FLY OF THE MONTH – SEPTEMBER 2025

THE OLIVE MINKY

HOOK: Size 10 long shank
THREAD: Olive 6/0.
BODY: Pearly wrap tinsel
THROAT HACKLE: Scarlet cock hackle fibres
WING: Mink strip, dyed olive

Minkies are designed to imitate small fish, the pin fry of June and July are now a bigger mouthful for the trout, and the strip of fur gives this fly plenty of movement in the water. There are many varieties of minky, the natural brown and grey mink strips also make a good fly. On really hot days when nothing seems to be happening at the surface, try a minky on a sinking line or sink-tip.

On cloudy days when there should be some surface activity, fly choice should be similar to last month, as there will still be a lot of terrestrial flies and beetles on the water. The daddy-long-legs is always a good fly to try at this time of the year, especially on breezy days when they could be blown onto the water.

Phil Bilbrough