Check out my interview and podcast with Pete Tyjas from Fly Culture here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei_0YUHr0n0
Also check out Fly Culture here for their excellent magazine, loads of interesting fly fishing stuff and other podcasts too
https://flyculturemag.com/

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Catch & Release Best Practice:

Its been a dry season so far and a lot of our rivers are very very low. Add to the fact that temperatures are in the upper 20's with bright sunshine means that it's great for sunbathing and watching the World Cup with a cool one in the shade but not great for us fly fishers or for the trout & grayling either.
I thought it might be useful to share some handy Catch & Release advice just to remind ourselves and make sure we are all doing our best to look after our wo...
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Eventually things have started to warm up after what all I can say has been a cold, slow, and patchy spring. The hatches have been the best I have seen for a good few years but trout seem to have been reluctant to rise despite the bounty on the surface. Fish have been in great fettle which has meant fishing earlier in the day and early evening to match their active [periods. This last bit of warm weather has really got the hatches in full swing with Hawthorns, Black Gnats, Iron Blues, Yellow ...

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Eventually things have started to warm up after what all I can say has been a cold, slow, and patchy spring. The hatches have been the best I have seen for a good few years but trout seem to have been reluctant to rise despite the bounty on the surface. Fish have been in great fettle which has meant fishing earlier in the day and early evening to match their active [periods. This last bit of warm weather has really got the hatches in full swing with Hawthorns, Black Gnats, Iron Blues, Yellow ...

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This years BFFI was brilliant and it was wonderful to meet up with clients old and new. I have to say it was one of the best ones I have attended in a good few years. Well done Bridgette, Steve & the Team
The following link will take you to a Blog from my good friend Richard Fieldhouse of Barbless Flies featuring a number of interviews talking about this years British Fly Fair including one with yours truly !!!. Hope you enjoy?
If you havn't been before and get a chance to visit BFFI in Staffor...
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Seasons Greetings to all DFF Co. Fly Fishing Friends




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Yeah,.... I've won some awards over the years.... 
Yeah Yeah.....  I'm experienced and have fly fished  in many places around the world ....
and Yeah  Yeah Yeah  I'm a qualified Coach, insured etc etc BUT what makes a Great Fly Fishing Guide ???

Well its not for me to say so I'll just leave it to my Clients and what they say makes a "Great Guide"... I think the smiles says it all



 
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Thank you so much for the nomination which resulted in The Durham Fly Fishing Company winning the LTG 2018 European Award for Service Excellence for the second year running. To make things even better I also found out this month that DFFCo. has won the 2018 Travel & Hospitality Award for Service Excellence.
As a client, you will always be my principal focus when arranging lessons, coaching, guided days or trips in the UK & other destinations. Seeking feedback is really important so I can revie...
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Its something I'm really passionate about and something that I really enjoy, helping people but especially the Youth get into fly fishing. As a qualified Angling Coach, being able to share my International experience while working as Head Talent Coach with the Angling Trust over the past 6 years has been tremendous in so many ways. Introducing Youth to competitive fly fishing through a proper coaching programme has resulted in well over 30 International Caps through the Talent Pathway.

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Thanks to Jon from Outdoor Empire for allowing me to share the following link.
Not that we need another reason to go fishing as we already have thousands however there is an important one that few anglers ever consider:  FlyFishing – is great for your health.

Anytime you spend time outdoors in the natural world, you’ll enjoy the restorative and stress-relieving benefits nature provides, but fishing provides a number of other benefits that you won’t get by just going for a picnic or bird...

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Charles Mountier (above) the founder of Wilderness Now is fanatical about adventure in the UK and wants to help you get out there.

Wilderness Now and their team, which includes The Durham Fly Fishing Company, are working with the best UK guides offering unique, personal and authentic adventures for you to discover. 

Their community of adventure seekers include city professionals, families, sporty couples and those seeking to discover the outdoors for the first time. 

Man...

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As you all know "The Lifter" is a favorite of mine and many clients go to dry pattern for searching the water and covering rising fish. However there are many times when the fish get locked onto small uprights.
A key trigger is often the wing appearing in the trouts window ( Check out Vince Marinaro  "The Ring of the Rise" which has been a major influence on my dry fly fishing )


So here we have it.. ..my  "Perfect Olive" or "Stuie's Olive"   even though my good pal Charles Jardine did credit it...
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The Durham Fly Fishing Company are delighted to announce a new partnership with The High Force Hotel in Upper Teesdale, County Durham to provide a comprehensive range of Fly Fishing and Tenkara packages for anyone interested in fishing the fantastic Upper Tees in County Durham.
Since Jan & Kevin took over the hotel last year they have completely renovated and refurbished the hotel .. the rooms, the bar, the kitchen... in fact everything to make this a wonderful venue for a fly fishing break o...
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Check out three videos recently added to the Tips & Advice section of my site to help answer some common questions:

DFF Co Fly Fishing Tips & Advice Videos

They cover :
1. Fly Fishing for Grayling with Dry Fly;

2. Imitation v Representation in Fly Choice and Design;

3. Developing your Fly Fishing Approach ....Developing a Game Plan 

Hope you enjoy ....
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I thought it would be useful to share a recent independent review received from Phil P of the Rexfly Casting System.

Well Stu, I managed to get out today with the Rexfly today on Elan Valley to chase some wild browns on the Claerwen Dam in Wales.

Well to be fair, this new bit of kit came into its own when I got used to it which did not take that long for me. Casting, a fly rod without a reel attached, may sound weird, but what a joy it is.

For someone that suffers from tennis elbow and a bad s...

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I'm excited to take a stand at the forthcoming London Fly Fishing Fair so I can showcase the wonderful rivers and lakes in the North of England and some of the other guided destination fly fishing trips I host.


Please pop by and say hello...you never know I might just be able to provide that perfect fly fishing break experience you have been looking for. 
I will also be using the event to showcase The Durham Fly Fishing Company recently winning the Luxury Tourist Guide 2017 European Award for S...
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**STOP PRESS**  
Rex Huang is flying over from the USA to join DFF Co as the UK distributor for REXFLY products at this years BFFI at Stafford  
Here's your chance to talk to the inventor and manufacturer of Rexfly himself and give the system a try.

Rex Huang demoing the Rexfly Casting System


Check out my Rexfly Casting System page to see the whole range of products as well as a video showing the system in more detail.
I will of course have plenty of stock of RM Miracle Float and Stroft to fulfill...
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Last Friday was as cold a spring day as I can remember on the River Eden.
I was sharing my day out with Freddie who just started fly fishing this spring and is always eager to get on the river. He was set up with spiders and nymphs  and already fishing within minutes of arriving....and as he says its just great to be out on the river.
An easterly gusty wind with a bit of Northern wetness thrown in  blowing over the snow capped Pennines accentuated the already nithered feel. I had  previously d...
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Check out these great Winter Christmas Special offers....limited time 


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This is a story about a real guiding day with a regular client Kelvin.
He had been out with me a good few times and I have to say his fly fishing has improved so much in a year that he is now a very decent fly fisher and able to catch a good few trout & grayling on the rivers. With the river levels being so low and clear and very little hatching during the day I suggested he may wish to re-arrange however all credit to him, he wanted to use this as an opportunity to really develop his skills ...

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The 2015 Trout season got off to a great start on 15 March with this stunning beauty on the dry ...check out those orange fins


Managed another 5 on the wet nymph set up.. Next visit different river brought another 6 to hand but not a trout caught...all grayling!!. Hatches were "slight" but better than non existent and I had the feeling that the hatches are better some days than others but at least the fish were looking up. A few days Guiding,Coaching, Casting and CPD training last week and tom...
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I am personally really excited to be part of this project which originally came about from a discussion with a good friend of mine Stephen who suggested utilising my fly fishing knowledge and skills to provide an online video fly fishing resource.
Of course being shy and quiet,  I initially said no way!! but with a little arm twistin...
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A presentation I gave this week to the Members of Halifax Fly Fishers was on this very subject.

So what is success?  
What makes you happy?
Do you know what success looks and feels like for you?

Sometimes we anglers are continually in search fro the Holy Grail ...the best fly , the best leader,the best rod and reel and maybe perhaps the answer is already right there in front of you.

OK I know I'm being a bit philosophical but hey why not if it makes me happy? 

The presentation also includes some...
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This week I have been guiding Kelvin. He has been out with me a good few times and I have to say his fly fishing has improved so much in a year that he is now a very decent fly fisher and able to catch a good few trout & grayling on the rivers.
With the river levels being so low and clear and very little hatching during the day I suggested he may wish to re-arrange however all credit to him, he wanted to use this as an opportunity to really develop his skills and tactics to handle such situat...

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If you get a chance check out the video complied by Wilderness TV and Snowbee UK of the 2014 Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships in Devon England.
You can check me out at 8.44 and 43.50 via my front page or at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-VICwVEoBQ

Why not download a copy of my new brochure which includes a free Handy River Hatch Chart ...DFF CO Brochure

Testing out my new outdoor Banner


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First of all sorry for the lack of news and updates, the heading tells the story and since April I have been busy Guiding and providing tuition to lots of clients and the feedback from everyone is fantastic. Thank you so much I must be doing something right. 
If you are interested in regular updates, please check out my Facebook page and even better send me a request and lets be friends. 
As a member of the Coaching Team for the Angling Trust Talent Pathway another 5 young talented anglers secu...
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Some days are just better than others,they may not start that way but end up being better than anticipated.
yesterday was just one of those days. The rivers and the fishing have been typically spring like... not quite on form?
So with the weather taking a turn for the better, the dreadful sea fret/fog and easterlies deciding to bugger off for a change.
I was out and about early on the river trying a few bits I have not fished for a good few years.
Yes a bit of a higher risk strategy however if y...
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On 12 March I had the chance to fish the beautiful West Tanfield Club waters on the Ure as part of a grayling brood stock programme. To say I was honoured is an understatement as it's a piece of water that has so much history but is also one ...of those "dead mans shoes" sections of river.
To be able to fish in Walbran's footsteps was an absolute privilege and also to get a few of his beloved grayling was a bonus.
More info on Max Walbran and a brief glimpse...
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The Mk1 Lifter Dressing:
Hook: TMC 103bl 13/15/17;
Body Thread : Danvilles 6-0 Yellow;
Tail/Shuck: Turralls Ginger Polywing;
Thorax: Dubbed Hares Ear;
Underwing: Para Post Yarn (Dun)
Overwing: Elk
Head: Dubbed Hares Ear
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It started last Monday evening meeting John & Mick at Earlston and a couple of pre trip beers in The Bull before our start on Tuesday morning.
These trips are not really planned  just an idea of a direction to head in and a few options and then see where we end up. John offered to do the driving so that was a result and early Tuesday morning we're off to the Clyde near Abington for day one.
Our final itinerary:

• Clyde (Abington/Crawford)
• Pitlochry (overnight)
• Spey (Kingussie)
• Aviemore (overnight)
• Don...

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Guiding with Derick on the Upper Tees
Derick said: "What a great day, everything was perfect from the Bacon Sarnies to the pint of Rivet Catcher at the Langdon Hotel at the end of the day. Knowledge and expertise second to none, banter brilliant, companionship superb not much more to say really other than Cheers Mate"



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Guiding on Monday, a re-arranged day due to the very cold & slow early April we had. A month later and the forecast was not much better apart from a tad warmer but still snow, hail, wind, gale force gusts and rain interspersed with sunny spells ...so the forecast was not great.
Skippy once told me (Stuart Crofts) that some of the days we think are not going to be great actually end up being some of the best days !!....it must be good old fashioned Yorkshire common sense.
Anyway arrived at the r...
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Blimey...this spring is taking some time to warm up and I'm sure it's because we were so spoilt last year with such a warm early start. In reality the insects never really get going until there are a few leaves on the hedgerows & trees and they are just now showing some greenery up in the frozen north !!.
I managed to squeeze just over an hour this Wednesday on a warm but very windy river in between some appointments with hotels, guest houses & one of my major tackle suppliers.
There was still ...
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Despite these challenging spring conditions managed a nice one on Saturday and at 53 cm was very pleased especially on the dry from a really difficult lie under some branches ...it thought it was safe !!....
We just need some warmer weather and the water to warm up to get some more of these on the feed.


 
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These Easterly winds have been with us for over 3 weeks now and with temperatures just getting above zero and daily snow squalls it is a completely different season to our glorious 21 degree start last year!. We're now into April and there's still snow around !!



Large Dark Olives and Midge are coming off at lunchtime and a few out of season grayling are moving on our rivers East of the Pennines however the trout definitely have their heads down and the odd ones coming to the nymph are in need ...
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As the new 2013 season kicks off remember If you require any tackle, equipment or fly tying materials or just simply want some impartial advice, please get in touch and let DFF Co help by sourcing the best available and at extremely competitive prices.

Because we are not ...tied to any supplier, we have access to a huge range of fly fishing & fly tying gear, let the DFF Co take the hassle out of searching for what you need. Just get in touch and see what we can do to help.
Remember advice is ...

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We all seem to travel more to fish different rivers and waters than we ever did before...often to other parts of the UK but also abroad too.
So this is vitally important and illustrates that we anglers are a responsible bunch and take bio security seriously to protect our waters now and for the future.
It's really just common sense and not at all difficult so please everyone let's all do our bit and make sure we prevent the spread of invasive species on our waters ...... CHECK - CLEAN - DRY

Che...

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Last Saturday I was guiding Calvin on the Swale and to say it was a bit cold was an understatement.
Calvin was over from British Columbia visiting family in the area and got in touch at short notice as he fancied a few hours on a Northern spate river chasing grayling. Job sorted....wished I could have sorted the weather though !!....well I guess it was almost home from home!!! and even a nice big smile too.

 

 

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If January and the first week of February is an indication of orders and bookings for the 2013 season...things are looking very bright here at The Durham Fly Fishing Company especially when you can feel that spring is just around the corner.
All guiding and tuition rates have once again been held at 2011 prices which means even better value for all my clients...past present & future.
A taster of new services for 2013...

• Wilderness Fly Fishing adventure weekends on river/lake/loch in wild and...

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Fishing is all about learning and now that I'm out and about travelling and fishing  here and there I continue to learn.
One of the biggest  issues for me this year was sleeping over in the Jeep.

My mate JT tells a good story of kipping in the car which may ring a few bells with those that have tried !!**!!!.

I'm a bit more up market (probably age related neccessity really) and my Jeep is kitted out as a great overnighter however a few things have been improved to achieve a comfortable overnigh...
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Looking for the perfect Christmas Gift for the fly fisher in your life or even for yourself ??

I have a number of the following items from Smith Creek (New Zealand) which are fantastic quality, unique and I will guarantee your mates will want one too......

Rod Clip...only £19.99 plus postage

Protect the environment and safely store your waste leader etc with theFish Trash....only £9.99 plus postage


That new semi auto reel you always fancied.... try the Thinkfish...