We are a small Branch of the Fly Dresser’s Guild, with a wide range of ages and experience. We meet at the The Baskerville in Shiplake 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 Baskerville.

2026 Programme

Thames Valley Fly Dressers Programme for 2026

Full Details

Latest Updates

19/08/2026

Fly Tying Session Thursday 3rd September 2026

We're back after our summer sabbatical!

We meet for Fly Tying on Thursday 3rd September at the Baskerville Arms in Shiplake at 19:00 – 21:30, as usual.

Programme

The programme this week is:

Trout and Grayling Group

Tying one's own favourites

Sea Trout and Salmon group

Small Autumn Salmon Flies / Tubes

10/05/2026

Thames Valley Fly Dressers Trip to Barn Elms

Barn Elms is booked for the evening of the 28th May 2026.

Members wishing to fish will be required to select and purchase their own ticket on the on the 28th.

Daisy at Barn Elms will confirm if the lake is fishable closer to the date.

Barn Elms webisite

26/04/2026

Fly Tying Session Thursday 30th April 2026

We meet for Fly Tying this Thursday 30th April at the Baskerville arms in Shiplake at 19:00 – 21:30, as usual.

Programme

The programme this week is:

Trout and Grayling Group

John will demonstrate Wet Flies: Foam patterns. Dressings (PDF)

Sea Trout and Salmon group

We suggest you tie tiny flies and tubes for low water summer fishing. Dressings (PDF)
Alternatively tiny red headed gold body Willie Gunns on ¼” brass tubes.

End of Tying Season Dinner

Charles has organised an End of Fly-Tying Season Dinner al fresco (weather permitting) at the Baskerville Arms on Thu 7th May. (It could be a fine warm evening….).
All – if you’ve not booked your space - please let Charles know if you intend to join this dinner.

Casting Tuition and Practice

At the AGM, we discussed a Casting Instruction and Practice session at Barn Elms Trout Fishery on a Thursday evening maybe at the end of May.
John W is organising for 28th May

River Dee, Llangollen Grayling Fishing weekend

At the AGM, there was a request to resurrect our Grayling fishing weekend in the River Dee at Llangollen in October 2026.
Richard Logan is organising – but I’m not sure what response he has received.

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