FLY OF THE MONTH — MAY 2025

THE BLACK PENNELL

HOOK: Size 10 – 16 wet fly.
THREAD: Black 8/0.
TAIL: Golden pheasant tippets
BODY: Black floss. (Use thread in the smaller sizes.)
RIB: Oval silver tinsel (wire in the smaller sizes.)
HACKLE: Black henny-cock.

This is an old traditional pattern which still has its uses and followers today. It is thought that it was designed to imitate the hatching midge with the tippet tail representing the pupal case. This means it is probably best fished near the surface on a floating line. It is an excellent fly for wild brown trout and the rainbows love it as well.

Another version I have used, especially for wild brown trout, is tied on a size 12 double hook. Instead of a tippet tail I use orange IGIo-brite’ floss which is brighter and more robust. Used as a point fly, the double hook helps the fly to sink quickly and is useful on bright sunny days when the fish may be reluctant to come near the surface.

Above: Black Pennel on a size 12 double hook

During May watch out for falls of black gnats and hawthorn flies especially on warm, sunny and breezy days. When these terrestrial insects fall on the water it can result in some of the best fishing of the year. I prefer to fish dry flies during these rises but a large black pennel, bibio, zulu or black and peacock spider pulled quickly just under the surface should result in plenty of takes. For dry flies, a size 16 black gnat and a size 12 or 10 hawthorn fly should be in your box and waterproofed ready to use.
Other flies to watch out for during May are the usual midges and beetles, plus alder flies and the first hatches of sedges. There may also be aphids and dung flies falling onto the water. Now the warmer weather has arrived, fish will be at or near the surface most days and flies fished in this zone will have a good chance of catching.

The fishing during April has been excellent with plenty of fish up to about 3Ib and the occasional one larger, however, I was very disappointed to see so many members ignoring the rules on wading. Several anglers were wading up their waist or even deeper. This just pushes the fish further and further out and is not fair on those of us who obey the rules and only wade up to our thighs. I have caught plenty of fish this year by not even wading past my knees.

The fish have been very close to the bank, sometimes in only a couple of feet of water just 2 or 3 rod lengths out. Yes, the water is very shallow in places and it helps to wade a little but you don’t need to go in up to your oxters! You are scaring the fish towards the centre of the lake and you should be fishing your flies where you are standing.

Remember the rule: DON’T WADE DEEPER THAN YOUR THIGHS!

I also notice anglers charging into the water without a thought for any fish which may be lying close in and hunting for food in the shallows. You can catch these fish by dropping a few short fan-wise casts in front of you before you enter the water, especially if no one has fished that bit of shoreline for a while.

Bear in mind that the more you wade and the deeper you wade, the more fly life you are likely to crush beneath your feet, especially caddis larvae which are trundling about on the bottom at the moment. The fish are very fond of these early in the season when there is not much else available.

Phil Bilbrough