Sea Trout Fly Tying - WMD Gurgler

Here's another pattern to tie up in preparation for the 2012 sea trout season. Surface lures account for a large number of Westcountry sea trout, and some of the largest too. Don't go through the hassle and mess of spinning deer hair... just try this instead.
By the way, the dates for the 2012 Sea Trout Festival are now listed on the hotel website, with some great workshops set to inspire newcomers to the dark art of night fishing...


WMD Gurgler.

Stealing Welshman Darren Jackson's inspired idea of using the Gurgler style of fly for sea trout, it's easy to tie, casts like a dream and.. well... just plain works. We doubt that the dressing matters, but the oversize treble at the back seems to help.

Hook: Kamasan B170, size 4

Flying treble: Owner ST-36BC, size 14 or size 12 treble of choice.

Nylon lonk: 30lb black Amnesia mono

Thread: Black

Back: Flat black ethafoam (a strip of 1/3 to 1/2in wide)

Tail: Black arctic fox or squirrel tail with two strands of flash

Body: Black seal's fur

Rib: Flat or oval silver tinsel

Hackle: Teal

WMD Gurgler

5lb 6oz on a WMD Gurgler

Sea Trout Fly Tying - The Werewolf

It's a long close season for the sea trout fishers. The odd fish may be caught on the lower reaches  of some Westcountry rivers in April, but it's not really until June when many anglers turn fully nocturnal. Winter time usually involves re-filling fly boxes and experimenting with new ideas. Here's one of Tim's from last winter which more than proved its worth during this summer... good luck tying it and feel free to contact us at fishingoffice@arundellarms.com if you need any advice. By the way, some superb new sea trout patterns will join our current range in our online shop from the start of the next season.

A big fly for big fish - Werewolves can be tied from 1.5 - 4.5 inches long

The Werewolf.

A pattern based on Jeff Hickman's Fish Taco series for Oregon steelhead on the Deschutes River. Also proving its worth for sea trout at night in the Westcountry. Lightweight, easy to cast, tonnes of movement, good hook-ups and a fish-friendly single hook.

Hook: Fly tied on shank of straight-eye streamer hook (the bend and point is cut off using pliers after tying). Stinger/trailing hook, Gamakatsu Octopus size 2 or 4

Link: 20lb black Amnesia, tied in a loop and glued

Butt: Peacock Ice Dub

Body: Black seal's fur

Body hackle: Long black hackle, palmered

Rib: Oval silver tinsel

Wing: Peacock herl and black ostrich, a few strands of pearl flash

Hackle: Teal

Cheeks: JC tied long

The Werewolf

The key to this fly is a big silhouette, yet sparse, lightweight tying

Arundell Arms instructor Tim with a five-pounder to a 4in Werewolf, July 2011

VIDEO: Tying the Pilk's PR

Here's a video from the fly tying demo during the West Country Sea Trout Festival. David Pilkington ties his Pilk's PR.

VIDEO: Tying the Pilk's Bumble

Here's a video from the fly tying demo during the West Country Sea Trout Festival. David Pilkington ties his Pilk's Bumble.