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Interview with Javier Escanciano - Gallo de Leon

History tells us that the Unicorn of roosters, Gallo de Leon (Coq de Leon) is without doubt the oldest breed of bird to be bred specifically for fly tying! My good friend Alberto from 54 Dean Street, met with one of the largest breeders of Gallo de Leon, Javier Escanciano, on his farm in Leon Spain. This short but very informative interview reveals the secrets of these magical hackles. If you…

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Fly Tying Symposium 2024 New Jersey

I will be tying at the Fly Tying Symposium 2024 New Jersey  November 16-17 and will be holding seminars and classes. There is only a limited amount of places available for the classes on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th, so if you are interested please book now to avoid disappointment. You Can book here: The Class: 08:30:-11:00 Sunday 17th November The Feather Benders Advanced Techniques Barry…

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The Feather Benders Advanced Fly Tying Techniques

The second book of the very sucessful ‘The Feather Benders Fly Tying Techniques’ that has sold over 10 000 English copies is out NOW!  My new book The Feather Benders Advanced Fly Tying Techniques is available. Following the success of his ground-breaking first book in this series, Barry Ord Clarke (recently voted Flytyer of the Year) is sharing his latest innovations in this publication. As…

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Top 10 Trout Fly Patterns

I don’t know how many times that I have been asked when fishing for trout, What fly are you using? what fly should I use? Well it depends! A good fly fisher, can read the water, even a water that he or she hasn’t fished before. They will try and identify the insects that are present, look for any activity of trout feeding and even recognize the style of rises, if any… All this information, when…

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Kopter Revolution bobbin holder

The first of my fly tying tool reviews, The Kopter Revolution Bobbin holder. Buy Kopter Revolution Bobbin holder I have made a large article on my website about bobbin holders, that contains just about everything that you need to know, advantages and disadvantages. So please take a look at the website, and subscribe so you will get a notification when every new article is published.

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Easy Street Midge

One of my most successful midge patterns, that is a little different. Tied on a size 18-20 heavy nymph hook, when I sell or give this pattern away, I do so with a catch guarantee! It never fails! How to tie Easy Street Midge Hook: Mustad Heritage S82 AP # 18 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 white Body: UTC Small Opal tinsel Rib: Pheasant tail fibre Head: Peacock herl

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THE RIVERBANK

You can’t be unhappy in the middle of a big, beautiful river. A short film about life and fly fishing along a wild river in Swedish Lapland, one week in late July 2023. Story by MARKUS HOFFMAN & TOMAS SKOGING.  Credits: Narrated by BARRY ORD CLARKEFilmed by BENGT LÖFGRENEdited by TOMAS SKOGINGMusic and Sound by FREDRIK SUNDBERG / PLOP

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Caddis Emerger

This easy tie is a must for both caddis and midge hatches. Fish it static or with a short pull every few seconds, just to create a little disturbance in the surface. It’s also deadly fished dead drift on running water. How to tie Caddis Emerger Caddis Emerger material list: Hook: Mustad Heritage C49XAP # 16 and smaller Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 grey Shuck: Veniard UV Enhancer grey Body:…

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Copper wire Midge Emerger

A deadly little pattern that should be in all fly boxes! This midge emerger can be tied in any colour and various sizes to match any midge hatch. The design allows the midge to fish correctly with the rear of the body submerged, with the CDC keeping it afloat. Try it and it will increase your hook up’s! Material list: Hook: Mustad R43AP # 14 Thread: Sheer 14/0 Brown Rib: Copper wire Body:…

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The Ubiquitous Nymph

A generic nymph for all round use, anytime, anywhere. Over the years this little nymph has worked wonders for me. Rather than targeting any single nymph species, the design try’s to emphasize on as many ‘nymphy’ qualities as possible, as reflected in it’s given name. How to tie The Ubiquitous Nymph Material list for Ubiquitous Nymph Hook: Mustad S80AP # 10-16 Tying thread: Sheer brown…

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Irish Fly Fair 2023

On the 18th -19th of November I will be tying at the 11th Irish Fly Fair at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh in Northern Ireland.   This well loved show has returned at last after Covid. If you are attending the show, I will have a limited amount of my last two English language books with me, so if you would like to use this opportunity to pick up a signed copy, call by my…

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The Emaciated Mayfly

A relatively new pattern that I have only fished with this season, that has proven extremely effective, especially in the smaller sizes. Consisting of a CDC detached body and a comparadun wing of CDL and CDC, this extremely simple pattern is a very quick tie. The straightforward construction results in a very realistic footprint and perfect presentation every cast. How to tie The Emaciated…

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Best of Both Emerger

This is a very interesting pattern from Gordon van der Spuy’s first book, ‘The feather mechanic’. The Best of Both, has two parachute hackles, one of traditional hackle and one of CDC. The lower CDC hackle helps give the emerger a more lifelike presentation, rather than the more static traditional hackle.   It is also believed that the slightly larger footprint created by the CDC makes it more…

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International Fly Tying Symposium 2023

During the weekend 11-12 November 2023 I will be attending the worlds largest fly tying show, The International Fly Tying Symposium. It will be a busy weekend, I will be doing classes, demos, tying and signing my last two books all day Saturday and Sunday, along with a great lineup of international fly tyers.  So put the date in your calendar and I look forward to seeing you there. On Saturday…

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Hard Head Heavy Autumn Nymph

Here is a heavy autumn nymph that is easy to tie and pushes all the buttons for cold water trout and grayling. Tie it without the bead or adjust the size and weight to fish in the required water depth and sink speed. How to tie Hard Head Nymph Hard Head Nymph pattern: Hook: Mustad Heritage S70AP # 8-12 Bead: Slotted tungsten Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Dun Tail: Coq de Leon Abdomen: Wild…

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The No See Um Midge fly

Probably the quickest fly that you will ever tie! This little comparadun midge is the ‘bees knees’ when it comes to simplicity and presentation. It sits low in the surface and can be tied in whatever colour you require. Use a hackle that is a little larger than standard for the hook size, this makes it more visible at distance. How to tie No See Um Midge fly No See Um Midge fly recipe Hook:…

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Deer Mask Emerger fly

A short tutorial on making dubbing from a deer mask. If you haven’t used a deer mask before please try and get your hands on one, they are a gold mine of material, especially for the caddis fly tyers out there. I have also included a link below if you would like to see my video on skinning and prepping a deer mask. How to tie Deer Mask Emerger Deer Mask Emerger material list: Hook: Mustad…