top 5 river flies

[Tweed]

I'm sure this has been done before, but hopefully you won't mind going over some old ground.

Having shelled out a few quid over the weekend I now have some gear, but still no idea on how the hell to go about fishing rivers.  I'm really looking forward to having a go at this form of fishing and have got myself a season ticket (sorry Dod) for one of my local rivers.  So, I'm pretty sorted and ready to go, except I haven't a clue what to put on the end.  :roll:

If you had to recommend 5 flies to a river novice for early season, what would they be, and in what size? 

Cheers,

Andrew

[Harpo]

What Col said !

Plus i'd add

Deers Hair Emergers, I like to use them to hang a Nymph off

[waafisher]

I like the spiders Tweed so would go:-
Partridge & Orange
Snipe & Purple
Waterhen Bloa
Greenwell spider
Black spider
all give me a decent chance on Whiteadder anyway.
waafisher

[haresear]

To be honest it is hard to say without seeing you fish.

I would pretty much go along with Col's suggestion (actually all the guy's suggestions are good ones). The only problem with a dry-fly based selection is that you will have to fish upstream or at least directly across the river. If you are new to river fishing, the biggest problem will be line management (aren't line managers always a problem? :x).

Anyway, more seriously...for the above reason, I would suggest that you start with wet spiders as Waafisher suggests. you can fish them upstream, but if you find that difficult (it is) you can just fish them downstream with a chance of fish.

Having said all that, my personal choice for early season is ....

parachute olive 14
cul de canard emerger or a dirty polly or klinkhamer (don't mind which, but olive bodied yet again)  14
parachute Adams 12
hare & copper nymph 12
brown wire nymph 14


Alex

[scotty9]

Great thread! Gives me an idea of what to tie up now  :lol:

[Tweed]

Thanks for the responses gentlemen.  Some common themes in there that's for sure.  Looks like I'll be waiting at least another week or so before having a dabble, what with the forecast for the next few days.

When I do get out, I'll give the spiders a throw first I think Alex - just to get used to the running water.  It's the dry-fly aspect that really attracts me though.  I'll most likely only manage the odd hour or so in the evenings as well (bathtime duties!), so I imagine I'll be flogging a dead horse until things warm up a bit.  Still, it'll be good to get out and give it a go.

That thread in the 2008 memorable topics about "how would you" makes for some really interesting reading for a newcomer to this branch of the sport as well.

Cheers again,

Andrew

[sandyborthwick]

Iron Blue Dun 14
Partridge & Orange 14
GRHE 12
Pink Bug 16
PTN green Glister Thorax 14

I would also go for a Black Gnat if it was more of a peaty moorland job.

Sandy B.O.

[Harpo]

It's the dry-fly aspect that really attracts me though.  I'll most likely only manage the odd hour or so in the evenings as well (bathtime duties!),

Wait till we hit the Almond Andrew...i'll have you facing up stream...fly line tangled round your boots....tapered leader warpped round the nearest tree and Klinkhamer in your ear lobe in no time at all !

[Tweed]

Ha ha - that's almost exactly the mental image I'd conjured up about attempting this lark.  Throw in some sub-zero temperatures and driving sleet and we're there.  :lol:

[bibio1]

Haresear DHE
Olive CDC emerger
Pheasant Tail emerger
Yellow May funnel Dun
Orange Spinner


you could also add cdc&ELK AND A WHOLE LOT MORE

Looks like we will have to wait a wee while before we get to try them in ernest. Has anyone seen any good hatches yet?

cheers

Paul