Morning,

July 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/June hatches to the more sparse pickings as the sun shines and the river levels drop, the smaller flies come out to play.

On my local small stream (Yorkshire Derwent & River Dove), it's been strange fishing of late, especially with the recent hot spells of weather and the resulting lower water levels we are currently seeing.

-- Intermission ---

Please see towards the end of this email for a special 'fly-fairy-made' freebie which we are including with any order we receive today - while stocks last. I promise you'll not be dissapointed.

-- Intermission Ends --

Even with the much lower river levels we are experiencing here in North Yorkshire, I am still finding that when the fish are playing hard to get (probably still full of Mayfly), the "go-to" fly is a CdC 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 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 very picky at this time of year - 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, emerger-style hooks in the smallest size - preferably the AHREX Emerger (FW521)."

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 my local rivers.

These flies are works of art - you'll want to frame them rather than fish with them - see below for some stunning close-up images of the flies.

And ... we've a nice 'giveaway' with each set ordered ... see below.

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.

Our Bosnian Balon Pupa Selection consists of 12 flies, 3 each of 4 separate patterns:

• Black Balon Pupa - A versatile option that represents darker emerging insects and can also suggest midge pupae. An outstanding choice in low light, overcast conditions, or whenever trout are keying in on dark silhouettes. This pattern uses the AHREX FW521 barbless hook in a size 18.

• Olive Balon Pupa - The classic choice for imitating summer hatches. An excellent all-round colour whenever trout are feeding selectively on emerging olives. This pattern uses the AHREX FW521 barbless hook in a size 18.

• Red Balon Pupa - An attractor variation that combines the emerger profile with a subtle trigger colour. Especially effective in slightly coloured water or when fish become difficult and require an additional visual stimulus. This pattern uses the AHREX FW521 barbless hook in a size 18.

• Yellow Balon Pupa - Developed to imitate pale yellow up-winged flies and lighter Ephemera species. Particularly effective during bright conditions. This pattern uses the AHREX FW521 barbless hook in a size 18.

These flies are all tied on the best lightweight emerger hooks in the business, the AHREX FW521 in a size 18. Size 18 may seem small, but these AHREX hooks are slightly larger than the regular size 18's, they are more like a size 17, and they have a larger eye - making it much easier to thread even 3X tippet!

Each pattern is tied with Semperfli thread bodies, Class-1 Cul de Canard (CdC) and includes a Semperfli Glo-Brite hot-spot.

We are supplying 3 of each of the above patterns, that's 12 flies in total for only £25.80 (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.

We've even included the option to buy your Bosnian Balon Pupa selection with one of our Slimline Silicone fly boxes for only an additional £10 (usually £15).

Please Note: This premium Bosnian Balon Pupa selection is very limited (we only have 40 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. Due to this, I'd appreciate it if you could only order a maximum of 2 selections to let other have a chance to experience them!

Just click on any image or button in this email to view details and grab your selection (or 2) while we still have them.

If you would like a set, you will need to be quick off the mark!

These flies have been specifically tied for fishing in the low and slow summer levels and are ideal for both rivers and stillwaters:

Special Offer - For Today Only

Just as an extra 'Brucie Bonus' for every order we receive today we will include one of our specialist - fly-fairy made - bamboo fly-drying towels:

We've found the perfect solution for drying your flies - these are not commercially available, so we decided to make our own! They are a little bit 'homemade' but they work fantastically well.

Please Note: We've only around 50 of these, so get your order in early and we will add one to your order for free!

Make sure your Bosnian Balon Caddis are floating high and have a natural look this summer, with our Fly Drying Towel.  Simply press your fly between the two sheets and squeeze the moisture and any slime out.

The Bosnian 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 colour, Black, Olive, Red or Yellow. Each pattern also sports a red hot-spot just below the hook eye and a short Coq de Leon 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.

Top Tip: Fish these patterns on a long, fine leader with a drag-free drift, allowing the fly to sit naturally in the film. They can also be twitched gently at the end of the drift to imitate the final struggle of an emerging mayfly breaking free from its nymphal shuck.

Just as a reminder, we are supplying 3 of each of the above Bosnian Balon patterns, that's 12 flies in total for only £25.80 including 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 above.

Please Note: This premium Bosnian Balon Pupa Selection is very limited (we only have 40 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.

Tight lines, and choose your time on the water wisely (see below)!

P.S. It's worth grabbing a set of these flies, even if you're not planning to fish over the next few weeks (due to holidays/warm water/river levels etc.) - they're also perfect for early Autumn!

P.P.S. If you want to find out a little about Summer Watercraft, keep reading ...

This prolonged heat means only one thing - lower levels and much spookier fish.

Fly fishing in warmer weather when river levels are low presents unique challenges - fish 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 tapered leader setup - they really come into their own at this time of year. 

• Downsize Your Flies: Opt for smaller, more natural patterns like size 16 to 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.