October – River Fly Selection

October river fishing in the UK is often defined by cooler temperatures, lower light levels, and a return to more deliberate, selective feeding.

The main feature through October is typically the resurgence of Large Dark Olives, often joined by Iron Blue Duns on suitable rivers. These hatches can provide some excellent dry fly fishing, particularly during overcast, damp conditions when fish are more willing to rise. As with much of the autumn, activity is often concentrated into shorter windows, making observation and timing especially important.

When surface activity is limited, subsurface patterns remain highly effective. Freshwater shrimp and louse continue to be ever-present food sources near the stream bed and are a reliable option throughout the month, particularly when water temperatures drop and fish hold deeper.

Fish behaviour in October often favours well-presented, natural imitations over larger or more conspicuous flies. Careful fly choice, appropriate depth, and subtle presentation are usually more important than fly size or variety.

The flies in this collection have been selected to reflect typical UK October river conditions, focusing on autumn olives, Iron Blue Duns, and dependable subsurface patterns that continue to produce fish late into the season.

If you’re unsure which flies best suit your local river or current conditions, we’re always happy to help.