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).