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...
Continue reading ...

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 ...

Continue reading ...

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 ...

Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

Seasons Greetings to all DFF Co. Fly Fishing Friends




Continue reading ...

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



 
Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

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.

Continue reading ...

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...

Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

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 ....
Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

Check out these great Winter Christmas Special offers....limited time 


Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

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


Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

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"



Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

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 ...

Continue reading ...

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...

Continue reading ...

Currently finalising arrangements for another Grayling 'taster day' late November/early December on the River Tees courtesy of local angling clubs and in association with the Grayling Society (Area 11).
Already over 15 people have signed up to the event which will provide advice and tuition for those wanting to start or improve their skills when chasing the "ladies of the stream".
Last weekend we had a similar session with Durham Fly Fishers which was really succesful and brought about the ide...

Continue reading ...

I've recently  been appointed as a Pro Staff member of the USA  AQUA Design Team.
For those who have seen me in my camouflage shirts and wondered where you can get them follow the above link. The quality of the AQUA range of gear is superb and I'm positive that anything you can do to help disguise yourself and not spook fish has to be a definite advantage.

Spot me with this years Commonwealth Fly Fishing Team in Tasmania (with Dave Grove, John Tyzack, Andy Gooding, Phil Lebski & Bernie Maher)




M...
Continue reading ...

In a new partnership with Esoteric Tackle, the Durham Fly Fishing Company now provides Tenkara tuition, guiding and can supply all the gear required as part of the whole range of services on offer.
A good fishing friend and possibly the best exponent of tenkara in the UK, Dave Southall,  introduced me to it a couple of years ago. This year we had a great day out giving it a go on one of our upper northern rivers, and I have to say Tenkara beat the traditional fly rod and line by aproximately ...
Continue reading ...

A beauty wild brown trout just over the pound caught by John on the dries on what was a tough day this week. 
15 minutes after this picture was taken the water came up brown and muddy...and we definitely weren't on the Mississippi !!
Hopefully this rain will ease soon and we can get back on the rivers.
In the meantime, fly & tackle orders and ventures to lakes and stillwaters are keeping us busy.


.

Continue reading ...

A big congratulations to Thomas Adamson (in the middle with the envelope) for getting a place in next years England Youth International Team at the Youth National last week at Pitsford.
Also a big well done to the other lads in this years Talent Pathway for doing the North proud ...I have high expectations for these young lads going forward and they are all a credit to fly fishing.

In March I was appointed by the Angling Trust to be a Head Coach for the Northern Region (North East, North West, ...
Continue reading ...

I managed to keep hold of a couple of fantastic brown trout this week ...a 54 cm and a 58cm which fought like tigers. Lost a few others as well !!......need this rain to stop and then back on my travels.

Continue reading ...

The Durham Fly Fishing Company online shop goes live today.
Why not have a look and feel free to order by phone, email or via paypal online.
We currently provide a select range of flyfishing essentials that over the years have proven themselves and are a keypart of my fishing gear:  

• Stroft GTM & ABR
• Leaders and Indicators
• Flies and Fly selections
• Specialist hooks

More products will be added as the business progresses.

I am also providing a special discount for the first 50 customer...

Continue reading ...