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! Bradshaw’s Fancy pattern recipe Hook: … Continue reading Bradshaw’s Fancy grayling fly
A little Griffith’s variant that uses snow shoe rabbit instead of the traditional grizzle hackle. A tad more robust that the original but fishes just as well. Have a great weekend fellow feather benders! Matt’s Gnat a Griffith’s pattern recipe … Continue reading Matt’s Gnat a Griffith’s pattern
A simple tie for a very buggy large October caddis that floats like a cork with a wonderful wing. Wonder wing caddis pattern Hook: Mustad R43 # 10 Tying thread: Dyneema 55 Body: Natural deer hair Underwing: 2 Natural CDC … Continue reading Wonder wing caddis
Another dry fly hackle tutorial this time the paraloop technique. Although I don’t use this hackle much its a great choice for emerger patterns. Please subscribe to my You Tube channel to receive the videos as they are published. Continue reading Tying a paraloop hackle tutorial
Dry fly hackle tutorial # 2 parachute perfect. Not the traditional technique for tying a parachute hackle but a very precise one I have used with great success and avoids having to whip-finish at the hook eye. Continue reading Parachute perfect hackle tying instructions
Dry fly hackle technique #1. After having many questions regarding my hackling techniques here is my way of tying a perfect 90 degree traditional style dry fly collar hackle that will produce a perfect hackle every time. Continue reading Dry Fly hackle tying technique # 1
As avid anglers, we know how crucial it is to have the right fly patterns in our arsenal. The Pale Morning Dun Nymph is one such pattern that every angler should have in their collection. This pattern has proven to … Continue reading Pale Morning Dun Nymph
This adult caddis pattern with a wood chuck wing and mixed hackle gives a perfect foot print when fished dead drift or stripped across the surface. Mustad R50 # 10 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Black Body: Fly Rite dubbing No … Continue reading How to tie Chuck Caddis dry fly
The Black Ghost feather wing, full tutorial for one of the great long flies that is still catching fish on both sides of the pond. Black Ghost feather wing streamer pattern Hook: Mustad L87 # 4 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 … Continue reading Black Ghost feather wing streamer
The full tutorial for one of the true classic wet flies that works just about anywhere its fished. The famous Norwegian polar explorer Fridtjoft Nansen said ” Give me two March brown’s wet fly and a box of matches and … Continue reading March Brown wet fly
584 lochs that are larger than one hectare and trout swim in 98% of them. Thats what drew me to the islands that lie between the North sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The flight to Sumburgh Airport on the southern point of Shetland took a little longer than anticipated, due to fog. I was informed that when there is a heat wave on main land UK , there will be fog on Shetland. Looking at the BBC weather forecast while waiting in the departure lounge of Inverness Airport, they reported several deaths due to heat stroke in southern England while … Continue reading Fly fishing the Shetland islands
This is a relatively easy semi realistic adult midge with a few nifty techniques for body, wing and legs. Long legged adult midge recipe Hook: Mustad R50 # 12 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Black Body: Large black cock hackle Legs: … Continue reading Long legged adult midge
Another classic wet fly that has for the most been forgotten but its well worth blowing the dust off this one especially if you are fishing sea run browns in fresh water. Blue zulu pattern Hook: Mustad S60 # 8 … Continue reading Blue zulu fly pattern
This is a simple little CdC loop wing emerger that can be adapted to imitate not only midges but also smaller mayflies. CdC loop wing emerger pattern recipe Hook: Mustad C49S # 18 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Olive Tail: Speckled … Continue reading CdC loop wing emerger
This extremely easy but very effective quick sight midge is especially for those of us who have some problems seeing small flies at a distance and at night. This pattern has never failed me, especially with big fish that are … Continue reading Quick sight midge emerger
Widely regarded as the national fly of Finland, Simo Lumme’s Nalle Puh or also know as Winnie the Pooh is a wonderful egg laying caddis pattern with a rather unusual but effective winging technique. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks Buy VENIARD … Continue reading How to tie the Nalle Puh
The nymph previously know as Prince. A great little nymph that every fly fishermen should have in their box, but this time tide with a partridge throat hackle instead of the traditional brown. As avid fly fishers, we are always … Continue reading Prince nymph fly
A variant of the Kingsmill Moore pattern, the golden Olive bumble that was popularised in his great book ‘A man may fish‘ A cracking dry fly attractor that hardly ever fails as a top dropper. Pulled through the surface as … Continue reading Golden olive bumble muddler
This ia a short tour of my tying room and photo studio here at home. Not the best filming but you’ll get a good idea of how its layed out and works. Buy MUSTAD signature hooks on AMAZON:Buy VENIARD product … Continue reading Barry Ord Clarke tying room video
One of my most simple patterns. A semi realistic but quick tie for a perfect adult blue damsel that works extremely well when they are on the water. Adult Blue Damsel pattern recipe Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: … Continue reading Adult Blue Damsel dry
A neat little spider pattern that has worked wonders for me when fishing a traditional across and down stream wet fly method. Brassie and partridge spider pattern recipe Hook: Mustad R70 # 10 Tying thread: Sheer black 14/0 Body: Bright … Continue reading Brassie and partridge spider
An unusual but good looking pattern. This large caddis fly ticks all the boxes when it comes to a large adult skating caddis imitation. Grey sedge pattern recipe How to tie Grey sedge pattern Continue reading Grey sedge dry fly
This is an old but reliable pattern used especially in fast riffles and for searching pocket water. Peacock elk hair Caddis pattern recipe Hook: Mustad R30 # 14 Tying thread: Black 6/0 Body: Peacock herl Wing: Elk hair Hackle: 1 … Continue reading Peacock elk hair caddis
This old but still effective, for and aft pattern, was one of Ernest Hemingway’s top trout flies. Renegade fly pattern recipe Hook: Mustad R 30 # 14 Tying thread: Black 6/0 Butt: Flat gold tinsel Rear hackle: Brown cock Body: … Continue reading Renegade fly pattern
A classic quill wing style dun. A traditional pattern and technique that gives one of the best footprints and silhouettes of an adult mayfly. Quill wing blue dun pattern recipe Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 grey … Continue reading Quill wing blue dun pattern
A real simple beetle/ bug that has never failed me even under super selective feeding. Your help and support in keeping the channel going is greatly appreciated. If you enjoy the videos please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Thanks… Continue reading The Beetle Bug
This is the trout version of the river Tay salmon fly. Also better known for being a killer sea trout pattern for peaty coloured rivers and lochs. Dunkeld wet fly pattern recipe Hook: Mustad S70 # 8 Tying thread: Black … Continue reading Dunkeld wet fly
A rather unusual pattern from North Yorkshire that has gained a super reputation as a real trout and grayling treat. John Storey fly pattern recipe Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: Black 6/0 Wing: Mallard flank Body: Peacock herl … Continue reading John Storey fly
This well known Welsh pattern represents a small beetle of the same name (red & black) that is found along the river and lake banks of the Welsh countryside. One of the classic peacock herl patterns that trout just love. … Continue reading Coch y Bonddu wet fly
When large wood ants swarm on the warmest summer days the trout go on a feeding frenzy. This is one of those patterns that you just can’t do without. Simple but realistic and quick to tie. Flying wood ant fly … Continue reading Flying wood ant fly
This is a model pattern for most mayfly nymphs, all you need to do is change the hook size and material colour to imitate a whole number of different nymphs. A good pattern to know! Hook: Mustad S82 # 8 … Continue reading Tying a model mayfly nymph
This is a pattern designed to show the pure versatility of deer hair! Tail, spun body and hackle all made from deer hair and nothing more. Three deer hair techniques that will for sure be helpful to you when tying … Continue reading Deer hair irresistible fly
I have had so many questions regarding the correct deer hair for tying the streaking caddis that I have made this little tutorial on deer hair and prep for the streaking caddis. Learn more about deer hair materialUltimate guide to … Continue reading Deer hair prep for streaking caddis
A get down deep house building caddis pattern that has to be one of the most productive weighted grayling patterns I know, along with a couple of neat tying techniques. Peeping caddis fly pattern recipe Hook: Mustad R75 # 8 … Continue reading Peeping caddis fly
This is a diving or egg laying caddis that is fished just under the surface with long slow pulls. The combination of partridge hackle and hen mallard breast feathers is a real fish attractor. Diving or egg laying caddis fly … Continue reading Diving or egg laying caddis fly
This is an old but still good and quick method for tying the knots in pheasant tail fibres for crane fly and hopper legs. Its like riding a bike once learnt never forgotten! Please remember to subscribe to the feather benders You Tube channel: Continue reading Daddy’s legs – knots in pheasant tail
A very simple pattern with a not so well know hackling technique, try this pattern and I am sure you won’t be disappointed. Hatching midge fly pattern recipe How to tie Hatching midge fly Continue reading Hatching midge fly
Another deer hair technique that shows you how to make spun deer hair bodies with the use of a dubbing loop. Learn more about deer hair materialUltimate guide to deer hair part 1Ultimate guide to deer hair part 2Ultimate guide … Continue reading Spinning deer hair in a dubbing loop
This is yet another parachute technique with a twist! A very satisfying method of finishing a traditional parachute hackle that also equips the pattern with a quick sight indicator. Hook: Mustad R30 # 12 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 black Tail: … Continue reading How to tie Poly weld para dry fly
This is a priceless little trick for improving the grip of most hackle pliers substantially! Continue reading Improving your hackle pliers!
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