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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
has been 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
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