Who makes your lures?

I DO!

I figured it's time to add a blog to the website and reckon that I should introduce myself for all those that have managed to steer clear of Social Media.

As with lots of Anglers of my generation, my fishing story started as a young lad. I was fortunate to have and aunt and uncle that loved fishing and they ignited the fishing fire in me. A father that took me fishing most weekends and a mother that, looking back, was probably happy to have us out of the house for a few hours on a Sunday.

I cut my teeth roving small Kentish rivers chasing Chub. Going as light as possible, the lunches took up more space than the tackle, the latter being the essentials in an old tobacco tin. The mantra of "all you need is a hook, line and sinker" and the distances travelled kept kit to a minimum.

That mantra has since transformed to "KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid", but the gist is the same.

A natural fishing break followed as Beer, Girls and the Army interjected.

During my military days I tried to get out a few times but it wasnt until a posting to Germany and a Camp with 4 ponds (two coarse and 2 Fly) was home for a few years.

This was where I had my first experiences of targetting 2lb Perch on livebaits and Fly Fishing for beautiful Trout.

It wasnt long until the part of me that wants to make what is often easier to buy started to come to the forefront and Fly Tying material was all over the Married Quarter!

Fast forward now to a new start in Essex in 2010 and I found myself with the Lea Valley on my doorstep and Chub were back on the target list. And what Chub they were! The trade off was the style of fishing. I was heavily influenced by Tony Miles' book "My Way With Chub" (an excellent read if you manage to get your hands on a copy). I still use those teachings in my lure fishing. It was all about a roving and swim rotation approach. Pretty much what we did on the Kent Rivers. Unfortunately The Lea was a Chub Mecca and I quickly found that my carefully prepared swims were soon occupied with anglers "in for the long run" or as I've also called it "the circus came to town".

I did manage two Chub of a lifetime; a winter fish of 7lb1oz and a summer specimen of 6lb15oz. A shame they don't "count" anymore as they were not on lures!

Another move ensued and in 2016 we moved to Fenland.

Wow, what a daunting place the Fen Drains are. Coming from feature filled, tree lined winding rivers and now being met with long, straight, windswept bodies of water. Roving with lures was the natural choice and that's where this current chapter began.

This is where my love of all things UL took hold and especially soft plastics. Even as recently as 2016, choice was not what it is today and as a beginner, every lure was bought and the kit got heavier. It was getting ridiculous. My military brain kicked in and it was time to give it a KISS!

I had 3 Lures in a few colours that I had all my fish on and therefore, all my faith.

• Floating Stick

• Flappy Craw

• Fat Shad

It wasn't long before the Fly Tyer started to look at the lures and wonder if "I could do that". YouTube was consulted and I soon jumped head first into lure making.

The only thing better than catching on stuff you make is seeing others catch on them. I didnt know it then but FFSLures was being conceived.

With lots of changes in circumstances and world events, Fast Forward and here we are!

I hope you enjoyed this first (of many) Blogs

Tight lines and happy casting,

Tom Moir

FFSLures