Old fly patterns

[loch lubnaig]

I have thought about getting into fly tying as another part of my fly fishing hobby but my question is this, having been taught to fly fish by my grandfather back in the 1970s allways for brown trout we had real success using his own tied flys ,after he died in the 80s i was given all his fly fishing gear being the only family member to take up fishing, recently i opened up a box which contained his fly tying stuff feathers,fur etc some dating back to the 60s i also found a list of fly patterns some which you dont readily see nowadays,if tied using these traditional materials will they still be as effective given the advancement in fly tying over the decades,i still fly fish for browns and would like to try,any thoughts ?

[Wee Jimmy]

Fly tying materials might have moved on but,trout are still trout mate....

[emerger1981]

definately mate..
certain patterns and materials are to catch the tier's pocket more than the fish.. im sure you'll enjoy the tying when you get started but like i say dont feel the need for the latest thing just to catch fish,

[coasty]

The old patterns still work for me I love em


Andy


Becks and Brown Trout

[richardw]

Originally Posted by loch lubnaig

I have thought about getting into fly tying as another part of my fly fishing hobby but my question is this, having been taught to fly fish by my grandfather back in the 1970s allways for brown trout we had real success using his own tied flys ,after he died in the 80s i was given all his fly fishing gear being the only family member to take up fishing, recently i opened up a box which contained his fly tying stuff feathers,fur etc some dating back to the 60s i also found a list of fly patterns some which you dont readily see nowadays,if tied using these traditional materials will they still be as effective given the advancement in fly tying over the decades,i still fly fish for browns and would like to try,any thoughts ?

Advancements? Okay there are some interesting additions to fly dressing since the 1970's but those old flies worked then and will work now. The oldest patterns are probably the best we have as they would have been forgotten long ago if they didn't keep catching fish. Every season a good dozen or so fish fall to my rod using the oldest dressing we know about, the Red Hackle. It was an old pattern when Ælian wrote about it in AD 200.

richard

[shpeil]

Agreed - nowt wrong with old patterns. Would be interesting to see these old dressings if you fancy posting them up.

Neil

[richardw]

Originally Posted by shpeil

Agreed - nowt wrong with old patterns. Would be interesting to see these old dressings if you fancy posting them up.

Neil

Kite's Imperial 1950's



Double Badger 1930's



Grey Duster Pre WW I



Charles Cotton's Black Fly - 17th Century

richard

[flytier07]

Those postings look good to me. I still use Royal coachmen, black gnats and professors I tied way back in the 60s while living in america and they work just as well as my gawdy newer patterns-some times better. As the wise man said-trout will always be trout-pattern styles and materials may change, but the trout eat what they like!

[coasty]

Red Tag, Treacle Parkin, Erics Beetle and John Storey to name just a few all flies as good now as they were 50 yrs ago .


Andy


Becks and Brown Trout

[doonicus]

loch lubnaig,
Do dress the flies to your grandfather's instructions, you will be very surprised how well they will work for you. I bet most fly tyers on here would love to see the sbs of patterns that your grandfather left you. These patterns are a real treasure for you, they will have been collected and refined during many of your grandfather's fly fishing outings, what a wonderful gift to have
Sam

---------- Post added at 01:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:04 AM ----------

Like yourself, Andy, I love traditional flies, and fish them all the time for brown trout. They can be a real winner with rainbows as well.
Had a look at your blog, enjoyed reading some of it, and will be back for another browse. Nice flies, and photos, well done mate.