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HADDO FISHERY
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RIVER DON
INTRODUCTION
FISHING BEATS
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TROUT FLIES
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RIVER DON OPENING
RIVER DON HATCHERY
KILDRUMMY FISHINGS
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MIKE BARRIO
The following fly patterns were suggested by a variety of River Don fishermen and represent a general selection that covers the whole season, along with a few local specials to help things along.
Most of the flies will work best when fished upstream to moving fish, however there are a few prospecting flies in here too. Remember the fish can be anywhere on the river, so try most spots as they can all hold surprises.
Black Pennell
This is an excellent all rounder for most of the season.
Hook: 12-16 Wet fly (Kamasan B170)
Thread: Black
Tail: Golden pheasant Tippets
Body: Black thread
Rib: Silver wire
Hackle: Black hen
Alexandria
An excellent attractor fly and a good imitation of the minnow, of which the Don trout are particularly fond.
Hook: 10-12 Wet fly (Kamasan B175)
Thread: Black
Tail: Red Ibis or Subs
Body: Silver or pearl tinsel
Rib: Silver wire
Hackle: Black cock
Wing: Peacock sword
Cheeks: Red Ibis or Subs
Optional: Jungle cock eyes
Invicta
A great sedge imitation for those summer evenings.
Hook: 12-16 Wet fly (Kamasan B175)
Thread: Black or yellow
Tail: Golden pheasant topping
Body: Golden yellow seals fur
Rib: Gold wire
Hackle: Palmered red game cock
Beard: Blue Jay
Wing: Hen pheasant wing
Butcher
Another super little attractor fly that in the larger sizes imitates the minnows and small fry found in the river. It may also be taken for a hatching midge with a shuck.
Hook: 10-14 Wet fly (Kamasan B175)
Thread: Black
Tail: Red Ibis or Subs
Body: Silver tinsel
Rib: Silver wire
Hackle: Black cock
Wing: Mallard blues
Silver Invicta
This a good attractor pattern and is very effective during the summer evenings as a hatching sedge imitation. It is also very good with a pearl body.
Hook: 12-16 Wet fly (Kamasan B175)
Thread: Black
Tail: Golden Pheasant topping
Body: Silver tinsel
Rib: Silver wire
Hackle: Semi palmered red game cock
Beard: Blue Jay
Wing: Hen pheasant wing
March Brown
This is another superb all rounder on the Don. There is a hatch of the naturals during early April, when this fly is extremely effective in larger sizes. Silver and Gold bodied versions are good too.
Hook: 10-14 Wet fly (Kamasan B170)
Thread: Black or brown
Tail: Brown Partridge back feather
Body: Hare's ear fur
Rib: Gold wire
Hackle: Brown Partridge
Wing: Hen pheasant wing or similar
Adams
This a very versatile and effective dry fly in a variety of sizes. Tied with the original muskrat fur body or hare's ear (as shown) it covers most of the olives on the river and the March browns too. Traditional style dries are good but the parachute version is far superior.
Hook: 10-18 Dry fly
(Partridge SLD barbless)
Tail: Grizzle and red game cock hackles
Body: Muskrat or hare's ear
Rib: Very fine gold wire
Wing post: White and orange antron
Hackle: A grizzle and red game cock hackle wound together
Badger and Yellow
This is a Don special to imitate the Yellow may dun that the Don trout have a particular fondness for. Use it on a June evening when the fly is hatching and some great dry fly sport can be had.
Hook: 14-16 Dry fly
( Partridge SLD barbless )
Thread: Yellow
Tail: Badger cock hackles
Body: Yellow thread
Rib: Very fine gold wire
Wing post: White and orange antron
Hackle: Badger cock
Grey Duster
This a great imitation of the Small dark and Blue winged olives which hatch off the river it is also a great Iron blue imitation when tied with red thread.
Hook: 14-18 Dry fly ( Partridge SLD barbless )
Thread: Black or red
Tail: Optional; badger cock
Body: Mole
Rib: Very fine silver wire
Wing post: White and orange antron
Hackle: Creamy badger cock
Black Klinkhammer
This is a very good fly all season but is particularly good in the very small sizes on some of the slower stretches of the river. It is a great imitation of hatching midge and of the reed smuts that the trout can become preoccupied with during a summers day.
Hook: 14-22 Grub hook ( TMC 2487 )
Thread: Black
Body: Black thread
Rib: Very fine silver wire
Wing post: White antron
Hackle: Grizzle cock
Hare's Ear F-Fly
This is a great little fly when a rise is on as it looks like a hatching bug of any description. A great dry fly banker which works all year. With or without a tail is up to you but I like the fly to have a wee shuck.
Hook: 12-18 dry fly ( Partridge SLD barbless )
Thread: Black or yellow
Tail: Hares ear or white antron ( about 7/8 strands )
Body: Hares ear fur ( lightly dubbed on the yellow thread )
Rib: Fine gold wire
Wing: Natural CDC 4-6 feathers depending on fly size
