will have no problem seeing these (even though they are only small). Our NEW Design Foam Klinkhamer Selection is now available as a selection of 16 flies (4 different patterns - see above, 2 each of size 14 & 18). We are supplying all of these for only £22. 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. *** Just a gentle reminder that all our products are shipped FREE OF CHARGE to anywhere in the UK *** Creating a balanced dry fly leader is both an art and a science that can significantly improve your presentation. A properly balanced leader transfers energy efficiently during casting and allows your fly to land delicately on the water's surface. The ideal dry fly leader typically follows a 60/20/20 formula: 60% of the length for the butt section (thicker diameter), 20% for the mid-section (transition), and 20% for the tippet (finest diameter). Start with a leader butt of about 0.019-0.022" diameter attached to your fly line, then step down through 3-4 progressively thinner sections. The goal is to create a gradual taper that dissipates energy smoothly rather than abruptly. The key to perfect balance lies in selecting the right materials and proportions based on your specific fishing conditions. For most trout fishing, aim for a 9-12 foot leader with a final tippet of 4X-6X depending on fly size (see below) and fish wariness. Each section should be connected with a 3-turn water knot, keeping connections minimal and smooth. When properly constructed, your leader should turn over completely with the fly landing first and the leader settling in loose coils. This balanced design not only improves accuracy but also reduces micro-drag, allowing for longer, more natural drifts that fool selective trout. Top Leader Tips If the water is small or rough, use a leader which is roughly the length of the rod. If the water is calm, extend the leader to between 11' and 15', then add 2' to 4' of tippet. Just remember: "the calmer the water, the spookier the fish, the smaller the fly, the longer and finer tippet you need.” Tight lines.

Read more
Fishing With The Adams Family ... of flies

The 'Morning' Mayfly - Nymphs & Emergers

As I've mentioned in previous communications, I have to drive along the side of my local river to get to Barbless Flies HQ - along the way I get a very good view of the river - and can check the insects which are splattered across my windscreen to see what's hatching! As we've been pretty busy in the office over the last few weeks, I've been trying to get in for around 7am - so I can help the fly fairies get all of your orders out on time - as you can imagine, this is the busiest part of the year for us. Yesterday, however, I made a slight detour ... On my way home on Tuesday I saw Mayfly all over the place, so I thought I would take the chance to arrive at the river early and have a fish for an hour - before I got stuck into all of your orders! I was glad I did ... As we are so close to the coast, the mornings are usually quite overcast. This is great for fishing - but not so good if you want some time on the beach. I took the opportunity to fish a very silty stretch of water which I don't normally pay much attention to - the plan was to fish Mayfly nymph and emerger imitations. I tied on one of our Artisan Mayfly Nymphs (see illustration above) and had a fish on the very first cast - as the water is pretty slow in this part of the river I had to manipulate the nymph a little to impart a little life into it, but a resident wild fish scooped it up without hesitation. As well as focussing on the 'morning' Mayfly variants in today's missive, we're also extending a bit of a treat for you .. We're Continuing ... Our Mayfly Tombola You seem to have liked our 'Mayfly Tombola' idea, so we've decided to continue it until midnight tomorrow (Friday 16th May), you'll have to scroll to the end of this email to remind yourself of the details! But, back to the 'morning' Mayflies ... Morning mayfly fishing is all about subtlety and timing. Before the main hatch kicks in, trout are already on the lookout for the emerging nymphs beginning their journey toward the surface. These early hours are a golden opportunity for anglers who understand what’s going on below the water. Fish a nymph well in the right place, and you’ll often be into trout before a single dun has taken flight. Then, as the hatch builds, switching to an emerger pattern can unlock a feeding frenzy just under the surface - if you get it right. Use a two-fly setup early on – Pair a weighted mayfly nymph with a softly hackled dropper above it. You’ll cover multiple depths and imitate both the rising nymph and the drifting emerger in one cast. Fish structure, not open water – In the early hours, focus your casts around weed beds, margins, and silt patches where nymphs emerge. Trout will be sitting close, watching. Grease the tippet, not the fly – When fishing emerger patterns, apply floatant to the tippet up to a few inches before the fly. This keeps the fly riding naturally in the surface film, not unnaturally high. Choose patterns with a trailing shuck – For emergers, a CDC, Z-lon or Antron trailing shuck (like our Mayfly emerger below) gives the illusion of a freshly hatched mayfly stuck in the moment of emergence - exactly what trout are targeting. Match behaviour, not just colour – Don’t just think about matching the hatch visually. Early mayflies are sluggish and vulnerable - fish your patterns with a gentle twitch or slow hand-twist retrieve to mimic natural movement. As we are discussing the Mayfly (and why shouldn't we, this is the exact time of year to do it), we have a pretty special offer on the very best 'morning' Mayfly nymphs and emergers we can supply - The Mayfly Nymph, Loop-Winged Emerger & Regular Mayfly Emerger - they are works of art, you won't know wether to hang them on the wall or fish with them!  When fishing the Mayfly hatch during the morning, there's no better fly to use than our Artisan Mayfly Nymph imitation - they are the exact size of the mayfly nymph and perfectly proportioned Here they are: Artisan Mayfly Nymph Fishing during the mayfly hatch is one of the highlights of the trout fishing calendar, but success often comes down to timing. In the early hours, before the hatch really kicks off, trout aren’t looking up yet - they’re feeding just beneath the surface on the ascending nymphs making their way toward emergence. This is the perfect window to fish a mayfly nymph imitation slowly and confidently through the margins and drop-offs. Look for signs of trout positioning themselves in the water column, often mid-depth, anticipating the rise rather than chasing adult flies. Ok, you've sold me on them, "What's the price?" I hear you ask - we are making all of these flies available to you either individually (from only £2.75), or in packs of 5 or 10 from only £12 - which includes Free Delivery to anywhere in the UK - in our Eco-Friendly packaging. Mayfly Loop-Wing Emerger As the clock ticks toward mid-morning—around 11am—you’ll start to notice a shift. Mayfly duns begin to trickle off the surface, and the trout respond accordingly. This is the golden hour for emerger patterns. At this stage, the fish become laser-focused on the struggling insects caught in that vulnerable surface tension zone. Swap out your nymphs for a well-suspended emerger or a fly with a split profile—part in, part out of the water. Keep an eye out for gentle sipping rises; those subtle dimples on the surface are a dead giveaway that trout are now keyed in on emergers, not the fully hatched adults (yet). The Mayfly Emerger   Slightly darker in colour, some mayflies die as soon as they hatch. These are an easy target for trout, sometimes they actively target these in preference to the hatching flies. In which case these are the go-to flies. A classic mayfly imitation, super buoyant with a foam body and tied to exacting standards. This pattern imitates those mayflies which die hatching. All of our individual Mayfly patterns are available either individually (from only £2.75), in packs of 5 or 10 (from only £12.00) - which includes Free Delivery to anywhere in the UK - in our Eco-Friendly packaging. Get them while you can, as we did run out last year! Go on, you know you want to! The Artisan Mayfly Selection The Artisan Mayfly Selection is a selection of the flies to imitate the FULL lifecycle of the Mayfly (nymph, emerger, stillborn, dun, spinner & spent). I fished with these flies in May/June of the last few seasons to test them out, and was amazed at the results. We are supplying two of each pattern, in total there are 12 flies supplied in our eco-friendly packaging. All of these flies are hand-tied using AHREX barbless hooks and the highest quality materials. We've put together a FULL selection of ALL our Artisan Mayflies (two each of the following): Mayfly Nymph - tied on an Ahrex FW531 - Size 10 Mayfly Emerger - tied on an Ahrex FW531 - Size 10 Mayfly Loop-Wing Emerger - tied on an Ahrex FW503 - Size 10 Mohican Mayfly - tied on an Ahrex FW525 - Size 12 Mayfly Dun - tied on an Ahrex FW525 - size 14 Spent Mayfly - tied on an Ahrex FW525 - Size 14 The (Extended) Mayfly Tombola We've been thinking of a way to let all our loyal community - yes, that's you - get hold of one - for FREE, and then the penny dropped when I was at our local fete! Let's do it like a tombola, but instead of picking a raffle ticket that ends in either a '5' or a '0' - and winning a jar of marmalade which you will pass on to next year's raffle - let's do something a little more digital. So here's the deal: Just place an order with us before midnight tomorrow (14th May), it doesn't matter how much for - we're good like that, we would appreciate it if the order was over £20 but it's not a requirement! If your order number ends in an even number, then we will add one of our "Fishing The Mayfly" books to your order for free (usually £9.99). If you order one of our Mayfly books as a part of your order, we will refund you the cost of the book if your order number ends in an even number. That's it. We've only around 20 of our books remaining, so they will only last us a day or so. This virtual tombola will run from the time you receive this email until midnight tomorrow (Friday 16th May). Have fun out there!                    

Read more
The 'Morning' Mayfly - Nymphs & Emergers

Mayfly Tombola - 2 Detached Duns & A Spent

I managed to venture out onto the water over the weekend - it was epic! The wild fish on my local Derwent are usually pretty selective when feeding, and gently take any offering I pass by their noses. However, over the weekend I arrived at my favourite pool and could hear some very splashy rises - I couldn't see anything specific hatching but could see the fish attacking something very vigourously. After a little time spent watching, I saw a couple of Mayfly rise from the surface - so I tied on a Mohican Mayfly - and the fish went nuts for it! I only had a couple with me (as I was not expecting to be using Mayflies for at least another couple of weeks). I did have some Detached Body Duns, which I used to the very same effect. It was one of those "Red Letter Days" that keep you coming back for more! Up here in our corner of North Yorkshire we very rarely see a Mayfly before the end of May, but they seem to be appearing very early this year (as our Mayfly tracker is showing) - it must be to do with the nice and settled warm spell we are currently enjoying. As well as focussing on the 'detached body' Mayfly variants in today's missive, I've also a bit of a treat for you .. Introducing ... The Mayfly Tombola I've been thinking of a way to do something nice for all of our loyal community - yes, that's you - and then the penny dropped when I was a local village fete over easter! Let's do it like a tombola, but instead of picking a raffle ticket that ends in either a '5' or a '0' - and winning a jar of jam that you will pass on to next year's raffle - let's do something a little different. Our Mayfly Tombola will run until midnight tomorrow, you'll have to scroll to the end of this email to find out all the details! But, back to the detached body Mayflies ... On my local river I usually find the best sport to be had is in an evening - from around 6pm into the dusk - so only a few hours - but the signs are very positive for the coming weeks - I may have to leave the fly fairies to it, and take a few afternoons off! The afternoon is when the Dun / Spinners come out to play and in the evenings the "Spent" mayfly patterns are king. As a quick reminder - the majority of Mayflies only live for one day. During this time they: Hatch (Pattern Match: Emerger) Mature into an adult (Pattern Match: Dun) Mate (Pattern Match: Spinner); and Die (Pattern Match: Spent) It's the ones that have had their fun and gone to the river in the sky that we are trying to imitate on an evening. When a mayfly expires they float on the water with their wings outstretched, as below: TOP TIP: Reducing Leader Twist - when fishing with flies which have large wings - like Mayflies, this will induce twist in your leader (there's nothing you can really do to stop it). The majority of Mayfly patterns (especially the spent ones) have wings which act just like helicopter rotor blades and spin when you cast them. The best way to combat this is to: Reduce the length of your leader Increase the diameter of your leader Try shortening the overall length of your tapered leader to around 6ft and step up your tippet diameter - use 3X or 4X. Once the fish really switch on to the Mayfly they become indifferent to your tippet, so step it up where you can. As we are discussing the Mayfly (and why shouldn't we, this is the exact time of year to do it), we have a pretty special offer on the very best detached body Mayflies we can supply - The Mohican Mayfly & ayfly Dun - they are works of art, you won't know wether to hang them on the wall or fish with them!  When fishing the Mayfly hatch during the day, there's no better fly to use than a Detached Dun style imitation - and these are the best. We have these available now and ready to find a new home in your fly box. Here they are: Detached Body Mayfly Dun If you arrive at the water in the mid-afternoon - Remember you are looking for sections of river which are below a slow-running silty section and preferably where the river narrows. This funnel effect will act as a conveyor belt delivering the mayfly to the waiting trout. The better-sized trout will be at the head of the pool, so steadily work your way up. Once the Emergers appear on the water it's time to break out the detached body mayfly Dun and Spinner imitations. Ok, you've sold me on them, "What's the price?" I hear you ask - we are making all of these flies available to you either individually (from only £2.75), or in packs of 5 or 10 from only £12 - which includes Free Delivery to anywhere in the UK - in our Eco-Friendly packaging. Mohican Mayfly The Spent Mayfly If you see Spinners dancing above you on an evening, pay very close attention to the water for softly rising fish, and look for dead Spinners caught in small pockets of dead water behind rocks or debris. If you find any, pick them up so you can get a good idea of their size and colour and then select an appropriate pattern. Slightly darker in colour to the spinner, some mayflies die as soon as they hatch. These are an easy target for trout, sometimes they actively target these in preference to the hatching flies. In which case these are the go-to flies.A classic mayfly imitation, super buoyant and tied to exacting standards. This pattern imitates those mayflies which die hatching or after mating. One of the most effective Mayfly imitations when spinners are on the water. All of our individual Mayfly patterns are available either individually (from only £2.75), in packs of 5 or 10 (from only £12.00) - which includes Free Delivery to anywhere in the UK - in our Eco-Friendly packaging. Get them while you can, as we did run out last year! Go on, you know you want to! The Mayfly Tombola I hope you like the header image from this email as much as I do - it adorns the book we released last year, 80+ pages all about fishing the Mayfly - you can grab your copy here, for only £9.99. We've been thinking of a way to let all our loyal community - yes, that's you - get hold of one - for FREE, and then the penny dropped when I was at our local fete! Let's do it like a tombola, but instead of picking a raffle ticket that ends in either a '5' or a '0' - and winning a jar of marmalade which you will pass on to next year's raffle - let's do something a little more digital. So here's the deal: Just place an order with us before midnight tomorrow (14th May), it doesn't matter how much for - we're good like that, we would appreciate it if the order was over £20 but it's not a requirement! If your order number ends in an even number, then we will add one of our "Fishing The Mayfly" books to your order for free (usually £9.99). If you order one of our Mayfly books as a part of your order, we will refund you the cost of the book if your order number ends in an even number. That's it. We've only around 50 of our books remaining, so they will only last us a day or so. This virtual tombola will run from the time you receive this email until midnight tomorrow (14th May), or until we run out of books - whichever is the sooner! Our Mayfly Tracker ... An Update Over the weekend I asked you to help us with our 2025 Mayfly Tracker project - you didn't disappoint! and we've already had a fantastic response. I've updated the tracking page with the info I have received so far - click on the button (or image) below to view the updated tracker. Essentially, as soon as you see Mayfly hatching on your local water, get in touch letting me know where, and I will then plot it on a live map for all to see. If you wish to contribute, (and we hope you will) as soon as you see a Mayfly hatch on your local water, please get in touch, by sending me an email (richard@barbless-flies.co.uk) to let me know the hatch location, and I will then update the live map.   Have fun out there!        

Read more
Mayfly Tombola - 2 Detached Duns & A Spent

The 2025 Mayfly Radar - Tracking The UK Mayfly Hatch

UK Mayfly Hatches "In the heart of spring, when the world blossoms with the whispers of new life, the rivers of the UK dance with a delicate enchantment known as the Mayfly hatch. These magical few weeks are fondly dubbed 'duffers fortnight' a name that hints at the grace bestowed upon even the most inexperienced anglers." - A. Fellow-Duffer, 2024 *** This email is quite long, please read to the end as we need your help! *** Fly fishing has a very tight community where we all want to help each other, as it's 'duffers fortnight' coming up we thought it was the ideal time to draw on the community intelligence to launch something new. It was during this mythical fortnight, back in 2022, that I received an email from a good customer across the pond in the USA. The email just contained a link - with the words "Watch this!" - generally this type of email gets filed in the bin (they are usually some sort of scam/hacking attempt), this one was a little different as its subject was "Mayflies Everywhere", so I copied the link into a secure browser and tentatively clicked the link - this was the result: To save you a click - It was a news report from a TV channel in Cleveland Ohio, showing biblical swarms of Mayflies - even picking them up on the weather radar - If you want to watch the news report, just click on the image above. This planted the seed of an idea in my mind - I then promptly forgot all about it until this time last year when I was walking the dog (in a howling gale) on the Scarborough cliffs - the seed suddenly germinated and I had a bit of a EUREKA moment. This worked great last year - so we're doing it again ... The idea, which like a mayfly, took two years to form, was ... what if we could track Mayfly hatches across the UK in (near) real-time, so all anglers knew when to expect the hatches? The Barbless Flies budget doesn't quite stretch to using our own radar equipment, so I thought - let's do it the analogue way! So, here's the idea: We will draw upon the community we have built over the last 10 years - yes, that's you - and ask you to supply us with the information, essentially, as soon as you see Mayfly hatching on your local water, get in touch to let me know where and I will then plot it on a map for all to see. I've setup a dedicated page on our website to host all the info - there's no need to bookmark the page as it will be liberally linked to throughout our website - but if you do want to bookmark it for future reference it's https://www.barbless-flies.co.uk/mayfly-tracker. Here's the current map (with no hatches plotted): And, here's what we hope the map will look like in the next week - it should make it very easy to track the progress of Mayfly hatches throughout the UK: If you wish to contribute - and we hope you will - as soon as you see a Mayfly hatch on your local water, please get in touch, by either sending me an email (richard@barbless-flies.co.uk)  or clicking the button below (which will open up an email) and let me know the hatch location, and I will then update the live map. You can also report a Mayfly Hatch through the dedicated UK Mayfly Hatch Tracker page on our website: This will hopefully help all anglers plan for one of the most anticipated hatches of the season. I hope you like this initiative and, as always, I would welcome any feedback you may have. Happy Mayfly Spotting! If you are in the market for some really successful Mayfly patterns, can I introduce you to: Our Mayfly Taster Selection I always really look forward to this time of year, as it marks an important transition from early season sport (nymphs & spiders etc) to more top-of-the-water, dry fly action (hopefully!). With that in mind, we are introducing even more Mayfly imitations this year, so stay tuned to these emails over the coming weeks for quite a few new individual flies. We are starting this year's Mayfly season with our tried and tested Mayfly Taster Selection - one each of all the essential lifecycle stages of the Mayfly in one handy selection. This 'taster' selection allows you to find out which flies are working best for you, then you can order them individually. As soon as the trout switch on to Mayflies, these should be your 'go to' patterns. We are supplying the whole Mayfly lifecycle in a selection of 6 flies (6 patterns - 1 of each), see (and click on) images and links below for more details: We have already stocked up on Mayflies and these are available now, only £14 for the Mayfly Taster Selection. Mayfly Nymph A Mayfly nymph imitation in White/Cream & Brown (the natural colours) and weighted with a bead to help this large fly sink. These nymphs are tied on AHREX FW531 barbless hooks and correspond to the actual size of a Mayfly nymph.    Mayfly Emerger A Mayfly emerger imitation in White/Cream & Brown (the natural colours) with a little foam tied in at the head to allow the fly to sit correctly on the water. These emergers are tied on Ahrex FW531 barbless hooks and correspond to the actual size of a Mayfly.   Mayfly Loop-Wing Emerger A Mayfly emerger imitation in White/Cream & Brown (the natural colours) and looped wings, to allow the fly to sit correctly on the water. These emergers are tied on AHREX FW503 barbless hooks and correspond to the actual size of a Mayfly.   Mayfly Dun A Mayfly Dun imitation in White/Cream & Brown (the natural colours) with a grey poly-yarn sighter post. These Dun imitations are tied on AHREX FW525 barbless hooks and correspond to the actual size of a Mayfly.he hatching flies.   Mohican Mayfly A detached body mayfly imitation, super buoyant and tied to exacting standards. This fly has very short wings, which helps reduce leader-twist when casting. Make sure you have plenty of these, the trout love them! The most effective Mayfly imitation when spinners are on the water.   Spent Mayfly A Spent Mayfly imitation in White/Cream & Brown (the natural colours) tied with outstretched poly-yarn to imitate the dying mayfly - there are the go-to flies when fishing on an evening. These Spent Mayfly imitations are tied on AHREX FW525 barbless hooks and correspond to the actual size of a Mayfly. Get them while you can, as we did run out last year! Barry really liked his Mayflies: Have fun out there and remember to report any Mayfly sightings via our dedicated page!                          

Read more
The 2025 Mayfly Radar - Tracking The UK Mayfly Hatch

Want to get in touch or visit us?

Email: richard@barbless-flies.co.uk Tel: +44 0330 66 00 587

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 9AM to 5PM

Copyright © 2026,  Barbless Flies

Powered by a shoal of Grayling

Back to top

Registered Company Number 09938280 - VAT Registration Number 300 0092 84

  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Maestro
  • Mastercard
  • PayPal
  • Union Pay
  • Visa