[Loxiafan]

Drowned dries swung like wets can be very productive too

Yup, a CDC and Elk Size 12 swinging subsurface netted me a 3 lb BT and ST in 2011  I honestly think fish take a submerged CDC and Elk as a Minnow (as well as Caddis) and sma' ones will snap at it on the retrieve (for all you competition anglers that might get desperate !). However, aesthetically it is like playing a violin with a cheesegrater compared with the dolce tones of upstream spidering/dries !

Of, course I am strictly upstream dry fly now you understand ! No offence taken Marc, afterall I am a reformed 'swinger' these days  The boy Johann's vids are very good IMO, the stuff in Sweden and Norway is pretty cool 


On a typical early Spring Don day with no fish showing you either sit out waiting for a hatch ( as I did last season) or you drown wets and nymphs and search (me this season) !

L

[Marc Fauvet]

On a typical early Spring Don day with no fish showing you either sit out waiting for a hatch ( as I did last season) or you drown wets and nymphs and search (me this season) !

[Sandy Nelson]

I've been at it this afternoon as well.
With thoughts of summer evenings keeping me warm, i've started to fill my sea-trout/summer salmon box.

Some of my favourites to start, Medicine, Black Grouse, Thunder and Lightning.



Once i add a few Stoats in Various guises i should be set

Sandy

[danbruce]

Very nice Sandy!

[Mike Barrio]

Cracking flies Sandy!

Best wishes
Mike

[Graham Ritchie]

Nice sparse flies there, they should be ideal for low water during the summer.

[Sandy Nelson]

Thanks guys

The flies are actually sparser than they look in the pictures.
Being grouped together seems to make them look heavier.
Still I'm happy to have my vice set up again 

They are size 12 and 14 VMC doubles 

Sandy

[Marc Fauvet]

it's the grey foam that makes them look denser, Sandy. regardless, they're loverly ! 

cheers,
marc

[danbruce]

Continuing to fill my boxes for the start of the season, this time it is some tubes....

All 1.5" brass tubes
Top: Gold Bodied Willie Gunn
Middle: Ice Maiden
Bottom: Black and Yellow

Just need to to make some slightly smaller ones and also add some Black and Yellow tubes but with Sliver bodies and i am ready to go get me a springer.

Dan

[Loxiafan]

I really like those bare doubles Sandy, absolutely cracking - might have to do a few wee ones like that myself ! Good tying Dan, hope you connect with that Springer dude ! 

L

[Allan Liddle]

Yup, a CDC and Elk Size 12 swinging subsurface netted me a 3 lb BT and ST in 2011  I honestly think fish take a submerged CDC and Elk as a Minnow (as well as Caddis) and sma' ones will snap at it on the retrieve (for all you competition anglers that might get desperate !). However, aesthetically it is like playing a violin with a cheesegrater compared with the dolce tones of upstream spidering/dries !

Of, course I am strictly upstream dry fly now you understand ! No offence taken Marc, afterall I am a reformed 'swinger' these days  The boy Johann's vids are very good IMO, the stuff in Sweden and Norway is pretty cool 


On a typical early Spring Don day with no fish showing you either sit out waiting for a hatch ( as I did last season) or you drown wets and nymphs and search (me this season) !

L

Bob Wyatt's Dirty Duster deadly as a mixed dry / swinging wet when required.  DHE not bad in fast water, a good wee minor tactic is to hit the water hard to drown it and run it through just sub surface, especially if you've turned a fish on it previously.  Sorry if i'm giving it how to suck eggs btw. 

[Allan Liddle]

PS Cracking looking flees Sandy, would work a treat on the Spey i bet.

Oh and another wee minor tactic with the DHE, if some fish are coming but shying away, whilst others are still taking well (especially during early hatch stages) then NZ style with another DHE on the tail, only clip the wing right down to a stump, or rip it off leaving a few wee sparse hairs in place.  Fish will often take it this way as an emerging nymph.

Sometimes works if a fish isn't playing ball and giving you the run arouns as well.  For me if this dosen't work then i just lob in a boulder and move onto the next target. 

[Mark Zhang]

Thanks for your help. I think it's time to  and catch the  . Can't wait the season to start. Thanks again. 

Regards,

Mark

[Loxiafan]

... then NZ style with another DHE on the tail, only clip the wing right down to a stump, or rip it off leaving a few wee sparse hairs in place.  Fish will often take it this way as an emerging nymph.

I notice in his new tome Wyatt has a Wee Hair Emerger which sounds like just the ticket for that tactic Allan (and to save blootering those 'sometimes hard to get right' upright Deer Hair Emerger wings) ! He also mentions the Don Brown Trout Fishing with absolute reverance calling it a "technical river" ! His prefered killing fly for the Don is a size 10 DHS to ape a March Brown Dun/Emerger (never tried that tactic, but will now !).

But you will know this anyway as you have the book, hopefully of interest to others !

Lindsay

[Iain Goolager]

Some cracking sparse doubles and heavy tubes. 

I need to get the vise out.

The clock is ticking

Iain