The Northern Fishing School’s Sam Harrison shares his three best patterns for the rivers Ure and Burn in Yorkshire
BLACK MIDGE
Hook Size 20 FM Straight Eye Midge Thread Fine black Tail Black cock hackle fibres Body Black Fulling Mill (FM) Premium Select Marabou Hackle Black cock
This is my favourite clear-water dry-fly for trout and grayling because I can rely on it when the fish get tough to tempt. I especially like it at dusk when the light is fading. It is only a size 20, but therein lies its magic —there are many food items that we ignore because they are so small.
The fact I fish this on a 7X (1lb tippet) means I must be very careful not to crack off on fish. On a three-weight rod, it’s surprising how much finesse and control I have. One evening last August, I caught a beautiful 3lb Ure trout on this set-up.
It’s a Fulling Mill pattern that, though small, is tied on a hook that will handle a big fish: strong with a Limerick-style bend for a good hookhold and a straight eye that doesn’t intrude on the narrow gape.
PINK TAG JIG
Hook Size 12 FM Jig Force (FM5045) Bead FM 3.2mm copper slotted tungsten Thread Brown Tail Pink floss Underbody Lead or lead substitute wire Body Bronze peacock FM Tactical Microflash Dubbing Rib 0.1mm (fine) copper wire Hackle Furnace Hen Thorax Dark mottled FM Euro Nymph Thorax Dub
Although I fish this nymph for trout and grayling in clear rivers, it’s one I love when the water has a tinge of colour. I know from my carp-fishing days that pink pop-ups are used because they work at depth, so I have great confidence in pink for this point fly. I also like that it’s robust and will take plenty of fish before it falls apart. This is because its body is made of peacock dubbing rather than natural herl or pheasan
