We all know that grayling are suckers for anything pink and purple when it comes to fooling the lady of the stream during the crisp cold months! Now is a great time to stock up on your beads and get some flies tied up and grayling in the net this winter!

Testing new materials and flies Andy Kitchener set out with the new Semperfli Mopster Mop chenille so we can tell you if it actually works... safe to say its a winner! Read on to see how he got on.

Originally labeled the “Bristol Hopper” what we now know as the ‘Hopper’ was developed in the Bristol area on reservoirs like Chew Valley some years ago now. The original I believe was the Amber Hopper though theses days this dressing has been used as a blue print for all the hoppers we see today.

We are often asked about colour shasdes and how much they vary between manufacturers, especially on Wires.

Here you can see a collation of our most popular wire manufacturers, matched by colour (the closest match possible anyway) and photographed outside on a sunny day as studio light can alter the visible colour as well as computer screen variation in pixels.

Top Fly Tying Materials That Won’t Break The Bank! Remember, we only recommend what we use ourselves! If you don't tie, don't worry, our top fly recommendations are here too! Often described like “kids in a sweet shop” it can be a fly tyers paradise scouring the internet for fly tying materials. Now that’s all good and well, if you know what you need and what you're looking at! However for novice fly tyers it can be a daunting task at picking out the right materials. This is where we, your good friends at The Essential Fly come in. We’ve hand picked some of the hottest fly tying materials that are taking the world by storm. And the best bit? All at affordable prices! Keep scrolling to see the materials you need to start your fly tying adventure!

Fly Tying Thread Selection

Dernier, aught ie 8/0 polyester it all gets a little confusing. See Paul's simple guide to thread selection

Thread:
Selection Process
Characteristics
Twisted or Untwisted?

Final hatch chart of the year.
New Fishpond product launched.

Come the dying days of the season, a number of river insects can be expected, but one of the most prevalent will be Large Dark Olives.

There are some questions that we all ask. Here are the ones that Loon Outdoors often get asked about their Resins.

Here is how to remove the tip cap from the lid and to attach the applicator needles.

There are many hook manufacturers who each name their hooks something different to be unique. How are you supposed to know what hooks are a suitable alternative?

We have combined traditional companies that we all know and love with some of the newer modern companies so you know which hooks are suitable for your flies.

Rio Products have some great tips and advise on fly fishing and we have their latest video links here

Semperfli Fly Paint in Fluorescent solid and metallic enhanced colours give the ability to enhance flies like never before.

New catalogue, new materials and plenty of hits, tips and advise from Semperfli and their Pro Team. The photos of the flies are astounding real works of art! Even if you are not into tying flies yourself looking at the 'magazine' style catalogue can inspire you.