CONTENTS Regular

CONTENTS

www.totalfl yfi sher.com

COVER STORY 08

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COVER STORY 16

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VENUES VENUES

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COVER STORY 40

THE TUG IS THE DRUG Andrew Boswell is under no illusions as to why us fl y fi shers keep coming back for more. The clue is in the title.

NEWS We have all the news that’ll let you keep on top of what’s happening in the world of fl y fi shing.

PUSHING THE BOAT OUT – PART ONE Boat fi shing is one of the most pleasurable forms of our sport – it’s both relaxing and exciting. Find out what’s required for an enjoyable day on the water.

A TO Z This month we look at ‘H’. Hawthorns, hackles and matching the hatch receive a closer inspection.

ASK THE PANEL Our panel of fl y fi shing supremos answers all of your fl y fi shing questions. Do you know the difference between a Ghost Tip and a Midge Tip?

RATED OR SLATED? Lyn Davis heads off to Beanhill Trout Fishery in Gloucester to see just what’s on offer at this quiet little venue.

RECENTLY WE’VE FISHED… Readers and TFF staff reveal some of the fi sheries they’ve been visiting in the last month or so and tell you the good and bad points of each.

THE BENEFITS OF GORE-TEX What is it that makes this material so special? Since it’s invention it’s been a favourite with us fl y fi shers. Find out why.

CADDIS CAPERS Hans Van Klinken and Steve Thornton go in search of some wild river brown trout, targeting them with some seriously big nymphs.

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COVER STORY 48

THE SPRING FLYFISHING SHOW This start-of-the-season show attracted more than 5,000 visitors this year. We give you the lowdown…

NAUGHTY NYMPHING Clive White may be responsible for causing a ‘brouhaha’ with his infamous ‘record rainbow’ but he also tied some deadly stalking bugs. We put them to the test.

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SNOWBEE CHALLENGE Are you one of the lucky ones who have won their coveted Snowbee Challenge Badge? Find out here…

SUBSCRIPTIONS Don’t miss your chance to subscribe and receive some stunning gifts into the bargain, including a fl y rod!

EXCLUSIVE TFF SUBSCRIPT ION OFFER

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3 GREAT OFFERS SUBSCR IPTION

OPTION 1

12 ISSUE S AND FR EEWORCEST ERSHIRE FLY LINE WO RTH £39. 99Purchase a 12-issu esubscripti on and re ceive a Worcester shire Fly li ne in a ch oice of WF5F, WF7F or W F9F Total dea l worth £76.09 You pay j ust £36.1 0

OPTION 2

SUBSCRI BING TO TOTAL FLYFISHE R HAS NE VER BEEN EA SIER. WE’ VE PUT TOGETHE R THREE GREAT-V ALUE PAC KAGES, TWO OF WHICH IN CLUDE A FANTAS TIC 9FT 5 /6-WT THREE-PI ECE CAR BON FLY ROD WOR TH £65.9 9TOTAL FL YFISHER 9FT 5/6WTROD THREE-PI ECE CAR BON BLA NKLINED BU TT AND S TRIPPING RINGS HALF WE LLS COR K HANDL EUPLOCKI NG SCRE W REEL S EAT HARD-CH ROME GU IDES TH ROUGHOU T

ORDER NO W

IMPORT ANT DET AILS – S ubscripti on offer closes 0 5/02/09 . Your subs cription w ill start w ith the n ext availa ble issue. This offe r is not to be used in conjun ction with any othe r promoti on offer.

This offer is availa ble to UK and Eire r esidents only. Plea se allow 28 days f or deliver y of your gift. We r eserve th e right to substitute the gift s hown for an alterna tive item, subject t o your ap proval.

The 9ft 5/ 6-wt carbon fly rod is perfect for both stillwaters and rivers.

18 ISSUE S AND FR EEFLYROD WORTH £ 65.99 Purchase an 18-iss ue subscr iption and recei ve a limit ed-edition 9ft 5/6-wt thr ee-piece carbon fly rod, only avail able throu gh Total Fl yFisher magazine Total dea l worth £118.89 You pay j ust £52.9 0 Limited-edition 9ft 5/6-wt three-piece carbon fly rod OPTION 3

24 ISSUE S AND FR EEFLY LINE ANDFLY ROD PACKAGE WORTH £105.98 Purchase a 24-issu esubscripti on and re ceive both the Worcester shire Fly li ne and To tal FlyFisher rod Total dea l worth £175.68 You pay j ust £69.7 0

www.to talflyfi sher.c omOR CAL L084 5 345 0253

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COVER STORY

IT’S BETTER BACK TO FRONT If you’ve ever been faced with trout feeding at the surface and struggled to catch, then Roy Christie may have the answer in his ‘reversed parachute’ patterns.

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LETTERS This is your chance to get in touch with us here at TFF. If there’s something you want to get off your chest, now’s your chance.

G LOOMIS £1,000 COMPETITION Check out our great competition! G Loomis is giving three lucky readers the chance to get their hands on a new Eastfork fl y rod.

COMPETITION

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UK AND IRELAND FISHERY ROUNDUP Here are all the prospects and contact details for some of the most popular fi sheries out there. Take a look before your next trip out.

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PRETTY POLYS Sinking lines never get a look-in when we’re fi shing buzzers early on in the year, but Polyleaders can help you up your catch rate.

tyer’s tyer’sguide guide

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DESERT ISLAND FLIES We get to see what fl ies Irish international Dennis Cronin couldn’t go on the water without. Will there be any traditionals?

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DEADLY KILLERS The Blakestone’s Buzzer is a skinny little nymph packed with trigger points. Learn how to tie it and check out some trendy variants.

FLY-TYING MASTERS Our unique fl y-tying league gives all you fl y tyers the chance to win a share of the £10,000 prize fund. 60

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SNOWBEE CHALLENGE On his trip out this time Simon Kidd goes in search of a spring salmon from the River Tamar. With very few fi sh about, will he do it? THE TUG IS THE DRUG 08

tackleguide

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USED AND ABUSED The editor managed to get his hands on one of the new X-Flite fl y rods from Greys, the next generation of Greyfl ex rods. Are they any better than the originals?

GAME GEAR We take a glance at some of the great fl y fi shing products that are out there just now.

Total Flyfi sher ISSN 1753-9501

Editor Steve Cullen E-mail steve.cullen@dhpub.co.uk

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