Flies from FDG magazine article

The three flies were featured in Flydresser magazine. They are my own patterns, which have proved very successful for me over a number of years.

                      The Aga Kahn.
Hook, 8/10/12.
Thread, Black 10/0.
Tail, GP topping.
Rib, Fine copper wire.
Body, Pale gold tinsel.
Body hackle, Cerise cock.
Collar hackle, Purple cock.
Wing, Peacock swords.
Cheeks, Jungle cock.                                                                                                                                        

The Nebo Spider.

Hook, 8/10/12/14.
Thread, Black Nano Silk.
Body, Red holographic tinsel, (varnish over)
Hackle, Black/ very dark claret.

The Sellafield Blue.

Hook, 10/12/14.
Tail, Flou green hen grizzle.
Rib, Copper wire.
Body, Pheasant tail fibres (3)
Thorax, Golden olive glister.
Thorax cover, Yellow goose biot.
Hackle, Flou green hen grizzle.

Finland Fly fair 2009.

The Finnish Fly Fair 2009. I was honoured to be asked to be one of the international flytyers at the fair, it was held in the City of Tampere, Finlands third largest city, never having been to southern Finland I was interested to see how it compared to the north of the country, it was a fantastic place, I can recommend it to anyone, so clean!!!!
The show itself was a credit to Tampere, and the organisers in particular, we were so well looked after,  it was like being at home.
Over the two days of the fair, I don't think any of us had more than a few minutes when we didn't have someone in front of us watching and asking questions.
Along with several Finnish tyers, tyers row was populated by Marvin Nolte, Charles Jardine, Nic Runnarson and Stoyan Filipov.
It was a great honour to be tying alongside these legends of flytying and thouroughly entertaining as well.

A gathering of  friends,
 Marvin, Stoyan, Niclas, Rosi, Matti & Helena
Dinner in downtown Tampere

I must admit the resemblance to Santa Claus is uncanny

Tyers row Tampere

The asylum is empty, they let us out for the day..

Some of the  photos show just how entertaining it was, I knew Charles could do some interesting things with a a genetic cape, but, judge for yourselves, guys, many thanks for your company.

Trevors' Hero.

Trevors' Hero, This was a fly tied after watching a TV programme called  "Wounded" the programme highlighted the plight of the wounded servicemen/ women returning home from Iraq and Afganistan with the most horrific injuries.2
That night I tied this fly with the intention of starting an auction at the Bffi in Trentham, I hoped to get an auction going with one fly from each tyer.
but, due to time, it never materialised.
But, I needed a name for the pattern, my good friend, Geoff Littler, came up with Trevors' Hero.
So, Geoff, thank you for naming the fly,

Tal-y-Llyn Terror.

I remember a very wet day at Tal-y-Llyn, almost nobody had enough insanity to be fishing. But towards the end of the day, one gentleman, who had braved the elements, Bernard Bosman had travelled all the way from Belgium, so was determined to fish, come hell or high water, his decision was well founded, he hooked and landed 10 or so, brown trout, plus the added bonus of one lovely Sea trout, cutting the story short, I had spent a little while playing about with a few materials and colours, just generally seeing what I could come up with, what I came up with was this pattern.

The Tal-y-Llyn Terror.

The Photograph was taken by Bernard himself, he came into the fishery office at the end of the day, and we got talking, and he saw the fly in the vice, so as us anglers do, we swapped flies, this is the fly I gave to Bernard straight out of the vice, so, this is the absolute original, in exchange, Bernard kindly gave me his all time best Grayling fly, I have yet to try it, so until I do.

Snowy Nebo.

Today, Boxing day, we seem to have a thaw setting in, the little river has been almost completely frozen.
At least we have been able to get out, apart from a few days when we were totally snowed in
.

Winter 2010.

Winter river 2010.

Severe blizzard January 2013.

The Winter river 2013.

Cold day in Nebo.