The dry flies are designed to float on the surface of the water. Dry flies represent an aquatic or terrestrial insect. Dry fly patterns, Fly tying videos how to tie a dry fly – Caddis, Mayfly, Stonefly, Midge, Damsel, Hopper, CDC dry fly, Ant, Daddy long legs. Tie flies whit Barry Ord Clarke
Being the most prolific terrestrial on just about every river and still water, this extremely simple but effective parachute ant will not only float high and dry, but tick all the boxes for ant feeding trout no matter where you … Continue reading How to tie a parachute ant
The smallest of the up-winged may flies. Although ideally matched on a # 20-26 hook it is possible to get away with a # 18. A couple of interesting techniques here for the tails and wing. Just change the colour … Continue reading How to tie a Ceanis / Trico spinner dry fly
One of the great Canadian surface flies for salmon and steelhead. As you are probably aware I’m a sucker for deer hair patterns and this is one of my favorites for salmon and sea run browns. Hook: Mustad SL53UBL # … Continue reading How to tie the Green Machine
A quick but effective pattern for one of the last large bugs of the year. An easy tie with a couple of good techniques that can be used in other patterns. Hook: Mustad R43 # 8 Tying thread: Dyneema Hackle: … Continue reading How to tie the October Caddis
Over the past few days I have been tying up an order of several dozen traditional dry’s with mallard slip wings. I have found this extremely therapeutic , almost Zen like! But tying slip wings can prove to be challenging … Continue reading How to tie Mallard slip wings dry fly
A great pattern when the trout are selective. Only basic materials are needed for this ‘ must have’ pattern for the caddis specialist, that can be fished static or as a skater. An easy tie with a couple of interesting … Continue reading How to tie the Poly wing caddis
This extremely popular attractor started life as a parachute Adams with a purple body. There are many interpretations of the purple haze, this is just one of them. Why it works, we don’t know but the fish just love it! … Continue reading How to tie the Purple Haze parachute
This is my super quick hot glue ant, that with a little practice and preparation, takes less that 3 minutes to tie. With this technique you can tie flying ants in all black, red or as my personal favorite here … Continue reading How to tie the hot glue ant
A simple yet extremely effective pattern that is easy to tie, but commands a little technique. A Deer hair drake with a parachute hackle that will float all day long and fool the most selective trout. Hook: Mustad R43 #8 … Continue reading How to tie a deer hair drake
Cul de Canard, Croupion de canard or CDC as it is more commonly known has become one of the most used materials in fly tying, but its not that long ago, that there where only a handful of fly tyers … Continue reading Historic CDC flies, F-fly, Moustique du Jura
The Lady Mc Connell midge is an interesting, but yet straightforward tie that applies only basic materials. An effective still water pattern that represents an newly hatched adult midge. Hook: Mustad R30 # 16 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Black Trailing … Continue reading How to tie the Lady Mc Connell dry fly
A very quick and easy but realistic little stonefly that can be fished as an egg layer or spent. Tied on sizes 14-18 its perfect for the late summer – autumn hatch of needle flies. Hook: Mustad R43 # 14 … Continue reading How to tie a fluttering stonefly dry fly
The most popular dry fly in the world with a spun deer hair body! Could it get any better? The full tutorial on tying the Adams irresistible. Hook: Mustad R30 # 10 Tying thread: Dyneema or GSP and Sheer black … Continue reading How to tie Adams irresistible dry fly
During late summer & autumn large numbers of crane flies begin to hatch and loose the battle against the elements and end their life on the water as trout food. This daddy long legs pattern has quick & easy detached … Continue reading Deer hair daddy long legs dry fly
A very quick and easy, effective dry fly pattern for plant eating carp. The Mustad C67S super strong, egg, caddis hook, is kept afloat beautifully with this combination of CDC and marabou. Hook: Mustad C67S # 8 … Continue reading Grass Carp Salad dry fly
One of the true classic trout flies and without doubt the best known from the Wulff series, first tied by Lee Wulff in the early 1930’s. This version is a little unusual as its tied with a parachute hackle. Hook: … Continue reading Parachute Royal Wulff dry fly
This is my portrait of the late great Norwegian fly tyer, Erling Sand at his tying bench in his fly shop. He spent many hours each day tying flies to order, and building up his shop stock, if you look … Continue reading Verre enn minken – Worse than a mink!
As a little project I’m going to tie up a set of old Norwegian dry fly patterns that have almost been forgotten, but I’m having problems with finding the original recipes. As with the featured image above of ‘The Kaktus’ … Continue reading Traditional Norwegian trout patterns
When the egg layers are active your waders can be a popular place to deposit the eggs! Its that time of year when an egg laying caddis is an essential addition to your fly box! Heres an easy pattern that … Continue reading fly tying Egg laying caddis dry fly
A great little caddis pattern that has a few nice techniques. The super buoyant combination of CDC and deer hair make this pattern almost un-sinkable. Hook: Mustad R43 # 12 Tying thread: Petitjean SS Olive Abdomen: Fluorescent Green CDC hackle … Continue reading How to tie Midsummer Caddis dry fly
An extremely quick and easy, yet effective pattern that can be mastered by tyers of all levels. This Ugly or scruffy mayfly dun includes a few interesting techniques for making dubbing and applying it. Don’t be fooled by it’s simplicity, … Continue reading How to tie the Ugly May dry fly
Yet another quick and simple, but effective pattern, that requires only basic skills and materials. Fish it not only as a generic Coleoptera but also as something thats just buggy! Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Claret … Continue reading Brown & Peacock Beetle dry fly
A truly effective pattern for when those hatches of small caddis are underway, or even just fished as a all round attractor. Simple and quick pattern that pushes all the buttons! Hook: Mustad R30 # 12-18 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 … Continue reading How to tie X-Factor Caddis dry fly
Another winging technique that gives a realistic flat lying wing, ideal for midges and stoneflies. With this technique all you have to do is change the hook size and colour and you can cover most small stonefly hatches. There is … Continue reading How to tie wonder wing stonefly dry fly
The lovely little Welshman’s button or chocolate drop, as it’s also known, is a simple but rewarding pattern to tie. With three nice techniques to learn for the body, wings and antennae. Tie a few up for coming hatch of … Continue reading How to tie Welshman’s Button dry fly
This yellow mayfly dun tutorial has a simple technique I developed for making the Wally wings process quick and simple! Hook: Mustad C53S # 14 Thread: UTC Yellow Wings: 1 Mallard flank feather Tail: Mallard flank dyed yellow Rib: 3/0 … Continue reading How to tie Yellow mayfly dry fly
It’s soon that time of year again! This adult blue damsel is a semi realistic but easy pattern to tie. If you are on the water and the fish are taking them they can be extremely selective, so having a … Continue reading Adult blue damsel dry fly
Another easy tie with basic materials that is guaranteed to catch. An elk hair caddis variant that has a little extra attractor factor. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS … Continue reading How to tie Hot Butt Caddis
A real quick and easy basic material hatching midge pattern, that can be fished static or twitched to give a little movement. One of my go-to flies for hatches of midge on still water. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy … Continue reading How to tie pay day midge
The RS 2 or Ray’s Semblance 2 is, in my humble opinion, one of the best fishing flies ever designed. If you haven’t fished with the RS 2, you don’t know what you have been missing. Tie a couple of … Continue reading How to tie the RS 2
A little variant of an Al Beatty pattern with quite a few good techniques for larger Dun mayflies. A good pattern that floats well, gives a natural footprint and can be twitched to stimulate takes. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on … Continue reading How to tie Muddler mayfly dry fly
A semi realistic parachute with a couple of nice tying techniques that are useful to use on other patterns. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters … Continue reading How to tie Sepia Para Dun
This is a very interesting variant of one of the most popular dry flies in the world. Surprisingly this great pattern, that doubles just as well for a caddis fly as it does a mayfly is very little used, especially … Continue reading How to tie hair wing Adams dry fly
A little twist on this modern classic from Jim Slattery. One of the great attractors that you shouldn’t be without when chasing big browns & bows. Hook: Mustad C53S # 8 Thread: Sheer 14/0 Tail & Wing: Deer hair Legs: … Continue reading How to tie rubber leg Stimulator
A great little skating caddis pattern from Charlie Craven, tied with elk hair. The forward wing pushes a whole load of water when its pulled through the surface. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie screaming banshee caddis
“During these unprecedented times of self isolation, it’s extremely important that we occupy ourselves with activities that we enjoy. Fly tying is not only a great activity for both adults and children alike, but a fabulous activity to share and … Continue reading How to tie Wally Wing Dun
You don’t need anything more complicated for fishing a grasshopper. This is a quick and extremely easy pattern that everyone can tie. Just change the colour and size you need to match the hatch. Tied in all black it also … Continue reading How to tie Quick foam hopper
A simple but effective pattern for mosquito and midge fishing with a couple of nifty techniques and only using Grizzle hackle and moose mane hair. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop … Continue reading How to tie mosquito or midge dry fly
This is a technique that I have been working on some time now, trying to develope the perfect CdC parachute hackle that doesn’t interfear with the underside of the thorax in anyway and I beleive that this is pretty … Continue reading How to tie CDC Para weld
This is my take on a great pattern that my friend Svein from Vak, showed me for an emerging mayfly. Here I use a daddy long legs needle to make the detached body. The abdomen hangs and pulsates in the … Continue reading How to tie Vulgata mayfly emerger
Another classic, this time a north country grayling fly that has produced for thousands of fly fishermen and will continue to do so for thousands more. If one red tag works, why not have two! Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on … Continue reading How to tie Bradshaw’s Fancy dry fly
I have chosen this classic fancy French pattern, not only for it’s exquisite proportions and artistry, but also for how many techniques there are to be learned in one single pattern: Tippet tailing, double hackle tip wings, spent & dun, … Continue reading How to tie The Red Panama dry fly
Another technique for a spent mayfly. Spent mayflies have their wings slightly raised in a more up right position to 45° as with this pattern, if you would like it to represent a spent spinner, just push the wings down, … Continue reading How to tie Spent green drake
A great river fly with a little different hackle technique, that results in a nice wing effect and realistic footprint. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie Paraloop & CDC March Brown
The nervous blonde is a bleached elk hair and CDC adult caddis fly, that can be seen at a distance even in low light. Stripped or twitched through the surface this pattern creates ‘nervous’ water, waking the predator in even … Continue reading Tying up a nervous blonde
A delta wing caddis with an interesting body technique that can be put to good use in many other caddis patterns. With split wings and a segmented body, that is still encased in the shuck, this is a good pattern … Continue reading How to tie Delta wing caddis
A remarkably simple pattern, that shouldn’t be underestimated! Known by many names, the Devil bug, Cooper bug and Goofus bug, it can be tied in all manner of colours and with bleached or natural elk or deer hair. Pulled through … Continue reading How to tie Devil Bug
This quick and easy, but unusual attractor pattern is one well worth trying. Taking only a few minutes to tie, this high floating bug will bring curious and even lethargic trout up from the depths. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on … Continue reading How to tie The Crackleback attractor
A quick and simple adult damsel with an extended body maid from braided backing line. A pattern that works wonders during the summer months on lakes with prolific damsel hatches. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie Braided backing adult damsel
A quick but easy, semi realistic, size 12 yellow mayfly dun with Wally wings. Another good looking pattern that illustrates a few techniques that can be put to good use, in other patterns. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading The Yellow may dun
The White Wulff along with the Grey Wulff and Royal Wulff are the original series that Lee Wulff designed himself. The White Wulff ticks all the boxes for the perfect pattern, basic materials, easy to tie, floats well, is easy to see, even at a distance and resembles one or another thing that trout will eat. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. … Continue reading How to tie The White Wulff dry fly
A simple but effective generic attractor. The transformer is an excellent pattern to fish dry when nothing in particular is happening on the surface. Or another popular technique with still water fishermen, is to weight it down and fish it wet. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie The Transformer
Probably the most used dry fly ever! The great Danish fly tyer, Poul Jorgensen, recalled a conversation with Ed Van Put while fishing the Beaverkill, he asked what was the best fly to use. Without hesitation Ed replied with a grin, “It doesn’t really matter, just as long as it’s an Adams” Need I say more… Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. … Continue reading How to tie Hackle tip Adams dry fly
A super quick and easy variant of the still water classic, that never grows old. This CDC Shipman’s has the added advantage of a palmered body hackle, that in combination with the CDC will keep this floating all day and then some. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie palmered Shipman’s
A reversed parachute mayfly tied on a swimming nymph hook, that will give a very natural presentation. It can be fished as a dun or cripple and includes a few interesting techniques. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie Reversed Parachute mayfly
This easy but neat mayfly dun pattern has a couple of nice techniques and a wonderful finished footprint and profile, perfect for fooling even the most selective trout. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie Thorax Dun
One of the best little caddis patterns around. With an additional Glo Brite hot spot, when pulled through the surface film, this will bring fish up, just about all year round. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie hot spot sedgehog
This easy fan wing mayfly can be tied spent or as a dun, just by changing the position of the wings when mounting. Straight up for a dun, or as here out to the sides for a spent spinner. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie spent mayfly
Not many dry fly patterns can be tied in three minutes, but heres one of them. The Elk & Hackle caddis. A quick adult skating caddis, that is an easy tie, but don’t be fooled, it’s also a very effective attractor. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie 3 minute caddis dry fly
A nifty para-weld caddis with a mottled turkey wing and a buggy hares ear abdomen and thorax. You can make the wing a little more robust by giving it a thin coat of UV resin. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading How to tie Mottled wing caddis
The mother of all daddy’s. This larger than life foam bodied daddy long legs, is a great attractor that moves a whole load of water when pulled through the surface, and will float all day long. With a neat foam body technique. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading Foam body Daddy long legs
This, as the name suggests, is a quick quill dun that is easy to tie and a very effective pattern for river fishing. Just change the colour and hook size to match your hatch. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading Quick quill dun
A quick and easy little semi realistic hatching / cripple midge that fishes well. It also has a few nice techniques that can be employed in other patterns. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools … Continue reading How to tie Hatching / cripple midge
A good looking pattern that has a nice technique for a dubbed segmented body and double Wally caddis wing. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT FREE SHIPPING OVER $20:Buy SIMMS … Continue reading How to tie Wally wing fluttering caddis
A very simple, but semi realistic pattern that has only two materials, natural mallard flank feathers and a single blue dun CDC hackle. Although the technique requires a little dexterity, take your time and you’ll soon master it! Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading Wally wing hatch matcher
A quick and easy sparsely dressed, adult stone fly that works well for both the early and late season hatches of needle fly. For a lower profile try trimming away the hackle fibres on the underside of the hook. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all orders!Buy BEST fly tying VISE Continue reading Slim Jim Stone fly
This skater pattern from Al Troth is a simple pattern but demands a little practice. Only two small clumps of elk rump hair tied back to back make this almost unsinkable. Not only a great attractor when fished as a skater, but also a formidable Daddy long-legs imitation for late summer. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product on AMAZON:Fly tying tools and materials shop TRIDENT:Buy SIMMS fishing products:EPIC water filters Very useful thing when fishing:Trouts fly fishing Premier Fly Shop & Outfitter:Polarized fishing sunglasses RHEOS 55$:TheRiversEdge flyfishing shop – Bozeman Montana:Buy STANLEY products. Free Shipping on all … Continue reading Tying the Troth Super Skater
This is a low riding pattern that works well when the sulphur mayfly (Heptagenia sulphuria) duns are on the water. The close clipped underside of the hackle makes for a very natural footprint. Continue reading Tying a Sulphur Dun mayfly
One of my “secret” patterns that has worked really well for me over the years, it almost makes fishing easy! Not representing anything in particular but just one of those flies that bring fish up. Continue reading Tying the double bubble
 The little Jassid is from Vince Marinaro’s book A Modern Dry Fly Code and was an extremely popular pattern until Jungle cock became more difficult to obtain. The jungle cock nail feather can be substituted with any small dark feather and highlighted with a drop of white varnish or UV resin. Continue reading How to tie the Jassid dry fly
This is a simple technique for a double wing comparadun, that can be tied in various sizes and shades to imitate a whole load of low riding mayfly duns. Continue reading Tying the double decker
A large adult caddis fly for the mid summer hatch. With a wonder wing and a mixed hackle / over wing, of partridge and medium grey dun Herbert Miner rooster. Skated over the surface with short pulls, this is a great attractor pattern. Continue reading How to tie Great Grey Caddis dry fly
A small Trico spent spinner with a neat mayfly tailing technique and a segmented moose mane hair body for a semi realistic effect. Continue reading How to tie Trico spent Spinner
A hatching midge with a little different quill body technique that gives a more three dimensional, transparent body effect. Continue reading How to tie Transitional Midge
A little comparadun Baetis, that not only works very well early, but just about the whole season. With a mixed wing and a quill body. Perfect in sizes 16-18. Continue reading How to tie Baetis Sparkle wing
A quick medium sized adult caddis fly that skates high, creating a nice wake, making it a great little attractor, with an interesting segmented dubbing body technique. Continue reading How to tie skating caddis dry fly
A little different play on a Griffiths gnat. A reverse paraloop hackle that gives a deeper presentation and doubles as a quick sight indicator. Continue reading How to tie Paraloop Griffiths dry fly
One of my little deer hair patterns that is super easy to tie. All you need is a hot spot tag and a deer hair dubbing loop, for an effective pattern that floats high and dry all day long. Buy … Continue reading How to tie Egg laying caddis dry fly
An easy but effective little CDC bubble caddis pattern that can be quickly tied in various colours and sizes. Continue reading How to tie Bubble Caddis dry fly
A quick little semi realistic caddis pattern with burnt feather wings, for those of you that like that little extra. One of my subscribers very kindly sent me a set of Renzetti wing burners, something that I haven’t used for … Continue reading How to tie burnt wing sedge
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This Wally wing mayfly is a semi-realistic spinner, that is fun to tie for those of you that enjoy this type of pattern. Not only a good looking fly but also a great fishing fly! Don’t be fooled by the … Continue reading Tying a mayfly spinner-Wally wing
D The animal or Dyret as its known in its native Norwegian is a relatively new pattern, but one that has been embraced by Scandinavian fly fishers with open arms. It’s inventor Gunnar Bingen from Norway developed this pattern for … Continue reading Dyret dry fly
This is the most regal member of the Wulff pack, a legacy pattern from the  legendary fly tyer and fishermen Lee Wulff.  The Royal Wulff is probably the most popular riffle pattern.  As the name suggests these fat patterns with white wings float high in a fast riffle or broken water, the wing making it highly visible to the angler at a distance and in low light. Hook: Mustad 94840 R 50 # 8-16 Tying thread: Black Wing: White calf tail Tail: Moose body hair, or deer hair Body: Peacock herl divided by a band of red floss Hackle: Dark … Continue reading Fishing with Royalty
A simple but realistic extended body technique, that will give any mayfly dun or spinner pattern that little extra. If you enjoy watching the videos please like & subscribe to my YouTube channel. Your help and support in keeping the … Continue reading How to tie extended mayfly bodies
Don’t let this quick and simple pattern deceive you, this is a great pattern that should have a place in every fly box. Hook: Mustad R30 # 8-16 Tying thread: Olive Body: Two CDC hackles Wing: Bleached or light coloured … Continue reading How to tie CDC Elk hair caddis dry fly
This is a simple mixed wing comparadun that has a really nice effect. With a turkey biot body and a little UV sparkle mixed with the CDC and lemon wood duck in the wing. Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Thread: … Continue reading How to tie Mixed wing Comparadun
m This is a variant on one of my early melt glue patterns for a large flying Carpenter ant. A quick and very realistic pattern that is easy to master. Hook: Ahrex FW511 # 12 Thread: Black Body: Black hot … Continue reading Carpenter ant – Hot glue flying Mutant
This is an interesting pattern only using the classic combination of partridge and hares ear for this dry fan wing March brown mayfly. Hook: Mustad R30 # 10Thread: BrownTail: Partridge tail feather fibersBody: Hares ear dubbing & fine silver tinselWings: … Continue reading How to tie Fan wing March Brown
A variant of a large American Hex mayfly pattern that has a couple of unusual techniques that can be easily adapted for tying Danica and Vulgate patterns. Hook: Mustad R43 # 8Thread: DyneemaTail: Pheasant tailBody: Buck tail & elk or … Continue reading How to tie Troutsman Hex dry fly
One of the great North country classics for trout and grayling. This little gem, named after the sticky ginger bread cake associated with the same area of Northern England can be fished both wet & dry. Hook: Ahrex: FW511 # … Continue reading Treacle Parkin
The Hornberg is an all-purpose favourite, both as a dry fly and streamer, especially highly regarded in New England states, where a number of variants have evolved. Hook: Mustad R43 # 6-10Thread: BlackBody: Flat silver tinselWing: Yellow calf tail and … Continue reading How to tie the Hornberg dry fly
One of the classic Scandinavian caddis patterns from Lennart Bergquist. Here I tie the original and the more modern winged variant, both killer patterns for most of the season. Hook: Mustad R 30 # 12 Thread: Grey Hackle: Dark Dun … Continue reading Tying a super pupa and a variant
Another classic dry fly with calf tail wings and tail and a mixed body of stripped quill and peacock herl. It was also US president Eisenhowers go to pattern for trout fishing. Hook: Ahrex FW501 # 12 Thread: Sheer 14/0 … Continue reading How to tie House & Lot…
A little tutorial on how to choose the right deer hair and tie a comparadun wing. Hook: Mustad R30 #12Tying thread: DyneemaWing: Natural deer hairTail: Elk hairBody: SuperFine dubbing If you enjoy watching the videos please subscribe to my YouTube … Continue reading How to tie Comparadun wing tutorial
This is a variant of the original John Juracek’s & Craig Mathews pattern of a little egg laying caddis. In smaller sizes it also works well when midge fishing. Hook: Ahrex FW501 #14Tail: Z-LonBody: Pheasant tail fibresRib: Fine silver wireThorax: … Continue reading How to tie Pheasant tail X-Caddis
One of the classics. A # 14 grey Wulff and a tying technique that is well worth mastering. A generic pattern for many mayflies. The Wulff series of flies give a perfect mayfly foot print when seen from the trout … Continue reading how to tie Grey Wulff dry fly
A parachute version of this popular little stonefly with a couple of unusual techniques. Although not necessary the revers hackle wing gives this pattern a more realistic feel. Here you can also learn my Para weld parachute technique that is … Continue reading How to tie Yellow Sally stonefly