For the fisherman/tyer who likes to try something new, John Gray (www.graysofkilsyth.com) has sent us details of his now famous Needle Fly. John Gray devised the Needle Fly for late night sea trout fishing on the River Earn in Perthshire. However, not only did it catch sea trout (sewin), it also accounted for a few salmon, trout and even grayling.

THE NEEDLE FLY

John Gray has devised a lure which overcomes the shortcomings of many of the traditional methods of tying long lures. It is simple to construct, inexpensive, easy to attach to the line, hooks are easily replaced if damaged, light in weight even in large sizes, plus a slim profile, resulting in the marvelous ingenious Needle fly a perfect addition to any sea trout fly box.

NEEDLE FLIES

As the name suggests, the Needle Fly is simply a lure tied on a standard needle, in the same way as a tube fly is tied on a tube. The second, and equally important, component is a treble hook whose shank is covered by a tightly fitting rubber or plastic sleeve which secures the point of the needle during fishing. As with a tube fly, the leader is tied directly to the treble hook and not to the "eye" of the fly, which, in the case of the Needle Fly, is formed by a small loop of strong nylon ( e.g. 20 to 30 lbs monofilament ).

To attach the Needle Fly to the leader, simply thread a Needle Fly on to the leader (as you would a tube), tie on a suitable size treble (complete with rubber/plastic sleeve) then insert the needle firmly into the sleeve until the plastic stop on the needle touches the sleeve. Fix the needle on the top of the treble hook with the leader lying along the underside of the needle.

The needle can of course, like other flies, be dressed in any way which fancy and/or fishing conditions dictate. Although the Needle Fly was designed with sea trout in mind, the design and dressing could easily be adapted for salmon, rainbow trout or other predatory species. The needle shank can be dressed in the same way as conventional fly patterns or left undressed to give a very slim fly. The 2 inch long Needle fly shown below is a simple lure with a sparse dressing of black squirrel hair combined with two strands of pearl crystal hair. The hook is a size 12 treble with a sleeve of clear PVC.

Needle Fly with double hook

THE NEEDLE
is simple adapted by the addition of:-

a) a loop of strong nylon ( 20 to 30 lbs b.s.) which forms the "eye" of the needle fly. (Note that, as with a tube fly, the line is not tied to this loop but to the treble hook itself).

b) a small stop of fine heat shrink tubing (1.2mm shrinking to 0.6mm) applied no more than 1cm from the point of the needle. This stop prevents the needle from slipping through the sleeve while casting. (This stop can, alternatively, be formed by a blob of epoxy or tying thread).

Needle with Heat Shrink Stop

Dressed Needle

Assembled Needle Fly

Note that a needle is more easily inserted in the sleeve than a straight piece of wire. A further benefit is that a silver needle needs no body dressing. Needles are available in a great variety of lengths and weights.

For more additional details on the NEEDLE FLY and a chance to purchase some of Johns Flies, see John Grays Web site http://www.graysofkilsyth.com or contact John direct via email john@graysofkilsyth.com