This summer has been a strange one for us - essentially, it's been really quiet since June. Which is not really surprising with the amount of sun (and no rain) we've had, people are just not fishing - which is very wise when it's detrimental to fish welfare.

However, it does cause us an issue when we sell fishing flies!

We're seriously considering closing down the fly business for next summer - and selling mail order Ice Cream instead, any suggestions would be greatly received!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - It's my birthday this week, and to celebrate I'm going to give YOU a present. I've had some really fancy vinyl stickers made - if you'd like a couple, just place an order before midnight on Bank Holiday Monday and I will pop a them into your order for free.

These stickers will never be available to buy, the only way to get your hand on one (or two) is to place an order with us over the next few days.

In todays missive I want to take a look at dry flies which we regard as our bankers, or should that be "not blankers".

These become more and more effective as the Summer ends and we approach Autumn. If you want to stand any chance when fishing dry flies during the day (or early evening), these are the flies to use - on both rivers and stillwaters.

We've updated our very special selection of dry flies specifically for those tricky days, we call it the "Don't Get Skunked" Selection (thanks for the name Kerry), i.e. flies to use to virtually guarantee a fish.

To start with, you will notice that they are all fairly small and either black, grey or white or a mixture of the three. Usually, the maxim to stand by is "go small or go home", these really fit the bill here, they also replicate those small midges/gnat's/dance flies which you will see in clouds above the water at this time of year.

When dry fly fishing, especially at this time of year, and you need the fly in a really tight spot (i.e. under a tree branch which is 20 feet away) and there's no room for any sort of back cast, use the Bow and Arrow cast, this is essential on smaller streams and to catch those hard to target fish during the day.

How to perform the Bow and Arrow Cast:

• For short casts, reel in until you have a rod length of tippet/leader out of the tip ring, then hold the fly by the bend in the hook. For longer casts, hold the fly line just above the cork grip of the rod.

• Create tension in the rod by pulling the fly/fly line back to form a bend in the tip of the rod. You can alter the plane of the fly line by either creating tension either above or to the side of the rod.

• Point the rod tip about a foot above where you want the fly to land and let go of the fly/fly line.

• With practice you can vary the cast by playing with the amount of tension you induce and the position of the rod tip.

Practice is the key with this cast, you can even practice at home and you will be amazed how far you can accurately cast, some people can cast a Bow and Arrow further than a Roll cast! Tim Rajeff has produced a great video "How To" which you can see here.

Our "Don't Get Skunked" Selection consists of 20 flies, 2 each of the following:

• Griffith's Sparkle Gnat - Tied on the AHREX FW503 - 2 each of sizes 16, 18 & 20.

• The Evening Banker - Tied on the AHREX FW503 - 2 each of sizes 16, 18 & 20.

• The Freebird - Tied on the AHREX FW503 & FW507 - 2 each of sizes 16, 18, 20 & 22.

These fly patterns are all proven fish catchers across the world, especially when used in warmer weather and low water. All our flies are all tied on high-quality lightweight barbless hooks.

Please Note: We only have a limited number of these selections available - 32 to be exact - they will sell pretty quickly, so if you would like a selection you will need to be quick!

We are also making these flies available in one of our Slimline Silicone Fly Boxes for only an additional £10:

—— Go on, you know you want to! ——

Tight lines & have a great bank holiday weekend - I know I will, I've been given a pass out for Sunday and there's a very special part of the river Derwent with my name on it!

P.S. Help me celebrate my birthday, just place an order, and I'll include a couple of our new vinyl stickers for FREE.