Trout - Ahrex Hooks

The Mayfly… Ephemera danica – fly fishing’s national bird around here

Spring has turned directly into something that feels a lot like summer in our neck of the woods. We are still in May, though – and here in Scandinavia that means mayfly time. And it’s not just any mayfly I talk about. It is the large Ephemera danica that is commonly found in clear water rivers and lakes with sandy or gravelly bottoms throughout Europe and the British Isles. Together with it’s close relative, the lake-living Ephemera vulgata, this is flyfishing’s national bird around here. Continue reading “The Mayfly… Ephemera danica – fly fishing’s national bird around here”

Spring is here – now let’s bend some rods

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”

Jack Gartside and the Sparrow – a Swiss Army Knife fly

The late Jack Gartside was a fly tier who came up with a tremendous amount of effective fishing flies – most of which were tied using relatively cheap and easily available materials. His classic Soft Hackle Streamer is a good example of his approach – and his equally effective Sparrow is another. Continue reading “Jack Gartside and the Sparrow – a Swiss Army Knife fly”

Meet the Trout Bandits – partners in crime, fly fishermen, photographers and artists

If you follow Ahrex on Instagram, you will see, that we like doing collab with artists. You might also have bumped into the name, Trout Bandits a couple of time. The name sends subconscious images of outlaws, smoking guns and the wild west.

Continue reading “Meet the Trout Bandits – partners in crime, fly fishermen, photographers and artists”

Meet Andreas Lium – Fly tier, fly fisherman, philosopher and hook nerd

When we design new hooks, we try to do our research up front. That means checking out what’s already on the market? What works great – and what sucks. And how can we improve on already existing designs. And in all these tasks, we try to get the help from creative and innovative fly tiers.

Continue reading “Meet Andreas Lium – Fly tier, fly fisherman, philosopher and hook nerd”

The Optic Flies – a book tracing part of the Scandinavian fly fishing heritage

At Ahrex Hooks we feel rooted in the Scandinavian fly fishing tradition – but we never try to fool ourselves into thinking that Scandinavia played a major role in the early years of fly fishing. Our first claim to fame on that account probably was, that Victorian era English gentlemen visited Danish, Swedish and Norwegian streams to swing flies for our – back then – very healthy population of salmon and brown trout (sea run as well as stationary).

Continue reading “The Optic Flies – a book tracing part of the Scandinavian fly fishing heritage”

Curved Nymph hooks – and three new videos

Sun is slowly gaining more power as it rises higher for each day up here in the north. I our neck of the woods, waters are still open. Seatrout fishing is slow on most days, but late in the afternoon on sunny days… the shallows warms up a bit, and trout move in to feed. And… each day brings us closer to spring.

Continue reading “Curved Nymph hooks – and three new videos”

Curves are sexy – case study on Ahrex FW510 and FW511

If you want to put some dangerous curves into your dry flies, try our FW510 hook – or FW511 if you want a barbless version. A lot of insects have a similar curve in their bodies when hatching, swarming or egg laying.

Continue reading “Curves are sexy – case study on Ahrex FW510 and FW511”

Winter and spring fly boxes – how to avoid cabin fever

We are at midwinter here on the Northern Hemisphere right now – and trout season is opening in a week in some of the Danish rivers. Saltwater fishing for sea run browns is on all year round – and there’s also some cool predator fishing waiting out there if you don’t mind the cold and dark weather. So things aren’t really tough around here. No need to complain. Continue reading “Winter and spring fly boxes – how to avoid cabin fever”

Inspiration – from books, people and waters

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”