Thames Valley Fly Dressers

A Branch of the Fly Dressers' Guild

We are a small Branch of the Fly Dresser’s Guild, with a wide range of ages and experience. We meet at the Cherry Tree Inn in Stoke Row near Henley at 19:30 - 21:30 on the first and last Thursday of each month from September to April. Our aim is to teach the art of fly dressing in a convivial atmosphere with like minded folk.

We welcome all levels of Fly Tiers, and run Fly Dressers' Guild Accredited training courses for Beginners, Intermediates, Experts and aspiring Instructors.

All are welcome to come along and make yourself known to the Secretary or Instructor, with no obligation. We will lend both equipment and materials to those who wish to try fly tying and guide you through their selection when you decide you wish to learn. As an added bonus you can sample the ales and hospitality of the Cherry Tree Inn.

Latest Updates


01/11/2024

Fly Tying Session Thursday 7th November 2024

Trout Fly Tyers

Continuing the November Grayling fly – the Ginger Tom and variants. (Dressing - PDF)

Salmon / Sea Tout Fly Tying Group

Continuing the Sea Trout flies with a classic: the Goat’s Toe. (Dressing - PDF)

The programme up until Christmas is:

7 Nov: Goat's Toe
28 Nov: Blue Zulu
5 Dec: Mid Winter Dinner, AGM and Quiz
12 Dec: Clan Goat (or Clan Goat Muddler)

Mid Winter / Christmas Dinner

This year we are having our Christmas Dinner / AGM / Quiz at The Baskerville in Shiplake on Thursday 5th December (NOT 12th as previously planned).

They do an excellent limited choice inexpensive 3 course Dinner as attached (Menu - PDF).  Charles will be coordinating our booking and will contact you with more details.

Please respond promptly to Charles confirming that you would like Dinner, telling him your Menu choices and paying him the £28 cost.

One reason for having Dinner at The Baskerville is to assess its suitability as our future Fly-tying venue, another is their Christmas menu is cheaper than The Cherry Tree….

The Baskerville, 7 Station Rd, Lower Shiplake, Henley-on-Thames RG9 3NY
thebaskerville.com

FDG National Fly-Tying Competition

You will have read in the FDG Summer 2024 Flydresser Magazine the details of the 2024-25 FDG National Fly-Tying competition. The attached pages 12-14 set out the details. (Download - PDF)

Peter feels quite strongly that this Branch has many excellent fly-tyers but has been under-represented recently by entries and prizes in this annual competition.

It would be great if we all entered the Open Trout category submitting The Carson whose tying details are on p23-25 and attached. (Download - PDF)

The materials required are readily available and the tying-pattern is straightforward. 

Peter has ordered, to share with anyone who needs them, a supply of dyed Golden Olive Cock Saddle feathers for the Body Hackle and dyed Pale Golden Olive Grey Mallard Flank feathers for the Front Hackle. Peter will also try to harvest some good quality Bronze Mallard flank feathers from the shoot.  I’m sure some of you will share your stocks of the other materials if required.

We will collectively spend an evening in January learning to tie this fly and sorting out any problems.

Reservoir Fishing

Farmoor is open and I gather fishing well, particularly for flying fish….

Grayling Fishing

We keep talking about organising a group to go Grayling fishing for a day or weekend this winter.

Would anyone like to organise it and book somewhere for a group of 4 or 5 anglers? Any volunteers?


PS Wishing a fast recovery to Phil M following his cracked arm - he must be gutted to have missed an end of season week salmon fishing on the Deveron..


25/10/2024

Trout Fly Group November 2024 Dressing

The 'November fly' for those members who wish to join the Trout Group.

Ginger Tom Grayling Fly (Dressing - PDF)

All enquires to Geoff (Trout group leader)

2024 / 2025 Calendar

We meet on the first and last Thursday of every month

5th September 2024

26th September 2024

3rd October 2024

31st October 2024

7th November 2024

28th November 2024

5th December 2024
Christmas Dinner / AGM / Quiz

12th December 2024

2nd January 2025

30th January 2025

6th February 2025

27th February 2025

6th March 2025

27th March 2025

3rd April 2025

24th April 2025

1st May 2025

Where we meet