Trout Fly Fishing Blog

Blog with advice on trout fly fishing. Whatever your preferred target, brown trout on rivers or becks and small streams or stillwater rainbow trout we have advice for you.



As the of another trout season draws to a close, those keen to continue swinging a rod, turn to grayling fishing through the winter months. Although grayling have the same spawning period as other coarse fish they obviously come into season on June 16th. However, most anglers still have their heads full of trout at this time and rarely switch to grayling proper until after September 30th.



Catch and Release Advice

Your Guide To Catch and Release! Keep reading for The Essential Fly top tips on handling fish in hot weather!

It seems these days that the camera has replaced the priest, as more and more anglers look to return their catch rather than kill fish. In many respects this is a great trend as not only are more fish to go round, but in a world of ever increasing prices, generally speaking catch and release permits work out cheaper. And, where wild trout are concerned, it’s important to return our catch so they can go on and spawn future generations. Firstly, whether you plan to return, or kill a given fish, we should respect our quarry. Let’s look at some tips to help take care of your catch.


Fly In Focus - Elk Hair Sedge

There are lots of sedge/caddis patterns we can choose from when it comes to imitating sedges on the warmer evenings, however perhaps one of the most versatile dressings is the ‘Elk Hair Caddis’. Developed by an American called Al Troth this pattern can be dressed with, or without a palmered hackle. Obviously, a fly with the body palmered hackle has superior floating properties, which comes in handy when fishing more animated water, like a tumbling pool on a stream, or a big, rolling wave on a reservoir. A hackle-less version naturally rides lower in the surface film, making it a favourite where smooth, flat water occurs and when trout are targeting stillborn, or spent caddis that lie almost flush in the film.


Understand The Mayfly!

Perhaps the most celebrated period for us fly fishers’ is the month of May when we prepare ourselves for the arrival of mayflies. Appearing from the middle of May and through to early June, Mayflies are our largest and most graceful upwing species. The sight of the first mayfly of the season never fails to excite and is something both trout and angler revere.


Fly In Focus - Black Spider

According to many “Black is All things to All fish”…and there’s a lot of sense in that statement given the amount of black imitations at our disposal these days. Whilst they all have their day the humble black spider is nothing short of the perfect all-rounder in my eyes.

Whether you choose to fish on rivers, or lakes/reservoirs this dressing has saved many a blank. As fly tyers habitually tinker with fly patterns, it’s not surprising then that many variants of the Black Spider exist. Yet, in its simplest of forms the black spider consists of nothing more than black tying thread and a black hen hackle. Personally, I like them sporting a rib, with silver being the obvious choice though a pattern using red wire is extremely attractive too. And, if it boosts a wee thorax of peacock ice-dub then all the better. You see, instantly I’ve moved the goal posts from the original dressing!


Your Ultimate Fly Fishing Check List

As anglers we all have one aim, to catch fish! were going to simplify things for you and highlight the key bits of kit you're going to need to get the most out of your days fishing!

So, you've got your waders, rod, reel, line and flies but you now need to choose what your going to carry your essentials in when you go fishing! Weather that be a waistcoat, rucksack, chest or hip pack.

There's one problem with them? They have that many pockets we have to fill them all with gear! which, in turn leaves you frantically searching for that one thing you need!

Lets break it down and de-bulk what you take out on the water so you can get your flies in the water faster!


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UK Trout Fishing For Beginners

UK Trout Fishing For Beginners

Brown Trout Fishing on StillwaterWe love fishing for different species of trout ranging worldwide from cutthroat or brookies to uk trout fishing either in a chalkstream, stocked reservoir or stillwater fishing for rainbow trout, brownies or blues. Different species and destinations demand different tackle and flies and you will find all you need from The Essential Fly. On a small brook you may be using a 3 weight trout rod with size 18 flies on a 1lb tapered leader, however on a large reservoirs you may be casting an 8 weight fly rod with ghost tip fly line or boat fishing using a competition drogue to stop your drift.So you want to learn the incredible sport of fly fishing?  Wonderful!  Trout fishing is a fun and amazing sport and hobby.  It gets you up close and personal with the serenity and peace of nature, yet provides the sporting challenge of out smarting the fish.

Fly fishing seems quite overwhelming at first, but don't worry, this beginners guide is intended to teach you all the basics, and give you the basic knowledge and tools to get out there are start fly fishing!









A History of Trout Fly Fishing

Since A Treatise of Fysshynge with an Angle in 1496 by Dame Juliana Berners we have been writing about the hunting fish through fly fishing techniques. Trout fly fishing particularly grew dramatically with the Victorians and through the 1800's when Trout were transferred as ova to British Colonies with the first successful transfer of Brown Trout Ova aboard the Norfolk with Itchen and Wye trout introduced to Victoria, Australia

Trout fly fishing has ranged from stunning waters like the English Chalk Streams and the Catskills to lochs and rivers where natural Brown Trout occur to stocked lakes like Arnfield, Grafham or Roxholme. Whatever your preference there is a massive offering for trout fly fishing world-wide.





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