Flicking feathers

This Donegal Blue variant is a great choice for seatrout and browns in the lochs and will also work for salmon. It's a fairly easy tie, but don't let that fool you, the colour and wide silver rib make this a great fly for low light and overcast conditions. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the givaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers or https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers and sign up. Materials list Hook: Kamasan B175 size 6-12 Thread: Black Uni 8/0 Tag: Glo-brite no.14 Rib: Medium-wide silver Body: Blue seal fur Hackle: Black hen  

  This crippled emerger pattern can be absolutely fantastic early in the season when the fish are on the march browns, it'll also come in handy later in the year if you encounter fish feeding on brook duns. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the givaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers or https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers and sign up. Materials list Hook: Kamasan B170 size 12-16 Thread: Uni 8/0 Rusty dun Tail: Bronze malard Shuck: Angel hair pearl Body: Hare's ear Wing: Dark tipped roe deer                                                                       Hackle: Grizzle/barred ginger

  Bob Wyatt's Snow Shoe Emerger is a deadly alternative to the Deer Hair Emerger. It can be tied smaller than the DHE, floats well, is very durable and just catches fish- this variant is no exception. It covers a range of hatches, all you have to do is adjust the size. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the givaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers or https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers and sign up. Materials list Hook: Fulling mill supergrub/kamasan B100 Thread: rusty dun Shuck:Crystal flash Body: Hare's ear dubbing Rib:Crystal flash Wing: Snow Shoe Hare's foot

Roy Christie's reversed parachutes are fantastic emergers that can be used to imitate midges, caddis or as in this case mayflies like the blue winged olive. They really are fantastic patterns, offering a great footprint and ensuring a sunk tippet. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the givaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers or https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers and sign up. Materials list (BWO version) Hook: TMC 200R/larva style size 16-22 Thread: Olive Tail: Hackle fibre/CDL Body: Olive dubbing Rib/Hackle loop: 5lb nylon Hackle: Blue dun cock

  The Jingler is a fantastic early season choice for march brown and LDO hatches. It also works well later in the year as a brook dun imitation. Keep them rough and scruffy and you won't go wrong To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the givaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers or https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers and sign up. I strongly recommend a salon style UV lamp to give these and all your UV resin flies a final cure for a hard, clear tack free finish regardless of the brand resin you use Amazon https://amzn.to/3qTXqiH Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3fSw9qM Material list. Hook: Kamasan B170 size 10-14 Thread: Rusty dun uni 8/0 Tail: Coq de Leon or hackle fibers Body: Hare's ear dubbing First hackle: Red game henny cock Second hackle: Brown partridge

  This little emerger is simple but absolutely deadly, tied small for winter grayling or large for summer buzzer hactches on the stillwaters, it just works. Use it for both midge and mayfly hatches, you won't be disappointed. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers or https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers and sign up. I strongly recommend a salon style UV lamp to give these and all your UV resin flies a final cure for a hard, clear tack free finish regardless of the brand resin you use Amazon https://amzn.to/3qTXqiH Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3fSw9qM Material list. Hook: Dry fly 8-22 Thread: Rusty dun uni 8/0 Body: Stripped peacock quill Thorax: Squirrel blend Wing: CDC Coating: Thin UV resin or Varnish

  The Gasolina perdigon is another fantastic Spanish nymph pattern which works fantastically with both European and dry dropper/indicator tactics. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the givaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers or https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers and sign up. I strongly recommend a salon style UV lamp to give these and all your UV resin flies a final cure for a hard, clear tack free finish regardless of the brand resin you use Amazon https://amzn.to/3qTXqiH Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3fSw9qM Material list. Hook: Nymph or jig hook size 14-22 Weight: Copper tungsten bead Thread: Olive Tail: Coq de Leon Body: Hends perdigon body, olive flashabou or similar Optional hotspot: Hot orange/hot pink thread Coating: Thin UV resin or Varnish

  The duracell is a deadly fly, the dull flashiness of the pattern seems irresistible to trout and grayling on its day and you certainly should have a few of these in your box. 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: Jig size 8-14 Thread: Uni 8/0 grey or brown Weight: Tungsten bead Body: UV brown ice dub Rib: Red wire Collar: CDC Thorax: UV brown ice dub Book of the Month 10 "Essential Saltwater Flies" is available here; Amazon https://amzn.to/3zGDKBW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3t4lEsa

An Old one I wrote for www.sexyloops.com   As I get ready for my trip at the end of July I've been thinking about paddleboards and walking. I decided not to get a SUP until after the trip (if I get one at all) as I will be alone on the water and probably need some time practising and getting things set up for a smooth fishing experience. I'll be walking the flats, which I like, but walking isn't as straightforward as you might think. If you watch any of the videos or read any of the books about swff, when it comes to the thing people need to work on casting is always what gets mentioned. And that's right, casting is incredibly important. The fly has to get in front of the fish if it's to be eaten. The thing that seems to be missed a lot though is that if you don't walk in a way that allows you to see the fish, you don't have anything to cast to. This is probably because, most of the information available is about guided fishing and/or written and said by gui...

  The Falangista is a great perdigon pattern that will catch you fish all year long. You sometimes see these under other names such as the Spanish bullet, but I see no reason to change the name from the original. 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 I strongly recommend a salon style UV lamp to give these and all your UV resin flies a final cure for a hard, clear tack free finish regardless of the brand resin you use Amazon https://amzn.to/3qTXqiH Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3fSw9qM Materials list Hook: Jig hook 14 -20 Thread: Black 8/0 Weight: Tungsten bead Tail: Coq de Leon Tag: Red tinsel or holographic Body: Black thread Book of the Month 10 "Essential Saltwater Flies" is available here; Amazon https://amzn.to/3zGDKBW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3t4lEsa

  These woven nymphs are great fish catchers whether fished with modern Euro or more traditional Polish and Czech techniques. They're also a fun tie that will develop your tying. 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: TMC 2457 size 6-14 Thread: Uni 8/0 & Danville 140 denier (or some other flat thread) Weight: Tungsten bead Body: Embroidery thread Rib: Wire or oval tinsel Thorax: Ice dub or other dubbing Book of the Month 10 "Essential Saltwater Flies" is available here; Amazon https://amzn.to/3zGDKBW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3t4lEsa

  The iron blue dun is a great little early season hatch, that often produces sport on those cold spring days when little seems likely. This little spider is a great option for when those little dark duns start coming off, and is often more effective than a dry. 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 size16 Thread: Purple Rib: Small red wire Body: Natural mole with 25% blue pearl flash dubbing blend Hackle: Jackdaw scalp Book of the Month 10 "Essential Saltwater Flies" is available here; Amazon https://amzn.to/3zGDKBW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3t4lEsa

  The black and peacock spider has been catching trout longer than any of us have been alive, it'll continue to do so as long as there are trout and people fishing. In this video I show how to tie this classic in a way that adds some much needed durability without compromising the look of the body. 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/B175 size 8-16 Thread: Black Uni 8/0 Body:Peacock herl Hackle: Black hen Book of the Month 10 "Essential Saltwater Flies" is available here; Amazon https://amzn.to/3zGDKBW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3t4lEsa

  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. 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 size 14-16 Thread: Yellow silk (waxed) Hackle: Small dun red game/ mottled soft hackle* 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 feather from the outside of a landrail's wing but they are rightly protected. In My opinion any reddy soft hackle from an indian hen neck or game bird wing will do fine.

  You don't see many people tying and fishing Tummel style wets nowadays, but you should! This pattern from the 1800s is still an absolute wonder for trout and grayling. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Wet fly size 14-16 Thread: Yellow silk Body: Thread & peacock herl Hackle: Starling neck hackle E.M Tod's book Wet-Fly Fishing Treated Methodically is a good read and is available from; amazon https://amzn.to/3sWErp8 amazon UK https://amzn.to/3mQLFak Using the links will help support my channel

  The Czech nymph is a well established taker of trout and grayling, this variation is no exception. It excels for winter grayling, but will work all season To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways, head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Gamarus/Czech nymph hook 6-16 Weight: Flat lead tape Thread: Uni 8/0 rusty dun Inner rib: Fluo Pink body quill Over rib: 4-5lb mono Shellback: Grey scud back abdomen: Hare's ear & antron blend Hot spot: UV pink ice dub Thorax: Dark hare's ear or squirrel dubbing

  The eel punt is a great flatwing style pattern developed for striped bass that will work for any of the saltwater bass species. Although it will work during the day, I think it does best tied dark and used as a night fly offering a large profile and strong silhouette. Because of it's length it's also a decent pattern for avoiding smaller fish, they may still attack the fly but you'll tend to hook only the better specimens. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways, head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Material list Hook: Gamakatsu SL12 1/0-4/0 Thread: Danville's 210 flat waxed Tail: Bucktail Wing: 4-6 saddle hackles Body: Palmered saddle or schlappen Book of the Month 7; The practical angler is available here: https://amzn.to/3kLyBSW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3EZxneY Amazon.com Bookmarking or using my link will help support my chan...

 Another old one from www.sexyloops.com My second vaccine date was confirmed last week, I'll feel a bit better about traveling once I've had it. I still won't be able to leave Japan. Well I will, but it's unlikely I'd get back in. So instead of an international trip, I'm heading to Okinawa for a week of DIY flats fishing. I'm going to an island I've visited several times before, staying at a great little inn 30yards from the beach. The thing about this island is that it's known for having bad fishing, but I've found it to be pretty good and getting better each time I go. There are no guides in the area and it took several trips to work out where to go on what tide, probably why people don't think the fishing is great after a single  2 day trip. I persevered there because my first trip was in and unseasonably cold December and despite that I still spotted triggers and GTs before a freak cold snap put things off and killed off a lot of small re...

  The grayling witch is a classic grayling pattern, this modern nymph version takes all the deadly ingredients and brings them up to date in a deadly grayling bug. Ideal for modern European nymphing techniques. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways, head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Jig hook size 10-18 Bead: Tungsten slotted (silver or black nickel) Thread: Uni 8/0 black Tail: Globrite no.4 Rib: Small red wire Body: Peacock herl Hackle: CDC dyed medium dun Collar: Peacock ice dub Book of the month 9 is available here: Amazon .com https://amzn.to/3DKxadM Amazon UK https://amzn.to/31BKYul Using the amazon link will help support my channel

  This little bug is an out and out fish catcher absolutely essential in any Euro nymph box. It's easy to tie and works year round for trout and grayling alike. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways, head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Jig hook size 10-18 Bead: Tungsten slotted Thread: Uni 8/0 rusty dun Tail: Globrite no.8 Rib: Globrite no.8 Body: Hare's ear Hackle: CDC Collar: Hare's ear Book of the month 9 is available here: Amazon .com https://amzn.to/3DKxadM Amazon UK https://amzn.to/31BKYul Using the amazon link will help support my channel

  This fly is incredibly easy to tie, needs very little in the way of materials and is absolutely fantastic for grayling on the right day. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways, head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Knapek Gammarus or Fulling Mill Czech nymph size 6-16 Weight: Lead foil Thread: Fluorescent pink Rib: Small red wire Back: Clear scud back or similar Body: Pink Glister Book of the month 9 is available here: Amazon .com https://amzn.to/3DKxadM Amazon UK https://amzn.to/31BKYul Using the amazon link will help support my channel

  George Daniel's Strip-Set is probably the most comprehensive text on modern streamer fishing available. It covers gear, flies and techniques and is a good read to boot. Anyone who fishes streamers, whether for trout or other predatory species will benefit from reading this book. Strip-Set is available here Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3kizn9F Amazon.co.uk https://amzn.to/3wvglSo Using the link will help support my channel at no extra cost to you. Book of the month 7: The practical angler is available here: https://amzn.to/3kLyBSW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3EZxneY Amazon.com To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up.

  This muddler pattern will work for just about any species that eats a baitfish in fresh or saltwater. It can be tied in almost any size and fished on any line to suit your waters. To support the channel, get access to the monthly tying classes and enter the giveaways, head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Gamakatus B10s size 10 to 2/0 or SL12 size 2 to 4/0 Thread: White Danville's flat waxed nylon Tail: Marabou blood quill Rib: 20lb Fluorescent yellow nylon Body: Sybai Angel dubbing pearl Head: Spun deer belly hair Book of the Month 7; The practical angler is available here: https://amzn.to/3kLyBSW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3EZxneY Amazon.com Bookmarking or using my link will help support my channel.

 Another old one I wrote for www.sexyloops.com I've just been mixing up a batch of fuller's earth. I much prefer making my own degreaser to using the commercially produced stuff. I always make a few tubs at a time, 1 for each bag so I always have it handy and don't need to worry about forgetting to pack it. When I mention it to people who don't make their own I usually get 1 of 2 responses. Either something along the lines of "I'm not that tight, I just buy it" or "I'd like to make some but I don't know how". There are of course the occaisional, subnormal outliers who say there's no need for mud at all. But we'll forget about them and their nonsense. Now, I can't deny that it's cheaper to mix your own mud, much cheaper. But Leedasink is only a couple of quid for a tub, if you were doing it to save money you'd be better directing your efforts elewhere. I also know some people who aren't too tight to buy a tub, seem ...

  The Seaducer is a real classic saltwater fly. And with good reason, it's absolutely deadly! A very simple tie that pushes water and swims fantastically. It can be tied in any size or colour, both with and without weight to catch any fish that swims. Fish just bite them. To support the channel, get access to the monthly flytying meetings and enter the giveaways, head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Standard saltwater 2-6/0 Thread: Danville's 210 Weight: Bead chain Foul guard: 20lb hard mono Tail: 4-6 saddle hackles depending on the hook size Flash: Standard flashabou Body: Saddle hackle Head(optional): Flashy dubbing Book of the Month 7; The practical angler is available here: https://amzn.to/3kLyBSW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3EZxneY Amazon.com Bookmarking or using my link will help support my channel.

  Some more carp on fly action from a small stream in East Japan. The average size of the fish in this small stream isn't very big, but it does occasionally turn up fish into low to mid double figures. What it does have going for it is the sheer number of fish, there are loads and I expect plenty of shots even during short sessions. On this trip, it was unusually hot for the time of year which caused the carp to be highly active. There were a lot of fish feeding on things dropping from the bankside vegetation, and were responding to the fly plopping into the water, so a slightly heavy presentation tight to the far bank seemed to be the go for much of the day. Later I switched to the dumbbell eyed worm and picked up another fish on the way home. You can find fly tying videos for all the flies I used today can be found on my channel. Clouser crayfish https://youtu.be/jGkhlmeV7vQ Carp worm https://youtu.be/owtGI7AeAdA Backstabber https://youtu.be/kXRBAtmEyio To support the ...

  The Gartside gurgler is about as simple as the come but it's a fantastic top-water fly for predatory fish in fresh and salt waters. Here, I've tied a really basic version but included a couple of tips to make a tougher, longer lasting fly. Take this as a basic template and add flash, hackles, legs, or anything else you need for your fishing situation. To support the channel, get access to the monthly fly tying classes and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Gamakatsu SP11 3L-3H or similar Thread: Danville's 210 denier Tail: Bucktail Body: Cactus chenille Back/Lip: 4mm foam (crosslink foam is tougher than fly foam) Book of the Month 7; The practical angler is available here: https://amzn.to/3kLyBSW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3EZxneY Amazon.com

  This version of Lefty's Deceiver is fantastic when you want a bit more movement in your fly. The ostrich will move more at slower speeds than the traditional saddle hackle, but can still be fished at pace when needed. You can confidently fish this fly for fresh and salt water predators from trout to tarpon, it just works for everything. Lefty's Book, Saltwater Fly Patterns is available here - Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3AvAoRJ Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3CzVRts To support the channel, get access to the monthly online tying classes and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Material list Hook: SL12 size 2-6/0 https://amzn.to/3ozo93s Thread: Danvilles Flat waxed nylon https://amzn.to/3aulakJ Tail support: Bucktail https://amzn.to/3li6Di9 Tail: Ostrich herl https://amzn.to/3Aju8eP Flash: Polar flash Collar: Bucktail https://amzn.to/3ldKPEd Throat: Red crystal fla...

  A slightly modernised version of the baby tarpon marabou fly listed in Lefty's book. This pattern will work for babies and giants alike, and is certainly a useful pattern for the Yucatan lagoons. Tie them in your preferred colours and sizes to suit your fishing. Lefty's Book is available here - Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3AvAoRJ Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3CzVRts To support the channel, get access to the monthly fly tying classes and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Gamakatsu SC15 1/0-4/0 https://amzn.to/3Da7Gqq Thread: Red Danville's Flat Waxed Nylon 210 denier https://amzn.to/3AfGeFH Tail: Brown marabou flanked with grizzly saddle dyed red https://amzn.to/3l89gCT Flash: Red crinkle mirror flash Collar: Red saddle hackle dyed red https://amzn.to/3l89gCT BOTM 7 The practical angler is available here: https://amzn.to/3kLyBSW A...

  Toads are rightfully recognised as fantastic tarpon flies and this slightly compact marabou version is no exception. It's also a great pattern for many species that attack their prey from below it hangs well between strips and is full of movement, even when at rest. To support the channel, enter the giveaways and join the monthly online tying classes head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up or donate at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/flickingfeathers . Materials List Hook: Owner Aki 1/0-4/0 Thread: Danvilles 210 denier flat waxed nylon Tail: Marabou bloods Collar: Webby saddly hackle or schlappen Body: Congo hair or EP fibre Eyes: Black mono eyes BOTM 7 The practical angler is available here: https://amzn.to/3kLyBSW Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3EZxneY Amazon.com

 Another old one from www.sexyloops.com On Monday, I went to a river I'd never been to before. A steep, fast little mountain river, full of pocket water and small plunge pools a population of sea run and resident yamame and a population of rainbows that's a mix between stocked and wild fish. I'm not the greatest at fishing this kind of river, as I tend to spend more time on rivers with gentler gradients, riffles and bigger pools. But I do enjoy it a lot. Tricky wading, sneaking behind rocks and dropping bushy dries or heavy nymphs into the soft spots. The fish might not be that big, but it can be magic. There wasn't much in the way of hatching insects but there were a few stonefly nymph shucks on the rocks and plenty of ants all around the place. Promising! Even though it was running a little high and fast I was quite pleased when I got there and saw that the river seemed to be empty of other anglers. Unfortunately despite about a hundred mile journey, it wasn't lon...