ADRIAN V W FREER
Adrian Freer is the author of books on reservoir fly fishing, fly dressing, trout fly patterns, religious topics, children's stories and poetry.
FLY PATTERNS 3
Here are yet more flies that have caught a lot of fish for me. Once again they are either new creations or my own modifications of existing patterns which have performed well for me fly fishing on the Midlands reservoirs.
Do give them a try and see how you get on!
GRHE Green Marabou (Adrian Freer)
Hook: Wet fly hook sizes 10 and 12
Tying thread: Black
Tail: Fluorescent lime green floss
Body: Fibres of hare’s fur tied scruffy, ribbed with fine oval gold tinsel
Thorax: Hare’s fur dubbed a little more thickly, tied with figure-of-eight turns over the wing stubs
Hackle: Collar hackle of honey cock
Wing: Two tufts of olive marabou, each tied at 90º to the hook shank with figure-of eight turns to give width
Head: Black thread varnished
This is generally used as a bob fly, either when palmered flies are not seen to be working or simply for a change. It seems to work best when fished slowly or very slowly. It could simply be taken for a piece of weed! It has been particularly successful during warm and bright summer days, fished deep on a medium sinking line, when the fish seem uninterested in other patterns.
Grenadier Special (variant of Dr Bell's pattern)
Hook: Wet fly hook sizes 10 to 14
Tying thread: Black
Tail: Fluorescent orange Glo-Brite floss shade 8
Body: Orange seal’s fur, ribbed with fine gold wire
Body & shoulder hackles: Ginger cock tied palmer
Head: Tying thread, clear varnished
When Dr Bell devised this pattern nearly one hundred years ago he probably had little idea that it would be put to so many uses – or that it would still be popular after all this time. The additions of an attractor tail and palmered body hackle seem to be positive enhancements. It can be used an an imitation of a bloodworm, daphnia, a hatching buzzer, a sedge pupa or simply as a general suggestive prospecting nymph.
Pin Fry (Adrian Freer)
Hook: Wet fly hook sizes 10 – 12
Tying thread: White
Tail: White marabou
Body: White yarn tied to a fishy profile, ribbed with fine silver tinsel
Thorax: Scarlet seal’s fur (sparse)
Wing: Silver mallard feather
Hackle: Pale olive-dyed cock collar hackle
Head: Black tying thread, clear varnished; eyes can be painted on if required
This version is offered as a suggestion of what to aim for when devising new pin fry patterns. It was designed to incorporate most of the recognition points and it has features not unlike the Missionary, Jack Frost and Appetiser which goes to show that there is nothing new under the sun! It should be gently twitched in open water, interspersed with a few brief pauses. It is hoped that its inclusion will stimulate you to design something of your own. There is nothing more satisfying than catching a trout on a fly you have tied yourself – apart from catching a trout on a fly that you have designed and tied yourself.
Silver Spider
Hook: Wet fly hook sizes 10 - 14
Tying thread: Black
Body: Silver tinsel, ribbed with fine silver wire
Hackle: Black cock collar hackle
Head: Black tying thread, clear varnished
Although this is a very basic fly in terms of its looks, the materials involved and the tying techniques required, do not be put off by its inherent simplicity. As an imitation of a hatching buzzer with the 'flash' representing the air trapped within the pupal case, a tiny pin fry with the glint mimicking the flank of a small fish, or a corixa with its glistening bubble of life-giving air, or perhaps simply as an attractive pattern it does take some beating.
