During the evening, of course, we discussed several fly patterns I love to use, but also how to fish them in different water and climate conditions, and, most importantly, how trout will happily devour these meagre morsels in huge quantities.

As always, my primary focus when targeting rising trout with dry flies is the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid). Likewise, I utilise GISS (General Impression of Shape and Size), so I almost always use a generic pattern rather than a specific imitation, rarely care about dry fly colours (I like to keep them drab unless I’m imitating a specific hatch such as Danica), and I am a HUGE advocate of ‘presentation before pattern’. If the perfect pattern is presented incorrectly to a feeding trout (or isn’t presented at all), or the fish is spooked by bad casting or wading, the choice of pattern is pointless. If our cast is perfect, the drift is drag-free, and our fly gives an approximation of ‘food’, I’m pretty confident the trout will at least give our presentation a look.

The patterns I discussed on the night are detailed below, and I’ve included them in high quality that you can enlarge. If you’re interested in watching a previous video I made covering this very topic, feel free to take a look at the video below and follow along. Likewise, if you don’t tie your own flies, but like to purchase these very patterns, you can browse my signature tyer range of fly patterns via Fulling Mill Signature Tyer Range – Gareth Lewis.

Hereford, as always, you were a blast. Thank you for having me!

Fly 1 – RS2 (Rim’s Semblance 2)

• Hook: Fulling Mill Ultimate Dry 5150, Size 20 (or Complete Dry 5160, Size 22)
• Thread: Fulling Mill Pro GSP, 30 Den, White
• Tail: Microfibbets
• Body: Fulling Mill, Tactical Dry Fly Dub, Grey Olive
• Wing: Fulling Mill Parapost Yarn, White
• Thorax: Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub, Pepperbox

Fly 2 – Cripple

• Hook: Fulling Mill Tactical Midge 5145, Size 20-24
• Thread: Fulling Mill Pro GSP, 30 Den, White
• Shuck: Fulling Mill Ultra Dry Yarn, Light Dun
• Body: Fulling Mill, Tactical Dry Fly Dub, Grey Olive
• Hackle: Whiting Farms Genetic Dry Fly, Grizzle or Speckled Badger
• Wing: Fulling Mill Parapost Yarn, White

Fly 3 – Paradun Emerger

• Hook: Fulling Mill Tactical Midge 5145, Size 20-24
• Thread: Fulling Mill Pro GSP, 30 Den, White
• Wing Post: Fulling Mill Parapost Yarn, Fluoro Orange
• Shuck: Either Krystal Flash or Fulling Mill Ultra Dry Yarn
• Body: Fulling Mill Ultra Dry Yarn, Light Dun
• Wing: Whiting Farms Genetic Dry Fly, Grizzle or Speckled Badger
• Thorax: Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub, Pepperbox

Fly 4 – CDC Chironomid/Midge Emerger

• Hook: Fulling Mill Czech Nymph Black 5065, Size 20 (or Tactical Midge 5145 in smaller sizes)
• Thread: Fulling Mill Pro Thread Twisted 70D, Black
• Body: Fulling Mill Pro Thread Twisted 70D, Black
• Wing Buds: Fulling Mill Parapost Yarn, White
• Wing: 2x CdC, Natural
• Thorax: Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub, Pepperbox

Materials

• Hook: Fulling Mill Czech Nymph Black 5065, Size 20 or Tactical Midge 5145 in smaller sizes
• Thread: Fulling Mill Pro Thread Twisted 70D, Black
• Body: Fulling Mill Pro Thread Twisted 70D, Black
• Wing Buds: Fulling Mill Parapost Yarn, White
• Wing: 2x CdC, Natural
• Thorax: Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub, Pepperbox

For those who don’t tie their own flies, the pattern above is part of my Fulling Mill signature range. It can be purchased directly from Fulling Mill, or from various international fishing shops, via https://www.fullingmill.co.uk/Products-UK/Gareth-Lewis-Flies.

A huge thank you to Editor Pete Tyjas and the entire team for including me. It’s always a pleasure to share a few words, and I hope you enjoy the read!

Grab yourself a copy of the July edition to read more at https://troutandsalmon.com.

I’d almost given up.

A small fish sipped at the far bank near the willows. I kept an eye on the bullocks in the field above. Light was fading, and I didn’t fancy shooing a herd of thirty large animals capable of trampling me in the dark. Better to see death coming.

The fish took another sip. Bugger it. I can’t pass up a rising fish. Cast made, one eye still on the herd that was now clearly watching me, and my focus was torn to the rise and the chaos that erupted.

Multiple runs. A 50-yard charge downstream, pulling line as I ran after her. A 50-yard charge upstream, reeling in line as I ran after her. My brain kicked back in as I sat on my knees and the backs of my heels, looking at the 20.5 inches of fury sitting in my net. I hollered. The cows looked down from above with faces of utter boredom.

She calmly swam away, seemingly not giving a damn. I sat there, water coursing around me. Smiling like an idiot. Tonight was a good night.

A huge thank you to Editor Pete Tyjas and the entire team for including me. It’s always a pleasure to share a few words, and I hope you enjoy the read!

Grab yourself a copy of the June edition to read more via https://troutandsalmon.com.

I hope WTT members enjoy the piece when their copies arrive. If you love trout but aren’t yet a member, why not consider joining? You can learn more about the Wild Trout Trust and support their work by visiting www.wildtrout.org.

Below is a selection of images from the article, along with a few new ones. Click any of them to enlarge and take a closer look at this glorious river.

Thanks to everyone who popped in for a chat. It’s always fantastic to talk with folks about dry flies, trout, and broader environmental issues.

This year, I had the opportunity to promote my new 2026 Fulling Mill signature range of fly patterns, which Sportfish now stocks. To learn more about each pattern in my current signature fly range, check out the video below.

Trout & Salmon Magazine’s very first Spring Gathering, which took place on 28th and 29th March 2026, was a real treat! Smiling faces was the theme of the weekend, with brilliant films, presentations, fly tying and casting demonstrations, plus fishing demos right on the river. If it’s back next year, do grab your tickets quickly!

What set this event apart was the amazing venue – The Fox and Hounds Country Hotel. Attendees used this great hotel for accommodation, which let us share dinner in the evening, with each table giving guests a chance to ask questions or just have a good chinwag about all things fly fishing.

To the wonderful guests, the amazing hotel, and of course, Trout & Salmon, thank you so much for a wonderful weekend!

Below are a few images from the weekend (I wasn’t able to take many as I was SO busy demonstrating a range of dry flies), as well as the Fox and Hounds’ own gallery page.

As always, the discussions with visitors were loads of fun, with tons of awesome information shared, and everyone had a smile on their face! As always, I was utterly shattered after the event, but it’s always worth it, and evidence of just how great each show is!

A huge and heartfelt thanks to the visitors who popped by for a chat, and to all who supported the show. To the organisers, you are amazing, and you should be incredibly proud of this awesome event.

I’ve said it before, but what a community we have. You fly dressers; you are just wonderful people.

See you next year, Staffordshire!

For information, visit https://bffi.co.uk.

The first video was captured by me, and the second is a rather awesome video from Fulling Mill, one of the main sponsors at this year’s event.

Originally devised in the 1980s by Jackie Mathews, wife of renowned US angler and author Craig Mathews, the X Caddis was designed to imitate a struggling, emerging caddisfly with its shuck still trailing behind. This fly has secured a permanent spot in my fly box due to its outstanding versatility.

Although it visually suggests a caddis imitation with its deer hair wing, its natural floatability (again, thanks to the deer hair wing) makes it particularly effective for fishing faster runs and riffles, which I often prefer. What makes the X Caddis stand out is its ability to perform exceptionally well not only during caddis hatches but also when upwings are emerging.

I generally prefer to present patterns that represent ‘food’ rather than strict imitations, targeting rising fish with a fly that complements the water and conditions rather than matching a specific insect. As long as trout are feeding at or near the surface, I often choose the X Caddis for its proven effectiveness.

Gareth’s Fulling Mill Signature Tyer range of fly patterns is available via https://www.fullingmill.co.uk/Products-UK/Gareth-Lewis-Flies. 

MATERIALS – X Caddis

• Hook: Fulling Mill Ultimate Dry (FM50 50), Size 16
• Thread: Fulling Mill Pro Thread Twisted 70D, Light Brown or Grey
• Shuck: Fulling Mill Ultra Dry Yarn, Light Dun
• Body: Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub, Pepperbox
• Wing: Deer Hair, Fine, Natural