Fly patterns

The Posh Tosh

As its name suggests this is a flashier version of the standard Tosh. The dressing comes from the tying vice of Iain Wilson of the Borders Gun Room, St. Boswells. Iain tells me that he caught 29 Salmon using this fly during the 2006 season on Tweed and the Aberdeenshire Dee. The fly shown is tied on a 0.5" copper tube but it fishes equally as well when tied on longer tubes. On longer tubes ie. up to 1.5" Iain normally adds a palmered Fluorescent Yellow body hackle.

It can be seen from the dressing list that some of the latest materials have been selected for this fly the most unusual being Mirage Tinsel. This super intense tinsel with colour shifting capabilities, creates an iridescent chameleon effect when other materials are placed with it. The Posh Tosh is basically a fly for the spring but by altering the colour of the dressing materials to Hot Orange it becomes an excellent autumn pattern.

Tying hints

First fit and secure the ext. tube with the neon thread and whip finish. Using the same thread, spiral - in open turns - down the length of the tube and tie in a length of the neon for the ribbing, and return the thread to the starting point. Tie in the Mirage Tinsel and sparingly apply varnish to the tube (Fishing Glue or Super Glue 3) and wind the Mirage to the ext. tube, then wind tinsel back to start point. If a longer tube is being tied with a palmered hackle tie off, otherwise rib the tube with the neon and tie off. Leave to dry.

When body is dry, finish fly as normal, or if a body hackle is required, select the hackle with care as the herl needs to be kept short. It can be prepared in 2 ways - strip the flue/herl from one side, or double the hackle - all depends on how much bulk you want to the finished fly body. Tie in the hackle by the stalk at the head end of the tube making sure that you leave enough room for the wings. Palmer the hackle down the body and lock down in position with the NEON thread left for that purpose when preparing the body.

Try to obtain the best quality materials. These can be purchased from the Borders Gun Room at St Boswells or Flytek Fly Fishing on 01772 684003 or visit their website at www.flytek.co.uk