Phillippa Hake shares a fly she doesn’t leave home without!

I recently had a red letter evening on my local river. I arrived at the river and it just felt right! I always stand and observe what is happening before I make a cast. It can often give you the answers you need to fool a fish! Weather that be you spotting what the fish is taking or the fish rises and gives away its spot! I tackle up with my trusty 10ft 4wt, my go too rod for river fishing. I have a 12ft tapered leader and with us being mid season and the rivers being on the low side, I added a couple of extra feet of tippet to the end of my tapered leader.

Its important, especially in summer when the rivers are low and the trout are much more spooky. To keep a low profile, creep up slowly to your desires spot and try keep movement to a minimum. On the business end of the leader, a fly that has been my “confidence” fly this season I knotted on a size 18 Griffiths Gnat. Throughout the summer months this season, when the temperatures have been good and the river in fine condition, this fly has out fished any fly I’ve had on! 

Recently Semperfli released their Synthetic Peacock Herl which I use to tie Griffiths Gnats now! The 2mm in Green Peacock is just stunning and unlike natural peacock doesn’t snap. This makes the fly much more robust and last longer!

Buy Synthetic Peacock Herl Here!

I saw a fish to make a cast at, I steadily got into my position, made a cast, nothing. Second cast I made was a few feet further above.. bam, it took my Griffiths Gnat and all hell broke loose but it wasn’t long until it slid over my net. A net full of Yorkshire gold.

Buy Griffiths Gnats Here!