Flicking feathers

  A short video of a short 2 hour-ish fly carping session on my local river in Kashiwa, Japan. I didn't think I'd get any fishing done today so was pleased to get out. Despite the tough conditions I managed to catch 2 small carp around the 3-4lb mark; one on an orange glo-bug/egg and the other on a hybrid.

  The X-caddis is one of the best dry caddis patterns, tied in various sizes and colours it can imitate almost any of the species found in rivers. It floats well and is quite visible making it ideal for the evening. Trout and grayling will eat it for an emerger or egg layer making it useful throughout a hatch. Book of the Month 7 is available here: https://amzn.to/3kLyBSW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3EZxneY Amazon.com Materials Hook: Tiemco 100spbl size 14-20 Thread: Uni 8/0, olive Shuck: Olive antron, Z-lon, sparkle yarn or similar Body: Olive superfine Wing: Short fine deer hair To support the channel and be eligible for giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers​ and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers

 Another old article I wrote for www.sexyloops.com Last week I cancelled my fishing because of a horrendous storm which was disappointing. But at least I managed to make good inroads to a dry fly box I'm working on. It did mean that I spent the whole week looking forward to making my first smallmouth foray of the year, especially as we've had almost a week of 20degree weather. I was super keen. Leaders tied, bag packed well before the usual night before scramble. Unfortunately, I ended up spending most of Monday morning on the fraud line with my bank as my card had been cloned. Another Monday's fishing knocked on the head. After moping around for a bit,  I mustered enough motivation to take the rod for a walk down my local river. With the unseasonably warm weather the fish were feeding, but were still a bit less active than I expected. That said looking down from a bridge I could still see several fish with their tails up.  Encouraging.  I spent the next couple of ho...

  Rene Harrop's CDC transition midge is a great little emergent midge pattern. It's slim and sits low on the surface, ideal for situations where you need and emerger or something more subtle than a Griffith's Gnat. Book of the month 6 is available here https://amzn.to/3jwznCE Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3DuHvM1 Amazon UK Material list Hook: TMC 100 size 20-24 Shuck: grizzle hackle tip Body: Superfine dubbing Back/emergent wings: CDC puff Variant Hook: TMC 100 size 20-24 Shuck: grizzle hackle tip Abdomen: Superfine dubbing Thorax: Spectra flash or UV ice dubbing Back/emergent wings: CDC puff To support the channel and be eligible for giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers ​ and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers

The Janus is an old, but effective dry fly that works well for both trout and grayling. It's especially good in a tiny midge hatch and it's well worth carrying a few in your small fly box. Book of the month 6 is available here https://amzn.to/3jwznCE Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3DuHvM1 Amazon UK Material list Hook: Short shank down eye 22-28 Thread: Black Rear hackle: Red game cock, slightly long Tails: Grizzle hackle fibers (6-8) Front hackle: Grizzle cock, slightly short To support the channel and be eligible for giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers  

  John Barr's Viz-A-Dun is a great little mayfly pattern that is durable, floats well and makes a great indicator style dry fly for hanging a small emerger or micro dry behind. Material list Hook: TMC 101 size 14-24 Thread: Uni 8/0 Tail: Hackle fibres Body: Superfine dubbing Wing: Poly yarn Hackle: Quality dry fly hackle Vinyl cement To support the channel and be eligible for giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers ​ and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers

  Although upside down flies are less common, they are a great addition to the fly box. This version of Oliver Edwards USD Dun is a great pattern for picky fish feeding on large dark olives that are refusing more traditional offerings. Book of the month 6 is available here https://amzn.to/3jwznCE Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3DuHvM1 Amazon UK Material list Hook: Partridge K3A size 18 or Gamakatsu cripple emerger. Thread: Olive Uni 8/0 Tail: 3 badger guard hairs Abdomen: Brown-olive and BWO superfine dubbing Hackle: Dun cock hackle Wing: Deer hair dyed dun Thorax: BWO superfine dubbing To support the channel and be eligible for giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers ​ and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers

  This sand fly imitation is one of two that are listed in John Reid's Clyde Style flies. It's a great fly for early to mid season fishing and well worth having in your box. John Reid's book is available here: https://amzn.to/3jbOXlz​ Robert C Sharp's books "Let's Fish the Clyde" & " Let's Fish Again" are currently very difficult to come by. To support the channel and be eligible for giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers ​ and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Material list Hook: Wet fly size 14-18 Thread: Grey Body: Tying thread Wing: Hen pheasant tail Hackle: Black hen tied long. Alternative dressing Hook: Wet fly size 14-18 Thread: Black Body: Tying thread Rib: Blue thread Wing: Hen pheasant tail Hackle: Black hen tied long

  The Blae & Hare Lug is a great little Clyde style wet that just works everywhere. There are several different dressings but this, from John Reid's book is my favourite. John Reid's book "Clyde Style Flies" is available here: https://amzn.to/3jbOXlz Robert C Sharp's books "Let's Fish the Clyde" & " Let's Fish Again" are currently very difficult to come by Material list Hook: Wet fly size 14-18 (e.g. Kamasan B170) Thread: Yellow silk Wing: Starling primary feather, bunched Tail:Brown partridge Rib: Gold wire Body: Hare's ear To support the channel and be eligible for giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers ​ and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers

Another old one I wrote for www.sexyloops.com Quite appropriate as I'm getting ready for this Autumn's 1st seabass trip in Tokyo bay on Monday.   As Bernd deal's with a freeze, we're starting to warm up here. It's still down at or around freezing at night, but with daytime temperatures getting up to double figures and the days slowly stretching out, I can't help but feel some sense of optimism about the coming season.  The seabass are well and truly back from the spawn and they're in good condition too. I was out the other night and although it was freezing with sleet and rain we managed a few fish.  The timing of that and the warming weather is probably playing a big part in my anticipation-even wearing good waterproof gear a cold soaking definitely puts you in the mood for summer.   I'll probably have time to do another few trips before I leave them alone and focus completely on enjoying the day time fishing through spring and summer. ...

  Czech nymphs are fantastic takers of both trout and grayling wherever they are found. They're great fished in the Czech style, but are also excellent fished beneath an indicator. This little olive version is one of my favourite colour combinations. Materials List Hook: Grub style size 6-14 Weight: Flat lead Thread:Camel Uni 8/0 Back: Olive scud back Rib 1: Chartreuse holographic Rib 2: 4-5lb mono Abdomen: Olive SLF & squirrel Hot spot: Fl. shell pink ice dub Thorax: Hare's ear To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers

Frank Sawyer's Grey Goose is a great imitation of the smaller, paler mayfly nymphs. Although ideal for traditional upstream nymphing it's a good option for other presentation styles. Frank's book is available here https://amzn.to/39zbdCM Materials list Hook: Standard shank wet fly/nymph 16-20 Thread: XS gold wire Body: Herl from a grey goose's wing To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers

  The Copper Nymph is a Scottish fly that could be seen as something of a precursor to the Copper John, but it's a fantastic river pattern for trout and grayling in its own right. It can be fished in a variety of ways but I have found it to be a very effective nymph for duo style fishing. Try changing the colours to suggest different species of insect or add hotspots for attraction. To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Kamasan B170 size 8-16 Thread: Uni 8/0 Tail: Goose biots Abdomen: Copper wire Thorax cover: Scud back, flexibody or thin skin etc. Thorax: SLF & squirrel blend

  Whether you call it the duo, New Zealand style, hedged bet or klink & dink, hanging a nymph of of a dry fly is an absolutely deadly method at times. The addition of a tippet ring near the bend of the dry, makes for a nice connection and you never need to worry about the nymph slipping off the hook bend. After tying, treat the wing and hackle with watershed which is a permanent waterproofer. To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Material list Hook: Daiichi Klinkhammer Thread: Uni 8/0 Ring attachment: 2mm seamless tippet ring & Braided line around 0.15-0.2 mm Wing: Poly yarn or aero dry wing Rib: mylar Abdomen: Superfine dubbing Thorax: Peacock ice dub Hackle: Good quality cock saddle

  The dark needle is a great pattern from Edmonds & Lee's "Brook and River Trouting" and has been catching fish since the 1800s. It's ideal toward the end of the season and is very effective when there are small stoneflies on the water. Material list Hook: Kamasan B170 size 16 Thread: Uni 8/0 rusty brown Head: Magpie tail herl Hackle: Small feather from the back of a starling where the wing joins the body. Brook and River Trouting is available through my amazon link here. https://amzn.to/39DNRdP To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers

  This pattern, published in W.C. Stewart's 1857 book "The Practical Angler" remains a fantastic taker of both trout and grayling for much of the season. Material list Hook: Kamasan B170 size 14-16 Thread: Yellow silk (waxed) Hackle: Small dun feather from the inside of a starling's wing* To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers The Practical Angler is a good read and you can get it through my amazon link below. https://amzn.to/3nFyUgs * Stewart originally used a dun feather from a landrail's wing but suggests starling as a sub. In My opinion any dunny soft hackle from a game bird wing or even a hen hackle will do fine.

Another old one from www.sexyloops.com  pertinent as it's really getting to big fly time on Tokyo Bay Over the last few years, the seabass fishery in Tokyo bay seems to be changing a bit , partly driven by the conventional guys throwing large swimbaits and by a few people determinedly using Popovic's BEASTs and the like to target the bigger suzuki size specimens. Big flies are becoming much more accepted as viable fish catching tools for much of the year .And I like it! The problem is balancing the tackle for 20cm+ flies with Japanese seabass as they're certainly not 10wt fish.  They're a lot of fun on a 6, with an 8 being plenty of rod for even the biggest suzuki. For the longest time when tying large flies, I'd been focused on making them light. Relying on a large enough hook to keel the fly and, using water shedding materials and tying them in in such a way as to create profile or silhouette without real bulk. It works well enough that 30cm pike flies can be cast...

  This simple wet fly is a killer during a March brown, false March brown or brook dun hatch. Unless the fish are really keyed on duns, this fly will often be more effective than a dry imitation. To support my channel, join the online tying classes and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Material list Hook: Kamazan B170 size 12-14 Thread: Fire orange Uni 8/0 Tail: Woodcock under covert or similar barred feather Body: Hare's mask dubbing Rib: Fine gold wire Hackle: Feather from the shoulder of a woodcock's wing (well marked)

  The Green Tag is a fantastic wet fly in both rivers and still waters when tied in different sizes and to represent the various species of caddis that emerge during the season. To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Material list Hook: Kamasan B170 or similar size 10-18 Thread: Uni 8/0, tan or rusty dun Tag: Glo brit no.11 or 12 Rib: Small oval gold Body: Dubbing from a hare's mask Hackle: Brown partridge, grouse or speckled hen

  This simple shrimp pattern is great for trout and grayling all year, either fished on a tightline or indicator rig. To support my channel, join the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Material list Hook: Curved grub hook size 10-16 Weight: Lead wire Thread: Uni 8/0 grey or rusty dun Feelers: Partridge Rib: 4lb mono Shell back: Grey fine stretch Body: Grey squirrel & SLF blend Book of the month 6 is available here https://amzn.to/3jwznCE Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3DuHvM1 Amazon UK

The peeping caddis is an absolutely fantastic nymph for trout and grayling year round. This jig hook version is ideal for all styles of nymphing and should be in every river angler's box. To support my channel, join the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Material list Hook: TMC403 BLJ size 12-16 Bead: Slotted tungsten Thread: Uni 8/0 Peeping grub: Ultra chenille, chartreuse, white or pink Legs: Brown partridge Rib: Olive ultra wire Body: Sybai nymph dub or similar. Book of the month 6 is available here https://amzn.to/3jwznCE Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3DuHvM1 Amazon UK

  This easy little biot nymph is a killer for trout and grayling and is certainly worth a place in your box. Adjust the weight and colours to suit different conditions and locations. You won't be disappointed. To support my channel, join the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Material list Hook: TMC403 BLJ size 14-20 Thread: Fluorescent 8/0 Bead: Slotted tungsten Tag: Tying thread Tail: Coq de Leon Abdomen: Goose biot Thorax: Hare's ear & ice dub mix

Another old one from www.sexyloops.com   We're getting a real winter here in Tokyo, it seems like the first one in ages. Here that means dry air, sun and high pressure with fairly consistent sub zero temperatures overnight and low single figures during the day.  It's not entirely bad- the clear skies and sun make for reasonably reliable sight fishing weather if you can put up with the cold.  Unfortunately, most of the species around here are what would probably be called warm water species; largemouth & smallmouth bass, sunfish, snakehead and catfish . So while the seabass are off spawning, things can seem a bit slow. Luckily there are carp everywhere and although they're not as active as in the warmer months, they're certainly still feeding and very catchable.   I often talk to people who fly fish for carp but stop when it gets "too cold" for them.  I think unless the water is frozen over then it's warm enough to catch carp on the fly. Admittedly ...