We meet this next Thursday 2nd October at the Baskerville Arms in Shiplake, from about 19:00- 21:30, as usual.

Programme this Week

Trout and Grayling Group

This week John W will be leading the group tying dry flies: Pheasant Tail Nymph (PTN), Cruncher and JC Nymph. Patterns (PDF)

Sea Trout and Salmon Group

Peter W will be tying the Tartan – a colourful pattern for the middle dropper when fishing for Sea Trout and Salmon in lochs.  Pattern (PDF)

Novices

Richard L has kindly volunteered to work with anyone starting out fly tying – with an aim to have a completed fly by the end of the evening.

Surplus Tools and Materials

If anyone has any surplus tools or materials that they would like to donate to get new tyers started, then please bring them along.  (Richard B – any spare squirrel tails?)

Projector

Don’t cross your fingers, but we may be able to ‘cast’ images of flies being demonstrated from our phones to the TV – if both the internet and TV are working….

We meet this next Thursday 25th September at the Baskerville Arms in Shiplake, from about 19:00- 21:30, as usual.

Programme

Trout and Grayling Group

This week John W will be leading the group tying dry flies: Elk Hair Caddis and Elk Hair Emerger Sedge – both ideal for Autumn evenings.

Elk Hair Caddis (PDF)

Elk Hair Emerger Sedge (PDF)

Sea Trout and Salmon Group

The Stone Goat Muddler is a relatively simple large muddler pattern for Sea Trout and Salmon in lochs.  Below is a pattern sheet together with one for 4 different Muddler patterns, courtesy of the T&S Mag of Nov 2028.
Alternatively tie a classic Kate McLaren Muddler or simple Muddlers with different coloured tails (can be Wool, Marabou or Antron Fluoro Body Yarn).

Flies and Muddlers for Loch sea Trout and Salmon (PDF)

Stone Goat Muddler (PDF)

Kate McLaren Muddler(PDF)

Novices

Peter H will be working with anyone starting out fly tying – checking their tools and materials - with an aim to have everyone complete a fly by the end of the evening.
If you have any, please bring along your vice and basic kit of tools and materials, together with a small Anglepoise style table lamp.

Surplus Tools and Materials

If anyone has any surplus tools or materials that they would like to donate to get new tyers started, then please bring them along.  (Richard B – any spare squirrel tails?)

Projector

It would be great if we could project a large image of a fly being demonstrated onto a wall or screen.  We have a camera, does anyone have a suitable projector?
(Anoyingly at the last session the pub was unable to turn on their TV and so Peter could not check if we could cast an image by internet from a phone – which would be the simplest method.)

Membership

We trust that everyone has paid their national annual FDG Membership Fee of £17 and received their FDG Membership Card for 2025-2026?
If not, please have a chat to our Secretary, Peter H.
Newcomers – don’t worry – you have a grace period, there is no pressure to immediately pay anything!

Auctions

Mullock & Jones has an auction of Fishing Tackle until Sun 21st Sep at 14:00
Some interesting items and prices in their catalogue on line:  Mullock Jones | TIMED SALE of Vintage & Modern Fishing Tackle & related items

Reservoirs

Farmoor fished well yesterday in a wet gale.  The fish were only interested in large Sunken Daddies and white beaded Fry patterns fished about 2ft down.

Tight threads!

A quick update on the Fly Tying session planned for Thursday.

Trout and Grayling Flies

John Watkins has kindly offered to lead the Trout and Grayling fly tying group.  He has selected flies to tie as shown on the Updated Programme (PDF).

This Thursday he will lead tying a Sunken Daddy and a Hopper.
The Sunken Daddy might look similar to the pattern shown top left on the ‘Daddies’ sheet (sorry – cannot find a correct image!) and the Hopper will be similar to the bottom right pattern – so you can bring the correct materials. Dressings (PDF)

Sea Trout and Salmon Flies

Peter Watson will lead the Sea Trout and Salmon group and we will tie a Silver Daddy Beadhead and a Silver Daddy Muddler - and variants. Dressings (PDF)

Novices

Peter Huggard has kindly offered to guide any complete novices and get them started tying flies, maybe tying some ‘basic blacks’ as the attached pattern sheet. Dressings (PDF)

Programme

Here is the programme for the next few months. Updated Programme (PDF)

Hope to see you on Thursday (we have received a few apologies for absence).

Fly Dressers' GuildSummer is over, its started raining at last, the nights are drawing in, children / grandchildren will soon be back to school – so no more child minding.  You all must have time to restart fly tying…
Unless you are off somewhere for some September sunshine maybe start using  your free time to sort out your fly tying bags, boxes and bags materials… sharpen your scissors and get ready for some fly tying.

We restart Fly Tying sessions at The Baskerville Arms, Shiplake, on Thursday 4th September at 19:00 – 21:30 and will continue on the first and last Thursdays of each month (with an adjustment around Christmas / New Year), as usual, until the first Thursday of May 2026.

This winter we will offer two different series of fly patterns and techniques: Trout and Grayling flies led by TBA; and Sea Trout and Salmon flies led by Peter.  Unfortunately, Geoff says he no longer has time to lead the Trout and Grayling group – is there a volunteer to take over this decidedly un-onerous task?

Entirely up to you – join a group, or tie your own flies for fishing, or just come along for a drink and a chat – your choice, all are welcome.  We have a fabulous room in the pub and are always made to feel welcome. Bring a friend!

Programme

Thursday 4th September

Silver Daddy or other Daddy styles
Silver Daddy Muddler or Beadhead
Fly Dressers' Guild Bronze, Silver or Gold Award Programmes start.

Draft programme – for discussion on Thursday (PDF)

Trout and Grayling Fly Tying Group

This week - Silver Body Daddies.  Daddies are very much in season during September.
We will need to discuss a Trout / Grayling programme.  Anyone like to lead it?

Sea Trout and Salmon Fly Tying Group

This week we will tie Silver Body Daddies – in various style: standard, bead head and muddler. Pattern (PDF)
Muddler head patterns – primarily for sea trout and salmon in lochs, but smaller ones equally good for trout in rivers and rainbow trout in reservoirs, where they can attract fish in the evening.

Fly Dressers' Guild Awards Programme

Please let Peter know if you would like to progress through any of the Bronze, Silver or Gold Fly Dressers' Guild Awards programmes – so that mentors can be arranged.

Ideas, Suggestions and Requests

Please let us know if you have any Ideas, Suggestions or Requests regarding the Programme, how to tie a technique, or anything else – we have many experts always happy to help and adopt your ideas!

Fly Dressers' Guild John Watts Reservoir Fishing Competition

Held this year at Grafham Water last Saturday.  Whilst the Thames Valley Invicta Team did better than last year, other than John K-H, we did not excel and ended up 4th out of 10 teams.  Three of us did not find the correct line / flies / locations to catch the fish which were there.  Most of the day it was very low wind and a near flat calm. Next year the competition will probably be at Draycote – it would be great to have 4 more anglers to form another team.

Fishing

Farmoor Reservoir is restricted to catch only (no release) until the water temperature reduces.  It is not fishing well at present.  Draycote Water, currently closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, is fishing well with a rod average of 7 recently.

British Fly Fair International (BFFI) 2026

Will be on Sat 7th & Sun 8th February 2026 at Staffordshire County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford. ST18 0BD, as usual.  It is worth a visit – book your ticket in advance!

As always – if there is anyone on this distribution list that no longer wants to receive these emails – please let me know and Peter will delete your address.

A quick reminder that all who have said ‘yes’ meet for Dinner on Thursday 1st May at 7pm at the Baskerville Arms, Shiplake, ready to start eating at 7:30pm.

Hopefully you have all submitted your menu choice and money to Charles.

Fly Tying Sessions

We restart Fly Tying Sessions at the Baskerville Arms at 7pm on Thursday 4th September 2025.