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

🎉 15+ Years Supplying Stunning Fishing Flies 🎉

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

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🚚 Fast FREE Delivery On ALL UK Orders

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Secret French Nymphs, French Letters & American Nymph Boxes

A Secret French Nymph! Morning, Firstly, thanks for all of your orders over the weekend - we plucked out one lucky winner of the framed hatch chart yesterday morning - congratulations James . We have just one more framed hatch chart remaining and will be doing the same giveaway again this coming Bank Holiday Weekend. Today's email missive is all about a very secretive French nymph - and the perfect box to keep them in! Last month, something unexpected dropped on our doormat - with a French postmark ... It was from good friend, and unique fly designer, Stan (of Ceramic Flies & Nymphèvolution fame). I opened the package and read the accompanying note - it described some nymphs which he'd been working on for a while (and could never lay his hands on the right materials) - but now he had found the perfect material, he'd sent them over for us to test - I love receiving packages like that! Stan's note alluded to the nymphs changing colour when submerged - to perfectly (and realistically) match the majority of subsurface nymphs found in European waters - I'll admit, at first, I was a little sceptical, I've seen plenty of gimmicks come and go over the years. As I didn't have time to get out on my local (it was our busiest time of the year), I asked our local fly fishing legend (John E.) if he'd give them a swim and let me know what he thought. What came back wasn't just a testimonial - it was a bit of a love letter to what might be one of the most innovative patterns to cross the English Channel in decades: John's results spoke for themselves, so I was keen to try them out for myself. I ventured out in the blazing sun (which was not ideal), but found a nice shady run, which had a little flow to it and was a couple of feet deep. I tackled up with the Dark Olive version (below) and trundled a single nymph down the run - it took a couple of runs before the fish started to react! All in all, I was on the bank for around 30 minutes and had a total of 6 fish - all small and wild - just how I like them! These nymphs are tied to perfection (as is usual with any of Stan's flies). These are slightly lighter nymphs, but with a twist - the secret body material changes to a very very 'buggy' colour when wet. A great fly to try at this time of year. This style of larvae are found in all of our rivers and stillwaters, with fish of all kinds gorging on them as they trundle along in the flow. Fish one of these just above the river bed, or suspend one under a dry fly on your favourite Stillwater/reservoir and hang on! Let me introduce you to Stan's WFX Nymph Selection which includes 3 different colour variations: Cream (dry) & Butter (wet) Gold (dry) & Dark Olive (wet) Grannom (dry) & Insect Green (wet) Each nymph is tied with a 'secret' body material, we did twist Stan's arm, but he still wouldn't tell us what it was! With this selection of nymphs you will be able to provide a very passable imitation for virtually any nymph (or catepillar) found in UK waters, and they also do a very passable impression of a maggot! This nymph imitation (which has a passing resemblance to a Caddis) is ideally used as a point fly in any nymphing setup (and great for sight nymphing). Don't forget about using these on stillwaters also - over half of the UK Caddis flies are found in stillwaters. These imitations are all tied on size 16 barbless Hends pupa hooks. The tying specification for these WFX Nymphs is: Fly Name: WFX Nymph Hook: Hends BL550 N°16 Barbless Pupa Head Composition: 2.5mm Coloured Brass Bead Body Composition: 'Stan's Secret' Body Yarn Latin Name: Trichoptera Weight: Medium - 0.09g Please Note: As usual with both Stan and our Bosnian flies, we never have loads of them - we've only 40 of these selections available. We did receive more, but I'm stashing away a few selections for myself to last me through Autumn and early Winter - as John mentions in his letter, these will be stunning when the Grayling start to take an interest. We are only making these flies available as a selection of 9 (three of each colour) - just click on any of the fly images or buttons below to view more detailed images of each individual nymph. This selection of 9 nymphs is priced at £20.00 - we do understand these are at the pricier end of the spectrum for flies, but the quality is truely outstanding. We only have 40 selections available for sale - I'm keeping some to use myself! So you will need to be quick! We've even produced a quick video, showing you the nymphs colour changing ability - I hope you'll agree that once wet, they really do look 'buggy': These are one of the most common nymphs found in virtually all waters. They are found on rocks, sand and all types of gravel, so Stan decided to try and make an imitation as realistic as he could. The perfect imitation has to imitate the different body colours, thorax and legs .... so he decided that a woven style nymph is a perfect combination of back and thorax colour, with the segmentation imitating the thorax. The 'secret' body material changes colour when wet, to the correct shade. With a dubbed thorax, these are all tied with either black or gold 2.5mm beads. These nymphs are tied as a general representation of the nymphs commonly seen on our riverbeds. A 'real-life' nymph body looks something like this: Our imitation WFX Nymphs look like this: I think you will agree that the design running throughout the body of the nymph makes these look very like the real thing (if you sort of ignore the sharp metal hook hanging out of the end!). The Very Best Nymph Box There Is! If you're looking for a new home for your WFX Nymphs - there's no better place than the Tacky Double-Sided Day Pack. I use one religiously throughout the year, and always have one in my chest-pack, it carries all the nymphs I need and is really slim, I don't even notice I'm carrying it half the time. Here's my nymph box - as you can see, there are a few empty spaces which I need to fill up: As soon as we get into September, this is the box which sees the most use (with the exception of my 'Daddy Box'. This is also the box I use for all of my Grayling fishing. We've just received a re-stock of these boxes, so if you would like one, we have them - they're only £24.99, delivered for FREE (if you're in the UK), will last you for years and they're ready for a new home! These really are stunning fly boxes, you can tell they have been specifically designed to hold nymphs - with the micro slits able to secure nymphs from a size 8 to a size 24! Tight lines.

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Secret French Nymphs, French Letters & American Nymph Boxes

Something Very French & A Piece of Barbless Flies History

Les Trois Caddis Colorés Morning, Here at Barbless Flies, the late Spring and Summer months are by far and away our busiest months, you will often find both Jack and I burning the midnight oil at least 6 days a week: getting all of your orders out in a timely fashion, working on new fly patterns whilst also continuing to write books/articles and emails. I often find that by the end of the day, I am completely exhausted - both mentally and physically - so I don't often fish in the evenings, I prefer to sit quietly with a good fishing book and a glass of something Scottish (or Irish)! ----- Interlude ----- Fancy A Freebie This Weekend? Whilst chatting with a friend back in June, he commented on our River Hatch Chart, which I have as a screensaver on my computer (kindly designed for us by Ryan Keene over in the USA) and said they'd look really good framed - he asked if we had a couple he could take away - fast-forward a few weeks, and he returned with this: We love it - and it's now proudly hanging in the office. I asked if he could do a couple more for us, to give away (over the next 2 weekends) to our loyal customers for the fantastic support you have given us over the season so far - I've even devalued it by signing it! All you need to do to enter is place an order with us at any point this weekend, for more than £30 - the more orders you place, the more entries you will have! We will put all of the qualifying entries into a 'flat cap' and draw out one lucky winner on Monday morning (18th August). As this is a competition of sorts, there are always some rules, and here's ours: This competition will close at 23:59 on the 17th of August; any orders received after this time will not be considered. The competition will run from today (16th August) until 23:59 on the 17th of August. The judge's (i.e. my) decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. Each individual order placed that totals more than £30 will be classed as an entry. Barbless Flies is compliant with the Data Protection Act. Our policy is such that we will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent. If you have any questions on any of the above, please email me by replying to this email. Please Note: As we have 2 of these to give away, we will be running the exact same giveaway next weekend as well - giving you a 2nd chance to own a small piece of Barbless Flies history! ----- Interlude Ends ----- During our busy months, I have to plan my fishing trips accordingly, and fish very early in the morning - I have to drive alongside the river on my way into Barbless Flies HQ, so it would be rude not to stop for a cast or two (or three) while the mornings are so light. At this time of the day, one of the most popular dry fly imitations I use is the Caddis/Sedge pattern - these are nocturnal insects that return to the water to lay their eggs, just as I'm arriving on the river. The Tri-Colour Caddis There are many different variations of Caddis/Sedge fly, but this season, I've found that one stands head-and-shoulders above all others. It was originally devised in France to fish on the faster, more riffly water - it floats high on virtually all types of water and will fool fish throughout the UK, no matter which river (or stillwater) you are on! It's called the Tri-Colour (Tricolores) Caddis ... The Tricolores is a French palmered fly pattern used to entice both Trout and Grayling. A palmered hackle is one which starts at the bend of the hook and runs the full length of the hook shank, finishing at the eye. This style of tying is most commonly found in the Griffith's Gnat and makes the fly ride high on the water and less prone to sinking. The original fly pattern recipe suggests it is a 'bug' with a graduated dark hackle (which is extremely difficult to find). However, more modern interpretations of the pattern usually use the three colours (White, Brown & Black). It's not unusual, in the more rural parts of France, for this pattern to be tied in White, Olive & Lime to imitate the vivid green upwinged flies they see during the summer months. We've only got 40 of these Tri-Colour Caddis Selections available - I'm keeping a few back for myself, to use over the next 6 weeks or so! Our Tri-Colour Caddis Selection contains 4 each of sizes 12, 14 & 16. That's twelve flies in total, for only £18.00 delivered free of charge to anywhere in the UK. Please Remember: We've only 40 of these selections available, so if you want a set, you will need to be quick - These flies can also be bought individually here if you would like to top up your selection! Go on, treat yourself - you know you want to - at only £18 for the selection, these will not hang around for long! Tight lines & have a great weekend.

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Something Very French & A Piece of Barbless Flies History

Skinny Water = Skinny Flies - Summer Searching Tactics

Morning, "When the river runs thin and the stones show their backs, the fish turn cautious." When the water is 'skinny', every shadow, every ripple, every overdressed fly becomes a potential warning sign. This is the time for restraint ... For flies tied so sparsely tied they seem little more than a whisper in the current. For centuries, fly anglers here in Yorkshire have been well-known for fishing this style of fly, we call Spiders - just a turn or two of silk, a soft hackle, and the merest suggestion of life. 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 flies & Jeff's boxes now - and save reading my musings for later, safe in the knowledge that you have already secured your boxed Artisan Spiders. This email is all about fishing skinny flies (Spiders) in skinny water. In this email, we are launching some stunning spider patterns supplied in one of Jeff Jones's hand-made wooden fly boxes. Jeff's wooden boxes are available in various different sizes (and wood finishes). We're also giving you the chance to pickup one of Jeff's wooden fly boxes on their own - the last one's that will ever be made - see below for more details! Plus - at the very end of the email are some tips and tricks on how to use spiders when fishing low, summer water. Spiders - or Soft Hackle flies, as our friends across the pond refer to them - are my new 'go-to' patterns when fishing 'skinny' water in warmer weather. For me, they have been some of the most productive flies I've fished with over the past few weeks. It all started from a conversation with one of the 'old boys' who regularly pops his head into Barbless Flies HQ. He mentioned that when the water levels drop, he always turns to spider patterns, unweighted and very sparsely dressed - but with one key difference to the usual setup - he uses just a single fly. Why Do Sparse Flies Shine in Low Water? When trout have time to study their food, overdressed patterns can scream fake.  A spider's sparse dressing does the opposite - it suggests rather than shouts, allowing the fish to fill in the blanks and (hopefully) commit to the take. The soft hackle of the fly breathes and moves in the current, even when dead-drifted, creating the illusion of life, without the bulk. This is why I'm concentrating on Spider patterns & some Artisan wood wizardy from Jeff Jones in this week's missive. In fact, I've combined the two together: I asked our Artisan tyers - at very short notice - if they could produce us a set of really 'skinny' Spider patterns. Unfortunately, they could not find the time to tie them in the quantity we originally requested, however, they did manage to send us 16 stunning patterns - but we only received a few dozen of each! We did not want to put so few on the website - as they would sell out within seconds, so ... I spoke with 'our man in Wales' and asked if he had any of his stunning wooden fly boxes, which would suit them. He did ... So, we’ve gathered the finest Artisan Spider patterns on earth, and placed them in something worthy of their history: a choice of hand-made wooden fly boxes (see below), crafted in Wales by Jeff - whose hands know both patience and precision. Skinny water demands skinny flies. And in this special boxed selection, you’ll find the confidence to meet the low summer river on its own terms. Our Artisan tyers really have done us proud with these stunning patterns, our boxed selection includes 16 patterns (2 of each in a size 14):   Hare's Lug & Plover                               Woodcock & Hare's Lug Dark Watchet Stu's Black Spider Partridge & Yellow Partridge & Orange Mirage Spider Red-Spot Spider   Snipe & Purple Gold & Black Black Spider Hare's & Partridge Waterhen Bloa Parson's Fancy Iron Blue Spider Partridge & Copper   To view any of the above patterns in more detail, just click on any image or button in this email. To view any of the above patterns in more detail, just click on any image or button in this email. As we only have very few of these Spider patterns, we're only making them available in a boxed selection - imaginatively called Jeff's Artisan Spider Selection". As you can probably guess, this is not at the cheaper end of the scale as far as our usual product offerings go, the prices vary on the size of the box you require. Each boxed selection contains 32 barbless spider patterns, which would usually retail at £1.95 each, making a total of £62.50, but for this special selection, we are pricing them at £1.50 per fly, making a total of £48. Then you add on the box, where the price is dependent on the size: 5" x 3.5" - Available in: Oak Cluster - £40 6" x 4" - Available in: American Black Walnut Cluster or Pommele Sapele - £50 8" x 5" - Available in: Black Walnut, Teak or Oak Cluster - £60 This makes the final pricing for these special selections: £88 for the 5" x 3.5" in Oak Cluster £98 for the 6" x 4" box in any wood finish; and £108 for the 8" x 5" box in any wood finish These make an ideal present to yourself, for being so good this year! We have a friend called Jeff ... who used to make fly boxes, in Wales After returning from my recent jaunt to deepest darkest Wales (which is stunning, by the way), I received a phone call from Jeff Jones (who makes the stunning wooden fly boxes) to tell me that he was retiring from his garden workshop and was stopping making his wonderful boxes altogether - after a catch-up, he asked if we would like to buy all of his remaining stock - "do ducks fart underwater" - yes, of course we would! We received the first small batch last week - which contained various sizes (5" x 3", 6" x 4" and 8" x 5" boxes) each one made from a different wood (Oak, Teak, Walnut etc). All of Jeff's fly boxes are hand-made (in his garden workshop) from solid wood - it's a true labour of love and they are stunning creations - the detail on them is outstanding! I've now listed them all on our website - you can find them here - we're making them available from only £40! These Luxury Oiled Wooden Fly Boxes are made in Wales, in a shed, by a guy called Jeff. They measure either 5" x 3.5", 6" x 4" or 8" x 5" and have solid wood sides and a thick veneer top and bottom, each box has a distinctive and unique pattern and is made from varying wood: Oak Cluster American Black Walnut Cluster Americal Black Walnet (Straight Grain) Pommele Sapele Teak The quality of workmanship is outstanding and the boxes are finished with several coats of specialist Gunstock Oil giving a fantastic feel and appearance and long-lasting protection against the elements. The boxes are fitted with strong neodymium permanent magnets used as the box closures, which gives a smooth snag-free surface and beautifully sculpted finger holds that enable a simple opening and closing of the boxes. A unique feature on these fly boxes is the chamfered profile of the interior edges, which not only looks great, but makes it easier to insert and remove flies which are near the edges of the box. We have managed to snag Jeff's remaining stock of these boxes (due to his retirement), which are available now either empty or as a part of Jeff's Artisan Spider Selection: Jeff's fly boxes normally retail at £45+ for even the smallest ones, but we have teamed up with Jeff to showcase his craftsmanship and now have the final fly boxes available: £40 - for the 5" x 3.5" - Oak Cluster £50 - for the 6" x 4" - American Black Walnut & Pommele Sapele £60 - for the 8" x 5" - American Black Walnut, Teak or Oak Cluster *** We've only a couple of each of the boxes available, from Jeff's final stock - so grab yours now, as you won't get a chance again! ***   These make great gifts, so why not make someone’s day and present them with a Jeff's Artisan Spider Selection?  *** Go on, treat yourself - or a friend this Summer *** When the river drops to summer lows, every cast matters. The fish are spooky, the lies are smaller, and even the shadow of your line can send a trout bolting for cover. That’s when spider patterns (or soft hackles, for those over the pond) come into their own. In these conditions, there’s often no need for a team of three flies. In fact, a single, perfectly presented spider can outfish everything else, if you fish it right. Here are 7 (and a half) tips & tricks for getting the most out of a lone spider in skinny water: 1. Go Long on the Leader A 12–15ft leader with 6X or 7X tippet gives you a delicate presentation and keeps the fly well away from your fly line splashdown. 2. Fish Upstream or Up-and-Across While spiders are often fished across-and-down, in low water an upstream presentation gives you more control, less drag, and a stealthier approach. 3. Keep it in the Film A sparse spider fished just under the surface mimics emergers perfectly. Grease the leader up to 6 inches from the fly to keep it riding high without dragging. 4. Use a Reach Cast for Stealth Throwing a little reach upstream on delivery keeps your tippet from laying over the fish’s feeding lane—vital in clear, shallow water. 5. Lift to Tempt Near the end of your drift, gently lift the rod tip to make the spider “swim” upwards. This imitates an insect rising to hatch and often triggers a take. 6. Target Broken Water In low, clear flows, riffles and pocket water offer cover for both you and the fish. They’re also where spiders come alive in the current. 7. Keep False Casting to a Minimum More false casts = more chance of spooking fish. Aim for one smooth cast, one perfect drift. 7½. Always Believe in the Fly The half-tip is more of a mindset: if you think the spider will work, you’ll fish it with patience, focus, and better presentation. Doubt leads to sloppy drifts - faith catches fish (but that's a whole email by itself)! Our Jeff's Artisan Spider Selection - presented in a hand-made wooden box by Jeff in Wales - is built for exactly these conditions. A handful (16 actually) of the right patterns, tied sparse and suggestive, is all you need to unlock even the wariest trout this Summer. Tight lines, and remember to time your trips to the water!

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Skinny Water = Skinny Flies - Summer Searching Tactics

Terrestrials: Break out the Beetles

Break Out The Beetles As the summer continues, those of you who fish regularly will have noticed that the bank-side foliage just seems to get denser every time you visit the water. These are ideal conditions for all sorts of insects to thrive, from small leaf-eating insects to hoards of beetles and ants. This is prime time for all terrestrial activity on both rivers and stillwaters. Fly fishing with terrestrial patterns is an exciting and effective technique that involves imitating insects that live primarily on land, such as beetles and ants. When fish are focused on terrestrial insects, presenting these patterns correctly can lead to some exhilarating experiences. Here are some tips to make the most of this approach, especially at this time of year: Observation: Observe the water and surrounding vegetation for signs of terrestrial insects. Look for beetles and ants falling from overhanging branches. Identifying the prevalent insects will help you select the right patterns. Accurate casting: Terrestrial insects often fall onto the water with a splash, attracting fish with the noise. Practice accurate casting to mimic this action and place the fly close to the bank or structure where terrestrial insects are likely to be present. Presentation: Allow the fly to drift naturally with the current, just like a real insect. Try twitching your rod tip gently to imitate movement, creating the illusion of a struggling insect. Size and Colour: Choose patterns that match the size and colour of the insects in the area. Ants and beetles are usually small and dark, so a size 14 or 16 pattern usually works best. Patience: Terrestrial fishing can be sporadic, with bursts of activity when insects are active. Stay patient and keep an eye on the water for any signs of fish feeding on the surface. Light Tippet: Use a lighter tippet to ensure a natural presentation and prevent spooking wary fish. However, be prepared for powerful strikes and potential challenges when landing larger fish. We have updated our Beetle selection for 2025 - and they've just arrived with us (scroll down to view all of the patterns in detail): We've updated our most popular beetles and included them all in one selection. These patterns now cover all imitations throughout the summer and autumn months. The patterns included in our NEW selection are: Coch-y-Bonddu Beetle - The classic beetle pattern, also known as the field chafer. The Kicking Beetle - A great 'active' pattern which attracts the attention of any nearby fish, due to the rubber legs which pulse when any action is imparted to the fly (either by the angler or the water current). Hi-Viz Beetle - A great pattern that is easy to see on those bright sunny days. Tied with a bright pink post. Hi-Float Foam Beetle - A beetle designed to float high in the water due to its closed-cell foam body. Plus, for today only: The Micro Beetle - Looks a little odd, but catches fish! Please Note: We only have 40 of these selections available - and when they're gone, they're gone until next year! Grab yours today (and get your free Micro beetles - see further below for our Special Offer). Why not be ready for any Beetle, with our Barbless Beetle Selection - we love an alliteration! We have created this selection of Beetles that work equally well on both rivers and stillwaters. Here we have a selection of 20 Beetles, five different patterns (the four above + The Micro Beetle, below) two each of sizes 14 & 16; plus four of the size 18 Micro Beetles - if you buy the Barbless Beetle Selection today. Our Barbless Beetle Selection includes 20 flies and is now available, priced at only £26, which includes fast, free delivery to anywhere in the UK. Click on any image or button in this email to view each of the patterns in more detail. We’ll be honest with you — most fishing flies are bought with the angler’s eyes in mind, not the fish’s. If it looks tidy, symmetrical, and Instagram-ready, it sells. The Micro Beetle is not that fly: This little oddball is… well… let’s just say if it entered a beauty contest, it wouldn’t even make the photo round. It’s a scruffy, slightly awkward-looking beetle pattern that, to human eyes, appears like it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. But to the fish? It seems to be a floating buffet. For today only, when you buy our Barbless Beetle Selection, we’ll sneak 4 of these “so-ugly-they're-beautiful” Micro Beetles into your order. They might not win any style awards, but on the water, they’re absolute assassins. "Think of them like that odd-shaped biscuit in the tin — the one you know tastes the best." *** Go on, you know you want to! *** As is usual with all of our fly selections, each of the fly patterns are also available to buy individually. Just click the button below to see them all in one place: In the warmer summer afternoons, a beetle pattern is an essential searching pattern, when fish are not rising. To search a river: From the bank, section the river into lanes about 3ft wide. Cast upstream and make 3 or 4 drifts in the nearest lane, repeat for each lane, working away from you. Step upstream and repeat the process. To search a stillwater: From the bank, imagine a fan with 8 points laid out on the water. Cast to each point of the fan 3 or 4 times, and retrieve using the "Splash & Twitch" technique (see below). Move further along the bank and repeat the process. "Splash & Twitch" Technique With each of the searching methods mentioned above, why not give the "Splash & Twitch" technique a go. As Beetles are land-based insects, they are regularly blown (or drop from trees) onto the water, and they are not that elegant when they do! Don't worry about perfect presentation, it is often better for this style of fly to splash down on the water, Keep in touch with the drift as the water brings the fly back to you and give the fly a slight twitch every now and then. You will be amazed how often this inducement will bring up a fish! Don't forget to drift the beetle under any overhanging branches."Dry Nymph" Technique Most natural terrestrials start to sink after hitting the water. If your floating terrestrial pattern sinks midway through a drift, just fish it as you would a nymph. Some of the best fishing to be had on a warm summer's afternoon can be by fishing sunk beetles as you would a nymph on a long leader. Tight lines & have fun out there.

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Terrestrials: Break out the Beetles

Adult & Emerging Buzzers: Your Secret Summer Stillwater Weapons

Stillwater Essentials for August Following on from the success of the specialist Stillwater lines we brought to you on Tuesday (which all sold within 4 hours - thank you), we're dipping our toes even further into stillwaters today ... Over the past few months we have mainly concentrated on river flies, but this week we've had loads of new Stillwater patterns arrive at Barbless Flies HQ. We have heavily invested in increasing our range of Stillwater flies, over the next 2 months we will also be adding over 100 extra patterns to our line up. It looks like we're in for some perfect fishing weather over the next few weeks, so I thought I would start by including some tips on fishing stillwaters in warmer weather. Timing is the key - Either start early. Water temperatures will be the coolest in early mornings, so use this to your advantage. Find deep water - Fish feel more comfortable in colder water, so on warmer day,s locate the deep water and use appropriate tactics, sinking lines, etc to target the fish. Find moving water - Look for any water which is moving, aerators or stream entrances. This water will have more oxygen, and fish will look for more oxygenated water. Avoid the smaller stillwaters - Small stillwaters are generally fairly shallow, and so the water will be much warmer, which generally means there is less oxygenated water. This puts fish off feeding and can sometimes stress the fish, making them very lethargic. Help fish recover after being caught - Please look after the welfare of the fish once you've played it to the net. Try not to take the fish out of the water, and make sure it is fully recovered before releasing it. With the water now warmer, buzzer patterns will come more to the fore as far as the stillwater angler is concerned, especially 'top of the water' adult buzzer imitations: We've updated our popular Adult Buzzer Selection to include some new imitative patterns for the 'warm weather angler'. These are the patterns which will be more successful as the weather (and water) starts to warm up a little: This selection of Adult Buzzers (one of our most popular Stillwater flies) has been put together by popular demand. The selection contains two of each of our most popular Adult & Emerging Buzzers: 2 x Black Adult Buzzer  - size 12 2 x Grey Adult Buzzer - size 12 2 x Olive Adult Buzzer - size 12 2 x Black Emerging Buzzer - size 12 2 x Hares Emerging Buzzer - size 12 2 x Olive Emerging Buzzer - size 12 This is the perfect selection of flies for fishing any buzzer hatch, just keep them in the surface film and let the wind do the rest: When it's Windy: Use a floating line, a shortened leader. Check the direction of the wind and cast out across the wind (i.e. the wind is side on to you) - always make sure the wind is to your left shoulder if you cast right-handed (and the right shoulder if you cast left-handed). Using a team of three buzzers, cast out and allow the buzzers to drift with the wind. You should not need to retrieve your line, as the wind will make sure your leader straightens up. You will usually see the take before you feel it - just remember to strike in the opposite direction to the direction your flies are moving. Once at the end of your drift, lift the flies slowly from the water - it's surprising how many fish take your buzzers as you're about to re-cast! When it's Still: Again, use a floating line, long leader and a team of three buzzers. Cast out and, before the flies start to sink, pull the line to straighten out the leader. Then pause (keeping in touch with the flies) and wait for the flies to drop, takes usually come with the buzzers on the drop. You should spot a take before you feel it, keep an eye on the fly line and leader for any abnormal movement. If the buzzers sink too deep (remember this type of buzzer needs to be fished in the top 3 feet), just a few pulls on the fly line should bring them back to the surface, and you can start again by letting them sink.   Our NEW Selection of Adult & Emerging Buzzers (which contains 12 flies) is now available for only £20, which includes free delivery to anywhere in the UK in our eco-friendly packaging. Go on, you know you want to! Flies For Your Weekend Washing Line (see below) The 'Almost' Barbless Daddy Dinkhamer A part of our Artisan range of flies The Daddy Dinkhamer is a favourite on both Stillwaters and Rivers. Tied on a Size 10 AHREX FW500 crushed-barb hook. An essential fly for the late summer and autumn months. This fly is extra buoyant with a 9mm foam head. These flies are available individually (£1.85), in packs of 6 (£10.00) or packs of 12 (£18.50) - only in size 10. Just click on the button below to view the Daddy Dinkhamer in much more detail. Or Something A Little Less Buoyant! (but still as effective) The Deadly Daddy A favourite on both Stillwaters and Rivers. Tied on a size 10 barbless hook, this daddy pattern is our most popular pattern by far - I think it's something to do with the green hot-spot tied into the tail. An essential fly for the summer months. These flies are available individually for £1.95 each and are only available in a size 10. Just click on the button below to view the Deadly Daddy in much more detail. Try The Washing Line This Weekend? What's the 'Washing Line' method I hear you ask? The washing line method is a technique designed to let you fish an emerger/buoyant fly on the point with a team of buzzers/nymphs suspended just below the surface of the water, using a floating fly line - it hangs just as a washing line would - suspended by the floating fly line at one end and the buoyant point fly at the other. Normally when fishing with buzzers or nymphs, they would descent down through the water column slowly (which is a good way of searching to find the depth the fish are feeding at). However, the 'Washing Line' method allows you to keep all of your flies just below the surface where the trout are most likely to feed. Using this method requires you to use a much longer leader (in excess of 10'). As a general rule, use a leader of around 12' to 14' (this also makes it much easier to net the fish once you have caught it, as you will not end up with any of your flies hanging in the top ring of your rod). A good initial setup when starting out is to space your flies on short droppers (about 12" long) each one 3 feet apart - this makes it easier to cast. If you're having problems casting it, just use a buoyant point fly (like our Stillwater Dinkhamer) and two droppers. I like the sound of that, when should I use it? Always use this method when the fish are high in the water and sipping buzzers or taking the insects as they emerge. Check out the rise form of the fish, look for a 'head and tail' rise - think of the way a dolphin breaks the water surface, first you see the head, then the dorsal fin, followed by the tail. This will be the first indication they are taking buzzers. Stillwater Hatch Chart Here's a handy Stillwater hatch chart for you if you can get to a local stillwater this month: Get out there and have fun! P.S. If you'd like to buy any of our buzzer patterns individually, you can find them all by clicking here.

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Adult & Emerging Buzzers: Your Secret Summer Stillwater Weapons

The Line That Sold Out Is Back & Now Has A Stillwater Twin

Last Time, We Sold Out - In 2 Hours.This Time, There's Two Of Them. Morning, You may remember a couple of months ago, I brought you details of a NEW fly line - I affectionately called it the 'SPUD' (Spectre Pro Ultra Dry) and it has revolutionised my river fishing so far this year. The Fly Line That Took Me by Surprise - Is Now Made for Stillwaters It started with a last-minute switch. A good friend popped into the office on their way to an early-evening river session – water low, wind a little bit awkward, fish very spooky. I persuaded them to use my reel (equipped with my faithful SPUD line) – it covers multiple rod weights in one line. A few days later, they popped in to reluctantly return the reel and were very animated: “It handled everything. Swapped it between my 2 and 4 weight rods without a hitch. I didn’t even have to change spools. Can I keep it?” That was the #2 to #5 weight river – and if you blinked, you missed it. Our entire stock was gone in a matter of hours. Well, now it’s back - And this time, it’s brought a Stillwater friend to the party: The same team who produced the river version have just released a floating Stillwater version and allocated some to us, built specifically for small stillwaters, boat fishing, and long-distance dry fly work – with the same clever multi-weight design, this time in #5 to #7. You asked ... we waited for them ... And we’ve secured a very limited batch of both lines and have a very Special Offer on both of them - for today only (see below). Stillwater Line #5 to #7 - NEW - Designed for lakes, reservoirs, lochs and boats. Long leaders, smooth turnover, subtle takes. Multi-weight, so it fits your 5wt, 6wt and your 7wt. River Line #2 to #5 - Back In Stock - The original & my 'go to' river line this season. Light-touch presentation, perfect control, and more time fishing - less time faffing. Please Note: This is all we’re getting for a while and when they’re gone, they really are gone. To say I'm besotted with my 'SPUD' line is a bit of an understatement, I've not used anything else so far this year and I've not looked back - from dual-nymph rigs to delicate size 18 greenflies - it's never missed a beat (and saved me a fortune - as my other lines needed replacing this year)! For all those of you wondering, here's the taper spec of the lines: This Stillwater Line was made for the way we actually fish lakes and reservoirs. Let’s be honest – most of us don’t have a spare hour on the bank messing about with three different lines. We want one that works across different rods, casts clean on a long leader, and doesn't collapse when we’re reaching out 20+ yards with a team of buzzers. This is that line: Built for 5, 6 and 7 weight rods Handles long leaders and subtle presentations Great for boat work, bank work, and blustery afternoons Multi-weight design means you can swap it across setups I will be stringing one up on my trusty Stillwater workhorse later this week and venturing out to get myself re-acquainted with my local Stillwater (North Yorkshire Water Park Fisheries) - you will be able to follow my novice exploits and find out more later this month. Meanwhile, the River specific line is also back with us (the image above is the setup I've been using all season) - these lines are just waiting for a new home on your reel. If you fish smaller rivers with lighter rods (2, 3 or 4 weight), this is a line that gives you more drift control, better turnover, and the ability to stay out longer with less kit. You don’t need to check your spool. You don’t need to second-guess your setup. It just works. "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!" I am sure that our email community (that's you) will find both of these lines very handy - and useful for the 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 - the proverbial Rocking Horse S*!t. I 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 more of each - yes please! *** We've only received a very small allocation (only 15 of each 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'  Spectre Pro Ultra Dry 2# to 5# & Spectre Pro Ultra Dry 5# to 7# fly lines available for £90 - which also includes FREE 1st Class Tracked delivery to anywhere in the UK - assuming you grab yours before 1pm today, you can be fishing with it at the weekend! I really do believe these lines are currently the very best you can buy on the market today for both River and Stillwater 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 15 of each 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. While we were discussing these new Spectre Pro Ultra Dry lines with the guys at Snowbee, they did mention that they had some BRAND NEW 'Competition' Stillwater lines available, including 6wt, 7wt & 8wt versions of: Spectre Pro Neutral Density Spectre Pro Sink Tip Spectre Pro Roll Cast Spectre Pro Intermediate Spectre Pro Sinking We are now in a position where we can order these in for any customer who would like one (and we can get you a good discount - which is a bonus)! Just reply to this email with the line you are interested in, and I will do the rest.

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The Line That Sold Out Is Back & Now Has A Stillwater Twin

Custom Fly Selections by ELI

Morning, After my recent foray into Wales - I managed to catch up with fly box maker extraordinaire Jeff Jones - it seems we virtually passed by his workshop on our travels - and I've been suitably reprimanded for not stopping by for a coffee! Anyway, he's sent us some more of his fabulous Oak Fly Boxes: So, the question is, "What do we do with them?" Well ... We're always thinking (and learning) here at Barbless Flies and I have spent the past 7 years collecting those thoughts and learnings (as well as books etc) on all fly fishing styles, locations, seasons and their successful patterns. I've finally put all of this info into a database (yes, it's taken me years to complete!), but we now have all the info available to us, at our fingertips - it's a bit like a fly fishing AI (but it's not artificial) - I refer to it as ELI (Experience Led Intelligence). So ... We're going to use ELI to help us do something we're constantly being asked for - Custom Fly Selections. We're now in a position where we can put custom selections of flies together for any discipline within Fly Fishing.   We did something very similar for Frank a couple of weeks ago, and he left us this fantastic review: Thanks Frank, We love reviews like that  Our Custom Fly Service makes a perfect, unique, Summer gift to your yourself (after all, you deserve it) - alternatively, please feel free to forward this email to a loved one if you would like them to order one as a gift for you! Each one of Jeff's oak boxes will contain the number selected of our best quality flies - also along with the box of flies you will receive a document explaining which patterns are included along with some information on how to get the best from your box of flies. We've kept the pricing really transparent - it's made up of 2 parts: Part 1 - The Flies - each Custom selection of flies will be made to your required number of flies from our premium fly patterns, these normally retail from £1.85+, but for our Custom Fly Service we are charging a flat rate of only £1.50 each; and Part 2 - An Oak Fly Box - we've given a generous discount on the box when bought as a part of our Custom Fly Service, it's only £35 (usually £45 when bought on their own) - but you do not have to include one! As we now have over 1,000 patterns in the warehouse (in various quantities), the flies themselves aren't the issue - it was the availability of information that was causing the bottle-neck!   Here's how the process works: You place your order for our Custom Fly Selection through our website - you can click on any image or button contained within this email to view the details. 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); also Please also include any extra information which you think is necessary, i.e. if there are any specific restrictions on your water. I will use ELI and do the research into the flies for your particular area / water. I will then personally put the full custom fly selection together and ship them to you.   As you can probably imagine, this customised service does come at a little bit of a cost, it starts at only £30.00 for just 20 flies (or £65 for the Oak boxed selection of 20 flies), in each boxed selection you will receive: 20 of our best quality flies, all presented in one of Jeff Jones's oak fly boxes - Jeff's boxes are valued at £45 by themselves - they 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. We have options available on the product page for 20, 30, 40 & 50 flies, each can have the boxes added separately - should you require a box with more flies, please reply to this email and I will make sure we can accommodate your request. If you have any questions etc on our Custom Fly Service please get in touch with me and I will help where I can. *** We've only 15 of Jeff's fly boxes remaining, if you would like one, please order yours before 1pm today *** Did You Miss Out On Our 'River Whisperer' Fly Selection A Few Weeks Ago? We've just had a delivery to restock our specialist Summer fly selection - The 'River Whisperer'. We sold out of these much quicker than we anticipated, so had to be pretty quick in getting a re-order in - much to our surprise, they arrived with us yesterday: "When the river speaks in whispers, you must whisper back." During the warmer summer weather with low flows and even lower rivers, most of the fish during the day will head for cover. This will usually be in deep pockets, undercut banks and under their favourite overhanging trees/bushes. When they are hanging out under trees and bushes they are in the perfect spot for opportunistic meals of terrestrials which fall from the vegetation. During the summer months, there's lots of aphid activity on the leaves and these regularly get blown onto the water. This is when you should break out the small dry flies and longer leaders. Our River Whisperer Selection contains 14 barbless "Smaller Fly" imitations. The River Whisperer family of flies is one which should be in all river (and Stillwater) anglers' fly boxes this summer. This selection comprises 7 different patterns (2 of each in a size 18): Pink Para Aphid Orange Para Aphid Green Para Aphid Crystal Greenfly Needle Fly Cul Aphid Victoria's Secret The price (£21.50) includes 14 barbless "small flies", aphids & midges supplied in our eco-friendly packaging. *** Go on, you know you want to! *** We're so pleased that we've now found a way to provide this custom service - I'm sure you're going to make really good use of it for the rest of the fishing year! Tight lines & have a great week.

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Custom Fly Selections by ELI

Watercraft: The Art of Reading Water in Summer

Morning, Today's email focuses on Summer Watercraft - for both Rivers and Stillwaters, there's something for everyone. It's a bit of an in-depth read, so you may want to take notes! Let's begin ... Watercraft, the ability to read water and understand the underwater world, separates competent anglers from truly exceptional ones. During the summer months, when UK waters are at their most complex and challenging, mastering watercraft becomes absolutely critical for consistent success with both wild and stocked trout. Summer presents unique challenges: lower water levels, increased angling pressure, elevated water temperatures, and sophisticated fish behaviour. Yet for those who understand how to read the signs, summer also offers some of the most rewarding fishing of the year. The key lies in developing an understanding of how trout behave in different water types, how they respond to changing conditions, and how to use environmental indicators to predict both fish location and feeding patterns. Understanding Summer Trout Behaviour Summer watercraft begins with understanding temperature stratification and oxygen distribution. In rivers, trout become increasingly selective about their positioning as water temperatures rise. Wild browns, in particular, will abandon their traditional lies if temperatures exceed 18°C, seeking cooler water in springs, deeper pools, or shaded areas. On stillwaters, thermal stratification creates distinct layers. The thermocline - the boundary between warm surface water and cooler depths - becomes crucial. Trout often suspend just below this layer, typically between 8-15 feet deep on larger waters. Understanding how wind affects these layers is essential; a steady breeze can break down stratification, bringing oxygen-rich water to the surface and activating feeding. Stocked trout often retain hatchery behaviours longer into summer, making them more predictable in some ways but also more vulnerable to thermal stress. They may continue feeding in water temperatures that would send wild fish into hiding, but they'll often do so in very specific zones where cooler water enters the system. River Watercraft: Reading The Flow Summer river fishing requires a sophisticated understanding of current dynamics. As water levels drop, the relationship between fast and slow water becomes more pronounced. Trout positioning shifts from the obvious lies to more subtle features that provide both feeding opportunities and thermal refuge. Look for areas where different current speeds converge. These "seam lines" become highways for food delivery, and trout position themselves to intercept drifting insects with minimal energy expenditure. The key is identifying which seams are active at different times of day. Morning seams may be along shaded banks, while evening feeding might concentrate along weed bed edges where terrestrial insects are dropping. Current tongues, fingers of faster water extending into slower pools, often hold the best fish during summer. These areas provide oxygenated water while still offering energy-efficient feeding positions. Wild trout, in particular, favour these locations during warmer weather. Stillwater Watercraft: Understanding the Invisible Stillwater watercraft in summer revolves around understanding wind and its effects on food distribution. Consistent wind creates drift lines where surface food accumulates, but the relationship is more complex than simply fishing where the wind pushes floating insects. The most productive areas are often where wind-driven surface currents encounter obstacles - points, islands, or underwater features that cause the current to slow or change direction. These areas concentrate food and create the feeding zones where trout patrol most actively. Thermal winds, caused by differential heating of land and water, create predictable patterns. During summer, these often develop mid-morning as the land heats up, creating onshore breezes that can concentrate insects along windward shores. Understanding these patterns allows you to anticipate where fish will be feeding before the activity becomes obvious. Fly Selection Through Watercraft Summer fly selection requires understanding the relationship between water conditions and insect activity. Clear, low water demands smaller, more realistic patterns, while coloured or deeper water allows for larger, more impressionistic flies. However, the watercraft element lies in understanding why certain patterns work in specific conditions. During bright, sunny conditions, trout often focus on sub-surface food sources. This is when understanding the underwater environment becomes crucial. Are there weed beds producing freshwater shrimp (Mercury Buzzers)? Are there gravel areas where olive nymphs might be active? The choice between a pheasant tail nymph and a freshwater shrimp imitation often depends on reading these underwater signs. Terrestrial insects become increasingly important as summer progresses. The key is understanding when and where these insects are most likely to enter the water. Windy conditions blow beetles and ants from overhanging vegetation, while calm evenings see crane flies and moths drawn to the water surface. The watercraft skill lies in recognising these conditions and positioning yourself accordingly.   Nygren's Micro Hot-Spot Metallic Orange Perdigon Jig £2.25   Artisan Mercury 'Hot Head' Buzzers £1.75   Surface Activity Indicators Reading surface activity requires understanding the difference between feeding fish and other surface disturbances. True feeding rises have distinct characteristics - the timing, the sound, the ring pattern on the surface. Learning to distinguish between a feeding trout and a jumping fish (often a sign of stress rather than feeding) is crucial for effective fly selection. The timing of rises provides clues about what insects are active. Sporadic rises during mid-day often indicate terrestrial feeding, while regular, rhythmic rises suggest aquatic insect activity. The size and nature of the rise form also indicates the type of insect - small, gentle sips suggest midges or small upwings, while splashy rises might indicate larger flies like daddy longlegs or mayflies. Observing the behaviour of caught insects on the water surface also provides valuable information. Insects struggling to escape the surface film create different opportunities than those that have already died. Fresh hatches often see struggling insects that create more surface disturbance, while older insects may lie flat in the film, requiring different presentation techniques. Crystal Greenfly £1.75 Needle Fly £1.75                            Subsurface Clues Much of summer fly selection depends on understanding what's happening below the surface. Observing the behaviour of other aquatic life provides crucial clues. Swallows and Martins feeding low over the water indicate emerging insects, while higher feeding patterns suggest terrestrial activity. Fish behaviour also provides selection clues. Trout tailing in shallow water are often feeding on bottom-dwelling invertebrates - caddis larvae, chironomid larvae, or freshwater shrimp. Fish cruising just under the surface may be intercepting emerging insects or taking terrestrials in the surface film. The colour and clarity of the water affects fly selection in subtle ways. Slightly coloured water often indicates stirred-up sediment, which can trigger chironomid activity. Clear water over light-coloured bottoms creates different light conditions than clear water over dark weed beds, affecting how trout perceive different fly patterns. Nygren's Micro Hot-Spot Gold Perdigon Jig £2.25 Nygren's Micro Hot-Spot Pearl Perdigon Jig £2.25   *** Go on, you know you want to *** There’s something deeply satisfying about fooling a summer trout in tough conditions. And with the right flies—and a few riverbank tricks—you’ll not only catch more fish, but enjoy the puzzle all the more. Fish early or late: Lower light, cooler water, and more confident fish. Set your alarm—or stay out for the evening rise. Go long and light: Use a 12–15ft leader and finer tippet (5X–7X) for a soft, drag-free presentation. Stay low and stealthy: Crouch, kneel, or even fish from your knees—your silhouette spooks more fish than you think. Watch your shadow: Bright skies mean long shadows—don’t cast one across a pool unless you want it empty. Match the hatch (or don’t): When unsure, a generalist like the Parachute Adams or Griffith’s Gnat covers your bases. Use the Double Dry technique: Fish a visible fly (like an Indicator Adams) as a dry fly strike indicator, with a smaller dry (e.g. Griffith’s Gnat) trailing behind. A deadly combo. Rest and rotate: If you get a refusal, step away and give the fish five minutes. Then change your angle—or your fly. Keep it dry: Use fly dust, shake, or even a spare pattern. A soggy dry isn’t fooling anyone. FLY Series Book: Small Streams & Small Flies This is the book I wrote a year or so ago, it's dedicated to small flies and is especially useful at this time of year - when smaller flies are the most successful. We've just had it re-printed again (as this is the main sales season for it) and they're all ready and waiting for a home on your bookshelf (or car glovebox - which is where I keep mine).   Tight lines & have fun out there - and remember your sunscreen.

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Watercraft: The Art of Reading Water in Summer

Everything But The Fly - Stealthy Tippets, Leaders & Lines

Morning, Every so often, I like to drop in a communication about leaders (and fly lines - wink, wink) which we've just received back into stock - that you may not have thought about - or even know that we stock. We only stock tippet, leaders & lines which I have actually used myself - the ones that we do stock are the very best (in my opinion) there are. We had 2 big boxes (and 1 small one) arrive with us on Monday: One of the boxes was full of brand new Furled Leaders - from The Furled Leader Company in Wiltshire; and the other One was from Snowbee and included their wonderful Camo Tapered Leaders and some specialist tippet - which I now use all of the time for my dry fly fishing; I'm keeping the contents of the small box a secret for now - all good things come in small packages! We've just added everything to the website, you can find out more about each of them below: Let's start with the tippet and work backwards: The feature which first drew my attention with this tippet is that the thinnest - 8X which will thread through even the smallest of hook eyes - is still really strong, with a breaking strain of a whopping 2.1lb, which is more than enough for the wild trout in these parts! What I've found amazing about this tippet - notwithstanding its super high knot strength, even on my dodgy knots - is its limited stretch factor (apparently it's 22-24% of elongation - who knew!), this may not sound that big of a deal, but I've found that it has reduced the amount of fish lost on a dry fly, but it still has sufficient stretch to avoid losing fish in the fight when using barbless hooks. This tippet is supplied on super-narrow 50m spools that join together - and are colour-coded so you get the correct diameter every time - at just 65mm diameter, they easily slip into any fly vest pocket. Available in the following sizes | breaking strains | diameters | length: 3X | 8.5lb | 0.21 mm | 50 meters 5X | 6.5lb | 0.17 mm | 50 meters 6X | 5.0lb | 0.15 mm | 50 meters 7X | 3.7lb | 0.12 mm | 50 meters 8X | 2.1lb | 0.09 mm | 50 meters I know that tippet can be a very personal choice - in the end it usually comes down to knot strength and suppleness - why not give this a go if you've never tried it before. It really is good stuff (and great value)!  The next link in the chain (or cast) is the leader ... The leaders job is to transfer the energy from the fly line to your fly in the most effective way possible. Here you have two distinct choices (usually based on where you will be fishing), either: A Tapered Leader - these are your general purpose (fish anywhere) leaders, ideal for larger rivers and all stillwaters - where you have plenty of room for a back-cast; or A Furled Leader - the perfect leader to use if you need to get your fly turned over in as little space as possible - i.e. when you are fishing un-manicured water and have no room to perform a regular back-cast. Let's start with the Tapered Leader - as it's the one the majority of anglers will use: 9' Camo Tapered Leaders We chose these specific tapered leaders as they have a unique construction - they start with the high stretch Camo coloured section, tapering to a clear tip and are designed purposely for dry fly and light nymph fishing, providing maximum stretch to absorb the harshest of takes on the finest of stealthy light tippets. We chose these specific tapered leaders as they have a unique construction - they start with the high stretch Camo coloured section, tapering to a clear tip and are designed purposely for dry fly and light nymph fishing, providing maximum stretch to absorb the harshest of takes on the finest of stealthy light tippets. 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. Specification of the Camo Tapered Leaders and their profiles can be seen in the table below: Furled Leaders These 6' 6" Dry Fly Furled Leaders are designed specifically for targeting Summer Trout. Crafted to deliver a perfect blend of flexibility and strength, these furled leaders provide a smooth turnover for the most delicate of presentations - even if you have no (or very little) room for a back-cast! Crafted with the discerning angler in mind, these leaders offer unparalleled casting precision and exceptional durability. Whether you're navigating delicate casts or challenging fishing scenarios, these furled leaders are engineered to enhance your fly fishing experience. Trust in their dedication to quality and experience the difference that expertise brings to every cast. We now have these specialist furled leaders in the following colours and tapers: Hampshire Chalk White - 6'6" Regular (for 4X to 6X tippets) Hampshire Chalk White - 6'6" Ultralight (for 6X to 8X tippets) Reed Green - 6'6" Regular (for 4X to 6X tippets) Reed Green - 6'6" Regular (for 4X to 6X tippets) Each leader comes equipped with a tippet ring through-and-loop installed, adding convenience and extending the life of your leader by allowing easy tippet replacement. Just add a few feet of level tippet to your furled leader and you're ready to go. *** Make presenting a fly in a tight space a breeze - grab your Furled Leader today *** The final link in the chain (or cast) is the fly line ...   Present Your Flies Like 'Thistledown' ... A lighter weight version designed for rods of #1 to #4 weight. This weight-forward fly line is rated at 1wt to 4wt and has a shorter, lighter profile, 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. This is the perfect line for fishing those smaller rivers and streams - it makes it really easy to get the best presentation,especially when using smaller flies on lighter gear! *** Go on, treat yourself - these lines are what summer dry fly fishing is all about! *** If PVC Lines Are Not Your Thing ... We've been really lucky and received a few more silk lines from Ian, the majority are specifically for presenting small flies on any river, with a double-taper 8wt which would be ideal for the "classic stillwater" enthusiast. We've only 1 each of the following available: Double Taper 2 Weight (Red Cross hatch) Artificial Silk - only £89.99 Double Taper 5 Weight (Straw) - only £99.99 Double Taper 6/7 (Dark Crosshatch) - only £99.99 Double Taper 8 (Light Straw) - only £99.99 So, why should you use a silk line: They have mo memory - completely limp There's no stretch - improved hookups They are denser than plastic fly lines and therefore much thinner; and Thinner lines mean much less wind resistance They float better than plastic fly lines - they float on the water surface, not in it making roll casts and mending line much easier You get 3 lines in one; When fully greased it's a floating Line, grease everything except the tip and you have a midge-tip line, don't grease it and you have an intermediate/sinking line. They can last a lifetime - so long as they are cared for and stored correctly a silk line can last a lifetime - and indeed will get better with age *** Each of our Silk lines are shipped with a handy box (to keep them in when not on the reel), a microfibre cloth (to clean/help dry them), and full line care instructions ***  These lines are made in the UK (in Sheffield, Yorkshire to be precise), by a bloke called Ian: If you would like to know more about the use and care of silk lines we have a dedicated page here.   Tight lines & have fun in the sun.  

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Everything But The Fly - Stealthy Tippets, Leaders & Lines

Using Customer Intelligence To All Our Advantage

Morning, Firstly, I'd like to thank all of you who bought flies from us whilst I was away last week - I know you kept the fly fairies busy! It was a great trip around the coast of Wales (which did give me an idea which I'm currently mulling over - it's quite big, so I don't even know if it's possible - I will keep you updated). If you do live in Wales, you have some stunning water available to you - I only saw a fraction of it but was blown away by it. If you're anything like me, you cannot pass over a bridge without pausing to look over it - after the first 2 days of doing this my wife was sick of it (even though she is used to it over the last 20 years)! I know that nobody like to sit through pages of "holiday snaps", so I will leave you with my favourite pic - yes, the pool was stuffed full of fish: A pool on Afon Mynach Being away from the office for a full week give you lots of time to decompress ... and mull things over. One thought from the week stayed with me ... I am in a very fortunate position, we have a reach of over 20,000 customers, where the majority are very engaged, i.e. they/you tell me immediately if we're doing things well, or not, as the case may be! But, the main piece of feedback I receive is info on which flies customers have used that are working well - along with the obligatory 'grip and grin' photos. In the past I've never really used this information ... but today, that changes ... Since I returned on Saturday, I've been trawling through thousands of emails, to see if there's a common 'fly pattern' theme in the Post-Mayfly Season, i.e. July & August over the past few years. And, there is ... After sifting through all the emails, the one thing that struck me was virtually all of the most successful patterns used were black (with one 'caenis' exception) and either size 16 or 18. So, the maxim of "go small or go home" turns out to be very true. We've curated a special selection of dry flies specifically for warmer weather and lower levels, we've called it the "Summer Success" Selection, these are flies which have proven themselves over the past few years in July & August. "They may not be the most popular - but they are the most successful" Please Note: Take a look at the end of this email for some fantastic tips on how to fish with these and other smaller flies in your box. In todays email I am going to take a look at dry flies which we regard as our bankers, or should that be "not blankers". Please Note: Take a look at the end of this email for some fantastic tips on how to fish with the smaller flies in your box. But in the meantime - here's a quick 'casting' tip: When dry fly fishing and you need the fly in a really tight spot (i.e. under a tree branch which is 20 feet away) and there's no room for any sort of back cast, use the Bow and Arrow cast, this is essential on smaller streams and to catch those hard to target fish during the day. How to perform the Bow and Arrow Cast: For short casts, reel in until you have a rod length of tippet/leader out of the tip ring, then hold the fly by the bend in the hook. For longer casts, hold the fly line just above the cork grip of the rod. Create tension in the rod by pulling the fly/fly line back to form a bend in the tip of the rod. You can alter the plane of the fly line by either creating tension either above or to the side of the rod. Point the rod tip about a foot above where you want the fly to land and let go of the fly/fly line. With practice you can vary the cast by playing with the amount of tension you induce and the position of the rod tip. Practice is the key with this cast, you can even practice at home and you will be amazed how far you can accurately cast, some people can cast a Bow and Arrow further than a Roll cast! Tim Rajeff has produced a great video "How To" which you can see here. Our Summer Success Selection is available in two different packages: The "Summer Success" Full Bundle - £26 - Includes all of the flies contained below, with the addition of a stunning 16ft French Leader, which is perfect for presenting smaller flies. The bundle includes everything you need for your summer river fishing; or The "Summer Success" Flies Only - £20 - The "Summer Success" fly selection (includes Last Hope's, Jinglers, Double Badgers etc) - full fly pattern and size details are listed below.   Our Summer Success Selection consists of 16 flies: The Double Badger - One of the best flies, and many anglers only fly, used in the summer months. Great in warm still conditions on rivers with a low flow, spooky fish and low levels. This selection contains 2 each of size 18. Last Hope (Light) - With a white thread body and small white hackle, this fly is a great small caenis imitation. This selection contains 2 each of sizes 16 and 18. Last Hope (Dark) - With a peacock herl body and small white hackle, this fly is a great small gnat & caenis imitation. This selection contains 2 each of sizes 16 and 18. The Jingler - An imitation of the Large Dark Olive, this fly is fished dry and sits just in the miniscus. This selection contains 2 each of size 16. John Storey - This fly, named after a river keeper on the Ryedale Anglers Club, is a favourite on the Yorkshire rivers. Tied with a peacock herl body, cock hackle and mallard wing sloping over the front of the fly. This selection contains 2 each of size 18. IOBO Humpy - It Oughta Be Outlawed (IOBO). Originally designed and tied by Jack Tucker of Pennsylvania, USA. Very simple to tie, floats like a cork and is deadly. This selection contains 2 each of size 14. Please Note: We only have a limited number of these selections available - 25 to be exact - they will sell pretty quickly, so if you would like a selection you will need to be quick! We have curated our "Summer Success" Selection from extensive research from our customer comments on which flies worked for them in July & August, they are all tied on barbless hooks in various sizes (see above for details). Just click on any image or button in this email to view more detailed photos and descriptions of the flies included, and buy your selection. If you would like one, you will need to be quick off the mark! Go on, you know you want to! It's ok having small flies, but do you know how (and more importantly where) to use them? Small flies require thin tippet, thin tippet also requires a rod which will protect it, so a rod with a soft tip is ideal. Low summer rivers generally mean low flows, and in these it's important when using small flies and thin tippet to de-grease at least the last 1ft of tippet.  How to use them: Practice the Davy Knot to tie small flies onto tippet. This knot leaves less bulk at the head of the fly, especially important when using small flies. Here's a link showing you how to tie the Davy Knot. Don't worry if you cannot see the fly once yo have cast it, so long as you have a rough idea where it is just lift the rod tip if you think the rise was close to your fly. Alternatively, you can always go for the "Double Dry" and fish a more visible fly with your small fly tied as a dropper, or use a small bite indicator along the line. TOP TIP #1: If you struggle to thread small flies, try cutting your tippet at 45-degrees, this creates a small point on the tippet and usually makes it much easier the thread through the eyes on smaller hooks. TOP TIP #2: If you still struggle to thread small flies whilst on the water, try making up some pre-tied at home - just tie each fly to an 18" length of tippet, then you can just use a water knot to tie it to your leader and you're ready to go again. Where to use them: Look for cover. During the heat of the summer day fish will always head for cover, that means you will need to fish tight to the far bank and under trees, bushes etc. Practise your Bow and Arrow casting (see below) before you get to the river, this cast will come in really handy at this time of year. Trout will generally sip small flies from the surface fairly regularly, so watch the water and time the rises. It's thought that trout will take quite a few small flies and then retreat to the river bed.  Try to cast the fly to as close a point as possible to the rising trout, the more accurate the better. The more your fly has chance to drift, the more chance of drag. Go Small or go home. If there is hardly any flow on the river and it's really low. I would always start with something "small and black", a size 18 Griffith's Gnat is as good a fly as any to start with. Start with a 9ft tapered leader and add 2ft or 3ft of tippet then your fly. Tight lines & have fun out there.

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Using Customer Intelligence To All Our Advantage

Foam Klinks & Parachutes - Get Set Now The Warm Weather Is With Us!

Morning, As I'm sure you are well aware, it's been a warm one -and forecast to be pretty warm over the next week or so. For this reason, it's best to time your visits to the water appropriately. When you do venture out, it will increase your success massively if you time it right - either fish very early in the morning (using caddis imitations), or late in the evening - one hour either side of dusk (to catch any evening rise). The smaller, more imitative, flies are much more successful throughout late July and August, of course, you also need the right approach and a little bit of watercraft to make the most of your time on the water - take a look at the end of this email for some great summer river and stillwater watercraft tips. Small flies are king throughout late July and August, but you also need the best flies for the conditions - small & imitative - but crucially, ones you can also see. In this email we are showcasing our Foam Post Klinkhamers & Full Adams Selection: 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 both our Foam Post Klinkhamer Selection and Full Adams Selection of flies you will have no problem seeing them (the white posts show up extremely well against virtually any background). You will not miss a take with either The Foam Post Klinkhamer Selection or The Adams Selection - they save your eyesight! All of these flies have been chosen for both their blank saving and high visibility. You will not miss a take with either of these selections Foam Post Klinkhamer Selection - 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! This selection of 16 barbless Foam Post Klinkhamers is now available for only £20, including free delivery to anywhere within the UK.  Adams Selection - A selection of 24 barbless Adams Flies, comprising 2 different patterns (in 4 sizes). The Adams fly is one which should be in all river angler fly boxes. This style of fly was originally tied by Leonard Halladay and named after his good friend Charles Adams. This selection of 24 barbless Parachute Adams flies is now available for only £30, including free delivery to anywhere within the UK.  One of the great difficulties in fishing smaller flies is the ability to quickly spot where your fly actually is, with these selections you will have no problem seeing them (even though they are only small). (for more detailed images please visit our website by clicking on any images or buttons above) Go on ... you know you want to! As always, all of our fly selections are delivered free of charge, anywhere within the UK. Fishing in the summertime heat can be very challenging. Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your warm weather fly fishing trips Arrive Early - Arriving at the water as early as possible is a great way to avoid high water temperatures. The ideal water temperatures that trout thrive in are anywhere from 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above 65 degrees result in stressed fish. Getting on the water early also increases your chances of having the water to yourself. Look for cover. - During the day fish will always head for cover, this means you will need to fish tight to the banks and under any overhanging vegetation. This is where the "Bow and Arrow" and "Under The Tip" casts come to the fore. Always Have a Plan B - Think about streamers or lures. Should you arrive at the water and it looks devoid of fish, try running a small streamer through any of the deeper pools or drop-offs. Listen For Fast Water - When we become warm we turn on a fan to cool down. When fish sense warmer water temperatures they head for fast-moving currents, the faster more oxygenated water running through their gills effectively cools them down. I always head for water that I can hear running - try it, you will not be disappointed. In Stillwaters, Go Deep - Fish look for cooler waters in the deep when the top waters start to warm up. Use deep-diving nymphs and worm patterns to scour ledges or drop-offs in the lake. Water temperatures can change by as much as 10 degrees for every 10 feet of depth. Finally, Take Care Of Yourself - When you're fishing in hot weather, you need to make sure you stay hydrated. If possible, avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks - these can dehydrate you very quickly. Stick to water or a drink with added electrolytes to stay in good shape. If you do fish in the warmest part of the day remember to protect your head and neck from the sun with suncream and use proper fishing clothing that blocks UV rays.   Tight lines & stay cool.

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Foam Klinks & Parachutes - Get Set Now The Warm Weather Is With Us!

Welsh Wonders & Small Fly Summer Success

A Fly For Sabrina ... Morning, In today's missive I've ventured away from my home county of North Yorkshire and as you read this will be winding my way through rural Wales in a small convoy of campervans. "Who's this Sabrina then?" I can hear you ask ... well ... It was while I was working out exactly where our campervan excursion would take us, that I stumbled across her. I've always had a fascination for the Welsh rivers (having often fished on the Wye & Usk Passport Scheme), it turns out that part of our trip will run directly alongside the River Severn - the longest river in the UK. It was while doing a little research, mainly to see if I could hide a fly rod in the van and try and get a few hours on the water, that I came across Sabrina ... Apparently, the River Severn gets its name from the Latin word 'Sabrina' (of Roman origin), this was eventually Anglicised to become 'Severn' - the Welsh name for Sabrina is Hafren and when translated it means boundary - which makes sense as at least part of the river is seen to form the boundary between Wales & England With this in mind, I called a good friend, who I know fishes that part of the world regularly, for a little advice. One nugget of wisdom he came up with was: "when the river speaks in whispers, you must whisper back" By that, he meant to use smaller flies (and longer leaders) wherever I could. A couple of years ago we produced a set of smallish patterns - size 18's - which sold out virtually immediately, Over the Winter I re-ordered them again and they arrived with us last week. Safe to say, I have a couple of sets of them hidden away in the campervan for use this week. As the next few months are the perfect time of year to use them, we're launching them today - I've imaginatively called them The River Whisperer Selection: Our River Whisperer Selection contains 7 patterns (all size 18) and are available from today. The patterns included are: Crystal Greenfly Cul Aphid Green Para Aphid Needle Fly Orange Para Aphid Pink Para Aphid Victoria's Secret You can view full detailed images of each fly pattern included further down in this email. Our River Whisperer Selection contains 7 patterns (all size 18) and are available from today, priced at only £21.50 - which includes FREE delivery to anywhere within the UK - click on any image or button in this email to view close-up images and details of the flies included. Please Note: We only have 40 of these selections available this year - there will be no more tied, as our tiers are now all booked up until November. *** Grab your Selection today to avoid a 'blank' this summer *** Keep on reading for some stunning images of the flies included within our River Whisperer Selection: The Small Fly Manifesto I had numerous emails last week asking how to get a hold of our "Small Fly Manifesto", so for those of you who missed our free download earlier - which gives you the low down on leaders and tactics to use when fishing small flies - you can grab yours by clicking either the image or button below. I'm hoping that Sabrina whispers to me in Wales - I'll let you know what she says next week!  

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Welsh Wonders & Small Fly Summer Success

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