Box Selections
Custom fly sets for specific places and seasons
As a long-standing Fly-Fisher and Fly-Tyer, I have learned a great deal about 'what fly when and where'. To be truthful no fisherman ever stops learning and this knowledge grows throughout your life and changes as the rivers you fish change.
If we are tyers, then each year we tie a box of known proven flies that cover the conditions we expect on our various trips, sometimes throwing in a new pattern, just to see how they work. For fly fishers who are not fly tyers, then it's a book, a search online or asking what is hot at the local fly shop.
What I have done is put together a few box sets, aimed at specific places and conditions to help take out the guesswork and give you a good range of options on the beat.
Each of these boxes is tied to order, so you can customize the boxes if you prefer, just get in touch.
Atlantic Salmon Doubles
Choose your preferred combination of 18 flies.
This selection of Scottish and Irish patterns, shown mostly in Size 6-8 is suitable for most midwater scenarios.
In low water, I can provide flies in smaller sizes, such as the three Size 12 flies bottom left in this picture.
This selection can be tied on single hooks if your target water requires.
Atlantic Salmon Heavy Tubes
Choose your preferred combination of 18 flies.
Suitable for spring floods and for opening weeks of the Russian Season.
This is a selection of large, heavily dressed tube flies that can be tied in varying weights, including plastic, aluminium and copper tubes. If tied on copper tubes, these flies will require Skagit lines.
As is usual, my tube flies are sold without tube hooks. If needed, I can supply these at between £8 - £14 per pack depending on brand and pack quantity. I make no margin on these so I'm happy to point you at the right hooks if you prefer to buy them yourself.
Atlantic Salmon Midwater Tubes
Choose your preferred combination of 18 flies.
Suitable for normal river conditions through early, mid and end of season, but not for summer lows. These tubes are tied on Tubeworx lined plastic tubes, with small or medium cones depending upon your target depth and flow. The Ghost Stoats can be tied with tungsten heads for a supplement of £1.50 per fly.
As is usual, my tube flies are sold without tube hooks. If needed, I can supply these at between £8 - £14 per pack depending on brand and pack quantity. I make no margin on these so I'm happy to point you at the right hooks if you prefer to buy them yourself.
Atlantic Salmon Low Water Tubes
Choose your preferred combination of 18 flies.
Suitable for shallow spate rivers and rivers experiencing summer lows. These flies are typically equivalent to Size 10 - Size 12 flies. These are tied sparsely dressed on lightweight lined plastic tubes, with small metal cones, or lightweight flow cone as you prefer.
As is usual, my tube flies are sold without tube hooks. If needed, I can supply these at between £8 - £14 per pack depending on brand and pack quantity. I make no margin on these so I'm happy to point you at the right hooks if you prefer to buy them yourself.
Atlantic Salmon Copper Tubes
A focussed selection of 10 heavy flies.
Ally's Cascade is arguably the single most popular and successful fly of the last ten years. These are tied on 1 or 2-inch copper tubes. They work well with Skagit lines. You need to be a good caster to use these with a normal Spey line. This set is perfect to top up your box before spring floods or if heading out to the Kola Peninsula.
As is usual, my tube flies are sold without tube hooks. If needed, I can supply these at between £8 - £14 per pack depending on brand and pack quantity. I make no margin on these so I'm happy to point you at the right hooks if you prefer to buy them yourself.
Atlantic Salmon Copper Tubes
A focussed selection of 6 extra-heavy flies.
The Rogie is a famous Scottish salmon fly, a green tinsel body with a Willy Gunn wing. It is the choice of many in early season and for higher water levels when flies need to be large and heavy to get down deep. These are tied on 3-inch copper tubes and are perfect to top up your box for the first couple of weeks of the Russian Season. These flies will require an experienced Skagit caster. Don't forget to duck as they fly by!
As is usual, my tube flies are sold without tube hooks. If needed, I can supply these at between £8 - £14 per pack depending on brand and pack quantity. I make no margin on these so I'm happy to point you at the right hooks if you prefer to buy them yourself.
ALASKA STYLE FLIES
Some UK anglers may not be familiar with Alaska Patterns, so here is a guide to some of the principal types.
If you are fishing Alaska for the first time, I recommend you read:
Flies for Alaska: A Guide to Buying and Tying
by Anthony J. Route ISBN-10: 1555660878
Flyfishing Alaska
by Anthony Route ISBN-10: 1555661505
Coho and Pink Salmon
Choose your preferred combination of 18 flies.
Pacific Salmon are a different game, they are great fun and catching 10-15 in a day is 'normal'. Sockeyes are famously shy biters, but Kings, Chums, Pinks, and Silvers take flies readily. Coho, Chum and Pink Salmon flies are typically tied in Size 2-6 and moderately heavily weighted for fast stripping and the high flows often seen in Alaskan rivers.
As is usual, my tube flies are sold without tube hooks. If needed, I can supply these at between £8 - £14 per pack depending on brand and pack quantity. I make no margin on these so I'm happy to point you at the right hooks if you prefer to buy them yourself.
King Salmon
Choose your preferred combination of 18 flies.
Pacific Salmon are a different game, they are great fun and catching 10-15 in a day is 'normal'. Sockeyes are famously shy biters, but Kings, Chums, Pinks, and Silvers take flies readily. Catching a large King is about as much fun as you can get in fresh water.
King flies are usually tied in size 1/0 and are heavily weighted to get down. Large rods with Skagit lines are required. Just hold on tight and get to your boat when one of these 30lb+ beasts decides to go back to sea.
As is usual, my tube flies are sold without tube hooks. If needed, I can supply these at between £8 - £14 per pack depending on brand and pack quantity. I make no margin on these so I'm happy to point you at the right hooks if you prefer to buy them yourself.
My Own Fly Boxes
A Tyers Own Boxes
Enough with the Glamour photos, I hear you say, what are your own fly boxes really like?
I often get asked that so here you go, I have occasionally been accused of being a neat freak!