Morning,

We need to talk about your post-Christmas Day escape strategy.

But first ...

<begin intermission>

The Last Post: Today is the last day to order using our free delivery service if you would like your flies before Christmas - you can find out more details on all our 'last posting dates' at the very end of this email.

<end intermission>

Today's the 16th of December, right now, you're probably feeling quite chipper about Christmas. The decorations are up, presents are wrapped (or at least thought about), and you're genuinely looking forward to a few days off work. Mulled wine seems like a good idea, and family time sounds lovely.

Give it ten days.

By December 27th, you'll know exactly which Quality Streets everyone in the house doesn't like (it's the toffee pennies, it's always the toffee pennies). The fridge is full of food nobody actually wants to eat, and you're trapped in your own home with people you love dearly but, let's be honest, could do with a few hours' break from.

Then ... someone will suggest a family jigsaw puzzle (or Monopoly marathon) - that's your cue, and you're going to need an exit strategy!

But here's where most anglers mess it up.

They wait until just after Boxing Day, decide to go fishing, spend an hour faffing about looking for gear, can't find the right flies, end up at the water in the afternoon, and blank because the fish stopped feeding at 1pm, and return home having wasted their one legitimate 'free pass'.

Don't be that angler.

Be the angler who casually mentions over breakfast:

"Right, I'm just popping to the water for a couple of hours (to check on the fish) - I won't be long."

Your partner will see right through this, obviously. But here's the thing: they want you gone too. Two hours of peace while you're freezing your nadgers off? That's basically a Christmas gift to them.

Then actually catch some fish and return home in time for the turkey curry nobody really wants, but everyone's going to eat anyway.

The secret pattern at this time of year (whether you're fishing rivers or stillwaters) is:

The Jig Apps Bloodworm

Let me tell you about last Christmas.

I'd made it through Christmas Day and Boxing Day without any major incident. But by the 28th, things were getting tense.

We'd run out of things to talk about ...

The television schedule had been exhausted ...

Someone mentioned Scrabble ... I knew I had to act fast.

So, I made my excuses and arrived at the river for 10:30am. It was freezing cold, and the river was falling after a significant volume of water had come off the North York Moors. The sort of conditions where most people would sensibly stay indoors.

I'd tied up a few samples of these Jig Apps the week before Christmas (to send to our tiers, to do properly). Gold beads, different coloured bodies but all with vivid red flexi-floss rubber legs, and all tied on size 14 strong jig hooks that keep the pattern from snagging on the bottom.

First cast: nothing. Well, obviously. It's cold. The fish are deep. Everything's moving in slow motion, including me, because I'd eaten approximately half my body weight in mince pies over the last few days.

Third cast though? Absolute magic. That distinctive take you get with winter bloodworm patterns, not a smash, not even a proper pull, just a gentle tightening of the line.

Over the next couple of hours, I'd landed a few more Grayling. All on that same Jig Apps pattern. All in water so cold my fingers went numb just thinking about it. 

We've just received our Winter delivery of the Jig Apps Bloodworms - exactly the same as the samples I tied up at this time last year.

There's something about these patterns that drives fish wild when the river height is falling. Whether it's the naturalistic wiggle, or simply that they look interesting (they work equally as well on both rivers and stillwaters). The undoubted star-of-the-show with this fly pattern is the hook - strong, sharp and just the perfect 'jig' shape to keep your fly from snagging the bottom.

Each one of our Jig Apps is tied on a superb barbless jig hook which is just the right shape for 'worm style' patterns, if you don't have a lot of time, and just "want to catch a fish" - these are the perfect pattern to use in both rivers and stillwaters.

How To Fish Your Jig Apps Bloodworms

On Rivers - These flies are most effective in high water (or after a flood/rise in water) when the water level is going down and clearing. Where these patterns really come into their own is in smaller rivers with high soil banks, where real worms are washed from banks. These can also be used as a point fly in deeper holes.

On Stillwaters - All of these patterns are best fished on a sinking (or intermediate) line and shortish leader. Once on the bottom of the lake bed, make a slow (but jerky) retrieve and wait for the take! These flies imitate the bloodworm, which is found in the lake bed. When disturbed, they pulse and move in exactly the same way as the flexi-floss.

Please Note: We know that some of you like to customise your flies, so these are tied with extra-long legs (which you can either fish as they are or cut down to a size you think is best).

We've only got 40 of these Jig Apps Bloodworm Selections available - I'm keeping a few back for myself, to use (and lose) over the twixtmas period!

Our Jig Apps Bloodworm Selection contains 3 each of the 4 body colours (Black, Olive, Red & White) - all tied on size 14 barbless jig hooks.

That's twelve flies in total, for only £20.00 delivered in our eco-friendly packaging free of charge to anywhere in the UK (order today to ensure delivery before Christmas).

Please Note: In order to receive your flies for Christmas, you will need to order today (16th December) if you want to make use of our FREE delivery service.

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

*** Go on, treat yourself - you know you want to - at only £20 for the selection, these will not hang around for long! ***

Limited Edition Boxed Selection ...

LIMITED EDITION BOXES: We've just received some brand new fly boxes (we launched a limited run with our Snatcher Selection last week) - they have a y-slit silicon mat base and a magnetic closure for the lid (very handy when you're changing flies).

We've made up a few of our Jig Apps Selections in the new boxes (10 to be exact) to try out, and are making them available as an option with our Jig Apps Selection. If you'd like one, there's an option to include one with your Jig Apps Selection for only an extra £12.50. If they prove to be as successful as I think they will be - I've just swapped over all my Tacky boxes in favour of these - we will be filling our shelves with them in the coming months.

Last Posting Dates for Christmas

We are receiving more and more phone calls from customers asking when their order will be delivered.

Royal Mail is advising us that for our free service, we should make customers aware that orders can take between 5 and 7 working days to arrive, which is one of the reasons we have now negotiated a better deal for our 1st Class Tracked service, it's now only £1.95 and will be with you within 2 days.

Just as a quick reminder, we've been given the dates below as the 'last posting dates for Christmas':

This means that if you want to receive your order before Xmas using our FREE delivery service, then you need to make your order before 1pm today!

*** Go on, treat yourself this Christmas ***

Your exit strategy is sorted. Your flies are proven. Your alibi is watertight.

P.S. Tell them you'll be back by 2pm. Actually be back by 2pm. This buys you enormous goodwill credit for future deployments. Think of it as investing in your 2026 fishing freedom.