The Essential Fly Fishing & Tying Shop

We asked Phillippa Hake to tie up one of her lovely jig nymph patterns she has in her box when out targeting both trout and grayling! It’s a fly she says oozes movement and with the huge range of materials available, you can change the colour combination to suit the fish’s needs in your local river! Keep scrolling to see Phillippa’s step by step to tie your own!

There are many different chest packs out there on the market but for us, there’s one stand out performer that is loved by anglers all over the world. The Fishpond Cross Current Chest pack is all a river angler could want and more in a chest pack. Boasting with quality, let’s take a closer look at what you can expect with this fantastic bit of gear!

There’s nothing more disheartening than arriving at the river to it being a little higher than you anticipated. It is important to mention here that safety should always come first and you should never put your self in danger by entering a high river. Should the river still be fishable. you’ll be pleased to hear that it is still possible to tempt a few fish to the net! By taking the time to study the river, sometimes, you don’t even need to get in!

Heading out to catch some grayling this winter? We know choosing the right flies can be tricky! That's why we've got tips from Phillippa Hake on her favourite grayling rig for clear waters. And there's more to come! Keep an eye out for part 2, where Phillippa will guide you through her setup for higher water conditions.

Squirmy Worms have become increasingly popular amongst river anglers over the last few years. They are controversial with some anglers but in truth, they do work in certain fishing situations!

A frequently asked question is What fish can you fly fish for in the uk?? Well, it may surprise you but trout and salmon are not the only fish targetted by fly fishermen. Indeed there are many techniques and species that can be targetted with fly fishing.

A Question often asked is of us is "which fly for fishing for trout should I use"? It seems a simple question but there are thousands of flies for fishing we can use.

First thing we must remember if trout are not stupid like humans. We eat strawberries at Christmas when they are not in season, they are specially grown or imported for us. Trout are more simple and natural, they either eat what is in season, i.e. Daddy long Legs are seen commonly in June to September so less likely to provoke bites in the cold February months. Alternatively as trout don't have fingers we can trigger a response with a fly that looks like 'food' with an attractor like a hares ear nymph or lure like snake fly. Retrieved across or under the water these can provoke or stimulate an attack creating a bite.

Fishing is a beloved pastime for many, offering a chance to connect with nature, relax, and perhaps catch dinner. However, within the world of fishing, there are various techniques and styles that cater to different preferences and experiences. Two of the most popular methods are fly fishing and regular fishing (often referred to as spin fishing or bait fishing). While both aim to catch fish, they differ significantly in technique, equipment, and approach. In this blog post, we will explore these differences in detail.

As we head into October the fry fishing on the reservouirs around the UK is phenomenal! The trout are feeding hard on fry patterns so keep reading to see our top fly choices! There’s a real chance of catching yourself a big, overwintered and hard fighting fish at the moment too! Getting yourself out in some open water with a fast sinking line with a big snake or minkie fly is proving to be deadly at the moment! Those who prefer to fish a lighter sinking line will likely find fry feeders around the weed beds. What are you waiting for? Call your fishing friend and get out there with our top fly picks!

Phillippa Hake shares this winning gem! As we edge ever closer to the colder months, another trout season passes us by in a flash and leaves some great memories! You can’t help but feel the chill in the air which really, is actually getting me quite excited for some grayling days! Over the last few weeks I’ve been busy whipping up some grayling flies to try this autumn and winter. Keep reading to see my step by step on a little Pink Tag Nymph! Guaranteed to put a few grayling in your net!

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!

We know, We can’t believe it either! In just a few weeks this trout season will have ended and out attention will turn to winter grayling fishing and refilling our fly boxes! But that’s in a few weeks! There’s still plenty of time to get in the mix with some trout but be quick! This is your call to get the rods out and head to the river!

For anglers who are new to river fishing or transitioning from stillwater to river fishing. It can be quite daunting to know what flies you need and when to use them! Over the past few years I’ve made some slight changes to how many flies I carry in my box. At the end of a past season I looked at my fly box and realised I hadn’t used almost half of the flies in there! So now, my box often just a hand full of flies in different sizes and colours.

It seems these days that the camera has replaced the priest, as more and more anglers look to return their catch rather than kill fish. In many respects this is a great trend as not only are more fish to go round, but in a world of ever increasing prices, generally speaking catch and release permits work out cheaper. And, where wild trout are concerned, it’s important to return our catch so they can go on and spawn future generations. Firstly, whether you plan to return, or kill a given fish, we should respect our quarry.

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.

Targeting Pike on the fly can be some good fun! For beginners we’ve set out some bits you’ll need to tackle up for success for catching these beast fish! including Rods, Reels, Flies & Leaders.

The weather certainly doesn’t know what do at the moment! Last weeks mid 20’s temps have disappeared and it’s now back down to a chilly 12 degrees! The fishing however has still been ok! I headed out to my local river one evening after work recently, I was greeted with some good looking rising fish, after watching and making a few casts at them they weren’t to be! A quick move downstream to some faster water I grabbed my 10ft #3 nymphing rod and worked my nymphs through some of the deeper runs.

Picture this, You’ve arrived at the river to low water there are some fish rising but they are super spooky. These can be technical fish to fool with a stealthy approach. Spooking these fish can result in the pool being disturbed for some time. During this time a good tip is to seek out the faster, rifflly and more oxygenated water. Here, nymphing can be a deadly option!

It seems we have been waiting for a warm patch of weather for weeks now. The UK is currently seeing some nice warm temperatures, but, what does that mean for our fishing adventures? During the warmer months of the trout season, the fishing can become a little tough. Trout can become lethargic and not in the mood to eat! You’ll be pleased to know we can beat the heat but be prepared for some early starts!

Fishing repots from some of the UK’s top fisheries such as Rutland, Carsington & Grafham show it’s not easy out there just now! With the cold temperatures, fishing has been tough for some! With this in mind we’ve put together some flies you need in your box to conquer these waters on your next trip!