Scottie Newsletter

Summer  2024

I was lucky enough to get down to Devon for some Bass fishing – well out of my normal fishing spots. But was keen to try some of my new poppers using the Gnarly Heads from Scientific Fly.  These fished well but there were some strong winds which made for some tough conditions for the fly, so at times I had to resort to some spinning.

In amongst the bladder wrack in the margins it was possible to see some largish Mullet – but they were very shy and took no notice of the flies I tried on them.  I understand that they can be taken on bread flies – but you need to train them first by feeding bread.  Something for the next trip.

On my local waters there has been some good sport in the margins with fish taking nymphs and shrimp patterns.  In the river there have been some good Mayfly days when the weather has been pleasant – but there have been too many wet or windy days so far this year.

The Gnarly Head Popper

Having tied a few of these now and used some I can offer a few tying tips.

The idea is to create a really mobile fly behind the head – it is your choice if you use natural fibres or synthetics.  I made a couple used Grip Zonker Strips – which produce a great mobile body – buy they can become very heavy when wet. For synthetics I used the Sybai Supreme Wing Hair, tying it in towards the eye then folding back to create volume.

A key feature was creating a lateral line – which adds an important target for the fish, again the choice of using natural or synthetics is yours, a single grizzly genetic hackle looks good or a couple of strands of Mylar Flash if you are going down the synthetic route.

One of the advantages of using hackles in lures is that you can use up those odd hackles you have to hand or clearance items, not suitable for your nymphs and dries – but look great in a lure or popper.

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One of my favourite pastimes is casting a dry fly on the river – it really is the greatest way to fish. I find the Adams pattern fishes well and I enjoy tying them – remember it is confidence that catches fish as much as the fly.

Like all tyers and anglers I have my own take on the pattern I use – the tail or whisk is important as it helps hold the fly up in the surface film so should be made from good quality hackle or bristle.  The original choice of muskrat dubbing is possibly just what was to hand – but the material is important. Fine natural fibres hold floatant well, but can become waterlogged; synthetics such as Sybai Polar Ultrafine shed water and are naturally buoyant as are natural hairs such as the Sybai Fine Alpaca.  But what ever you use try not to over dress the fly.  The colour needs to match the hatch – which are generally muted pastel shades – light olive, grey, khaki or beige are useful.

Traditionally hackle tips are used for the wings and provide a useful sight for the angler – but I prefer to use the ‘Wally Wing’, tied using Mallard flank or Teal flank these are surprisingly robust and add a little more buoyancy.   Once you have added your ginger and grizzly hackle and completed your fly you can trim the underside of the hackle to get the body to lie in the meniscus.

Tips on tying the Wally Wing are here if you have not used this before.

Above is my take on the Adams pattern which as I say fishes well for me.

There are plenty of videos showing how the Adams is tied and I have added a piece on tying a Wally Wing.

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