Wet Fly

A fly of mature years, the Alexandra is one of the most famous and well known patterns in existence throughout the world. It is unsurpassed as an attractor fly for many species and comes into its own when small pin fry are on the trout’s menu. It is famed as a nocturnal sea trout fly in the rivers and can claim many other situations where it can be indispensable. It’s popularity waned for a period in the sixties, just before the advent of the Stillwater scene in the U.K. when its popularity returned due to its devastating effect upon the rainbow trout populations of the put-and-take fisheries, so much so that many fisheries banned its use for a number of years !

Another very old pattern which has stood the test of time. Generally, this is a very good all round pattern for imitating anything "small and Black" on still or running waters, but the pattern really comes into its own where there are snail migrations on stillwaters. It can be fished with confidence throughout the season, and really comes into its own during the latter parts of August and September, when the actual snail migrations take place.

A very good pattern for the Lough or the River. Its simplicity belies its effectiveness. It imitates many food sources as they ascend through the water column and it can be fished the season through with confidence.

Is there anyone that hasn’t at least a number of these throughout their fishing fly collections ? This is one of the greatest flies of all time, composed simply of some Golden Pheasant tippet for the tail, a black body (of Seals Fur or Floss), and a long black hackle, tied at the head, cloaking the body. The pattern will catch all of the species as it is a hugely representative pattern in the larger sizes, and extremely imitative in the smaller sizes, particularly of chironomids etc. Created in the late 1800’s by H. Commonly Pennell, this pattern still makes the "Top 10" of many anglers.

The hairwing version of the original is a great fry imitating pattern which will catch all of the Trout species and no small amount of Salmon either. It can be fished throughout the season, on still or running water, with confidence.

This is the Muddler version of the famous Claret Bumble by Kingsmill Moore. It catches all of the Salmonoid species, particularly when fished on a short line on a wave topped lough. Top dropper would be its favourite position but it can also be fished on the tail as a single fly at dusk.

What can be said about this pattern that hasn’t been already said ? A great all round fly for all freshwater Trout and Salmon. It can be fished throughout the year in all of the sizes with utter confidence, containing all of the attributes of a great fishing fly.

Named after that once great Sea Trout Fishery in the west of Ireland, the Delphi has become a good fly for many species. In large sizes it will imitate fry and other small fish and in smaller sizes it is often fished for Brown Trout when Chironomids are hatching. It can be fished anywhere on the cast when fresh run Sea Trout are in evidence.

Originally a classically dressed Salmon Fly, this de-dressed version has its roots firmly in Scotland where it still retains great favouritism among all types of anglers. It is a great fry imitator and is also used in the evening when sedges are about.

Like it or loath it, this is a very successful pattern which has many admirers but probably as many detractors. It is a strikingly large and colourful creation which has a great reputation on the Loughs for catching both Salmon and Sea Trout. In addition, it is responsible for catching large amounts of Brown Trout in the West of Ireland.

When a fly gains a reputation such as this one, its gets the variant treatment ! This is a great pattern for the Loughs throughout the season when it will account for all of the Salmonoid species with regularity. It is also fished as a sole fly on a long leader later in the evenings for Brown Trout when sedges are about.

This is the Spider version of the famous Greenwells Glory pattern. Often fished as an Olive nymph, it has a very slim body which has a peculiar yet recognisable colour which all Trout seem to find Irresistable.

When one speaks of a fishing fly reputation, one should pitch it against the reputation of a fly such as this. Over 150 years old, they just don’t make ’em this god anymore ! As an olive imitation it has no parallel, and can be used to great effect as a general searching pattern in both still and running water.

A pattern by Rod Tye for the Olive and Sedge hatches of Lough Mask. It is a neat pattern with a "Dabbleresque" quality about it. A nice touch are the dyes J.C. cheeks.

This pattern was originally invented by James Ogden and is an extremely popular sedge imitating pattern on the Irish Loughs still. It is fished in the Western Isles for migratory fishes with success and continues to out perform many of the other sedge imitating patterns to this day. It has spawned many variants, a good sign of any pattern worth its salt !

The Jungle series of flies are particular to the South West of Ireland where they successfully catch Salmon, Sea Trout and Brown Trout throughout the season. They are effective in small sizes as midge pupae and are representative of small fish in their larger sizes.

The Jungle series of flies are particular to the South West of Ireland where they successfully catch Salmon, Sea Trout and Brown Trout throughout the season. They are effective in small sizes as midge pupae and are representative of small fish in their larger sizes.

The Jungle series of flies are particular to the South West of Ireland where they successfully catch Salmon, Sea Trout and Brown Trout throughout the season. They are effective in small sizes as midge pupae and are representative of small fish in their larger sizes.

A great variant of a famous pattern. The "Muddled Kate" is a superb pattern in peat stained water for the migratory salmonoids and is also useful for Rainbow Trout when they want a wake and some speed in their patterns ! It is also effective early in the Spring Time as an attractor pattern for Brown Trout.

Originally called the Penguin Fly, this is the great fly designed and created by Kingsmill Moore, the father of the Bumble range of fishing flies. He pays particular attention to the fact that the crest feathers of the tail and overwing should be almost "Halo" like in detail around the starkly black wing. It is a good fly for Sea Trout in larger sizes and extremely effective in small sizes for Brown Trout when midges are hatching.

This is a slight variant on the traditional pattern which carries two small J.C. cheeks on either side of the wing. It is extremely effective for all of the Trout species and had been responsible for many Salmon catches down through the years. It is especially effective on resident fish and in smaller sizes for Brown Trout.

This variant of the one-time classical Salmon Fly came to us from Killarney Ghillie John Buckley who uses it on Lock Lein to great effect on the unsuspecting populations of Brown Trout of that beautiful fishery. The variant carries a slip of Green in the wing which John maintains is essential for getting the pattern to work effectively.

A truly great pattern which imitates many of the food types which occupy Trout diets for much of the year. It imitates water louse and shrimp mainly but will be taken for many other food types with confidence by the fish.

This is the Spider version of the famous March Brown pattern. It has a more shrimp-like profile than its older relative and a rib of Pearsall’s Hot Orange Floss, making it highly visible in water carrying any amount of colour.

This is a pearly version of the famous original Muddler Minnow which was designed to imitate flathead minnows. Its deer hair head creates a great wake, similar to that of a sedge skating across the water surface having emerged form its shuck. This pattern has found great favour on the western Isles as a catcher of Sea Trout and Salmon on the Loughs. In addition to all of this versatility , it is a fry imitation of the highest class, and is one of those flies that should be in every anglers box.

A great pattern for Salmon and Sea Trout, this version of the Invicta fishes particularly well in peat stained water. It is also fished in Ireland on the great western lakes early in the season when it is taken for shrimp or louse.

Based on the original Wickhams Fancy, this variant carries a body of Pearl Mylar in place of the originals Gold body. It is successful for trout feeding on fry and will also pass as a more than adequate sedge imitation. It is favoured by lough fishermen over the Gold version in many places as it is regarded as being more subtle in colour, especially on bright days.

A "Like it or Loath it" pattern for many fishers, there can be no denying the heritage which this fly carries with itself. Originally an attractor pattern which has found great favour as an imitative pattern in latter years, the Peter Ross is accepted as a great fry imitator as well as a representative pattern during the latter stages of emerging insects on still and running water. Another "top 10" for the traditionally minded anglers, it cannot be denied its place among the greats.

This a Sea Trout orientated butcher, much favoured in the Western Isles for the Lough in addition to the river. It works particularly well for fresh fish, when it is taken for a fry.

Another variant of the Invicta which has proven very successful with the migratory branch of fishes. It also is extremely effective when fish are fry-feeding in addition to its general sedge-like properties.

This was originally a Salmon Fly of some repute. Now dedressed, it is one of the most popular wet flies fished on the Loughs in Ireland today. Our version is tied with a hen hackle which allows for greater movement within the pattern as the fly is being retrieved. The addition of J.C. eyes has greatly enhanced the pattern and has opened the versatility of the pattern up to river fishers for Sea Trout.

One of the classical Sea Trout flies for many years, this fly has also staked a claim with the Stillwater fishers as a pattern to fall back on when pin fry are on the menu. With its deeply contrasting shades of Black, White, Blue and Silver, it is no wonder that it has remained to modern times without much in the way of change.

A thoroughly Irish pattern, although closely related to the Scottish Dunkeld pattern, this is a great attractor fly for all of the trout species and no underachiever when it comes to Salmon. This version is an abbreviated version of the Classic Atlantic Salmon fly of long ago, but no less effective when fished in peaty water, be it still or running. The orange hackles set against the black body make it easy to see by creating a dense yet sparkling profile. It imitates Perch Fry later in the season when fished in larger sizes and will be taken as a chironomid earlier in the season when fished in the smaller sizes. A definite top 10 for those of traditional tastes, this fly rarely disappoints, regardless of its position on the leader.

This is basically the standard Watson’s Fancy, with the Blue feather from a Mallard wing used as the winging material. It reached us via Lough Currane where it is unrivalled as a tail fly in the smallest sizes. It is favoured also by the traditional lough-style fishermen as a great fly during the Duckfly period.

A fly of great renown amongst Trout and Salmon fishers of Scottish origins. It is a superlative tail fly for all of the species, for the most part of the season. It has spawned a great range of style variants using the same basic dressing due to its success. Our version is dressed with a floss body whereas often for lough fishing a seals fur body is used.