Easthope Flies

Fly tying lessons start Monday, been busy today with the family getting the cabin ready.

Thank you all for your responses. The Monday beginner class is now full, I’ve put on a second beginner class on a Thursday evening, which has 2 spaces left. We’ve also got the improvers class on a Tuesday, which has 3 spaces left.

I’ve seen a lot of discussion about if gills on the body of a nymph are necessary, specifically for flies intended to be fished, my thoughts on this? I fish a fly better when i look at it in the box and think it cannot possibly fail, if a fly gives me confidence, the extra work creating that fly is well worth it, whether or not it makes any difference to the fish. Let’s not forget that fishing is a sport, as such possitive mental attitude is as important as physical tools for the best performance on the day
Tied using nano silk and marabou

I have had more than a few requests to start teaching the art of dressing flies. This has been a huge compliment to me. The reality of starting something like this up is harder than it seems, so I would like, to update everyone where we are, to thank you for your patience and share what the short term future looks like.
I have secured a small cabin in Dereham which is permanently available for my use. This will comfortably contain 6 people in one group.
6 is the maximum number I will subscribe to one group as I feel this will provide the relaxed atmosphere I would like to promote. I will be running a beginner’s group on a Monday 6pm to 8pm and this will be a structured session with all equipment and materials provided. The fee of £10 will be payable on the night, only for the sessions you attend.
The improvers sessions will run on a Tuesday 6pm to 8pm and these will run to the same capacity as the beginner sessions, but the content and structure will much more heavily rely on input from each individual as to what they want to achieve each session, the session will again be £10 payable on the night and there will be a pantry of materials available for use.
I will be allocating slots on each group on a first come first served basis, neither group has a criteria and is entirely up to the individual which they believe is more suitable, but if I reach capacity a new group will be started for a different available evening for that level.
I still have some work to do to kit out the cabin and this is expected to take a week or two, so this is the perfect opportunity to start populating the groups. We should be holding our first meetings in the first week of October.
as the work continues and the cabin becomes more homely I will post more information and updates.

Chatsworth house was the latest show that gave visitors the chance to see the new and exciting things we have in store at Easthope flies
We have launched a new range of detached bodies, some of these even take advantage of the very exciting nymph gill technique that got its first public outing at the show. The feedback from this was incredible and i knew instantly I was on to something. There is another opportunity to see this and my many other techniques at sandringham game fair taking place this Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to look it up as it promises to be the perfect end to the 2024 show season
I also have 3 component packs to give away and anyone tagging others, or sharing the post will be entered into the hat, this will be drawn at the end of the show on Sunday best of luck and I look forward to seeing many of you there!

Another experimentation day today, this time it was the turn of the Choronamid detached bodies, very impressed!! These have turned out better than I had hoped.
Unlike the upwing bodies, the tail is not scaled to the body. With the addition of the elasticated band, the bodies can be used to easily represent any required size, by just choosing the tie in point that is appropriate for the size of natural and hook being used.
It didn’t stop there either, the midge is the obvious choice, but an attempt to create a buzzer pattern gave the biggest surprise. All the benefits of a superglue buzzer but travelling a lot slower in the water at rest, these bodies will speed up the process of tying but also offer another dynamic in the box for those tricky fishing situations.

I’ve been working on these detached bodies for a while now, finally got them to a stage that I’m happy with. Today was all about taking some of the upwing fly bodies and having a play. Really enjoyed myself, but I think there is so much more that could be done with them.
They are naturally buoyant so no need to pile on materials, a well placed hackle under the body promises a lovely true dry presentation!

I need to stop getting distracted when at the vice, this was supposed to be another mayfly tying session when 100 of these little fellows fell out the vice. I guess I needed a break from tying the big stuff. size 16 shrimps for the reservoirs this season, there’s not many shrimp patterns out there that work well on the smaller hooks but I’m happy with this!!!

With may fly season just around the corner, there are no prizes for guessing what I’ve mostly been tying this week. It might be over 30 years that I’ve been sitting at the vice but it’s still exciting seeing a hatch build on the tying table. T.H.E Danica duns and spinners

Tying up some old favourites for the shows this year, the calendar is starting to fill up and still waiting for some to confirm. As soon as we have a definitive list we will publish it here. Looking forward to seeing you all in the 2024 season. First confirmed show is the BFFI 2024 if you are at the show please pass by Tyers Row and say hello

https://youtu.be/G6BiwIhlXxY

fast scottie demo a speeded up video tying the Easties beastie postless parachute on a standard vice using the Scottie bobbin

Now is the time I get to announce my most exciting news yet. I have released my first 2 videos on to my YouTube channel, both going into detail of how to tie the Easthope postless parachute and the Easthope feather post hackle. Please take a look, subscribing will ensure you are the first to hear about the other great videos that are to follow.

Easthope Postless Parachute featherpost hackle A demonstration of tying the feather post easthope hackle on a klinkhamer (hook daiichi 1160 sz10)

Well who doesn’t get caught up in the glitz and sparkle of Christmas? The vice has continued to turn, but admittedly this is a little different to the normal, I think it has predators written all over it

Well, here's the comparison, classic versus modern. The classic parachute and the Eastie's Beastie postless parachute.
If I'm totally honest this pattern is one of my favourites. After several years of this pair sharing space in my fly box, I’ve seen and done enough comparisons to know which one I have more faith in. Having taken more spooky fish with the more natural profile that has no solid wing shape, I have gone totally postless. 😁😁😁 It’s a massive bonus they are easier and quicker to tie too!!

E.T’s are the latest addition to our inovative Dries range, Terestrials with that little bit extra. Using our special detached body techniques, nothing is off limits,
These three designs are going on the website today with plenty all ready tied up!
More being added to the range before the end of December so keep an eye out for our updates!

I’ve been looking forward to being able to write this post for so long! The December issue of ff&ft contains the best part of 3 years hard work, trial and error and imagination. As I promised throughout this time I have held nothing back. The Easthope postless parachute technique is one i am most proud of. It seems like a shame to keep it a secret. So now I have got it to this stage I’m encouraging fly tyers to try it, use it and enjoy its many benefits.

Well it’s been experimenting time again with some new products to trial, really happy with the way this one came out, a touch of uv and orange segmentation on a size 14 B170 spider. Will have a place on the top dropper I think, can’t wait to see what the fish think!!!

Things are not slowing down yet as the calendar is still filling up, I’m at Aylsham show bank holiday Monday and would love to see you there! Sandrimgham follows shortly after, and I am delighted to confirm I have recieved an invite to fly tiers row at the Bffi24, it is an honour to be invited and look forward to February 😃😃😃