Flicking feathers

Another old one I wrote for www.sexyloops.com I'm going on a bit of a ramble this week. But it's all connected, in my mind at least, to the idea of progress. I should probably start by saying that I'm no traditionalist whether in my fishing or my fly tying-anyone who watches my videos will know that. The thing is I'm always being asked why I still use varnish instead of UV resin, or don't move to the new super thin gsp threads that will make my tying easier. Actually I really like UV resins- I've tried most of  the brands on the market, and use them a lot for certain things. Any time I want to replace epoxy as a head or body material, for example, light cured resins are the obvious choice. They are cleaner, consistent while working, set up instantly and don't yellow. But there are also things that they don't do better than the materials we had before. They're not glue and it doesn't matter how many people call them glue. If you need an adhesive a

  This bushy top dropper can be very effective around mayfly time, but is also worth having in the box later in the season too. To support my channel, join the monthly tying meetings 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 B175 size 10 -12 Thread: Olive Uni 8/0 Tag: Glo-brite no 5 Tail: Hen pheasant tail dyed picric Rib: Oval gold tinsel Body: Golden olive seal fur Body hackle: Red game saddle dyed picric Shoulder hackle: Orange hen Flash: Orange crinkle mirror flash Head hackle: Grey partridge dyed olive

This wet fly is a good option for the often frustrating situation of trout feeding on pin fry, the palmer hackle helps hold it up in the water column and it appears translucent when viewed from below. 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 B175 size 10 -12 Thread: Olive Uni 8/0 Tail: Teal/gadwall or similar Rib: Silver wire Body: Pearl lite brite or similar Body hackle: Dun, olive or grizzle cock Accent: Orange hen Head hackle: Dun, olive or grizzle hen

  This little black and pink snatcher is an absolute killer for midge feeding trout high in the water column, it's just as effective on stocked rainbows as it is the wild loch browns. 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 B100 size 12-14 Thread: Black Uni 8/0 Rib: Small oval silver Body: black seal fur Hackle: Black cock stripped on one side Head: Red ice yarn shredded into dubbing

  The Lifeboat Dun is a great dry fly option for fish that have become a bit selective during a mayfly hatch. It floats well, offering a realistic footprint & silhouette which is enough to tempt the fussiest of fish in rivers and still waters. To support my channel, join the online tying meetings 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 B420 size 10-16 Thread: Olive Uni 8/0 Tail: Golden pheasant tail fibres Rib: Oval gold Wing: Dun hen hackle tips Body: Natural seal fur Body hackle: Grizzle cock Front hackles: Green olive & Golden olive cock This pattern is for a danica/green drake imitation. Substitute colours/materials for other mayfly species. Patsy Deery's book "Irish Mayflies" is available from my amazon link https://amzn.to/3bRcZ3B

  Patsy Deery's Rollover Mayfly is a great choice for blowy days when the fish are up eating duns on the surface. It also makes a pretty decent dapping fly when the mayfly is on. Patsy Deery's book "Irish Mayflies" is available from my amazon link https://amzn.to/3bRcZ3B To support my channel get access to the monthly online tying meetings 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 B175 size 10-12 Thread: Rusty dun Uni 8/0 Rib: 4-6lb brown mono Wing: Mallard flank feather Tail: Cock pheasant tail fibres Body: Rear 1/4 pheasant tail, front 3/4 natural seal fur Hackle: Good quality grizzle cock

  The Lechlade Special is a large lead stalking bug for situations where you need something bigger that will really get down quickly. 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 B175 size 8 Thread: Uni 8/0 Tail: Marabou Body: Lead wire Nail varnish Acrylic paints