Palewatery No Hackle Dun
Hook: Partridge Ideal Standard Dry SUD2 #18
Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk 30D Yellow
Tails: Lt Dun Hackle barbs
Abdomen: Hends Body Quills Olive BQ-34 (varnished)
Wing: Natural CDC
Thorax: Common Shrew from Cookshill Fly-tying Materials
A great bonus of being part of the Partridge of Redditch Pro-Team is from time to time you get to play with samples of new hook models, this time it’s the new Partridge of Redditch SUD2 hooks I get to try out. Great looking strong hook, quite short in the shank in comparison to other models meaning the #18 measures out closer in shank length to many #20 hooks, but well made with sharp point. I’m looking forward to trying them out on the river.
Predator Fibre Jig
For the clearer water that comes with the more settled conditions that late spring and early summer brings to my local rivers. Covers the Blue Winged Olive hatch as well as the Baetis hatches throughout the year.
Hook: Partridge SUJ Jig Hook, #18.
Bead: 2.5mm slotted, Natural Tungsten.
Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk 30D (18/0), Brown.
Tails: Coq De Leon.
Body: Semperfli Predator Fibres, Pheasant Tail.
Thorax: Pine Squirrel.
Hackle: Sparse CDC in split thread, Black.
Wingcase: Semperfli Predator Fibres, Pheasant Tail.
Hare Copper Jigback
This fly was shown to me by one of the best river anglers I’ve had the privelage to fish with, Davie Park, and has probably accounted for more Grayling over the last winter than any other fly. I’ve no doubt it’ll prove to be a great point fly on a Trout leader too.
Tied on a Partridge SUJ #16 this is a lot of weight on a small hook with the bulk of it over the eye so it ALWAYS fishes point up and by design gives a small fly with a lot less bare hook showing.
Hook: Partridge SUJ #16-18.
Weight: Tungsten Jig Back, size to suit.
Thread: Brown Nano Silk 12/0 (50D).
Tail: Ginger Cock.
Abdomen: Pine Squirrel.
Thorax: Pine Squirrel mixed with a tiny pinch of Orange or Copper Hends Spectra Dubbing
Olive Teardrop Nymph
Hook: Fulling Mill Short Shank Special #14
Weight: Tungsten Teardrop Large
Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk 12/0 (50D) Orange
Tails: Dk Olive Cock
Abdomen: Uni Stretch Olive
Thorax: Hends Spectra Dubbing Olive
Wet Spinner
Hook: Partridge Wet Heavy Supreme G3A/L #16
Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk 30D Red
Tail: 2-3 Wood Duck Fibres
Body & Rib: Semperfli Ultrafine 0.1mm Wire Red
Body Coating: Clear Cure Goo Hydro
Wing: Ice Dubbing UV Pearl
Hackle: Sparse CDC in split thread
Probably my all time favourite fly, since it first found its way into my fly box well over 20 years ago it’s caught me more fish than any other fly I tie. If I was allowed one fly and one fly only I would take this one. Created by Craig Mathews it’s an evolution of Caucci & Nastasi’s Comparadun which in turn is an evolution of Fran Betters’ Haystack, in terms of translucency of the shuck though it’s very similar to Fran Betters’ Usual. Not a bad heritage all in.
Continue reading Sparkle Dun Step by Step →
Baetis Nymph
There are a great many fly patterns to imitate Baetis nymphs, nymphs of the upwing flies in general really, some are very intricate and beautiful pieces of imitative work and others like the Pheasant Tail, Grey Goose or Gold Ribbed Hares Ear nymphs which though very simple are also great fish catchers.
Continue reading Baetis PT Nymph →
Fly Tying & Fly Fishing by Jim Lees
