A couple of my mates, who are not really fly tiers, are off to R,P, and G in the summer.
I intend to give them a wee present of some flies for their trip.
Are there any patterns specific to these waters or would a selection of general buzzers, nymphs etc do?

Any advice greatfully recieved, Graham.

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It is in truth not glory,nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting,but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with his life.(Declaration of Arbroath, 1320)

I fish pitsford a fair bit and have good sport on black buzzers with a bit of orange in them and red dwach barr and if they dont get you any luck then a orange blob is the go-too


craig

Cheers for that.

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It is in truth not glory,nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting,but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with his life.(Declaration of Arbroath, 1320)

I'd say that the same patterns will serve you well on all waters...

I'd never be without the following patterns:-

Red Holo Diawl Bach - (size 10)
Stripped Quill Buzzer (black size 10)
Cormorant (Size 10)
Orange Blob (size 10)
Sparkler booby (gold & silver mix..black fritz body)


Hummungus size 8 (black & silver)2-3" tail
Hummungus Booby Size 8 (black & silver)2-3 " tail
Cat's Whisker size 8 2-3" tail
Cat's Whisker Booby size 8 2-3" tail..


The above would do me all year.....

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Thanks for that Rob. Pretty much along the lines I suspected, good to have it comfirmed.

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It is in truth not glory,nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting,but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with his life.(Declaration of Arbroath, 1320)

Hello Rob

Take it you fish your "desert island flies" mainly on the drift.Could I ask how you team them up and lines you fish the selections on depending on the conditions/times of the season.

Thx JP

Hi Rob
what strength leader would you recommend, how long, how many flies and what nylon do you use?

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Basically when i'm straight nymphing I fish the Traffic light buzzer on the point, then a red holo diawl then a buzzer then a diawl, all 4ft apart (16ft leader)

On the washing line (midge tip/slow glass/fast glass/di-3)same set up but with a small eyed booby (usually a cormorant booby or a sparkler booby)

When pulling (fast glass-di-7) I usually go with just 2 flies...around 7ft to the top dropper (sparkler booby) then 12ft to the point an orange blob (19ft leader)

Early season March - End of April I always start on a Di-7 with a nice 2-3" cat booby or hummungus booby on a 7ft leader...if you don't get takes within 30 mins move as your not on fish.

May- end of June you can usually fish the nymphs on a floater or a midge tip, or pull on the fish, as at this time of the year the fishing should be at its best.
Cormorants on a Di-3 will also work

July -August the fish will all be out in the middle and on daphnia so pulling will work well, but the depth of the fish will vary due to the weather conditions.

September - Onwards the fish will be on the fry so its back to the big boobies or a hummungus for me.

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I'd use the flies mentioned from boat or bank.

As regards leader, Si are you taking the P...

You know exactly what I use !

Always Rio Fluroflex+ in 12lb

or Orvis Mirage in 9.5lb

never bother with anything else, as i feel these 2 are the best products available

Oh and when drinking I'm partial to anything thats wet...just like you Si

I didn't get this size by being fussy !

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oops rumbled!
Excellent info from Rob. Personally I'd never be without green holo DB's at Grafham....and don't forget the dries if it's end of May onwards. Claret hoppers, GR hare ears cdc f wing, olive or claret shuttlecocks.

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