Howard Croston became the FIPS Mouche World Fly Fishing champion (individual) in Tasmania, 2019. This is an incredible achievement for anyone – especially if you haven’t grown up in France or Czechia! Howard kindly agreed to share stories and insights in our interview below:
Quickfire Bio of Howard Croston
Born: Leigh and grew up in Wigan (Northwest England).
Current Home: Morpeth Northumberland (Northeast England).
Interests Outside Fishing: Black and Red belt in K1-style Kickboxing (instructor-level dan-grades have red bands added to their black belts under the Japanese K1 system).
FIPS Mouche Results Roll-call: Individual world champion 2019, Individual 10th 2017, Individual 4th 2012,Team Gold 2009,Team bronze 2014.
Job: Global brand and product manager Hardy Fly Fishing.
Where to Find Howard’s Published Content
Howard is a long-time contributor to Fly Fishing & Fly Tying magazine – writing many insightful and helpful articles. Those articles are a really worthwhile resource if you’re looking to steal an edge in your on-stream approaches. The benefits of taking what works in high-level competitive fly fishing for your own angling are obvious. That holds true whether or not you, personally, have any interest in competing.
A recent addition is Howard’s own YouTube channel where he shares knowledge straight from the horse’s mouth. The bite-size format allows a single theme to be explored in enough detail for you to get to grips with it. Again, this is a valuable resource that is really worth your time.
Additional FD Content Connected to Howard Croston
Keep an eye out for our upcoming interview with the great John Shaner – Howard’s friend and also colleague within the Pure Fishing brand (owners of Hardy Greys). John is a fly fishing “lifer” based on the streams of the Catskills, an excellent storyteller and has a fantastic collection of angling artifacts.
You might also like to check out the article breaking down Howard’s “Spanish nymphing” style leader – which also includes his own video on the subject.
PLUS - if you're not already receiving over a year's worth of free nymphing and fly fishing tuition; would it be a bad idea to find out for free if there's a trick or two to learn from this course?
More On Hardy Greys
The town of Alnwick in the Northeast of England is significant in the history and culture of fly fishing. Brothers William Hardy and John James Hardy started "Hardy Brothers" there in 1874. A documentary film “The Lost World of Mr Hardy” was made in 2008 – including archive footage from the 1920s. Today, under the brand Hardy Greys, Alnwick remains the headquarters of the company and maintains a museum collection of their tackle created over the centuries.
What Questions Should I Have Asked Howard Croston?
Let me know in the comments what you'd like to know - perhaps I'll get chance in future to put your questions to him. Also, I'd be keen to know if you'd like to have access to our "In Conversation" episodes as audio podcasts too...
As always, I hope you enjoyed this content - if so, mash the social share buttons like a maniac and let your friends know.
Paul
[…] Howard Croston: What Would You Ask a Fly Fishing World Champion? […]
I was wondering if Howard’s relatively short tippet section (75 cms max) includes two flies. If so, does the dropper tag rather being close to the first section of color above the tippet dissuade trout from taking it?
My strong suspicion is that, for this rig and its intended shallow/stealth “sniper” application that a single fly will often be the weapon of choice…!
Paul
Do you know the recipe for the crostons euro jig minow silverfish?
Hi Joel, I think Domenick might have also passed on your request/enquiry about this pattern? I have dropped Howard an email but I think he has a ton of stuff on his plate just now.
The fly looks relatively straightforward to replicate – but may (of course) have some little bits of “secret sauce” ingredients too!
I’d look to dub a synthetic/semi-translucent body and collar of suitable shades and then I think the cheek feathers are somewhere in the “matuka” ballpark (you could try looking at Whiting Brahma soft hackle with Chickabou – since there are some fantastic shades and barred markings available in those feathers).
Very best wishes,
Paul
Hi Paul,
I get the impression that Howard doesn’t carry a vast array of flies, just a few patterns but in lots of diffrent sizes and weights. It would be nice to know his basic nymphs, wets and dries he carries around with him.
That’s a great question to store up for future opportunities Andrzej. I hope to be able to ask it in person at some point…
Paul
Hello. What brand and where can I buy 0.37 mono in hi viz yellow and red to make indicator section for traditional upstream nymphing? Thanks David
Hi David – since that is quite a bit thicker than 0x Tippet I don’t actually know of any manufacturer of bicolor nylon at that diameter.
There are some things like Sunline BMS sniper fluorocarbon that get up towards that kind of diameter – but the colours will be slightly transparent and not as visible as something like Rio indicator tippet. Sportfish sell that up to 2x diameter in pink and chartreuse.
The only way I can think to get that kind of diameter is to look for some of the bright sea fishing (or backing) nylons and knotting them together. Google Sunset Amnesia in 15lb (you should be able to find red and yellow/chartreuse in that brand).
All the best and good luck,
Paul
[…] Howard Croston: What Would You Ask a Fly Fishing World Champion? […]
I would ask what rods and rigs Howards carries to the bank of a trout stream/river that he has never before fished. I would assume that in addition to his euro-nymphing rod, he carries a dry fly rod rigged for dry fly or perhaps dry-dropper. Does he carry any different or additional rods or rigs?
Stephen, if I get a chance in future I’ll ask that one of Howard and share any answers with you here.
Thanks for contributing,
Paul