As the leaves start to fall ... The 'Gangly Ones' appear
As the leaves start to fall ... The 'Gangly Ones' appear
Be it Rivers or Stillwaters - This time of year (September & October) is the prime month for these larger terrestrials.
Daddy Longlegs (Crane Fly): Generally seen from August through to October, they hatch in the ground on cool humid mornings. It pays to fish these when the wind is blowing, the Daddy Longlegs is not good at flying and are always blown onto the water. The legs on these flies seem to act as a trigger to the fish (especially when twitched).
Hopper Patterns: Really productive flies throughout the UK and equally effective in both rivers & stillwaters. Hoppers are generally fished as you would a dry fly, or as a point fly in a team of buzzers. See below for a great deal on our Hopper Selection.
All of our Daddies & Hoppers are tied on size 10 and 12 barbless hooks with slender hackles (more aerodynamic - less leader twist), this allows them to create a wake on the surface when retrieved, again another trigger point the fish home into.
The gangly flies (Daddies and Hoppers) are your main line of attack on both Rivers and Stillwaters at this time of year. Both patterns are tied in very similar styles - with long gangly legs tied facing backwards and long buoyant bodies.
For much more information on all our Daddies and Hoppers and a few tips on fishing with 'Gangly' flies,
Read on McDuff ...
Plus we've a great offer on our Hoppers - see below:
Our Barbless Hopper selection is a selection of 16 barbless hoppers, comprising 4 different patterns (in 2 sizes). The hopper fly is tied as a suggestive pattern for a number of different insects, it can imitate a Hawthorn Fly, Heather Fly, Daddy Long Legs/Crane Fly and even an adult buzzer, these are great flies to try when searching stillwaters & reservoirs. The legs on these flies seem to act as a trigger to the fish. These flies are tied on size 10 and 12 barbless hooks with a bushy hackle, this allows them to create a wake on the surface when retrieved, again another trigger point the fish home into.
Bibio - The classic traditional fly, believed to have been first developed by Major Charles Roberts. The Bibio is tied with a swept-back black hackle, black body, pearl rib and red fur to the eye of the hook. Our selection contains 2 each of sizes 10 and 12.
Yellow Owl - This is a bit of a hybrid hopper, a cross between a small mayfly/lake olive and the lighter-bodied daddy long legs. It features a dark yellow body with a black rib, topped with a CdC feather, with the legs kicked back this fly will disturb lots of water when retrieved. Our selection contains 2 each of sizes 10 and 12.
Claret Hopper - Tied with a claret swept back hackle, a claret body and pearl rib. With the addition of a target point of a red tag at the end of the body, a great choice when the water is coloured (also great for Grayling on rivers!). Our selection contains 2 each of sizes 10 and 12.
CdC Bibio - A small twist on the classic traditional fly. The CdC Bibio is tied with a CdC feather to the top of the body, a black body, a pearl rib and red fur to the centre of the hook. Our selection contains 2 each of sizes 10 and 12.
Hoppers are really effective flies throughout the UK in predominantly stillwaters (but are equally as effective in rivers) and are at their most productive from July to September. Hoppers are generally fished as you would a dry fly, or as a point fly in a team of buzzers.
Our Barbless Hopper Selection, containing 16 flies is available as a selection for only £20 (was £22), including free delivery. We only have 25 of these selections available today, so if you would like one you will need to be quick!
What about the Daddies ...
All of the below Daddies are really buoyant and will hold up a team of buzzers (using the Washing Line technique - see below). These Daddies are particularly streamlined and will not twist your leader as much:
Daddyhog
£1.60
Aero Daddy
£1.60
We also have our full Daddy Long-Legs / Crane Fly Selection available which includes 16 flies in total (4 different patterns, 2 each of sizes 10 and 12) for only £20 (was £22), including free delivery. We only have 30 of these selections remaining, so if you would like one you will need to be quick!
Or, why not take a look at all of the Daddies and Hoppers we have to offer:
"Go on, you know you want to"
When Daddy Long Legs are hatching in the area, use these flies with a slightly heavier tippet than you would normally use - it will reduce the amount of twist in the leader as these flies are fairly big and wind-resistant.
Daddy Long Legs and Hoppers are also surprisingly effective when fished as a wet fly, so don't be too quick to keep these flies dry, once wet and submerged.
If on a Stillwater, gently "figure of 8" them back to create a small wake, on a river try fishing them in the surface film, and hold on!
Hoppers are really effective flies throughout the UK in predominantly stillwaters (but are equally as effective in rivers) and are at their most productive from August to October.
Hoppers are generally fished as you would a dry fly, or as a point fly in a team of buzzers - in a washing-line configuration. Also, hoppers are surprisingly effective when fished as a wet fly, so don't be too quick to keep these flies dry - once wet and submerged, if on a stillwater, gently "figure of 8" them back (on a river try fishing them as you would a spider), and hold on!
What's the 'Washing Line' method you mentioned above?
The washing line method is a technique designed to let you fish an buoyant fly on the point with a team of buzzers/nymphs suspended just below the surface of the water, using a floating fly line - it hangs just as a washing line would - suspended by the floating fly line at one end and the buoyant point fly at the other. Normally when fishing with buzzers or nymphs, they would descend down through the water column slowly (which is a good way of searching to find the depth the fish are feeding at). However, the 'Washing Line' method allows you to keep all of your flies just below the surface where the trout are most likely to feed.
Using this method requires you to use a much longer leader (in excess of 10'). As a general rule, use a leader of around 12' to 14' (this also makes it much easier to net the fish once you have caught it, as you will not end up with any of your flies hanging in the top ring of your rod). A good initial setup when starting out is to space your flies on short droppers (about 12" long) each one 3 feet apart - this makes it easier to cast. If you're having problems casting it, just use a buoyant point fly (like our Stillwater Dinkhamer) and two droppers.
I like the sound of that, when should I use it?
Always use this method when the fish are high in the water and sipping buzzers or taking the insects as they emerge. Check out the rise form of the fish, and look for a 'head and tail' rise - think of the way a dolphin breaks the water surface, first you see the head, then the dorsal fin, followed by the tail. This will be the first indication they are taking buzzers.
Tight lines & have fun.
