Barbless Deershucker Selection
I love early season fishing, especially when the water is still cold (isn't it
always!).
Last year, when fishing my local small stream, there were some March Browns
starting to hatch and a few were caught up in a small side eddy. I sat and
watched these flies hatch - normally in a river these flow past you, so you
cannot actually see the whole process of the fly hatching.
What surprised me most is the casing that's left behind when the fly hatches
(known as the shuck) and just how many fish were taking the flies just as they
were hatching - so taking both the partially emerged fly and its shuck.
This got me searching for a fly to imitate it - I came across the Deershucker fly,
but only in pretty large sizes. So I had some smaller versions tied up and gave
them a try - let's just say they worked!
Just A Quickie: Please take a look at the end of this email as we have a small
request to ask for those of you who would be interested in helping us out.
always!).
Last year, when fishing my local small stream, there were some March Browns
starting to hatch and a few were caught up in a small side eddy. I sat and
watched these flies hatch - normally in a river these flow past you, so you
cannot actually see the whole process of the fly hatching.
What surprised me most is the casing that's left behind when the fly hatches
(known as the shuck) and just how many fish were taking the flies just as they
were hatching - so taking both the partially emerged fly and its shuck.
This got me searching for a fly to imitate it - I came across the Deershucker fly,
but only in pretty large sizes. So I had some smaller versions tied up and gave
them a try - let's just say they worked!
Just A Quickie: Please take a look at the end of this email as we have a small
request to ask for those of you who would be interested in helping us out.
As you can see the patterns are quite 'rough and ready'. Similar in design to the
Deer Hair Emerger, the key to this style of fly is in the rough body and the deer
hair used - it has to be hair from the winter coat of the animal as this is more
buoyant due to the increased amount of air contained within each strand (each
strand of deer hair is hollow and is a great insulator).
Deer Hair Emerger, the key to this style of fly is in the rough body and the deer
hair used - it has to be hair from the winter coat of the animal as this is more
buoyant due to the increased amount of air contained within each strand (each
strand of deer hair is hollow and is a great insulator).
The key to fishing this style of pattern is how you treat the fly when dry - just
apply a little gel floatant to the tips of the deer hair - both front and back. This
will sit the fly in the surface film of the water, you need the fly to sit so you can
only see the deer hair on the water surface.
For more tips on fishing emerger style flies, please check out the end of this
email - as we've added a section on how to fish this style of fly.
We asked our guys who tie for us to come up with some classic Deershucker
style patterns which will work for both Rivers and Stillwaters. We've curated this
Deershucker Selection based on the flies which:
style patterns which will work for both Rivers and Stillwaters. We've curated this
Deershucker Selection based on the flies which:
1. We've found are the most popular colours on our site; and
2. Ones which I use myself on my local river
To this end, we have created our Deershucker Selection which contains four
colour variations - Olive, Pheasant Tail, Dennis The Menace & Holo Red:
Our Deershucker Selection is now available as a selection of 16 flies (4
different patterns - see above, 2 each of sizes 14 & 16). We are supplying all of
these for only £20.
All are supplied in our eco-friendly packaging. Just click on any image or button
in this email to view the flies in more detail.
*** Just a gentle reminder that all our products are shipped FREE OF
CHARGE to anywhere ***
CHARGE to anywhere ***
Early Season Conditions
Fishing in the early part of the season (March and April) can be very
challenging, depending on which part of the British Isles you are located.
Generally, the further South and West you are the better the fishing will be at
this time of year – the North and Scotland always seem to lag a couple or three
weeks behind the South of the British Isles as far as hatches and river fish
activity go.
challenging, depending on which part of the British Isles you are located.
Generally, the further South and West you are the better the fishing will be at
this time of year – the North and Scotland always seem to lag a couple or three
weeks behind the South of the British Isles as far as hatches and river fish
activity go.
Dry Fly Leader Setup for Emergers
Firstly, when setting up your leader for fishing emergers, do not use
fluorocarbon tippet, as this will sink and drag your fly under with it, use a thin
supple mono (there are plenty to choose from such as Stroft & Orvis
SuperStrong Plus etc). When building your leader, take note of the river size, if
you are fishing a small overgrown stream, it's going to be difficult in most
places to cast a 14ft leader, so try cutting back a 9' 6X leader by a few feet, and
replacing what you cut off with your chosen tippet. All it means is you will need
to wade very carefully in order to not spook any fish.
fluorocarbon tippet, as this will sink and drag your fly under with it, use a thin
supple mono (there are plenty to choose from such as Stroft & Orvis
SuperStrong Plus etc). When building your leader, take note of the river size, if
you are fishing a small overgrown stream, it's going to be difficult in most
places to cast a 14ft leader, so try cutting back a 9' 6X leader by a few feet, and
replacing what you cut off with your chosen tippet. All it means is you will need
to wade very carefully in order to not spook any fish.
Early Season = Slower Water
When fishing in the early season the fish will not be really active, so target the
deeper slacker water either to the side or below any riffles. As you will be
fishing with an 'emerger style' fly which is not very visible you may struggle to
see it (or it will sink) when in very turbulent water - in this case use the 'double
dry' technique:
View Our Deershucker Selection
deeper slacker water either to the side or below any riffles. As you will be
fishing with an 'emerger style' fly which is not very visible you may struggle to
see it (or it will sink) when in very turbulent water - in this case use the 'double
dry' technique:
View Our Deershucker Selection
The Double Dry
This technique is the same setup as the duo, but instead of using a dry fly and
a nymph - use two dry flies, one larger and more visible; and one small, the
trailing fly should be the smaller one. How to rig:
trailing fly should be the smaller one. How to rig:
1. Tie the larger more visible dry fly to the end of your tippet.
2. Tie a separate length of tippet (usually around 2ft long) to the eye of the
larger dry fly.
3. To the end of this tippet, tie in your smaller fly.
Remember: When casting a rig such as this it is better to use a
slow/medium rod and a wide casting arc - a fast rod will cause the loops to be
too tight and will cause you no end of tangles. A slower rod (glass is ideal for
this style) will allow you to cast a heavier dry rig with a wide loop at short
distances.
Product Testers Required ...
As you are probably aware by now, we always try to innovate and add to the
pool of knowledge where we can. We are constantly adding to our product
range and this is where we need your help...
We've produced a new product and need the help of our fellow fly angling
community to give it a good test. It's passed the initial tests with flying colours -
i.e. me using it on my fishing trips over the last 3 months. But it now needs a bit
more - unbiased - testing!
We are looking for 10 fellow anglers to take part in the product trial, to qualify
as a tester you need to fulfil the following criteria:
1. Fish with dry flies at least twice a week over the next couple of weeks - in
either Rivers or Stillwaters.
If you're interested in helping us out, please just reply to this email and I will
contact you with all the details etc.
Tight lines.
