Fishing Tips
Handy Tips To Get The Most Out of Your Fishing
CHECK OUT OUR FLY SHOP AND MAXCATCH DEALER STORE
Tips & Tricks for Anglers of All Abilities
In this section you will find a wealth of knowledge that will help you on your fishing adventures, regardless of your skill level.
In this section you’ll find advice on everything you need to know to be a proficient fly angler and catch fish. From the basics on knots and how to cast a fly rod, to techniques on how to catch more fish at a Stillwater – there’s everything that you could possibly want and lots more!
It goes without saying that none of this would be possible without the UKs Stillwater Trout Fishing Content Creators as without them selflessly sharing their experience and tips none of this would be possible. I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to all of you who create and share content.
Introducing the Featured Content Creators
Lucy Bowden-Croston
In this section Lucy, Marketing Executive for Sportfish, will show everything you need to know about learning to cast a fly rod.
Many newcomers into the sport of fly fishing imagine it to be difficult to learn but Lucy prides herself on her ability to make it as easy as possible. A qualified Level 2 UKCC Game Angling Coach, Lucy believes that anyone can fish, no matter their age, race, gender or ability and it is her aim to encourage more people into the sport. This certainly shows on her Social Media channels as she is a vocal advocate for good causes.
Married to 2 time World Champion Howard Croston (Inventor of Crostons Dropback Bung), Lucy has been featured both in and on the cover of many Fly Fishing publications and brochures.
Click here to view the ultimate range of quality fly fishing gear to suit every budget
Lindsay Simpson
If you watch YouTube content or use Social Media then the chances are that you will have came across Lindsay and his proficient output of content on your screen.
In the UK Lindsay provides weekly content on fishing, tying flies and everything else that you need to know about fishing on Stillwaters.
With so much content to choose from, I will feature a selection of videos from Lindsay that covers a wide range of topics from covering the basics to the more advanced Stillwater techniques that every angler should know.
Tim Joyce
Wychwood Brand Ambassador, Team England Fly Fishing Youth Coach and qualified Level 2 Game Angling Coach, Tim is one of the most experienced online anglers in the UK.
He runs the Fly Fishing Essex YouTube channel that has excellent content on different techniques that should be in the modern Stillwater anglers arsenal.
Whilst not as prolific on Social Media as others, Tim more than makes up for this by creating quality content that I can personally vouch for as I studied his Buzzer fishing videos and picked up some great advice.
Calum from Vice Flies
A relative new face to the YouTube scene, for the past year Calum has consistently been creating helpful videos packed with good, solid advice on modern Stillwater tactics. He has also recently become a Sportfish Partner.
Active in the Scottish Competition scene, Calum brings you a modern take on fishing from North of the Border.
Steve Cullen
Steve is a highly motivated and passionate fly-fishing guide with a lifelong passion for the sport. Raised in the Scottish Borders, he grew up fishing the Rivers Tweed & Teviot, and the area’s hill lochs and stillwaters. After moving to the English Midlands in 2005, he turned his focus to large reservoirs and rivers within a 100-mile radius, with particular emphasis on the Derbyshire Derwent and Wye.
With many achievements in his competitive career including the IFGA Grans Slam in Mexico, Grand Cayman and Cuba, Steve is just as successful on home waters and has represented England at International, European, and World Championship level. His achievements include English National Champion (Graham Trophy winner), gold medallist at the 5 Nations Tournament, and a winning team member of the Lexus Fly Fishing Championships with the Ospreys.
Working alongside many influential figures in fly fishing has helped him to continually develop his angling and guiding skills. Alongside guiding, he remains actively involved in the industry: Steve continues to work with Guide Flyfishing and writes regularly for the angling press.
Previously, he served as Editor of Total FlyFisher (from 2005) and later as Brand Manager at Wychwood Game Fishing. It was in 2020, that he joined Guide Flyfishing to support brand growth, promotion, and wider participation in the sport.
Learning To Fly Cast with Lucy Bowden-Croston
How A Fly Rod Works: Part 1 - How to Fly Cast with a Single Handed Rod
The Basic Roll Cast: Part 2 - How to Fly Cast with a Single Handed Rod
The Basic Overhead Cast: Part 3 - How to Fly Cast with a Single Handed Rod
False Casting & Shooting Line: Part 4 - How to Fly Cast with a Single Handed Rod
Single Hauling: Part 5 - How to Fly Cast with a Single Handed Rod
Basic Double Hauling: Part 6 - How to Fly Cast with a Single Handed Rod
Advanced Casting Techniques: Part 7 - How to Fly Cast with a Single Handed Rod
Single Handed Fly Rod Casting: Part 8 - The Ultimate Guide
Understanding The Basics
3 Fly Fishing Knots You Need To Know with Lindsay Simpson
Beginners Guide to Knots and Multi Fly Casts with Lindsay Simpson
How to tie the the Uni Knot with Tim Joyce
Half Blood Knot for attaching flies with Tim Joyce
Spooling up a fly line with Tim Joyce
Fitting a braided loop to a fly line with Tim Joyce
Adding a hang marker to your fly line with Tim Joyce
Fly Fishing For Beginners 5 tip for Starting out with Lindsay Simpson
Maintaining Your Fishing Tackle with Lindsay Simpson
Fly Fishing Understanding Fly Lines with Lindsay Simpson
FLY FISHING TIPS : How to eliminate memory from your fly lines with Caithness Fly Fisher
Everything in My Fly Fishing Kit for Trout with Vice Flies
The Most Overrated Fly Fishing Advice on the Internet with Calum from Vice Flies
Gear I Should Have Bought Sooner! [Fly Fishing for Trout] with Calum from Vice Flies
Fly Rods Explained – What You Actually Need as a Beginner In Fly Fishing with Calm from Vice Flies
The Booby Knot - Perfection Loop with Steve Cullen Fly Fishing & Fly Tying
How To Make Hang Markers with Steve Cullen Fly Fishing & Fly Tying
Techniques & Methods
Fly Fishing for Beginners and Improvers. (Cracking the Code) with Lindsay Simpson
5 Tips to become a better angler with Lindsay Simpson
Master The Art Of Dry Dropper Setup And Fishing With This In-depth Guide with Lindsay Simpson
Fishing The Bung or Indicator in Winter with Lindsay Simpson
Trout Fishing with the HANG with Lindsay Simpson
Mastering the Washing Line: Complete Setup Guide for Fly Fishing Success with Lindsay Simpson
Spring Buzzers : Straight lining for those rod ripping takes with Tim Joyce
Fishing Buzzers Static with Tim Joyce
LURES , BUZZERS, THE BUNG. Three DEADLY methods to use this winter with Tim Joyce
Tough days = Small dries . Cant see them? DONT panic with Tim Joyce
Early Season Dry Fly fishing with Tim Joyce
The dry fly and buzzer combo with Tim Joyce
Buzzers and FABs - Spring Washing line tactics explained with Tim Joyce
Winter Stillwater Fly Fishing – Why Slowing Down Catches More Trout with Calum from Vice Flies
The Secret to Finding Trout Hotspots [Stillwater Fly Fishing] with Calum from Vice Flies
You’re Fishing the Bung WRONG! (Here’s How to Fix It) with Calum from Vice Flies
Fly Fishing with Buzzers – Everything You Need to Know [Trout Fishing Explained] with Calum from Vice Flies
These 5 Fly Fishing Tips Changed Everything for Me [ALL SKILL LEVELS] with Calum from Vice Flies
Why You’re Not Catching Trout Right Now – Spring Fixes That Actually Work with Calum from Vice Flies
Best Fly-Fishing Tactics for Trout [Stillwater Trout Fishing UK] with Calum from Vice Flies
Fly Fishing’s Most Consistent Method? [How to Fish The Washing Line Explained] with Calum from Vice Flies
Charles Jardine - Stillwater Trout Fishing Tactics
Howard Croston's Stillwater Fly Fishing Tactics
Top 10 Competition Flies (back end specials) with Steve Cullen Fly Fishing & Fly Tying
Setting up the ‘sliding bung’ with Steve Cullen Fly Fishing & Fly Tying
10 Grayling Flies - you've probably never heard of but will want in your box after watching this! with Steve Cullen Fly Fishing & Fly Tying
Check Out Our Google Reviews
Excellent value and quality flies. Clearly a company that is dedicated to it’s customers by always seeking suggestions for new types of flies.
Mark Olsen
August 16, 2026Cracking selection of flys look great next day delivery
Gordon Kelly
August 14, 2026Flies are fantastic quality and really look forward to using them on the stillwaters that I fish regularly. Always fast delivery ordered on the 12th August and received on the… read more
Simon Skinner
August 14, 2026Great set of flies 👍👌
David Bullock
August 11, 2026Great service 👍
Trefor Roberts
August 11, 2026Excellent service and delivery, would recommend
Liz McLellan
August 11, 2026Many thanks. Very prompt and efficient service.
John Wayman
August 10, 2026First order received from Stef. Very easy to order online and prompt service. He even kindly added a couple of extra items to my order, thanks Stef. Can’t wait to… read more
Mark Paterson
August 8, 2026Great price, friendly customer service, fast delivery just what your wanting 👍
Elliott Ewing
August 5, 2026Excellent quality flies. I was very pleased with my purchase and I will definitely make many repeat purchases.
LHR
August 4, 2026really quality flies and where else can you buy dozen flies for £5 and there top quality and really fast tracking delivery top quality guy 👍
colin monk
August 2, 2026I found dealing with stillwater fisheries, a pain free transaction, very quick with delivery, no hassle and the cheapest around.
Ian Jameson
August 2, 2026Stillwater flys are great flys, would recommend people to try them first before anywhere else, my first stop for flys
george walker
August 2, 2026Excellent service and the flies are pretty good as well
Brendan Hair
August 2, 2026Excellent service, would highly recommend!
Keith Row
July 31, 2026What a fantastic company this is. I have ordered a few times from Stillwater fisheries, and each time I’ve had brilliant service with next day delivery at a fantastic price.… read more
Nathan Williams
July 28, 2026Good line and good quality flies. Great delivery. Will definitely use again when needed. All is good.
Alan Wallace
July 27, 2026Excellent service and products,very competitive price and fast delivery. Extremely pleased with the quality of the flies
Peter Watts
July 26, 2026Service is always excellent and items dispatched quickly.
Steven Oberg
July 24, 2026Great looking fies but haven’t had a chance to ry them out because of the weather,fast delivery and great prices
ROBERT STEVENSON
July 23, 2026Fantastic flies that are delivered very quicklyMuch appreciated Stef
Joe Toner
July 21, 2026After a dormancy of over 40 years I decided to renew my gear ! After reading the reviews on the Maxcatch products I decided on the Skyhigh gold with gold… read more
Chris Gladman
July 17, 2026Beautifully tied flies!
Stephen Ferrie
July 14, 2026Flys turned up quickly and with a nice personal touch with a free fly and hand written thank you. All the fly’s looked great id definitely recommend this company.
Cameron Moore
July 14, 2026
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Want to stay up to date with the latest website news, offers and fisheries news? Sign up for our newsletter below to get started.
At the very most you will receive one email a week with content that you will enjoy.