Author: [email protected] (D Harper)
“There is nothing new in fly tying” – an old adage in fly tying, which applies to this very fly. Today we review the Red-Head Grunter tied by Steve Cullen. steve describes the “grunter” as a style rather than a fly but this popular dry fly is something you should always have in your arsenal. A great fly for finding weather whether it’s summer when the orange and red are solitary or fishing around weedbeds in the fall when the big fish are probing around for a feast.What Steve wanted on this fly was to add a bit of color…
Today we have Steve Cullens Catmorant – Cat Whisker Cormorant. Steve fishes white Cormorant patterns especially late in the season. This version has a few colorful tweaks borrowed from proven fish catchers with white, green and a dash of orange that seem to hone in on the trout. Steve recommends fishing it on a team with a sinking line down a Di3, although some people like Cormorants on a washing line he finds they are best fished fast on a team of lures with a booby on point. If you are fishing small stillwaters, try it with some nymphs or…
We review another installment of OnTheHookFishing, this time featuring Mr. Henry Gilbey of Savage Gear! He’s here to explain that fishing for Bass in the UK doesn’t have to break the bank and provides valuable information on what Rod, Reel and tackle you’ll need to start your new hobby!There are many different types of lure rods in different brands, so to keep it simple, Henry recommends any rod 8ft5 to 9ft5 with a casting weight of 10-30g. The reason for this is because of the lures you will be using, as many will not exceed 35g and it is also…
Today we take a look at the Slow Sink Buzzer tied by Steve Cullen! As Steve points out when the fish are feeding high in the water it can be a choice to keep your fly in the zone to attract them, so slowing down the sinking speed of your fly increases your chances of tempting one on the way down. Some fly tyers use hackles to slow the sink, but as Steve points out hook selection plays an important role in slowing the sink rate especially on such a minimal pattern. Make sure you have a few of these…
Today we examine the art of Light Rock Fishing (LRF)! To help us understand what LRF is all about, OnTheHookFishing featuring John Locker (TheFishLocker) decided to attend The Big LERF fundraiser, along with organizer Ben Bassett!John hasn’t done LRF much so Ben takes him through where LRF comes from, what kind of kit you need to start fishing this way and gives tips and techniques for getting multiple species hooked! Over the past 10 years, LRF has evolved and become a very popular form of fishing lure on our shores.When it comes to fishing, we often check the general conditions…
Today we’re reviewing the Lethal Weapon tie-in by Steve Cullen. As the name suggests, this pattern is deadly when targeting Brown Trout. If you are fishing the Hill Lochs or anywhere else with Brownies, this pattern is really good when the sedge is hatched or as a shrimp imitation in waters like Grafham where they feed on Freshwater Shrimp. It’s a very simple tie with only a few materials that require a very fishy big palmered pattern that should have you ready for your next day out on the loch.All the materials needed to tie this fly are available from…
Today we look at the Missing Link Corixa, tied by Steve Cullen. This variant is a design of Steve’s and it has a similar shape to a Cruncher. This is a great fly to use when you are casting into or across weedbeds. There are around 35 different types of Corixa in the UK, with the most common being the Corixa Punctata, usually set in dark drown and/or yellow! This fly is perfect for use throughout the season, but according to Steve, this fly works best when fished in the latter months of the year in late October and early…
Today we review Dennis the Menace Booby, tied by Steve Cullen. The original Dennis the Menace was a simple black and red marabou lure, however, Steve’s variant was tied on a short hook with a smaller tail and a different set of colors. Steve says this fly works incredibly well when all around him are fishing buzzers, especially if he pairs it with a Cat as a duo. Perfect for Reservoirs and Rivers, so string a few of these together, try pairing them in a duo and get noticed!All the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow…
Today we’re in the boat with Robbie Northman of Savage Gear with OnTheHookFishing! In this episode we are on Robbie’s stretch of water located in the Northfolk Broads and the task is to catch some Pike on the Fly. Fly Fishing for Pike can be very rewarding with great sport, explosive takes and top water action. Use a balanced setup paired with a fly that mimics a baitfish and you’ll get great results from the bank or boat targeting this powerful predator.If you’re thinking of trying some fly fishing for Pike, you’ll need heavier gear to deal with these ferocious…
Today we’re looking at a cool wild Brown Trout pattern called the Half Hog, tied by Steve Cullen. This is a tricky little fly to tie, but well worth the time and effort, especially if you plan to fish any rivers or reservoirs. The half-pig will ideally fish alone, but it can fish in a team if necessary. This works especially well when there is a chopper in the water, because it sits there and you can see it from a distance. If you like a challenge, try this fly and you won’t be disappointed!All the materials needed to tie…