Note below - new barbless hooks

SOME NOTES ABOUT THE MATERIALS I USE:

Hooks:

I have decided to offer high quality barbless hooks for most of the dry flies. Options are given on the appropriate pages.
Since sizes are not regular through different brands and types of hook, here is a photo to show the comparison between ordinary straight shank dry fly hooks:


Note that I must apply an extra charge of 10p for TMC103BL.

For a full list of hook comparisons and measurements please check this page on my personal web site:
 FLYONAHOOK/ 

Dubbing:

I use seal fur where it is appropriate and for as long as it is available. It has a degree of translucency which no synthetic fibre can match and is particularly useful for the larger wet flies. For smaller flies, both wet and dry, I use wool almost exclusively. It also has good translucency which shows bold colour in transmitted light. Do not be mislead by its lack of surface shine, the gloss of synthetic fibre (e.g. 'Antron' aka trilobal nylon) is of little value.

I dye a standard range of colours on both wool and seal fur so that I can be sure of the constancy of shade and quality of dyeing. ( I am a qualified dyer and colour matcher)

Just to make life more interesting I often use mixtures of colours rather than solid shades. For example, my standard dubbing for Adams patterns, for which I have had many repeat orders, is a grey comprising white, royal blue and dark brown.

Where appropriate I am not averse to using synthetic additives such as fluorescent colours or a touch of sparkle. I use natural furs such as hare or mole and other 'specials' where tradition requires it.

Thread:

I use thread which is appropriate to the pattern. In the case of small dry flies where the least possible bulk of thread is desirable I use the finest threads available.

For an explanation of my method of testing thread bulk please check this page on my personal web site:
 FLYONAHOOK/ 

FEEDBACK

Customer comments

Hi Bernard, received flies, I can see know the difference between proper spiders and the cheap bulky ones I've been using
______________________________________________

Johnny
Hi Bernard, I tried those spiders you tied up for me last year, tonight on the local river. It's full of coarse fish with a smattering of trout. It was such a nice day I went down this evening and thought I'd have a go at upstream spiders a la Ollie Edwards. Long story short, I had some great fun. I fished a team of 3 with just 3 rod lengths of line out. It's a lovely way to fish and I'm going to get stuck into this spider lark.My most succesful fly was the Stewarts Black spider. I had 4 trout to 9" and loads of dace and chub. I wanted to get my technique right before I went onto the trout streams. I'm having another session tomorrow evening and then I should be confident to tackle the trout properly. I can't wait. I think it's a deadly way to fish. I don't suppose you've got any Mohican Mayflies, Green, to hand? They are the dogs nuts. They ride the river like Spanish Galleons. I've had loads on them. The trouble is what with the Tree Fairy and every time I open my box, my syndicate members dive in , I've only got 5 left Very windy but I had 6 nice fish all on your little pink bug - again.
______________________________________________

Ian
I used the tungsten-headed GRHE nymphs to great effect on the River Dove last week – it is a good pattern for me. In fact it was the first fly I tied on and I caught a nice brownie first cast...but I also lost a few.
__________________________________________

Gavin
Back from South Uist after very bad weather 3 days at force 8 made fly fishing interesting to say the least, Soldier Palmers fished well along with Kate McClaren’s, but the Moon shine and bloody butchers excelled as many of the lochs had large stocks of sticklebacks so fishy flies were the order of the day on most lochs
__________________________________________

Niall
The flies are exquisite – even my wife says so, but she prob needs excuse to go to Glasgow for new shoes!
_____________________________________________

Hi Bernard, I said I'd give you an up-date when we got back from fishing in the Dales. We fished two days on the Wharfe at Bolton Abbey and one day on the Ure at Bainbridge using your flies. The day on the Ure was a bit of a waste of time as the river was really low and I'm sure those easily-spooked fish saw us coming a mile off! The two days on the Wharfe were really enjoyable, especially as the water bailiff gave us some great advice as well as a master class on the river - for free. I caught 5 on the first day but only one up to the 10" size. On the second visit I had 4 but all good fish up to 13-14". In total, I caught all but one on the various dries you supplied us with, the odd one being on a spider, so you can give yourself a pat on the back. The bailiff approved of your flies too! It was lovely using such light tackle and set-ups with such small flies. I don't suppose the fish would have looked at anything bigger! We also went to Fewston (a hot and bright day), Leighton Reservoir (blowing a gale) and had a nice half-day on the Coniston Hotels lake (caught a beautiful brownie). Next time we know we're coming up we'll definitely get you to re-stock our river-fly boxes and thanks again for all your help. Regards. Mike
_________________________________________________

thanks, i've recieved them and once again they are outstanding grant Grant
______________________________________________________

Good morning Bernard.
I've just returned from 3 fantastic days on the Test and Itchen grayling fishing. The pink bug did the business as usual. While we were on the Itchen a film crew were filming some Cooks Challenge programme and the keeper had to catch some fish etc. Sods law, the more he tried the less the fish responded. As he was on a deadline, the call went out that any rod catching fish around the 1lb mark knock it on the head. Step forward Johnny with the pink grub! So somewhere in the ether is a grayling caught on your handiwork
________________________________________________

Hi Bernard,
Many thanks for flies - they are fanstastic !! Regards Graham
_______________________________________________

Bronte Fly Fishing Club
A new local club developing new waters.

TROUT'S EYE VIEW
A fly-dresser's site with a refreshing approach.