Barbless Buzzers

Welcome to this weeks email, all about Buzzers.

A Buzzer is basically an imitation of the pupa of a midge (chironomid), most people will already know midges! Midges are abundant in every Stillwater and are a staple diet of the trout which live there, therefore buzzers are sometimes the go-to fly for the Stillwater angler.

We've also a few tips for you river addicts to help you get the most from low waters.

Read on McDuff ...

View Our Barbless Buzzer Selection

How To Fish Buzzers

Buzzer fishing on stillwaters is generally dependent upon the wind:

When it's Still: Use a floating line, long leader and a team of three buzzers. Cast out and, before the flies start to sink, pull the line to straighten out the leader. Then pause (keeping in touch with the flies) and wait for the flies to drop, takes usually come with the buzzers on the drop. You should spot a take before you feel it, keep an eye on the fly line and leader for any abnormal movement. If the buzzers hit the bottom, just a few pulls on the fly line should bring them back to the surface, and you can start again by letting them sink.

When it's Windy: Still use a floating line, but this time use a shorted leader. Check the direction of the wind and cast out across the wind (i.e. the wind is side-on to you) - always make sure the wind is to your left shoulder if you are right-handed (and the right shoulder if you are left-handed). Again, using a team of three buzzers, cast out and allow the buzzers to drift with the wind. You should not need to retrieve your line, as the wind will make sure your leader straightens up. Again, you will usually see the take before you feel it - just remember to strike in the opposite direction to the direction your flies are moving. Once at the end of your drift, lift the flies slowly from the water, it's surprising how many fish take your buzzers as you're about to re-cast!

View Our Barbless Buzzer Selection

These buzzer flies are great imitations and come in a variety of colours (all tied on barbless hooks - of course!). In total there are 24 buzzers supplied in our eco-friendly packaging. All of these flies are hand tied using barbless hooks, in sizes 12 and 16 using quality materials. Once again, we do not charge anything for delivery, to anywhere in the world. Buzzer patterns included in our selection are:

• Glass Black Buzzer
• Traffic Light Buzzer
• Blakestons Buzzer
• Superglue Buzzer
• Quill Olive Buzzer
• Bibio Buzzer

Our Barbless Buzzer Selection contains 2 each of sizes 12 & 16 of all the above patterns, that's 24 buzzers in total.

These flies are only available as a selection of 24 and are available now for only £24, including free delivery.

We only have a few of these selections available, so if you would like one you will need to be quick!

View Our Barbless Buzzer Selection

If rivers are more your thing:

Here's a few timely tips for upping your success on rivers this week:

On my local beck, it's been quite hard fishing of late, especially with the low water levels we are seeing. Even with the low levels, I am still finding that the fish are playing hard to get, the go-to tactic is the Duo method using our Dinkhammer flies. Using this method I've caught in mornings, afternoons and evenings. I've been following these simple rules and it really has upped my success rate:

• DO NOT get into the water and wade, not unless you really have to - As the fish have less natural cover from predators, they are really spooky. Any disturbance in the water (or noise from your studded boots) will transfer its way to the fish.
• Use a longer leader - I generally use a longer and lighter leader, this will allow you to land the fly with a more delicate presentation - experiment with using a French Leader setup - they really come into their own at this time of year.
• Look for deep holes & behind any obstructions - If there is no surface activity these will be the places the fish are holding. Target these with a Duo/Klink n Dink setup (use a small beaded nymph - size 18 or smaller).

Take advantage of the low water - If you regularly fish the same stretch, look at the riverbed and see what the contours are, and spot and likely fish holding places. This will be really useful information for when the water levels rise again.