Sharp & Gentles Memorial Clyde Style Flytying Shield.

Thursday – Sharp & Gentles Flytying Club

I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening at the club, made all the more special as I was both delighted and honoured to be awarded this year’s Sharp & Gentles Memorial Clyde Style Flytying Shield.

This recognition truly means a great deal to me. The opportunity to learn, refine my skills, and continue developing within the tradition of Clydestyle fly tying is something I value immensely. To be considered alongside and now follow in the footsteps of many highly respected and Clyde Style accomplished tyers, many of whom are previous recipients of this award, is both humbling and inspiring.

My sincere thanks to the club and all involved in keeping traditional Clyde Style flies relevant in the modern world.

Got lucky again!!

This evening I was delighted to get lucky once again in the live Davie McPhail monthly draw. Its been a while dince I won anything however tonight my number was first oot the bag!

I won a wee set of cased caddis which I will add them to my prize draw collection.

Pity it wasn't one of the very impressive fly boxes. Maybe one of these months.

The draw takes place on the last day of every month. If you would like to participate visit Davie's You Tube channel to get the details 

Click the link to see Davie tying one of  the patterns I won.

Cased Caddis

Fulling Mill Flytying Mat

Today I received a superb, high-quality fly-tying mat from #FullingMill.

A genuinely useful addition to my tying bench.

Crafted from premium textured silicone, it offers a secure, non-slip grip on virtually any surface. Thoughtfully designed inserts keep hooks, beads, and tools neatly organised, while the integrated magnetic pads ensure small metal items stay firmly in place.

A practical flytying mat that brings both order and efficiency to your fly-tying bench.

These mats can be sourced from the Fulling Mill web site here @ Fulling Mill Tying Mat

UCAPA River Clyde Opening Day

I had the pleasure of spending a thoroughly enjoyable morning at the Popinjay Hotel in Rosebank on the banks of the River Clyde, tying flies with the Sharp & Gentles Fly Tying Club as part of the UCAPA River Clyde Salmon Opening Day celebrations.

The atmosphere in the hotel was warm and welcoming, stories were told and shared, and vices were set to work. 

It was fantastic to see such a large turnout, with anglers and tyers coming together to mark the start of another salmon season on  rRiver Clyde. 

Events like this help to highlight and preserve the traditions of fishing and tying Clyde style flies.

A brilliant raffle and auction added to the occasion, featuring some outstanding prizes. Thanks to the generosity of those who donated and bid so enthusiastically, an incredible £5,000 which will be split between two worthy charities: CHAS and the Les Hoey Dream Maker Foudation.

A magnificent achievement and a testament to the spirit of the angling community.

The day’s celebrations, organised by the Upper Clyde Angling Protection Association (UCAPA), culminated in a traditional procession from the hotel to Mauldslie Bridge, led by a lone piper. The sound of the pipes carried beautifully along the riverbank, adding a fitting sense of ceremony and heritage to the occasion.

At the water’s edge, the opening ceremony was marked by the customary offering of whisky to the river, a nod to tradition and a gesture of respect  before the 2026 season was officially opened followed by the ceremonial first cast, made this year by Scott McKenzie.

A memorable morning steeped in tradition, fellowship, and generosity and a fine way to welcome the new salmon season on the Clyde.

Tying a Clan Chief Variant.

The Guys from @TEFF TV interviewed and filmed me  while I was tying at the BFFI on tyers row.

 Heres the tying video. Hope you like it. Please forgive my slip of the tounge as I mentioned gold tinsel when it was actually silver. 

It was a great experience all be it I was a little nervy.

Click the link below.

Clan Chief Variant.

BFFI 2026

Attending the British Fly Fair International (BFFI) in Stafford is always special. It’s a chance to catch up with friends and acquaintances, and to forge new friendships within the fly tying community.

This year, however, felt different. It carried a significance I hadn’t experienced before. For the first time, I wasn’t simply attending as an admirer of the craft — I was there as a Fulling Mill Pro Tyer, seated on the famous Tyers’ Row.

To take my place among such respected and talented tiers was both humbling and immensely proud moment, one I’ll never forget.

I must thank Roly and everyone at Fulling Mill for their support and assistance. Everything they did for me was very much appreciated. 

When I think of my first ever visit to the show back in 2010 at Stoke never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that one day I would be tying flies on tyers row.

For years, Tyers’ Row hàd been a place I associated with  reverence. It’s where tyers that I've been inspired by and have been a great influence to me sit behind their vices, confidently demonstrating their skills and sharing their knowledge of the craft.

To find myself among them felt surreal, exciting, humbling, and if I’m honest a wee bit nerve-wracking.

However before I put my first hook in the vice I was called to Magnus Angus’s Fly Fishing & Flytying magazine’s makeshift photo studio  to have one of my fly patterns photographed  in a step by step sequence for an article which will be published soon in that long-established monthly magazine. Watch this space for more info. 

Once that was done I took my place on the row.

Tying in front of the public with some stopping to watch and chat was at first a nervy  experience however I soon settled in and the conversations flowed, questions were asked, flies, methods and techniques were discussed, stories were shared, lochs and locations recommended.

What truly made the experience special was the reaction of those who stopped to watch. Seeing genuine interest in my flies, and meeting people who follow my flytying on my social media pages was a real buzz.

It was a real thrill to chat with Pete Tyjas from the Fly Culture podcast and new editor of T&S.

Likewise it was fantastic to have Jackie Mahon and Tom Doc Sullivan stop by and xhat about my flies. 

By the end of the weekend I felt a quiet sense of pride. To sit among respected tyers at the BFFI wasn’t just a personal achievement especially after the year I had health wise. It felt like an acknowledgement of my flytying journey so far. From a beginner at the humble beginnings of the Airdrie & District Angling Club flytying nights to tying at one of the most prestigious flytying events in Europe, it’s been a road well worth travelling.

My first time on Tyers’ Row will hopefully not be my last. If anything, the experience has only deepened my enthusiasm for flytying and everything associated with it.

Before signing off I must thank Steve and Bridgette for organizing the whole event it must take some doing. I hope to do it all again next year.

Click the link below for a  video compilation of the show.

BFFI 2026. 

The Wet Fly Swing Davie McPhail Podcast!

Essential Listening! 

A rare insight into the flytying of Davie McPhail's flytying. history. Click the link brlow.

Davie McPhail Wet Fly Swing Podcasr

Reflections

Today I enjoyed a wonderful Twixmas day out with friends, starting with a fantastic meal at a local hotel and finishing with drinks at our local club. It was a brilliant way to round off the year and begin looking ahead to the next.

 Now that I’m home, the quiet of the evening has given me time to reflect on what has been a challenging year not just in terms of fishing and fly tying, but in life in general. I’ve been off work since April due to health reasons, something I never imagined would last so long. That said, after visiting the doctor today, I’m finally planning a return to work towards the end of next month and, with it, a gradual return to some sense of normality.

 Despite being hospitalised after suffering a stroke, I was fortunate enough to enjoy a couple of fishing trips up north with friends, trips I’ve written about previously on this blog. Those days meant a great deal to me, especially as it was deeply disappointing not to fish my club water this season due to eyesight issues and being unable to drive.

 Earlier in the summer, I was honoured to be invited to tie at the Scottish Game Fair. Unfortunately, ongoing health problems meant I couldn’t attend, which was a real let-down. 

For several months, tying wasn’t possible at all. However, as my eyesight has gradually improved, I’ve been able to return to the vice and attend the Sharp & Gentles tying club, which has been hugely uplifting. 

 I was also incredibly proud to be invited to join the Fulling Mill fly-tying Pro Team, helping to promote their excellent materials and hooks. The icing on the cake is being invited to tie on Tyers’ Row at the famous British Fly Fair International (BFFI) in Stafford in February 2026. At one stage, I wasn’t sure this would be possible, but with steady improvement, I’m now really looking forward to it.

 As I reflect on the year, I have to give heartfelt thanks to my wife and son for their unwavering support. I truly don’t know how I would have coped without them. I’m also deeply grateful to my friends for their support, encouragement and understanding throughout it all.

 It’s been a rough and the ugged road  I've had to travel but in refection its not all been bad.

 I'm ending the year with gratitude, renewed purpose, and genuine optimism for what lies ahead.

Modern Flies & Ancient Lochs by Arthur MacDonald.

The flytying community is buzzing with anticipation at the release of Arthur MacDonald’s book: Modern Flies and Ancient Lochs.  

For a good number of years, tiers have been talking about Arhur’s unique style and approach to flytying.

What has people especially excited is the promise that the book will connect the old with the new and all the patterns have been beautifully photographed by Rob Denson.

 Early indications  suggest it includes modern approaches to classic loch-style flies, insights into how the historical patterns evolved with helpfull instructions and guidance on hiw to tie these flies.

 Many see it as the kind of resource that could quickly become a go-to reference for everyone with a passion for Scottish loch style wets.

Whether you’re into traditional Scottish patterns, experimenting with contemporary materials, or simply enjoy reading about the history behind the flies we tie today, this book is shaping up to be something special. 

Its no surprise that tiers everywhere are counting down the days until they can get their copy of this book which is sure to be a Modern Classic.

While we all wait in anticipation for it arriving on our bench there is a sneak preview of what to expect in this month's Trout & Salmon magazine.

Fulling Mill Pro tyer

I'm absolutely thrilled to announce my association with Fulling Mill  A brand that shares my passion for both traditional fly tying and modern innovation. Together, we're committed to celebrating the craft of fly tying with genuine quality materials and products . I'm excited to see how this association will influence and enhance my fly tying.

You can read my pro tyer bio at the following link.

Allan Hutton Fulling Mill Pro tyer

The Tartan

Please have a llook at this  flytying video that I put together of The Tartan - a fly pattern  Hebridean Hetitage.

It was devised by John Kennedy the former manager a of the South Uist Estates.

Its a lovely pattern with its swept back peacock meck fibres that make it so appealing to trout.

Thumbs up, Likes and comments appreciated.

Click the link below: 

The Tartan