I've now got to the stage where I buy very few patterns perhaps a few Humpys or Mayfly patterns. My flies are not particularly pretty but they seem to work OK, I like to think of them as pragmatic! I try to concentrate on getting what I believe are the triggers something like and settling for that. I thought I'd share a few of my recent patterns with the forum. The photos aren't brilliant I'm experimenting to find the best technique to capture flys well.
Pink Charm - this is probably my most successful pattern for Grayling in the winter. I saw the pattern in T&S a couple of years ago.
Scruffy Klink - the wing on this one is a bit wobbly. I should have selected a better example from the fly box. I find this a great prospecting fly on the smaller rivers in Derbyshire.
Emerger - I found this pattern whilst surfing the other week. Forgive me for not giving credit to the originator but I can't find it again. I think I started out on Dave Wiltshire's blog but can't find where I ended up. This looks like a pattern that will catch to me and I am looking forward to giving it go in the spring.
BWO Attempt - I have been looking for a basic BWO imitation and tyed this based upon a pattern that was on the FDG website but I think it has gone now (I have a PDF of it if anyone is interested). It's not half as pretty as the one in their step by step but I think it may catch, or am I barking up the wrong tree? If anyone could direct me to something pragmatic then it would be much appreciated.
Para Adams - Of all the patterns I have tyed recently this is one of those I am most pleased with. I have cheated on the hackle though using white and red game rather than grizzle. I must make an investment in some grizzle hackles! I've tied this on a Partridge barbless size 16.
Some of my patterns
SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.
Linear Mode
