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Thursday, 23 December 2021
Tying the Red Legged Bibio with Davie McPhail
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Thursday, 16 December 2021
Tying the Irn Bru F.A.B with Davie McPhail
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Thursday, 9 December 2021
Tying a Hackled Mop Fly by Steve Cullen
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Thursday, 25 November 2021
Tying the Hare's Mask Midge Pupa/Buzzer with Davie McPhail
Materials Used:
Head: Uni-8/0 Red
Thursday, 11 November 2021
Tying a Magenta Dabbler with Davie McPhail
Materials Used:
Wing: Dyed Magenta Cock and Bronze Mallard Fibres
Eyes: Small Jungle Cock
Thursday, 4 November 2021
Tying the Junction Shrimp Tube Fly with Davie McPhail
Materials Used:
Thread: Uni-Fire Orange Tail: Orange Bucktail Rib: Flat or Oval Silver Tinsel (Medium to Large) Body: Black Floss Wing: Orange Mirror Flash and White Bucktail Eyes: Jungle Cock ( Optional) Head: Either the Fire Orange Thread used or Glo-Brite No. 4 Flu-Red
Thursday, 28 October 2021
Tying a Small Emerger Dun with Davie McPhail
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Tuesday, 5 October 2021
Tying a Stickle Dub Sparkle Deer Hair Emerger with Steve Cullen
Today we are looking at the Sparkle Deer Hair Emerger, tied by Steve Cullen. The Deers Hair Emerger or DHE is an incredibly popular pattern that has found great success around the world. Originally designed by Bob Wyatt, this fly was created to be simple and effective. The reason this pattern has found great success is that the fly itself can match various hatches in the early and late seasons. You will definitely get some good results from this fly, especially if tied in various sizes and colours!
All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to tie a Sparkle Deer Hair Emerger, with the guidance of Steve Cullen.
Materials Used:
Body: Veniard Stickle Dub, Natural Thorax: Veniard Stickle Dub, Natural & Spectra 32
Post: Natural deer hair
Thursday, 9 September 2021
How To Prevent Damage To Your Fishing Rods - Rod Tips
We sell 1000s of rods every year, inevitably there are accidents and faults but there are some common breakages we see all the time and some simple steps to avoid them that will could keep you fishing and save you time and money down the line.
Rod tips are the weakest point of any rod, generally, if there is a break in the top quarter of a rod it is likely the rod has been bent at a very tight angle, and not on the natural curve of the rod. This is easy to spot and in most cases the manufacturer will be able to tell when they're checking the rod or replacing sections under warranty. Most genuinely faulty rod section will break the first time they are put under load - usually first cast or first fish!
Avoid Common Tip Breakages
*If pulling line through the tip of your
rod, please do so by using the widest angle possible to prevent
the rod tip breaking. Holding the rod by the handle and pulling
the line down towards you from the tip eye can snap the rod tip incredibly easily, as the
angle is too tight and does not allow the rod to bend on a full
natural curve. Be especially careful if you have just threaded the rod eyes and the line is still dry as the guides can grip the line and cause a "ratcheting" effect near the tip of the rod!
*When landing a fish, try to use a landing
net where possible. If a fish is splashing around at your feet
as you try to land it, this puts maximum pressure on the rod
tip, as the tip of the rod is at a very tight angle with the
fishing constantly pulling down on the tip.
*Using a scoop net is a convenient net to use whilst wading in rivers, but they do cause you to stretch to reach the fish you wish to land and are not suitable for every fishing situation.
*LRF rods, Quiver tip rods and other very fine-tipped sensitive rods are designed specifically to improve bite detection, but this also makes them easier to break and special care must be taken when using these rods. Be extra wary of getting your line wrapped around the tip of these rods - a sure fire way of breaking the tip off!
*Be wary of impacts from beaded headed flies, jigs and lures, as well as overhanging branches and snags, all of which contributed greatly to fractures and ensuing breakages. When using swivels or clips on your line take care not to engage any ceramic lined rod guide with them as they can shatter or crack the inserts.
*Casting weights, AFTM ratings and Grain or Gram weights stated on the rod should be followed, overloading and in some circumstances underloading the rod can cause breakages.
*Ensure rod sections are put together correctly at all times, as a slipped section will often crack the rod blank at the female joint. When Spey casting consider taping your rod sections with low tack insulation tape or amalgamating tape and check the rod joints at regular intervals during the day. Carfully remove all tape from the sections at the end of every session to prevent damage to the rod finish from the adhesive.
*If you get into a snag, pulling the rod into a full bend hoping to free the hook, lure or fly can end with the rod breaking before the line breaks or the line becomes free. In a snag try to point the rod at the snag and slowly walk away facing the other direction for safety keeping a low body position so that if the end tackle springs back it should stay low to the ground and not injure you or anyone else close by.
*Please don't set up your rod indoors, as it is very easy to hit the tip
of the rod off the ceiling or a wall etc, which again can cause a
breakage of the tip of the rod which is not usually associated with a
manufacturing fault. If you wish to test or flex a rod do so outdoors
with a line through the guides to allow the rod to flex as it should on
the natural curve of the rod.
Please Note: This is especially common when someone just receives a new
rod, and is eager to give the rod a quick flex to test the rod. Please
take the rod outside, where there are no obstructions that the rod could
collide with.
Tuesday, 24 August 2021
First Look at the new Savage Gear SG Reel Range!
Check these reels on our website HERE
To make a reel with peerless strength and power you have to make some compromises, right? Wrong. The SG6 is made with a Carbon Reinforced Composite (CRC) body and rotor, which is designed to increased stiffness and strength but with a much lower weight that standard graphite material. It can handle whatever extreme forces you throw at it, and it won’t weigh you down.
But it’s not all about strength, the SG6 is packed with other smart details such as a Braid-Ready spool that eliminates the need for mono backing, Savage Gear's proprietary Dura Grease for smooth and long-lasting operation, an aluminium spool, screw-in diecast handle and T-shaped line clip for easier operation.
The SG8 is a feature-packed monster constructed with a strong, stiff and lightweight Carbon Reinforced Composite (CRC) body and rotor. Excellent and long-lasting performance is guaranteed thanks to a sealed Friction Control drag system that uses carbon fibre washers, which deliver unrivalled stiffness, smoothness and fish-stopping power.
An impressive 10+1 stainless steel ball bearings (including two Japanese ball bearings) ensure reliable performance even under heavy use. It also has many characteristics that make it a pleasure to use, such a T-shaped line grip, non-slip spool eliminating the need to use mono backing and an ergonomic EVA handle.
Thursday, 5 August 2021
Tying a Cinnamon Emerger Caddis by Davie McPhail
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Thursday, 29 July 2021
Tying an Olive Snatcher Wet Fly with Davie McPhail
Materials Used:
Hook: Fulling Mill Sper Grub size 12
Thursday, 22 April 2021
Tying a Sedgehog Bibio with Davie McPhail
Materials Used:
Hook: Fulling Mill Competition Heavyweight size 12 Thread: Uni-8/0 Black Wing: Roe Deer Hair from back to front... Body: Black, Red and Black Seals Fur or Sub Hackle: Black Cock
Friday, 26 March 2021
How To Tie The Waterhen Bloa With Steve Cullen
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Thursday, 18 March 2021
How to Tie The Foam Hawthorn with Steve Cullen
A fly that never lets Steve down is the Foam Hawthorn, especially for the start of the Trout Season in the UK. The Hawthorn hatch is an important part of the river fisherman's year and can be significant on stillwaters too. Normally the peak of the Hatch is from the end of April to the middle of May. This foam bodied pattern is a great option because it just keeps on floating even when the dressing gets wet. Better still, when partly wet it will sit just in the the surface film (rather than on top of it) - which often produces a more confident take. A great fly to have tied in a few different sizes and colours!
All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to tie a Foam Hawthorn, with the guidance of Steve Cullen.
Thursday, 11 March 2021
Tying The All Rounder Nymph with Steve Cullen
One of Steve's favourite Flies for early Season Brown Trout, is the All Round Nymph, which is a fairly large nymph pattern with a 3/3.5mm bead on the end for a serious sink rate. The reason the bead is so large is so that this fly can get down through the water, near the bottom where fish are actively feeding on a hatch, it makes it ideal for Streams and Stillwaters. As Steve explains in the video, a lot of early seasons flies are based off nymphs which always seem to be rather large which is why this fly has a size 12 hook. Steve rounds off his video by tying in a trigger or collar to the fly, this is optional but is recommended to allow the Trout to easily detect the fly. As always these flies can be tied in a variety of colours and sizes and is best used during March/April time.
All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to tie an All Rounder Nymph, with the guidance of Steve Cullen.
Thursday, 4 March 2021
Tying The Mick Reid with Steve Cullen
According to Steve, years ago, Phil Dixon requested an individual to tie a Cats Whisker, however, because this individual was colour blind, they could not get the colours correct and tied the fly with what they felt was the correct pattern. Although it was not correct, when applied in the water, this fly is incredibly effective. It has provided results not only in the UK, but across into the EU and of course, in the States. It does resemble that of a Black Fritz which is also, an incredibly popular pattern and many Anglers will swear by it, that the Frtiz will always provide results.
All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to create The Mick Reid, with the guidance of Steve Cullen.
Thursday, 25 February 2021
How To Create The 'Indestructible' Squirmy by Steve Cullen
Worm flies are ideal flies to use, post rainfall or snowmelt runoff. Engorged streams with increasingly fast currents will dig into the mucky banks and churn up the burrowed worms. Trout feed on worms out of a natural reflex to eat what looks familiar or they mistake the shape and color for an extremely large midge larva. Either way, that’s good news for u. Therefore the Squirmy Wormy fly is an ideal weapon to use, the only issue with them is that after prolonged use, the tails or heads seem to fall off, rendering the fly useless. Through Steve Cullen's video, you'll be able to keep those wormy heads/tails on and if they fall off, you'll be able to replace them in no time!
All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to create an 'Indestructible' Squirmy Wormy, with the guidance of Steve Cullen.
If you are looking to try the Squirmy fly out, you will also require a Squirmy Wormy. You can find teh Squirmy Wormy on our website in a range of different colours, including the pink pattern that you seen in Steve's video.
Thursday, 18 February 2021
Tying the Pearly Headed Hare's Ear by Steve Cullen
To make a good Hare's Ear is down to the fur that you use when creating the body of the fly, that's according to Steve and you can see why. Today we look at one of Steve's take on the Hare's Ear. This fly has actually caught a lot of attention from locations where he has used this variant. He mentions that he uses this fly in teams of 3 and it provides results, especially on big waters like Grantham and small Stillwater venues.
All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to tie a Pearly Headed Hare's Ear, with the guidance of Steve Cullen.
Resin: Loon UV Clear Fly Finish
Thursday, 11 February 2021
How to Tie the Furled Buzzer by Steve Cullen
All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to tie a Furled Buzzer, with the guidance of Steve Cullen.
Resin: Loon UV Clear Fly Finish
Thursday, 28 January 2021
Tying a Toady McToad Face Worm by Steve Cullen
Today we are looking at the Toady McToady Face! Crazy name, but you'll soon understand why. This fly is a cross between two popular stillwater flies, The Pinky and the Apps Bloodworm. The Pinky being a very vibrant and colourful fly mixed with the appendages of the Apps Bloodworm. Combine both together and you get Steve's invention, the Toady McToad Face. The small black blobs on either side of the fly give it a very 'toad' faced impression, further justifying it's name. This is a killer pattern and you'll get takes across the UK, especially if you present it on a Stillwater venue.
All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to tie a Toady McToady Face, with the guidance of Steve Cullen.
Floss: Globrite no.1 Legs: Pink Flexi-Floss Thorax: Floss built up and coated with Gulff Classic Eyes: Gulff Black Magic