Fly Dressers' GuildSummer is over, its started raining at last, the nights are drawing in, children / grandchildren will soon be back to school – so no more child minding.  You all must have time to restart fly tying…
Unless you are off somewhere for some September sunshine maybe start using  your free time to sort out your fly tying bags, boxes and bags materials… sharpen your scissors and get ready for some fly tying.

We restart Fly Tying sessions at The Baskerville Arms, Shiplake, on Thursday 4th September at 19:00 – 21:30 and will continue on the first and last Thursdays of each month (with an adjustment around Christmas / New Year), as usual, until the first Thursday of May 2026.

This winter we will offer two different series of fly patterns and techniques: Trout and Grayling flies led by TBA; and Sea Trout and Salmon flies led by Peter.  Unfortunately, Geoff says he no longer has time to lead the Trout and Grayling group – is there a volunteer to take over this decidedly un-onerous task?

Entirely up to you – join a group, or tie your own flies for fishing, or just come along for a drink and a chat – your choice, all are welcome.  We have a fabulous room in the pub and are always made to feel welcome. Bring a friend!

Programme

Thursday 4th September

Silver Daddy or other Daddy styles
Silver Daddy Muddler or Beadhead
Fly Dressers' Guild Bronze, Silver or Gold Award Programmes start.

Draft programme – for discussion on Thursday (PDF)

Trout and Grayling Fly Tying Group

This week - Silver Body Daddies.  Daddies are very much in season during September.
We will need to discuss a Trout / Grayling programme.  Anyone like to lead it?

Sea Trout and Salmon Fly Tying Group

This week we will tie Silver Body Daddies – in various style: standard, bead head and muddler. Pattern (PDF)
Muddler head patterns – primarily for sea trout and salmon in lochs, but smaller ones equally good for trout in rivers and rainbow trout in reservoirs, where they can attract fish in the evening.

Fly Dressers' Guild Awards Programme

Please let Peter know if you would like to progress through any of the Bronze, Silver or Gold Fly Dressers' Guild Awards programmes – so that mentors can be arranged.

Ideas, Suggestions and Requests

Please let us know if you have any Ideas, Suggestions or Requests regarding the Programme, how to tie a technique, or anything else – we have many experts always happy to help and adopt your ideas!

Fly Dressers' Guild John Watts Reservoir Fishing Competition

Held this year at Grafham Water last Saturday.  Whilst the Thames Valley Invicta Team did better than last year, other than John K-H, we did not excel and ended up 4th out of 10 teams.  Three of us did not find the correct line / flies / locations to catch the fish which were there.  Most of the day it was very low wind and a near flat calm. Next year the competition will probably be at Draycote – it would be great to have 4 more anglers to form another team.

Fishing

Farmoor Reservoir is restricted to catch only (no release) until the water temperature reduces.  It is not fishing well at present.  Draycote Water, currently closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, is fishing well with a rod average of 7 recently.

British Fly Fair International (BFFI) 2026

Will be on Sat 7th & Sun 8th February 2026 at Staffordshire County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford. ST18 0BD, as usual.  It is worth a visit – book your ticket in advance!

As always – if there is anyone on this distribution list that no longer wants to receive these emails – please let me know and Peter will delete your address.

A quick reminder that all who have said ‘yes’ meet for Dinner on Thursday 1st May at 7pm at the Baskerville Arms, Shiplake, ready to start eating at 7:30pm.

Hopefully you have all submitted your menu choice and money to Charles.

Fly Tying Sessions

We restart Fly Tying Sessions at the Baskerville Arms at 7pm on Thursday 4th September 2025.

We meet for Fly Tying at The Baskerville Arms in Shiplake this Thursday 24th April as usual 19:00 - 21:30.

This Week

We are tying…

Trout and Grayling - Winged or Hackled Dry Fly

Salmon and Sea Trout - Tiny Summer Doubles / Tubes

FDG Silver Award - Own Choice

Of course, you are more than welcome to tie your own choice of fly or simply come for a drink and chat.

End of Fly-Tying Season Dinner

A quick reminder that our last meeting for this fly-tying season will be on Thursday 1st May.  If you would like a dinner, etc, please respond to the email about your menu choice from Charles.

Next Fly-Tying Season

We will restart Fly Tying on Thursday 4th September and meet the first and last Thursdays of each month through to May 2026.

Fly Dressers' Guild Elinor Bank Fishing Competition

The Fly Dressers' Guild Bank Fishing Competition is at Elinor Trout Fishery, Aldwinkle, NN14 3EE on Sunday 18th May.  A good day out. Fishing is from 09.3 to 12.00, a break for lunch, and then 12.45 to 17:00, with a light meal and prize-giving ceremony afterwards. It is for teams of 3, but individuals are very welcome and will be grouped as teams, if possible.

FDG Thames Valley Website

Please look at and contribute your fly tying and fishing photos to our website ably managed by Simon

We meet for Fly Tying at The Baskerville Arms in Shiplake this Thursday 3rd April as usual 19:00 - 21:30.

This Week

We are tying…

Trout and Grayling - Detached body Mayfly

Salmon and Sea Trout - Ally Shrimp fly or tube (Dressing)

FDG Silver Award - Blue Charm

For those that have no seen it – please refer to our draft tying programme for the rest of 2025

Next Time - Thursday 27th March

We are tying…

Trout and Grayling - Winged or Hackled Dry Fly

Salmon and Sea Trout - Tiny Summer doubles / tubes

FDG Silver Award - Blue Charm

Of course, you are more than welcome to tie your own choice of fly or simply come for a drink and chat.

Fly Dressers' Guild Elinor Bank Fishing Competition

The Fly Dressers' Guild Bank Fishing Competition is at Elinor Trout Fishery, Aldwinkle, NN14 3EE on Sunday 18th May.  A good day out. Fishing is from 09.3 to 12.00, a break for lunch, and then 12.45 to 17:00, with a light meal and prize-giving ceremony afterwards. It is for teams of 3, but individuals are very welcome and will be grouped as teams, if possible.

Fly Dressers' Guild Surrey Branch Auction 

Out of interest, the Surrey FDG Branch Auction sold nearly £3,200 of Lots raising over £400 for the Branch.  Well auctioned by Chris and technically managed by Caroline.

Auctions of Angling Items

Angling Auctions in Stockbridge – on Sat 5th Apr 2025 – high end items – their catalogue is an eye watering drool re prices….

End of Fly-Tying Season Dinner

A quick reminder that our last meeting for this fly-tying season will be on Thursday 1st May.  If you would like a dinner, etc, please let us know.  I’m sure that Charles could organise it again very efficiently.  After that you will all be far to busy fishing…

FDG Thames Valley Website

Please look at and contribute your fly tying and fishing photos to our website ably managed by Simon

We meet for Fly Tying at The Baskerville Arms in Shiplake this Thursday 27th March as usual 19:00 - 21:30.

This Week

We are tying…

Trout and Grayling - Spiders - images of three different traditional Spider wet flies below

Salmon and Sea Trout - Cascade tube / double variants - Images below

FDG Silver Award - Czech Nymph

For those that have no seen it – please refer to our draft tying programme for the rest of 2025

Next Time - Thursday 27th March

We are tying…

Trout and Grayling - Detached body Mayfly

Salmon and Sea Trout - Ally Shrimp fly or tube (Dressing)

FDG Silver Award - Blue Charm

Of course, you are more than welcome to tie your own choice of fly or simply come for a drink and chat.

Fly Dressers' Guild Elinor Bank Fishing Competition

The Fly Dressers' Guild Bank Fishing Competition is at Elinor Trout Fishery, Aldwinkle, NN14 3EE on Sunday 18th May.  A good day out. Fishing is from 09.3 to 12.00, a break for lunch, and then 12.45 to 17:00, with a light meal and prize-giving ceremony afterwards. It is for teams of 3, but individuals are very welcome and will be grouped as teams, if possible.

Fly Dressers' Guild Surrey Branch Auction 

Out of interest, the Surrey FDG Branch Auction sold nearly £3,200 of Lots raising over £400 for the Branch.  Well auctioned by Chris and technically managed by Caroline.

Auctions of Angling Items

Angling Auctions in Stockbridge – on Sat 5th Apr 2025 – high end items – their catalogue is an eye watering drool re prices….

End of Fly-Tying Season Dinner

A quick reminder that our last meeting for this fly-tying season will be on Thursday 1st May.  If you would like a dinner, etc, please let us know.  I’m sure that Charles could organise it again very efficiently.  After that you will all be far to busy fishing…

FDG Thames Valley Website

Please look at and contribute your fly tying and fishing photos to our website ably managed by Simon