Top 8 New Dry Flies for 2025 from Fulling Mill (Outside of US)
Published: 24th January 2025 | Author: Fulling MillHere we are with another article of our blog series that discusses new fly patterns for 2025 in our non-US markets. This time we’re discussing the top 8 new dry flies. We cover a range of insects, mayflies, caddis, gnats and willow grubs included. There are great new patterns for stillwater and river anglers alike. If you want to see all our new flies for 2025, you can find them here.
Photo: Patrick Tillard
Olsen’s Front End Loader
Signature Tyer Devin Olsen’s Front End Loader has risen to prominence as a duo pattern. It’s available in both caddis and ant versions. Whether fished with euro nymphing tactics or traditional tactics, it’s a great fly to fish. Devin shared some great info about the original caddis version of this fly: “During practice for the 2013 World Fly Fishing Championship in Norway, I found that the brown trout preferred flush riding dry flies in the low gradient rivers we were fishing. However, the caddis patterns I had with me which rode flush were poor at floating tungsten nymph droppers. I have long been a fan of Quigley’s Hackle Stacker style mayfly patterns. So, I figured the flush riding but buoyant hackle on these patterns would create the perfect combination when added to an elk hair wing to make my Front-End Loader Caddis. I ended up catching many of my fish in Norway on this pattern. It’s still my go-to caddis pattern to appeal to discerning fish while still being able to float tungsten nymphs.”
In the summer terrestrials become a prevalent food source for trout in many rivers, which brings the Front End Loader Ant to the top of our list. Tied in the “Spanish” method, it incorporates CDC split wings and a hi-viz post, which makes it look super buggy with a low profile. However, our treated Tactical Dry Fly dubbing and stacked hackle make it float well and suspend a lot of weight.
Procter’s Bounce Back Caddis
This foam head caddis pattern from Signature Tyer Paul Procter gives you the best of both worlds—profile and function. It has all the buggy elements of a good caddis pattern, but is easy to see and floats well. This pattern really comes into its own when caddis are on the menu, but it also doubles as a rudimentary tussock cicada, or grasshopper pattern too. While it may not be the first thing Paul reaches for in those cases, it’s versatile appeal makes it much more likely to get eaten. While it one hundred percent works when fished static, the foam head allows you to impart sharp tugs on the line to momentarily drown the fly. It will then pop (bounce) back up to the surface. This action can be deadly on many rivers, or stillwaters, particularly where flows quicken!
Buckey’s CDC
Signature Tyer Pete Buckey was looking for generalist appeal when he designed these flies. From Pete when discussing the olive version of this fly: “I wanted one fly to imitate them all. A general purpose olive that would be taken confidently. All you need to do is get the size right and you can use it cover any of the olives hatching at any time of year.”
Pete had more to share on the Iron Blew version of this fly. He says “When fish switch on to these flies they can ignore all else, including the mayfly, so I needed a pattern which replicated them closely looking like an easy meal. The red head mimics the eyes of the male insect and helps the fish pick this fly out amongst the naturals.”
Procter’s Willow Grub
From Signature Tyer Paul Procter, this willow grub imitation is a dead ringer for the natural. When talking about why he tied this pattern, Paul said: “willow grubs are tiny maggot-like larvae of the sawfly family of insects that drop from their leafy cocoons and into the water. At the height of this activity, trout have eyes for little else. This humble foam dressing is a dead ringer for the unfortunate naturals. When trout are seen gentle dimpling, or lined up behind overhanging willow branches then reach for this little number. A sighter wing/post obviously helps you locate the whereabouts of your artificial to address unwanted drag and of course determine when a trout takes your fly.”
Jackie’s Mayflies
Signature Tyer Jackie Mahon is a full time fly fishing guide on Ireland’s Loughs like Corrib, Mask and Erne to name a few. As a result, he’s spent countless days on hte water observing trout, their behavior and the flies they eat. He’s also been a student of the hatches, and has tied a range of dries to match the specific insects on each Lough. Below you’ll see his newest range of mayfly dries, which are named based on the Lough they were tied to fish on. For all you mayfly anglers out there, these are absolutely must-haves. What’s especially cool about some of these patterns is that they were passed down to him from his grandfather, and he’s taken them forward since then. They’re multi-generational family flies!
Photo: Patrick Tillard
Fish along with Jackie and Tom on Lough Arrow
Procter’s Bluebottle
Whether it’s in New Zealand the UK, or anywhere else where there’s lifestock, bluebottles or blowflies are never far away. These are easy to neglect as they don’t fit in the repertoire of traditional hatch insects, yet they do fly about from time to time on rivers. From Signature Tyer Paul Procter: “this pattern has an impressive history of tempting seemingly tricky trout. The CDC underbody combined with the foam profile makes it look especially buggy to prospective trout. The FM pink Ultra Dry Yarn post allows you to locate your fly when poor light hampers your vision. Admittedly, it’s a fly that was developed for fishing the rivers down under, yet it has immense value anywhere else you care to venture with a fly rod. My numero uno when visiting NZ and the go to’ fly if I’m a little uncertain of what to knot on. Another dressing that benefits from the ‘buzz’ of a CdC underwing.”
Buckey’s Magic Gnat
Another new pattern from Signature Tyer Pete Buckey, the Magic Gnat is one of those patterns you should always keep a handful of in your box. From Pete: “This pattern is particularly good early season and during those late summer evenings when trout really seem to lock on to gnats. A great fly to put on if you’re not sure what the fish are taking. This has caught fish feeding on house flies, ants and olive spinners. It just looks like fish food!” If that’s not enough to sell you on this fly, we’re not sure what is. Rest assured, it’s in all of our boxes.
Jackie’s Palomino
Palomino patterns are excellent for fooling picky fish, and these versions from Signature Tyer Jackie Mahon are even better. There are two shuttlecock versions, and two parachute versions. When olives, midges or duckfly are hatching and trying to break through the surface film, they’re easy targets for fish. These shuttlecock versions sit a bit lower than the parachute versions, and have a different profile. both are great options that are perfect imitations for these insect’s emergence and are are wildly effective as a result. These are another great contribution from Signature Tyer Jackie Mahon!
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