Inspiration – from books, people and waters

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Ok… we share practical tips on fly tying, fishing related stuff and present some of the coolest fly tiers on the planet on our blog. We’ve even talked about the passion. Today I will talk inspiration. What makes you tick as a fly tier and fly fisherman?

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Chrome, silver and gold – making a home run

Stephan Male Cock Fish

They wander up rivers, streams and even the smallest creeks everywhere on the Northern Hemisphere right now: Trout, salmon and steelhead. In some regions salmon fishing is coming to an end – in others it isn’t. In Europe, and in Scandinavian especially, the sea run brown (called seatrout around here) is the prime target in the coming months. In freshwater this season will continue for 4-6 weeks. After that there’s still the salt. Very often we can fish for seatrout most of the winter in Southern Scandinavia.

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Bloodsuckers and predators – leech tying lessons

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Today we take a look at leeches, since some very effective fly patterns do a good job at imitating these segmented worms.

The majority of leeches live in freshwater environments, but some species can be found in terrestrial and marine environments. Most of us probably think of leeches as bloodsuckers – even though most species are predatory, feeding primarily by swallowing other invertebrates. With almost 700 species on a Global scale a large variety in size and colours are represented. Continue reading “Bloodsuckers and predators – leech tying lessons”

New cool attractor dry flies from Ruben Martin

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This week we have chosen to put the spotlight on our Argentine friend, Ruben Martin. We have showcased some of his flies before, but Ruben just keeps cranking out good stuff, so revisiting his YouTube channel is always worth doing. First though, here’s a short presentation of the man.

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Pink might not be the new black anymore – but it’s still relevant

Per's Small Pink Double by Per Tofting-02-2

The colour pink bears resemblance to pretty few food items in the natural environment – except maybe a few shrimps and trout and salmon eggs. Never the less, most fly boxes carry at least a few pink flies.

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The Muddler goes ultra sonic

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Today Ahrex Hook team member, Morten Valeur, ties a Sunburst Sonic Muddler, so let’s do a little catching up on the history of the muddler fly. Around 1950 Don Gapen of the Gapen Fly Company, Anoka, Minnesota came up with the original Muddler Minnow, still considered one of the most versatile streamer flies ever developed.

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Håkan Karsnäser – fast draw fly tier

 

Mar Lodge by Håkan Karsnäser-04

Today we put the spotlight on one of Sweden’s most talented and productive fly tiers. Håkan Karsnäser has been tying flies for more than 30 years, so he is by no means a new kid on the block. He fishes in the ballpark of 100 days a year, and spends even more time on fly tying. He is a versatile and well-travelled fly fisherman but loves fishing for rainbow trout in his home waters of Hökensås in southern Sweden.

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Playing with styles – translucency, colour and movement

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Today I want to show you a style of fly that I’ve been playing with for a couple of years. It’s nothing revolutionary. Just a combination of elements that work well on flies tied for migratory fish.

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Triple treat in doubles – brand new additions to the Home Run Series

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3 x 2. You do the math :o) Anyway… we are pretty exited. Cause finally they are here! The two missing links in our Home Run Series have arrived- or 3 kind of, since one of the hooks comes in two different finishes. They are shipping to shops around the world as I write this. All three are double hooks. Two for tying and one for tube flies.

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