Morning,

Firstly, I'd like to thank all of you who supported us and bought one of Luke's rods over the weekend - we sold all of our allocation, it really means a lot to us and will hopefully mean than when Luke has something new, we will get first dib's on them!

As we are now nearly into March, the wether will (hopefully?) start to warm a little and Stillwaters will really start to come into their own - usually rivers take a little while to get going once the season eventually starts.

In this weeks email, I will be taking a look at the things to consider when approaching a Stillwater in March - I will also suggest a few different style of fly patterns to use - and we've some more silk lines available!

Fly fishing on still waters in March can be a bit of a challenge - the water’s still pretty cold, and the fish are generally holding deep and not willing to chase food.

Here are some tactics to help you improve your chances:

Understand the Conditions

• Cold Water = Cautious Fish - In March, the water remains cold and oxygen levels may be lower, meaning fish have a slower metabolism. They tend to conserve energy and feed less aggressively, so your presentation needs to be extra subtle.

Gear and Fly Selection

• Weighted Flies - Choose heavy nymphs or streamers that sink quickly. This is essential for reaching the deeper waters where fish often reside in cooler conditions.
• Long Leaders - Use a longer, flexible leader to allow for a natural drift. This minimizes any erratic movement that might spook any cautious fish.
• Strike Indicators - If you’re fishing nymphs, a strike indicator can be a useful tool to detect those subtle strikes when the fish are feeding sparingly.

Casting and Presentation Techniques

• Slow and Steady - Since the fish are less active, a slow, controlled drift is critical. Avoid jerky movements; instead, let the fly settle naturally along the bottom. Use any wind to your advantage and let it move your fly line and leader naturally.
• Pause and Twitch - Occasionally, allow the fly to sit for a moment before a gentle twitch or lift. This mimics natural prey behaviour and might trigger a feeding response.
• Accurate Placement - On Stillwaters where there is less current to carry your fly, your casting accuracy becomes vital. Aim for drop-offs, weed beds, or underwater structures where fish are likely to be hiding.

Location and Timing

• Target Deep Water - Focus your efforts on deeper pockets of water where the sun’s warmth might slightly raise the temperature. Fish tend to congregate in these areas during the colder months.
• Midday Fishing - When the sun is highest, even a bit of warmth can make a difference. Aim for midday sessions to capitalise on the slight increase in water temperature.
• Look for Structure - Identify natural features like submerged humps or underwater ledges. These areas often hold fish because they offer both shelter and food opportunities.

Final Tips

• Be Patient - In March, you may need to work harder and be more patient than in warmer months. The key is to adapt your approach to the fish’s reduced activity.
• Dress for the Weather - Staying warm and comfortable will help you focus on your technique rather than the cold, allowing you to fish longer and more effectively.

By combining the tactics of - using heavier fly patterns, ensuring a subtle presentation, and targeting the right locations - you should be as well-prepared as possible.

But ...

Which Heavy Nymphs?

The first place to look for heavier fly patterns are all those which include tungsten as an integral part of the fly. The very best using 'javi' style teardrop-tungsten beads:

We know these are not cheap flies (Javi beads are so expensive - they do give you the equivalent of 3-times the weight of a standard tungsten bead), but you will be astounded at the quality - we can guarantee you will be climbing those trees to retrieve them!

And ...

Which Heavy(ish) Lures?

We are in a pretty fortunate position as a fly supplier - we get to see the trends of which flies are popular at all times of the year. About this time last year, I noticed a big uptick in lures & attractor patterns - I've also received lots of feedback from customers saying this style of pattern are working really well at the moment:

The Mopster

It is thought by some that the mop fly is used to represent blooms of daphnia (very small plankton like animals which trout feed upon in stillwaters), however we are not really convinced by that, but the mop fly is very successful in its own right – that’s why you will see it in every competition Stillwater anglers fly box (where allowed and in the right sizes) – because it just works.

We are more of the belief that the mop fly is a fly pattern that acts similar to a lure, in that fish are naturally inquisitive and are attracted to anything which enters their world and causes a bit of commotion.

By customer request, we've added some new colour variations for 2025:

These flies seem to be unpopular with the ‘purists’ but they undoubtedly work really well in colder weather. Below I aim to give you an idea of what these flies are and how to get the best presentation when using them.

Please Note: These flies work equally as well in flowing water - especially when the levels are higher and the water more coloured.

Please Also Note: These flies will be delivered in plain packaging - so even the postman will not know you have them! 

We are making our Artisan 2025 Mopsters available individually - at £1.95 each - just click on the button below to grab yours (before we run out).

These might seem expensive, but they are all tied with the highest quality materials on branded hooks (AHREX FW541 size 10)

Go on, treat yourself - you know you want to

Did Someone Mention A Silk Line?

I'm sure that at some point in your fly fishing odyssey you have contemplated using a silk line, if so:

Read on McDuff ...

What better way to get the most from your dry fly fishing than with a silk line, especially when said line is made right here in the UK, Sheffield to be precise, by a guy called Ian.

These silk lines have been designed and made with a 'fine tip' which effectively means they have a very thin 'built-in' furled leader, so you just attach a level piece of tippet to the end.

Ok, so why should I use a silk line then? We're glad you asked:

• They have no memory - completely limp
• There's no stretch - improved hookups
• They are denser than plastic fly lines and therefore much thinner, and thinner lines mean much less wind resistance
• They float better than plastic fly lines - they float on the water surface, not in it making liftin gline off the water much easier
• You get 3 lines in one - When fully greased it's a floating Line, grease everything except the tip and you have a midge-tip line, don't grease it and you have an intermediate/sinking line
• They can last a lifetime - so long as they are cared for and stored correctly a silk line can last a lifetime - and indeed will get better with age

We've just received a parcel here @ Barbless Flies HQ - direct from Ian in Sheffield and it's full of DT5 and DT6 silk fly lines - all in the 'straw' colour.

 

Tight lines & have a great day.