The Klinkhamer Special needs no introduction. Developed by Hans van Klinken in the 1960s, the pattern has become known as one of the most widely used flies worldwide. I love this pattern when fishing my home waters in South Wales, UK, and more so on the small, fast-running streams for…
This is a pattern that (if you've ever fished with me) you'll know is on my leader pretty much every outing, and sometimes regardless of what's hatching. This is one of those perfect everything-and-nothing flies and one that imitates not just midge but also small olives/mayflies/Ephemeroptera. Materials Hook: Fulling Mill…
Like any chapter in any book, each has a start, a middle, and an ending. I've had the privilege of being counted as a Pro-Team member of both Partridge of Redditch and Semperfli for almost 15 years, and their support, fantastic hooks and materials (as well as the opportunities afforded…
"I can't see what they're taking. What should I use?" "I've tried every fly in my box, but I just can't get the trout to look at my fly!" Dimple rises. Those tiny, sometimes almost imperceptible indentations of evidence of feeding trout. Even on the coldest days on our Welsh…
It's that time of year! Yes folks, prepare to feast your eyes on a host of amazing fly fishing goodies. From hosted fly fishing days on a selection of rivers to rods and reels, and a range of custom-tied flies you'll not find in the shops. First though, a little…
It is the end of February, and the start of the new trout season in Wales is just six days away. Focus from most of the fishing community is currently on the upcoming voluminous hatches of the March Brown (Rhithrogena germanica) and Grannom (Brachycentrus subnubilis), however, there is one invertebrate…
Initially developed by Bob Wyatt as a follow-up to his Deer Hair Emerger (DHE), the Snowshoe Hare Emerger (SHE) is a fantastic pattern that imitates a vast range of invertebrates and caddis and, at a push, I don't see why it wouldn't feel comfortable imitating midge. Its messy, noisy, buggy…
Overjoyed and honoured to be included in another awesome edition of the Fly Culture Magazine. A huge thanks to Pete and the FC team for allowing me to contribute to such an awesome lineup and an amazing magazine. The article focussed on a number of items close to my heart,…
Last year I was invited by Christopher Rownes to contribute to The Floating Fly, a collection of thoughts on dry fly fishing from an amazing and venerable group of dry fly anglers from across the globe. An absolute privilege to be asked to contribute, however, I have a lifetime of…
Grannom (Brachycentrus subnubilis) are a member of the Caddis family (Trichoptera order) and are among the first of the UK's major hatches in Spring. Hatches can be huge, and I mean massive, to the point where every Grannom seemingly tries to crawl up your waders, under your glasses, down your…