Spider's Fly pics - My top river flies of 2009

[Spider]

Hi all, the following were my top flies last year , hope they give some ideas. Apologies if the tyings are a bit below the normal high standards on this site.

1. Pheasant and Squirrel

This is a new one for me, just another variation. A subtle nymph, worth considering in smooth glides and shallow water where stealth is so key.

Hook - Skalka Wet ( Dohiku and Knapek also used, as in most of the above flies )
Thread - Brown /Olive / Black
Tail and body - Pheasant tail
Thorax - Squirral ( or hare and squirral )
Bead - 2mm black

2. Hends Nymph

The pattern with the highest catch rate per time spent in the water. Basically I only tied a few of these last season but they were deadly from the moment they hit the water. Have many more ready for the new season, some with additional CDC in thorax. Hends Body quills comes in loads of colours, and can be coloured with markers. Really impressive nymph which I sorted of adapted from a Hends sponsored fly tying book and DVD combination.

Dohiku Size 14 Nymph
Thread - White for body, olive for head/thorax
Body - Hends Body Quills
Tail - Cock Pheasant
Thorax - Prism SLF ( Peacock) + Squirral or Hare mixed in
Bead - 2mm Tungsten

3. Golden Hare Nymph

This is a fly I havent really seen tied by anyone else but I'm sure it exists. Deadly all last season, particularly on wary fish when tied with a black bead. I tie these fairly light, to avoid loud plops on landing! Golden pheasant tail makes for a lovely mottled body.

Hook - Skalka Wet 14 + 16 ( particularly )
Thread - Olive / Brown / Black
Tail - Golden Pheasant
Body - Golden Pheasant
Wire - Fine gold or copper
Thorax - Squirral
Bead - 2mm copper/black/gold

4. Pheasant Tail Flashback Nymph

A consistent catcher, I wouldnt be without these in size 14 and 16.

Hook - Skalka Wet size 16
Thread - Brown or Olive
Tail and Body - Cock Pheasant
Thorax - Prism SLF ( Peacock )
Bead - Copper/gold/tungsten 2, 2.3, 2.5, 3.0mm

5. Hares Ear Straggle Fritz

Accounted for my biggest river trout last season ( about 1.5 - 2lb ). The straggle looks a bit stragglier on the photo than in reality.

Hook - Skalka Wet - Size 14 / 16
Thread - Olive/Brown
Body - Hares ear and Squirral mixed
Rib - Fine gold wire
Tail - Golden Pheasant
Thorax - Straggle Fritz in Pearl , clipped
Bead - 2mm tungsten

6. Griffiths Gnat

Most people know the composition of this fly, just to say that it changed my smallish river fishing straight away. This is tied on a size 16, and i dont really use bigger than this. 16s and 18s are my mainstay. I find using a narrower hackle than shown here is better, and than the lower it sits in the water film, the better the results, as trout just "kiss" it down calmly.


Thanks to Rob (Scratch) for doing the digital on these. A proper gentleman. Hope the winter tying is going well for all.....

[seanie]

Nothing to apologise for.Those flees are as good as any. I'd happily fish them and I wouldn't doubt that I'd catch lots of fish on them.


Sean

[burhan]

lovely flies mate. one of my best flies was similar to your ptn flashback. it had an orange thorax instead and i had 5 different species on it too.

burhan

[fish stalker]

I like the look of them all.
Very nice
Thanks for sharing

[otter]

Not bad john, for a redneck munsterman that is . Some nice nymphs, is the box ready for march .... 45 days to go

[murtol]

Great looking flies there Spider, excellent tying, I'd be very confident of catching with any of those. Thanks for sharing.

[g bigtrout]

Perfect for the rivers m8....i would use them all v.nice.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by otter

Not bad john, for a redneck munsterman that is . Some nice nymphs, is the box ready for march .... 45 days to go

Jeez Otter I've only started on the dries! Thats hends stuff is interesting and although i only tied one colour, you can mess around with different coloured body quills for lovely results. Got it from a Wicklowman aswell , and if you want to talk redneck thats as good a county as any......!!

I may need that BWO instruction that you had last year if you still have it. I'm not good at interpreting hatches bar LDOs, small olives and tiny black stuff, so last year all I used were Klinks, Griffiths , and F Flies....

[stockiebasherno1]

They look the Dogs B***cks
But wheres the partridge and orange , or waterhen bloa? lol
You gotta have some of them in your box

[Buzz]

You have been hiding your light under a bushel!
Top nymphs.
So when do we get to see the dries?