Dry Flies
Wet Flies
Nymph Flies
Bass Bugs

Advice on a beginners trout fly box
Tarpon, Permit & Bonefish Flies
Salmon and Steelhead Trout Flies
Streamers, Lures, & Hairwings

A Trout's Diet
Deceivers & Attractors
Sea Trout Flies
Offshore Sailfish flies

 NYMPH FLIES

Nymphs and most wet flies are very similar, they both represent insects in their aquatic life stage. This stage comes before the adult stage (dry fly). While nymphs and wet flies may imitate slightly different things, the main difference is wet flies have wings and nymphs do not. These flies weigh a little more than a dry fly, and weight is often added to them in order for them to achieve the proper depth. This additional weight makes them a little harder to cast but the good news is that there is almost no wind resistance. Generally fish nymph flies along the bottom, moving it slowly and smoothly. Every now and then dart the fly forward as if it is attacking its prey. It can also appear to a fish that it is trying to escape from its advances. Such movements may induce a following trout to take your fly.

CADDIS FLIES

Caddis flies are from the insect group called Trichoptera (Greek for 'hairwing'). They can be found anywhere there is fresh water. The drab colored adults are moth like flying insects. Their wings are covered with hair rather than scales. They are mostly nocturnal and hide in vegitation during the daytime. Mating takes place at dusk in swarms or on the vegitation. The eggs are laid, dropped or fall into the water depending on the species of caddis fly. The larvae are caterpillar-like and are famous for the way that some encase themselves for protection. Not all spiecies do this. Those that do use silk secreated from glands in their head. They use a great variety of material to build their protective case such as plans, twigs, stems, leaves, sand grains, small stones and sticks. After five laval stages the adult finally emerges still inveloped in the pupal skin and swims upwards to the surface where it moults the skin and emerges. It has to expand and harden its wings before taking to the air. During all stages of its life cycle it provides food for many freshwater fish.

We stock many flies that imitate different stages of the caddis flies development as well as different species Cassed Caddis Nymph #304, Caddis Suspender Nymph #305, Stick fly Nymph #331, Sedge Pupae Brown Leaded Nymph Long Shank Fly #349, Sedge Pupae Green Leaded Nymph Long Shank Fly #350, Sedge Pupae Orange Leaded Nymph Long Shank Fly #351, Orange Headed Stick Fly Leaded Nymph Long Shank #352, Stick Fly Flousescent Green Tail Leaded Nymph Long Shank #353 Stick Fly Red Tail Leaded Nymph Long Shank Fly #354, Caves Caddis Leaded Nymph Long Shank Fly #355, Caddis Gold Bead Head Fly #220, Sedge Pupa Gold Bead Head Fly #214, Brown Sedge Dry Fly #113, Black Sedge Dry Fly #131, Orange Sedge Pupa Fritz Fly #165, Red and Brown Sedge Fritz Fly #167, Olive Sedge Pupa Fritz Fly #178, and Cinnamon Sedge Wet Fly #440

Buy a Bitch at www.flyfishing-flies.com

BITCH CREEK NYMPHS

When salmonfly/stonefly nymphs start their migrations to the river's edge in preparation for hatching, the most deadly of flies to have in your flybox is this imitation. It is also a good year-round fly as these insects spend three years at the nymph stage before hatching. These flies have two thin rubber band legs; two at the tail and two at the head. These distinctive features are tied to provoke the fish to strike as they move when retrieved in short jerks. The Bitch Creek is a favorite during heat waves and is usually allowed to sink to a depth of 13 -1 7 ft (4-5m) before the line is manipulated. You will catch a lot of trout but be prepared to loose a few flies in the river bottom at that depth so make sure your flybox is well stocked.

GOLD RIBBED HARES EAR NYMPH FLY

The Hare's Ear is one of the all time great effective classic patterns. Its origins are unknown but it is believed that Frederick Helford popularized the pattern in the late 1880s as a dry fly. The mayfly nymph can be imitated quite well with a large gold ribbed Hare's ear. It can be fished either weighted or unweighted. If greased, it floats and provides an excellent imitation of large, hatching mayflies and caddis fly pupae. The most common method of fishing this popular fly is on a dead drift. The nymph is cast upstream and allowed to drift with the current. This is a most effective short-range technique and takes are usually seen as a splash at the surface. The weighted version of the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear has proven it's effectiveness in lakes. Fished very slowly near the bed of the lake it is particularly attractive to brown trout. Along with the pheasant tail nymph it is one of our most ordered flies. Both flies should be in your fly box in different sizes. Look for our Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Gold Bead Head fly #217, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Wet Fly #479 and the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph Fly #303

Order Nymphs at the Fly Fishing Shop www.flyfishing-flies.com

 PHEASANT TAIL NYMPH FLIES

The Pheasant Tail Nymph is arguably the most useful nymph. It suggests all sorts of real Trout food throughout the season. The standard pattern developed by Sawyer in England uses the butt ends of the Pheasant to build a wing case. A useful variation is this fly tied as a gold bead head.

The Pheasant Tail is, without doubt, the best may fly nymph imitation ever designed. It works effectively in the moving water of streams and the still water of lakes. It is one of the five most popular trout flies used. Different types of may flies appear all year long, and the nymph stage is the easiest one for trout to find consistently. May fly's nymphs are versatile as they can live in fast, turbulent water, or in slow or still water environments. By shuffling the gravel on a stream or lake, and looking on stream bed rocks, you'll find the nymphs and it's a simple matter of matching the fly size to get a convincing match.

Early fly fishing in America was influenced very significantly by English traditions, particularly before 1920. Today, America has its own flies, techniques and equipment. However, some English traditions still have a tremendous influence. One of these is the work of George Edward MacKenzie Skues, a solitary bachelor lawyer and master of the famous River Itchen, in Hampshire, Southern England. (the same UK county where the English Fly Fishing Shop is based) Between 1900 and 1939, Skues wrote dozens of articles for British fishing magazines as well as several influential books, almost exclusively on fishing for trout with nymphs. American fly anglers still read Skues for insights and inspiration.

Skues successor as a leader in nymph fishing also was an Englishman, Avon River Keeper Frank Sawyer, who himself wrote widely and developed several very effective nymph patterns. If Skues is the grandfather of modern nymph fishing, Frank Sawyer is the father. Sawyer's most famous and widely heralded fly is the Pheasant Tail nymph.

To document the effectiveness of this pattern, Gary Borger, in his book Nymphs, noted that in 1973 he received Frank Sawyer's book for his birthday and from it tied some Pheasant Tail nymphs for use on a Montana spring creek. In his first experience with this fly, he caught 27 fish in 100 feet of stream in 2 hours, all between 1 and 3.5 pounds. While I make no promises, this anecdote illustrates why you need to add this fly to your nymph selection, if you have not already done so. It's a good idea to carry a good size assortment of Pheasant Tail Nymphs. The English Fly fishing Shop carries a range of six Pheasant Tail Nymphs. Don't leave home without them!

Visit the Fly Fishing Shop www.flyfishing-flies.com

WALKER'S MAYFLY NYMPH

Richard Walker was a great designer of trout flies with many well thought out patterns to his credit. He is the author of the book 'Modern Trout Fishing'. His mayfly nymph is one of the best: observing the natural mayfly, he noted that it was not olive, as some authorities had stated but a pale ivory. Have a look at our Leaded Long Shank Walker's Mayfly Nymph #341, Gold Bead Head version #223 and Glass Nymph version #370.

BUZZER NYMPHS

Tiny flies that inhabit lakes and slow-flowing rivers are sometimes known as midges or buzzers. They appear in vast swarms on most still-waters towards the evenings. They can tolerate relatively high levels of pollution. Where they congregate on the windward side of a lake their tiny larvae and pupae are scooped up in large numbers by surface feeding trout. Dr H A Bell developed the original buzzer as an imitation of the midge pupa. Chironomid Pupae (more commonly known as midges) are at their most vulnerable when they make their journey to the surface. The pupae drift gently up to the surface where the survivors struggle to break through the surface film. Many do not make it, especially if the water is very choppy or if a flat calm has allowed oily film to form. At this stage trout patrol the surface sipping in huge quantities of hatching midges.

The buzzer can be fished just bellow the surface by greasing all but the last three inches of the leader. If there is a single ripple, an occasional twitch of the fly line is enough to attract attention. In flat calm conditions it is usually better to fish the buzzer static in the surface film. An alternative tactic is to degrease the leader and allow the buzzer to sink very slowly. Using this technique you should be ready for takes 'on the drop', as a trout seizes the buzzer some distance below the surface. We stock a large range of buzzers. Look four or range of Suspender Buzzer Nymphs, Shipman's Buzzer Nymphs and the regular Buzzer Nymphs

SHIPMAN'S BUZZERS

Dave Shipman's buzzers are extraordinarily versatile. The great thing about this pattern is that it does not need floatant. It is a pattern that will seduce the most suspicious of fish. The scruffier the pattern the better it seems to fish. Once it has caught a few trout do not discard the fly if it has been chewed try it again and wait for more hits.

SUSPENDER BUZZER NYMPHS

These were originally devised by the famous fishing entomologist John Goddard. His style of buoyant fly made quite an impact when it first appeared. Thepolystyrene bead gives buoyancy as the artificial fly hangs at the correct angle on the underside of the surface film. This fly bears a strong resemblance to a midge bursting free of its pupal stage on the water surface before it turns into the flying insect. Try and match the color of the artifical fly to the hatching insects pupa. Different species of midges (Chironomidae) have different colored aquatic pupa. The Red Suspender Buzzer fly #81 is a good match for the species that have red bloodworm lava.

BLOODWORM NYMPHS

The lava of some species of midges (Chironomidae) that live in oxygen-poor or stagnant water are called bloodworms. Their red coloration is due to the presence of haemoglobin in their body fluids. They live either on the bottom among debris inside small tubes made of a gelatinous substance coated with silt particles or some types swim freely. They are an important source of food for many freshwater fish. There can be as many as four generations in a year. Fish your bloodworm fly deep and retrieve it very slowly whilst quivering your hand. If the water in your area has bloodworms you will also need the Red Suspender Buzzer fly 81 in your flybox. It is ideal to use when the bloodworm hatch into the flying insect after its pupal stage.

Buy Nymphs at the English Fly Fishing Shop www.flyfishing-flies.com

CADDIS LAVA NYMPH FLIES

Caddis flies are one of the most abundant forms of food trout can find. The larva take almost a year to grow. You can find the larva on the bottoms and sides of stream bed rocks and in the stream bed itself. Freestone streams are the usual home to caddis. They like the fast, rocky bottoms and the riffled water to grow in. This makes the caddis larva a favorite part of a trout's diet. There are different types of Caddis. They can be very small to very large, making sense to have a good supply of large and small flies in a variety of colours.

If you arrive at a stream and there aren't visible insects or feeding fish, check the bottom of stream rocks. You'll find caddis lava and be able to match the size and color of the available larva, and offer trout a food form they are used to seeing and eating. The best way to fish a caddis larva is the crimp a split shot 6-12" above the fly on your leader and attach a strike indicator above the fly equal to 1 1/2 times the water depth you will fish. This is the basic nymph fly setup for fishing. Now cast upstream into the riffles and pockets of turbulent water. Fish the fly on stream bottom where trout are used to feeding on the real bugs. Watch the indicator for the slightest hesitation. If it stops momentarily or darts slightly from side to side, gently lift the rod tip up and be prepared to feel the live sensation of a trout. Many times you'll snag on the stream bottom. This is good. If you don't, you aren't fishing the fly where trout are used to finding it.

However, it is possible to increase your probability of success further by considering the life cycle of the caddis fly, which include larval, pupal and adult (flying) stages. Of these the larval stage is in the stream for the majority of the caddis life cycle, up to over a year in some species, while the pupal and adult stages last but a few days each. Obviously (depending upon species), the caddis larva is more available to the fish than other stages of the caddis and hence the most likely to catch fish. Try an English Fly Fishing Shop's Cassed Caddis Nymph #304 or the later development stage Caddis Suspender Nymph #305. For weighted caddis flies go to the Gold Bead Head and Leaded Long Shank Nymphs sections of our on-line fly shop

STICK FLY NYMPH

Designed by David Collyer to imitate the laval form of sedge flies which build a camouflaged case around themselves. In its original form, this is a very uninteresting fly but nevertheless, it is a producing pattern with a very high strike rate. The attractiveness of the pattern is enhanced, to the angler at least, by the addition of a green tag for the tail. It is the basic shape and the 'fuzzy' outline of the fly caused by the sparse spun brown hackle behind the eye, which I am sure is the reason for its success. It must be retrieved slowly. Look for our Stick Fly nymph #331.

SEDGE PUPAE NYMPH FLIES

Sedge are adult Caddis flies. The sedge pattern is a general representation of the many different sedge pupae found in still waters. During the summer months the pupa swims to the surface or to the shore in order to undergo the final transformation and become the adult sedge fly.

The sedge pupa fly can be fished at mid-water or near the bottom with a sinking line. It can also be fished just under the surface with a floating, sink-tip or very slowly sinking line. Retrieve the pupa at a medium pace with long steady pulls and pause here and there. Look for Brown Sedge Pupae Leaded Long Shank Nymph #349, Green Sedge Pupae Leaded Long Shank Nymph #350 and Orange Sedge Pupae Leaded Long Shank Nymph #351

INVICTA NYMPH

This fly was created in the late 19^th century by James Ogden and is as popular today as it was then. It makes a fair imitation of an emerging sedge pupa. We stock the Invicta Nymph as #311

AMBER NYMPH #303

It is believed that the first pattern devised specifically to imitate a sedge pupa was devised in the mid-1920's by Dr Howard Bell. He called it the Amber Nymph. Try our Amber Nyph #303.

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SHRIMP NYMPH FLIES

This pattern represents the fresh water shrimp, a resident of well oxygenated water. A leaded shrimp is ideally suited for margin fishing in clear water lakes and rivers. Let the shrimp sink to the bottom where trout are hunting. The combination of leaded wire and the shape of the body results in the fly adopting an inverted hook attitude which simulates the natural movement of the shrimp in a very life like manner. Look for Light Shrimp Nymph #313, Natural Shrimp Nymph #319 and Leaded Shrimp Nymph #320.

WOOLLY WORM NYMPH FLIES

These palmered flies with short red tails are very popular in America as a good large larval imitation generally categorized as a nymph although this pattern had its origins in Europe. It comes in many colors. The palmered hackle gives the impression of movement and causes water vibrations that are detected by predatory trout and salmon. They are ideal for rapid pockets. Caddis flies at the larval stage protect them selves by building a case. The small red tail tries to simulate the head or legs projecting from the protective case. When birds eat cassed cadis larva they take off the case before eating the lava. Fish cannot do this so eat the larva and the case whole. This explains why you often find pine needles, bits of wood and grains of gravel in the otherwise empty stomach of rainbow and brown trout. Have a selection of different colored woolly worms in your fly box and try to match the color of the materials the local caddis larval worms are using to protect themselves. Fish these flies deep, with short jerks on the line. In New Zealand this fly is used to imitate the 'creeper' (Archichauliodes diversus) the larval form of the Megaloptera insect group. They are more commonly known as the the toe-biter, black fellow or black creeper. The adult winged insects are called Dobsonflies, lace-wings or alderflies. In Europe they are used as a good stonefly larva imitation. In America they have also been passed off successfully as the underwater stages of the Hellgrammite, riffle-beetle or damselfly. Many modern fly patterns are variations on the basic woolly worm design. The original is still a great trout taker.

Order your worms at www.flyfishing-flies.com

IVENS' BROWN NYMPH FLY

A very successful nymph pattern, best fished just under the surface that works with slow or fast retrieves. It was designed by Tom Ivens. Look for our version of Ivens' Brown Nymph #333

ORANGE CHOMPER NYMPH FLIES #316

This is a successful shrimp pattern designed by John Goddard. Also have a look at our Red Chomper #322, White Chomper #318 and Green Chomper #310

RED CHOMPER NYMPH FLIES #322

This is a successful shrimp pattern designed by John Goddard. Also have a look at our Orange Chomper #316, White Chomper #318 and Green Chomper #310

GREEN CHOMPER NYMPH FLIES #316

This is a successful shrimp pattern designed by John Goddard. Also have a look at our Red Chomper #322, White Chomper #318 and Orange Chomper #316

WHITE CHOMPER NYMPH FLIES #318

This is a successful shrimp pattern designed by John Goddard. Also have a look at our Red Chomper #322, Green Chomper #310 and Orange Chomper #316

ZUG BUG LEADED LONG SHANK NYMPH #344

This American fly is a general imitation fly of the larger subaquatic insects. The 'tails' on a number of immature species are often heavily fibrous gill elements.

TUPP'S INDISPENSABLE NYMPH FLY

This fly was devised by a professional tier Mr R. S Austin of Tiverton, Devon, South West England in about 1900. G.E.M. Skues the great nymph fly fisher is believed to have given it it's name. It is popular when pale midge or caenis are on the fish's menu. Try our Tupp's Indispensable Wet Fly #475 and out Tupps Nymph #336.

Try a Damsel at the English Fly Fishing Shop www.flyfishing-flies.com

CORIXA NYMPH FLIES

Corixids (water boatmen) spend most of their time either swimming along the bottom and in amongst submerged vegetation or else swimming up to and down from the surface to collect bubbles of air. Both activities can be imitated with this pattern. Fish it along the bottom, retrieving it with short tugs to simulate the insect swimming along with oar-like hind legs. If using a floating line the retrieve will cause the sunken fly to lift in the water towards the surface. Once it gets there, let it sink back down as if it has just collected its bubble of air. Look for the Corixa Green Back Nymph #306, Corixa gold bead head nymph #201 and the Corixa with legs Nymph #307

SPIDER FLIES

Although insects are the major group of organisms that make up a trouts food they are also partial to a spider every now and then when they can get them. Spiders are part of the Arachnida group of species. Unlike insects they have eight not six pairs of jointed legs. A large variety of spiders and live near water habitats and some are specifically adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. Many terrestrial spiders are also at the mercy of the wind and rain. Whilst buiding their webs up in overhanging trees they can suddenly find them selves drowning in the water surface, having been blown there or hit by a large rain droplet. There are two types of spiders you have to imitate. The spiders that live in or on the water and those that are their buy accident and drown. Fish the artificial spider fly by either letting it drift with the current or use small jerks to impart the appropriate movement of a struggling drowning spider. You can also let it sink slowly moving only slightly to indicate the insects dying twitches. Near vegitation you can keep it static as if looking for prey to imitate the aquatic dwelling spiders. Once in a while give it a small twitch. Try the Black Spider Wet Fly #489, Black And Peacock Spider Gold Bead Head #204, Claret Cove Spider Gold Bead Head #205 And Cove's Silver Spider Nymph #308

WELSH PARTRIDGE NYMPH FLY

This spider-like fly is some times so successful that you would think it infallible. But the problem of giving a fly this descriptive label is that you come unstuck the next trip you use it on. Not so the Welsh Partridge as it is less liable to lose the qualification than many so called infallible fish catching flies. Double hackled, the Welsh Partridge can be used most successfully as a wet fly. Fish it very deep in the cold months and near the surface in warmer, calmer conditions. It is a good competition fly and a greater taker throughout the season. Look for our Welsh Partridge Wet fly #477 and nymph #327. (It has also proved a thoroughly dependable dry floating fly for lake and river fishing.)

Order Nymphs at the Fly Fishing Shop www.flyfishing-flies.com

 FISHING A DAMSEL FLY NYMPH

During the early part of the season this pattern can be fished very slowly along the bottom. Damsel fly Nymphs like shallow bays where weed is prolific as they feed on decaying vegetable matter. Fish this pattern very slowly along the bottom, to represent the insect stalking prey, but occasionally move it along a small distance at a faster speed. As the fly moves, its marabou tail will wiggle enticingly, just as the real insect's abdomen would do as it swims along. During the warmer months the nymphs are far more active and wriggle to the surface, whereupon they proceed to swim to the shore or surface weed in order to hatch into the adult damselflies. To simulate this activity, fish the fly on a floating line, letting it sink to the bottom before retrieving smoothly so that the fly lifts up in the water towards the surface. Where there are rushes or reeds it is often more productive to cast and retrieve along the shoreline.

GOLD BEAD HEAD DAMSEL NYMPH FLY

This effective pattern resembles the damselfly's nymph stage. The weighted gold bead head and the highly mobile tail impart a ducking and diving action on the retrieve that the fish find irresistible. We stock this fly as #206 and a Glow Damsel Gold Bead Head fly #224

MARCH BROWN NYMPH

March flies of the Bibionidae family group of insects are stour bodied, black or dark brown insects often with hairy bodies. They are commonly found near flowers in pastures, gardens or similar habitats during spring and early summer. They are taken avidly by trout when they accidently end up on the water surface after taking part in the large mating swarms that can be seen in spring. During a strong wind the flies can also be blown on the water where the trout suck them up. This is its nymph imitation. Either fish as a nymph (move very slowly along the bottom) or as an emerging dun (twitch in the surface film). Try our March Brown Nymph #314 or The March Brown Dry Fly #137.

Order Nymphs at the Fly Fishing Shop www.flyfishing-flies.com

 THE MONTANA STYLE OF NYMPH PATTERNS

The original was designed to imitate large dark stonefly nymphs of Northern American. This style of nymph has a large lighter colored thorax than the body and hackle legs. Fished deep and slow I have found it them deadly. It is a good idea to be prepared for days when it is necessary to look through your entire collection of flies in order to find a catching pattern. If you have something unusual or different to use on days like that it might increase your chance to bring home a bottom feeding double figure trout. These American flies have successful crossed the pond and invaded Britain and other places throughout the world. We stock a range of six Montana Leaded Nymph Long Shank flies

STONEFLY CREEPER NYMPH

Stone fly nymphs of most species creep along the bottom feeding on algae and detritus. They do not swim and never move quickly. This nymph fly should be fished along the bottom, moving very slowly. Pause occasionally as if imitating the nymph stopping to feed. When adult stoneflies are emerging the same pattern can be fished either in the surface film or when using a floating line, allowed to sink and then made to rise towards the surface by retrieving smoothly. Try our Stonefly Creeper Nymph Fly #321.

Dry Flies
Wet Flies
Nymph Flies
Bass Bugs

Advice on a beginners trout fly box
Tarpon, Permit & Bonefish Flies
Salmon and Steelhead Trout Flies
Streamers, Lures, & Hairwings

A Trout's Diet
Deceivers & Attractors
Sea Trout Flies
Offshore Sailfish flies

Top quality fly fishing flies from $0.50US at www.flyfishing-flies.com

You can e-mail us at fly.fishing@virgin.net

 The English Fly Fishing Shop
5 Woodland Way, Morden, Surrey SM4 4DS, England