Cast of the Month
- May - Barry Robertson.
All things being equal May should be a good month for the flyfisher as we see an improvement in the weather and rising temperatures. This will mean an increase in insect and aquatic life with the trout becoming more active and willing to feed higher in the water.
May’s cast of the month comes from charismatic Whalsay man and bank competition stalwart Barry Robertson. Robertson is a highly experienced angler who has successfully captained the S.A.A. bank fishing team on several occasions both home and away. Barry is particularly adept on Shetland’s premier North and West Side waters such as Eela Water, Punds Water, Vaara, Clings Water, Stump etc. His choice of patterns for May is representative of his expertise on these types of Lochs.
In bob position is the ubiquitous Clan Chief. Barry says that if he was left with one fly to catch a trout in Shetland then this would be it. I'm sure that many local anglers would find it difficult to disagree with him and the "Clan Chief" would probably take the award for the most frequently found pattern in Shetland fly boxes. The red and black mix of hackles, giving an overall claret effect, along with the bright dual coloured "target" tail is a combination which the trout find irresistible. The Clan Chief is absolutely deadly on all Shetland lochs and on all line densities although an argument could be made that it is maybe at it's best on coloured or peat stained waters. Needless to say the Clan Chief has spawned a multitude of variations with some of the muddler versions particularly worthy of note. However it is the original classic design which remains the most popular. If it aint broke - don't fix it!
On middle dropper Barry has chosen a more unusual and uniquely Whalsay fly - the Hammil's Spider. The Hammil's Spider allegedly originated from the New Zealand lure the Hammil's Killer. It has to be said however that after being downsized for Shetland brownies and given a Bonnie Isle makeover the Hammil's Spider bears very little resemblance to it's parent fly. What we are left with however is a modern pattern in a traditional style. A very effective middle dropper fly which is always something to be treasured!
On the tail Barry has opted for another very popular fly, the Peach Muddler. The Peach Muddler has its origins in Orkney and like many Orkney patterns has travelled well to Shetland. Often in fly fishing it is worth remembering the maxim "simple is effective" and this couldn't apply more than to the Peach Muddler. This little gem is a killer all over Shetland and will work on any line density. It is nondescript enough that it can be taken for a whole variety of aquatic life - or indeed nothing at all! The Peach Muddler is one of those flies to reach for when you don't know where to start - and often it will be the one fly on the cast that hasn't been changed after a day's fishing.
All things being equal May should be a good month for the flyfisher as we see an improvement in the weather and rising temperatures. This will mean an increase in insect and aquatic life with the trout becoming more active and willing to feed higher in the water.
May’s cast of the month comes from charismatic Whalsay man and bank competition stalwart Barry Robertson. Robertson is a highly experienced angler who has successfully captained the S.A.A. bank fishing team on several occasions both home and away. Barry is particularly adept on Shetland’s premier North and West Side waters such as Eela Water, Punds Water, Vaara, Clings Water, Stump etc. His choice of patterns for May is representative of his expertise on these types of Lochs.
In bob position is the ubiquitous Clan Chief. Barry says that if he was left with one fly to catch a trout in Shetland then this would be it. I'm sure that many local anglers would find it difficult to disagree with him and the "Clan Chief" would probably take the award for the most frequently found pattern in Shetland fly boxes. The red and black mix of hackles, giving an overall claret effect, along with the bright dual coloured "target" tail is a combination which the trout find irresistible. The Clan Chief is absolutely deadly on all Shetland lochs and on all line densities although an argument could be made that it is maybe at it's best on coloured or peat stained waters. Needless to say the Clan Chief has spawned a multitude of variations with some of the muddler versions particularly worthy of note. However it is the original classic design which remains the most popular. If it aint broke - don't fix it!
On middle dropper Barry has chosen a more unusual and uniquely Whalsay fly - the Hammil's Spider. The Hammil's Spider allegedly originated from the New Zealand lure the Hammil's Killer. It has to be said however that after being downsized for Shetland brownies and given a Bonnie Isle makeover the Hammil's Spider bears very little resemblance to it's parent fly. What we are left with however is a modern pattern in a traditional style. A very effective middle dropper fly which is always something to be treasured!
On the tail Barry has opted for another very popular fly, the Peach Muddler. The Peach Muddler has its origins in Orkney and like many Orkney patterns has travelled well to Shetland. Often in fly fishing it is worth remembering the maxim "simple is effective" and this couldn't apply more than to the Peach Muddler. This little gem is a killer all over Shetland and will work on any line density. It is nondescript enough that it can be taken for a whole variety of aquatic life - or indeed nothing at all! The Peach Muddler is one of those flies to reach for when you don't know where to start - and often it will be the one fly on the cast that hasn't been changed after a day's fishing.
Clan Chief
Butt - Flat Silver.
Tail - Red Floss over Yellow Floss.
Body - Black S.L.F. or similar.
Body Hackle - Red and Black Cock palmered together.
Rib - Oval Silver.
Head Hackle - Black Hen.
Butt - Flat Silver.
Tail - Red Floss over Yellow Floss.
Body - Black S.L.F. or similar.
Body Hackle - Red and Black Cock palmered together.
Rib - Oval Silver.
Head Hackle - Black Hen.
Hammil's Spider.
Silk - Red
Tail - Tippets dyed orange.
Body - Red S.L.F. or similar.
Body Hackle - Dyed Red Cock
Rib - Silver Wire.
Head Hackle - Dyed Yellow Cock.
Silk - Red
Tail - Tippets dyed orange.
Body - Red S.L.F. or similar.
Body Hackle - Dyed Red Cock
Rib - Silver Wire.
Head Hackle - Dyed Yellow Cock.
Peach Muddler
Tail - Glo Brite Floss No. 7 & 8
Body - Glo Brite Floss N0. 7 & 8 chopped & Dubbed.
Rib - Flat Gold Holographic.
Head - Dear hair Muddled with a few strands left as collar.
Tail - Glo Brite Floss No. 7 & 8
Body - Glo Brite Floss N0. 7 & 8 chopped & Dubbed.
Rib - Flat Gold Holographic.
Head - Dear hair Muddled with a few strands left as collar.
