The Flydressers Guild - Fly Tying at The Herts Branch
The Flydressers Guild Herts Branch (part of the Flydressers Guild main organisation) was formed over 35 years ago to further the interests of fly anglers who either tied, or were interested in fly tying / fly dressing and tying their own flies. Meetings are held twice monthly between September and June (see our current programme) at 8.00pm on the 2nd monday evening and 8.30pm on 3rd Monday evening at the Village Hall in Lemsford, nr Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Click here to view a map on streetmap.co.uk.
Each month there is either a guest speaker or fly tying workshop / class. In January we hold our annual friendly tying competition - Tie Team. Some of our recent speakers have included Peter Lapsley, Charles Jardine, Stoyan Filipov, Bob Church, Taff Price, Wendy Gibson, Roy Christie, and Steve Parton to name but a few. There is a Casting Clinic in June with Phil Barker & Roger Miles who will help with any casting problems you may have. See our current programme. As well as the regular monthly meetings, the Herts Branch undertakes an annual Branch Outing to fish a water. Typically, the fly tying class before the trip concentrates on fly patterns relevant to the time of year and the water that's being visited. Recent years have seen us fishing Ravensthorpe, Elinor and Manor Farm, Lower Caldecote, nr. Biggleswade, Beds.
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May's Meeting of the Flydressers Guild Herts Branch
14th May 2012 : "Dressing Up to Go Out"
Each year in May, the Herts Branch has a club outing to, usually, Ravensthorpe. The May meeting is set-aside to discuss tactics, teach boat etiquette to novice boat fishers and to talk bout what patterns are suitable for May and June.
Dave Provan will be giving a talk on boat etiquette and providing us with an insight into his tactics for fishing Ravensthorpe. This will be followed by demonstrations of fly line splicing by Ian Ruff as well as the construction of leaders with droppers and recommendations on leader lengths and proportions, including preferred knots.
Even if you can't make the trip, this meeting will certainly be worth while attending, if anything to brush-up on your knots!
21st May: Fly Tying Classes The tying classes continue for all levels of tyers. The Novice class will be tying a Ravensthorpe regular - the Baby Doll. You can find Downloadable Updated Novices Course Notes for this year here.
Click here to see a map of the Herts Branch's Meeting venue.
Fly Tying Classes
Fly tying classes start in October. The Novices' class repeats each year and teaches all the necessary techniques in order to tie flies along with some patterns to help re-inforce those fly tying techniques. Each technique learnt will build upon the last in an easy to follow course of 7 parts. Download a PDF of the Novices Fly Tying Course Notes here.
If you are interested in joining the Novices' Fly Tying Class there is no need to wait until the new season, we can provide one-to-one teaching for those who need to start at the beginning or those who just need to catch-up with the rest of the class.
The Intermediate Class is aimed at more experienced tyers follows a series of patterns throughout the season as well as teaching more advanced techniques such as winging.
The Advanced Fly Tyers usually decide on the evening what they will tie or which technique to explore.
The Fly Tying Classes are held throughout the year and are aimed at all levels of proficiency including those who have never tied before. For total novices, one-to-one tuition with members who are incredibly knowledgeable fly tyers can be given. It's not a difficult skill to learn, and given some practice, even those who have not attempted to tie flies before will find it relatively easy, and there is a great sense of satisfaction when a pattern that has been self-tied catches fish! As a novice tying for the first time, all materials and tools can be provided, so you don't have to invest before you find out if you like it or not! Fly tying classes start at 8.30pm and there is a £2 charge to members to attend each class.
We acknowledge that once someone has been tying for a while and is competent in the techniques required to tie a range of fly patterns, there may not be much incentive to attend the fly tying classes. For these members, we have an intermediate / advanced fly dressing class where techniques such as split wings and woven fly patterns are explored and often re-visited.
During the fly tying classes, a range of (mainly trout) fly patterns are tied, many of which are suitable for many waters including the Midlands Reservoirs. See some of the fly patterns that have been tied here.
Newsletter of the Flydressers Guild Herts Branch
Each month the Herts Branch issues a newsletter, 'The Hackle'. Delivered either via email or post, it outlines the current month's meeting and has articles of interest on a variety of fly tying subjects including any fly patterns that were tied by a guest speaker. View a sample issue of 'The Hackle' (PDF) here (right-click (PC) or alt-click (Mac) to download direct to your computer).
Membership to the Flydressers Guild Herts Branch
Membership to the Herts Branch of the Flydressers Guild is £12 only
There is a Branch meeting fee of £3 each month on the door. If you are interested in fly dressing, learning to tie your own flies, or just for more information on membership to the Flydressers Guild Herts Branch, contact the Membership Secretary, hertsfdg_membership@bigfoot.com or you can download a Membership Enquiry Form (PDF) here (right-click (PC) or alt-click (Mac), or use our online enquiry form.
You are more than welcome to attend one of our meetings before you decide if you want to join the Flydressers Guild. Meetings start at 8pm. For more details contact the Membership Secretary or the Chairman. Herts Flydressers Guid Contact details here.
Fly Tying - a personal view
I am often asked by friends and colleagues "why do you tie flies?"
Some might assume that it's to save money but they'd be wrong. Fly tying CAN be cheap after the initial tool and material purchases, but I seem to have so much material I can open my own supply chain! So, monetary expenditure aside, It's about relaxation. Anyone who has fished will know that you can unwind by the water - it's not about catching fish, it's about being there! Fly tying has allowed that relaxation to be taken home. If I need a bit of "stress busting", I sit at the vice and suddenly hours have passed and I have a dozen or so new flies.
If I want a particular fly pattern, no more stressing about how to get it before the next fishing trip - I tie some up! If I find that the trout are preferring a particular colour, then again I tie a few to try.
The Flydressers Guild is an excellent source for information and help. I have learnt so much from some very experienced fly tyers that I wouldn't hesitate in recommending joining your local branch. You'll find them friendly and knowledgable, and more than willing to help newbie fly tyers.
So, why do I tie flies? Simple, it's about relaxing, about developing a skill, about enjoying good company on fly tying club nights, about the satisfaction of catching trout on my own patterns. Give it a try - you might just like it!
Darrell Howard
Website Manager, Flydressers Guild Herts Branch
for details about the Herts Branch Flydressers Guild, Email: hertsfdg_membership@bigfoot.com