Got a dry fly only comp on a stillwater in a couple of weeks. Never fished a fly contest before but really looking forward to it. What are people thoughts and recommendations on the flies to use?
Also maybe a tad controvertialBUT would a FAB (Foam Ar** Blob) maybe on the point be simply not criket
Wouldn't be my first choice at all but maybe a good alternative if things get hard? cheers jon

For still waters, the following dry flies I would not be without:

F Fly, a simple pattern incorporating CDC
Shuttlecock
Walker's Sedge
Daddy Longlegs
Griffiths Gnat
Shipman's Buzzer
Brown Thing - one of my own creations
Mayfly - Green Drake - E. danica
Klinkhammer.

All good fish takers.

Thanks Ron, the thing that confuses me slightly is what is an official dry fly? as shuttlescocks, klinkhammers althoug float also so sit subsurface? also you have the scenario when your floating fly sinks pulls just under and then when retrieving you are likely to get some attention, does this still count as a dry fly?

heres one for you,deadly,

__________________
Silversedge
LETS TACKLE CANCER SUPPORTER
"MON THE HILL CLIMBERS!!"

Nice looking fly
Any advice on materials and tying? fairly new to it but think i could manage that ok, well maybe not as tidy

Light cahill thread,ribbed with 8/0 black thread,the thorax is hares ear and the wing is four cdc plumes,nice and simple.

__________________
Silversedge
LETS TACKLE CANCER SUPPORTER
"MON THE HILL CLIMBERS!!"

If it were on a stillwater I reckon I could get by on just 3:
Hacklepoint Coachman
Daddy long-legs
G&H Sedge

Forgot to add that bit it is on a still water, think it's about six acres in size.

Any fly that is held wholly or partly on the surface. It can be naturally bouyant or it can remain at the top of the water in the surface film. In fact most of the best dry flies would sink if you didn't make them buoyant using floatant.

Cul de canard (CDC) is naturally bouyant. Don't for goodness sake put floatant on CDC flies.

Don't forget to get at least 18 inches of the tippet to sink next to your fly. If you don't do this, the line floating on the meniscus of the water will show up like a length of rope and no fish, unless it is stupid, will take your fly. The way to get your tippet to sink is to rub it with a mixture of Fuller's Earth, Glycerine and Fairy Liquid. In absolute flat calms it may be necessary to sink your leader by rolling a thin length of tungsten putty about 18 inches from your fly. Kryston Ultra Heavy Metal is the best for this.

Oh and Kryston Incognito is the best fluorocarbon available!

Oh I forgot, you will probably need to carry a couple of Hawthorn flies (Bibio marci). If the weather warms up, these wonderful insects will be flying around and a few get blown on the water. As a result, the trout will often become pre-occupied with them and if you haven't got a decent imitation you will catch nowt.