Patsy Deery

The fly is up’ is a call that, for many fly-fishers, signals the start of a magical part of the angling calendar. Lasting only a few brief weeks, anglers are galvanised into action for those weeks of “The Mayfly”. The decline in the Mayfly population in Ireland over a number of years, which now appears to have been reversed, led to a cross over of river anglers to lough. This led to an innovative period in Mayfly pattern dressing, resulting not only in the development of standard patterns, but also to a host of new patterns.

Some of these flies are unique and the diversity of patterns, colours, shape and size can be somewhat confusing. But on their day, or on the hour and a half of their day, they will take fish to the exception of more conventional patterns. Many expert anglers on Ireland’s loughs and rivers have been canvassed in the course of the author’s research for this book.

Compiled and gathered together over a number of years, this book is the result of author Patsy Deery’s search for patterns that are able to account for substantial numbers of fish, and to show the huge diversity of flies that can be used during “The Mayfly”.

TERRY GRIFFITHS  - the photographer for the book, has tied flies both as amateur and professional for 55 years. Some of his innovative tyings have become classics of their kind over 35 years. He is the current editor of Flydresser, the journal of the Flydressers’ Guild, a position he has held for the last ten years. With a background in art, he has collaborated with many periodicals

and publishers on an editorial, design and photographic basis for over 35 years, and is renowned for his creative photographic work. The photographs of the Mayfly naturals, and patterns, in the book are testament to his skills.Terry is currently undertaking further work for us and we hope to collaborate on further projects under consideration.