The Big Red

I don’t know where The Big Red came from, I suspect it was developed from the Shipman’s Buzzer by some of the Chew Valley boys. It has become a competition favourite on the circuit and with good reason. A good fish catcher, the fly sits in the surface film rather than sitting directly on top of the water. Fish a size 10 & 12 together - perfect for surface sipping trout!

[@ianmckenzie6253]

The Big Red was developed by Bill Latham of the Blagdon Fly Fishing Team. It’s mentioned in Bob Church”s book under Dave Shaws contribution.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Ian, a very effective fly!

[@lawrencemacd63]

Excellent tying Lindsay 🐟🎣🙂

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thank you!! 😁

[@michaelshaw8370]

Lindsay just on a personal perspective. From the way I work. The tiniest drop of super glue, varnish, or resin to the base of the wing post to give the hackle stalk some protection. Also I would ease back the hackle just as I am about to pull the post/breathers over. A great pattern with the potential for various colours and or materials

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks for the tip Mike.

[@rmwil9]

hi,,,lindsay...this fly was a variant of the grenadier fly..that was very popular on Chew and blagdon back in the day ha ha..you where right it was developed by Bill latham.. got the book.. and saved me from a blank a few times......

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Very cool, great fly.

[@paulobainz1210]

Nice tie, well done. Any suggestions as to an alternative to using Aero wing? Perhaps regular floating yarn?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Yes, Antron works well or you could try CDC but that could be a faff.

[@paulobainz1210]

@@lindsayiflyfish Thanks for the suggestion, much appreciated.

[@MrJimmuck]

Hello Lindsay … I believe the Big Red was originally a Bob Church pattern and I think its in one of his books from the 1980`s …. not that Im old enough to remember that!! I wish … atb Jim

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Not sure Jim, I got it from the Bristol guys.

[@jsboyle3459]

Nice fly-all give it a wee go👍🏻

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Well worth having buddy.

[@jsboyle3459]

Brownies like them in black