The Hawthorn flies begin to appear during the first few weeks of May. Fish on on a floating line, either as a static fly or with a slow twitch on retrieve. It is useful having a variety of Hawthorn patterns with you as different patterns will be preferred during the day. On some days, only an exact match of the Hawthorn's size and appearance will work!

A deadly pattern wherever dark buzzers are hatching. Use on a floating line, the fly is cast out and then either wait for the trout to take the fly, or cover a rise with the fly.

This is as effective as a CDC buzzer and is far cheaper.

An all round lure, fish either on a floating, intermediate or sinking line at various rates of retrieve and it should still catch. It works superbly even when fished very slowly or even on the drop. Available in various colours and combinations from orange to black combo's.

The Black and Green Fritz works superbly when fished using various rates of retrieve. The pattern can also be tied in a mass of colours from dark to very bright on the colour spectrum. The darker coloured fritz's are usually fished more slowly than the lighter coloured ones.

The Black and Green Fritz is an outstanding fly in the cold winter months and my overall preferred lure during this.

The CDC (Cul De Canard) feather has wonderful floating capabilities and one of its best uses is in the CDC buzzer. This is a deadly pattern whenever buzzers are hatching. Use it on a floating line, cast out and either wait for a trout to take the fly or cover a rise with the fly. Alternatively pull the CDC under the surface of the water and allow it to resurface with the buoyancy of the CDC feathers, which can be a deadly method of fishing?

The Diawl Bach (Little Devil) should be used when buzzers are on the water. It can be fished on any line, from floating to fast sinker and at almost any depth. It can be fished up and "on the hang" on a fast sinker or fished slowly on a floating line.

At this time of the year we would recommend a dead slow retrieve.

Another all round lure, The black and green, black and yellow or black and red colouring makes it an ideal fly for the early season. Fish it on a floating, intermediate or sinking  line at various rates of retrieve and it will still catch.

At this time of the year, a Black/Green fished on a sinking line on or near the bottom with a slow retrieve - deadly!