I have never really been happy with Purple Shrimp patterns. They also looked kinda ‘odd’ to me, especially those ones with badger hackles at the head. The mix of badger and purple hackles somehow did not look ‘right’. I can’t describe this really, it is more of a feeling than any scientific analysis. Purple hasContinueContinue reading “A purple shrimp pattern”
Category Archives: fly tying
Holiday weekend (2) Two more patterns for Carrowmore Lake
I am frequently asked for salmon fly patterns for use on Carrowmore. I generally give the same answer – whatever you have in the box that you have confidence in on a size 8 hook. That may sound like a cop out but the truth is that I have seen salmon caught on so manyContinueContinue reading “Holiday weekend (2) Two more patterns for Carrowmore Lake”
Holiday weekend (1) a Dabbler pattern
Outside, there is only what can be described as a storm blowing. Trees are bending in the wind and sheets of cold rain are filling the gutters to overflowing. While the east coast of Ireland is just breezy and cool we here in the west are being well and truly battered and soaked. It isContinueContinue reading “Holiday weekend (1) a Dabbler pattern”
4 for the new season
I have been busy at the fly tying table again. With a bit of time on my hands this week I was able to spend some time immersed in fur and feather. Ever the optimist, I am hoping this year will be kinder to me and days on the water will be more frequent thanContinueContinue reading “4 for the new season”
One for Lough Beltra
I have been thinking about variations for the basic Green Peter for some time and finally made up this one today. It’s a mash up of a normal Peter and hair winged Doctor. This gives the pattern a bit more colour and also adds to the movement. Does it work? I have no idea yetContinueContinue reading “One for Lough Beltra”
Keeping it simple: a good midge pattern
Check out the excellent video from T. Flagler which I found on Chi Wulff’s blog. This style of midge works exceptionally well in Ireland when tiny black flies are on the water in May and June. http://chiwulff.com/2016/11/18/tie-one-on-matts-midge-from-tightline/ He ties this fly on a size 22 but I find it works all the way up toContinueContinue reading “Keeping it simple: a good midge pattern”
How to tie a bead thorax nymph
I use this style of nymph a lot both in ‘traditional’ nymphing and as a point fly on a wet fly cast. Obviously other tyers have developed this style and it is commonly used in different parts of the world for trout and grayling. I love the extra ‘kick’ the bead gives to the hackleContinueContinue reading “How to tie a bead thorax nymph”
Tag tips
This is going to be a short post which may help some of you to make neater and stronger flies. Many patterns call for tags at the end of the body of the fly. Historically tags were part of fully dressed salmon flies (think of Jock Scott, Durham Ranger etc). These allegedly provide ‘aiming points’ContinueContinue reading “Tag tips”
Super Daddy
We are well into the month November so it is high time to get the fly tying gear out. Let’s start off with by tying a daddy imitation. With so many different ones to pick from there hardly seems to be any requirement for a new pattern but this is one which I made upContinueContinue reading “Super Daddy”
Hold your horses
The trend these days is for more and more synthetics in fly tying. While I use a wide range of these wonders of the chemical industry I still fall back on more natural materials for most of my tying. Let’s take a look at a very old material which has fallen out of favour, hairContinueContinue reading “Hold your horses”
Claretbumbler 