Spring is on our doorstep on the Northern Hemisphere. Here in the southern part of Scandinavia, we have been able to fish open water most of the winter. Some lakes and fjords have been ice locked though, and generally the winter has been colder than usual. Continue reading “Spring is here – now let’s bend some rods”
As fly tiers and fly fishermen we are able to choose from an impressive selection of hair materials: Calf Tail, squirrel tail and a parade of furs from fox, bear, goat, sheep and lots of others animals. And then there are the synthetics. All of these have their pros and cons – and their own place in any fly tiers bag of tricks and materials. But one of the oldest known materials still holds its own – and continues to catch fly tiers and fish as well. Let’s take a look at the bucktail.
Continue reading “Bucktail and bucktail flies – tradition, innovation and pure magic”
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?
Continue reading “Inspiration – from books, people and waters”
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.
Continue reading “Chrome, silver and gold – making a home run”
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”
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.
Continue reading “New cool attractor dry flies from Ruben Martin”
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.
Continue reading “Pink might not be the new black anymore – but it’s still relevant”
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.
On this blog we’ve often talked about technique – related to fly tying, fly fishing or hook design and -production. Well today, with the summer holidays in front of us, I would like to share my reflections on passion. Continue reading “Some words about passion”
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.
