650 | Inside Fulling Mill with Nick Yardley - Stillwater Flies, Brook Trout, Great Lakes

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/650

Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company, TroutRoutes, Togens Fly Shop, Togiak River Lodge

Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

In this episode, we'll chat with Nick Yardley, the president of Fulling Mill. We dive deep into the fascinating story of how Fulling Mill became a leader in the UK and US markets, sharing insights on their top fly patterns and the meticulous process that ensures only the best end up in your fly box.

We also explore stillwater fishing, with Nick offering expert tips and his favorite flies for targeting brook trout in the Northeast. Additionally, you'll hear about his passion for the Great Lakes and why this region holds a special place in his heart for salmon and steelhead fishing.

Join us as we uncover these topics and more, giving you the knowledge to enhance your fly fishing adventures this season. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation with Nick Yardley from Fulling Mill!

Episode Chapters with Nick Yardley on Fulling Mill

1:38 - Nick shares his personal journey into fly fishing, starting from a young age with course fishing in Yorkshire, England. His interest shifted to fly fishing during a family visit to Dorset, where a gamekeeper introduced him to the sport. This experience led him to sell his match fishing gear and buy his first fly rod, albeit an unsuitable one. However, he later received a more appropriate and cherished split cane fly rod from a relative, which solidified his passion for fly fishing.

4:34 - We talk about his move from Britain to the United States in 1986. Nick explains that he didn't find the job market in Britain appealing due to high unemployment and general discontent at the time. Seeking adventure, he pursued a path in the US, leveraging his background in climbing.

8:22 - We explore the history of Fulling Mill. Its origins date back to the 1930s when Denis Whetham, a British schoolboy, took up fly tying after a rugby accident left him paralyzed. Upon returning to his family home in Kenya, he garnered local interest and even received commercial orders, leading him to pursue fly tying passionately.

Fulling Mill's flies are now widely available across US fly shops, and in 2023, they introduced a new range of fly tying materials, further solidifying their market presence.

18:00 - Nick mentions that Fulling Mill aims to be a one-stop shop for fly fishing, catering to various needs across different regions, although trout fishing constitutes 80% of their business. He also highlights their innovative approach with Euro nymphing flies, offering different weights for the same fly size and enhancing the consumer experience.

Furthermore, Fulling Mill is planning to introduce a new range of flies for warm water and specific regions by 2025, including patterns for strikers in the northeast and shrimp patterns for the Caribbean and Belize.

22:31 - Nick discusses the process of understanding market needs and providing appropriate products for fly fishing. He says that the strong feedback comes from retail stores and their servicing reps, as different territories have unique demands. He mentions Devin Olsen, a well-known figure in fly fishing who is both a signature fly tier and a shop owner, highlighting how his flies have broad national appeal.

24:18 - We dig into brook trout fishing, focusing on effective flies and ideal locations. Nick recommends using size 14, highly floatable dry flies with foam bodies, mentioning specific types like little chernobyls, ants, and beetles. He explains that when fishing for brook trout in the White Mountains of New Hampshire during the hot summer months, small black beetles work well due to the cold streams.

31:09 - Nick describes their operation in Kenya as well-established, employing about 215 people who are provided with healthcare and a retirement program, making it a desirable place to work. Most employees are around 40 years old and have been with the company for 15-20 years, showcasing their experience.

33:07 - Nick shares his experiences fishing in the Gaspe region, noting the high quality of public waters and the strong salmon stocks. He also mentions the ease of planning a fishing trip in Quebec using resources like the website saumongaspe.com.

40:00 - He finds the Great Lakes steelhead fishing to be remarkable, especially on the Salmon River. Nick says that in salmon fishing, traditionally, single-handed rods with streamers were used, but now many anglers are using two-handed rods for swinging. This method is becoming popular on the Salmon River, where it is effective for covering extensive water quickly and efficiently with big rods and classic West Coast salmon flies.

42:14 - For Atlantic salmon in rivers like the Dartmouth, York, and Saint John, Nick typically uses a 12.5ft 7wt rod, which suits most conditions. However, in narrower sections of the York River, he switches to an 11ft switch rod or a 10ft 7wt single-handed rod. For fishing in the Great Lakes, he often uses either the 11ft switch rod or the 12.5ft 7wt rod rod, which are versatile enough to cover most of his needs.

45:27 - He recommends some fly patterns to bring when you're planning to go on a fishing trip in the Gaspe for Atlantic Salmon.

47:52 - We get into fishing for brook trout in the White Mountains and the types of flies used. For flies, Nick explains that it largely depends on the fishing location and personal preference. He prefers using a dry fly setup, typically starting in July and continuing through August until the waters become too cold.

50:30 - Nick expresses a strong desire to fish in Scandinavia, specifically targeting salmon, trout, and grayling, as he has never fished there before. He notes that the salmon fisheries in Scandinavia are collapsing this year, so he would likely wait until they recover. He also mentions other destinations he wants to explore.

58:02 - For stillwater fishing, Nick suggests using a floating crane fly or dry fly crane fly, commonly known as "daddy long legs" in Britain, noting their high effectiveness despite being underutilized in other regions. He also recommends the diawl bach, a classic Welsh fly known for its consistent performance.

58:39 - We get into the random segment where I ask him about his morning drink preference. Nick reveals that he's a big tea drinker, preferring Yorkshire tea. He explains that a proper cup of tea requires a teapot, boiling water poured over the tea, and some milk. He does not recommend using an old tea bag and warm water since it doesn't produce a good cup of tea.

1:00:37 - Nick enjoys a mixture of both podcast and music, but he also listens to a lot of audiobooks. He likes listening to The Stranglers, a band he grew up with in Britain.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/650