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 hours str

  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