MarabouGrisen by Westler and Orrbeck

Enjoyed this fly tying video by Westler and Orrbeck. Classy, clean and well done. Great little prawn pattern. Happy January 31st.

White Knight

White Knight

Hook: Alec Jackson Steelhead Irons, Size 3-5

Thread: UTC 70 White

Body: Veevus Silver Iridescent Braid 

Flash: Blue Flashabou

Veil: White Marabou

Head: White UV Ice Dubbing

"boring day" by JensenFlyfishing

Boring Day from JensenFlyFishing on Vimeo.

Came across this a while back on Gink & Gasoline's Facebook site, some really cool footage of 

a brown scarfing down damsel flies 1/2 way into the film, and other very nice fish in this very unassuming small stream. Worth a watch with your morning coffee.

Nickel & Starling

Nickel and Starling

Hook: Alec Jackson - High Country Soft Hackle- Nickel , Sz: 11

Thread: Veevus Red 16/0

Soft Hackle: Starling

StoneThrow

StoneThrow

Hook: Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, Sz: 3-5

Thread: UTC 70 White

Body: Veevus Purple/ Silver Braid

Flash: Senyo's Freckled Preditor Wrap- UV Freckled Gold

Marabou Rear: Purple Marabou

Marabou Front: Orange Marabou

Head: UTC 70 Hot Orange

(Clear Cure Goo Coat over head wraps)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

May you all have a very blessed day with your families.

Warm Wishes from Floatfisher

Photo of the Day- San Juan Shuffle

Nothing worse that a couple of guys hogging your favorite riffle and doing the 

shuffle all through it. Then they have the audacity to give you the stink-eye. What up

with that?

Stocking Stuffers- Boat Goodies

Guess I was fishing way too much and not visiting fly shop during the summer.

Have been to many lately and this weekend ran in to the Shimazaki Powder Keg, a handy little

boat version of the small vest version. This nice little "keg" holds about 2.5 -3 bottles of dry shake, the best on the market, in my opinion, just damn expensive. This nice, handy thing about this container, is you can fit your large flies in and out of it with no issues and the lid will close tightly. 

A nice stocking stuffer for the drift boat fisherman. I will take one Santa!

"The Easy Road" by Waist Deep Media

The Easy Road from Waist Deep Media on Vimeo.

Tuesday Cinema provided by Waist Deep Media. Real nice production with great sound track.

Great way to ease into the holiday week. Pour a little Bailey's and coffee this morning and enjoy.

More snow for the high country, bring it on.

HOBO Twist

Hobo Twist

Shank: 25 MM Waddington Shank

Thread: UTC 70 Black

Body: Purple UV Polar Chenille

Marabou: Black Marabou

Lady Amhurst- Natural

Head: UTC 70 FL. Orange 

Trailer- Senyo Silver Wire

Hook: Gamakatsu Sz. 4

D-Midge Fly Pattern

Had a chance to sit down and watch my good friend Dennis Miller tie a few of his signature patterns

this past Saturday at Charlie's Fly Box. Dennis is a true gentleman, and always puts on a very nice

and informative show. Along with several of his very effective patterns, Dennis tied his D-Midge Pattern, a staple in the Umpqua Fly Catalog.

If you are in the nieghborhood of the Taylor or Upper Gunnison River in the spring and summer months, you need to visit Dennis at the Willow Creek Flyshop, at Three River Resort in Almont, CO.

Dennis runs the flyshop during the summer.  

D- Midge Fly Pattern- Grey
Hook: TMC 2457, Sz: 16-20
Thread: UTC 70 Grey
Bead: Size 17 Glass Bead- Grey
Tail: Grey Flouro Fibre
Body: UTC 70 Thread- Grey
Rib: Small UTC Wire- Black
Wing: Grey Flouro Fibre

 D- Midge Fly Pattern- Olive
Hook: TMC 2457, Sz: 16-20
Thread: UTC 70 - Olive
Bead: Size 17 Glass Bead- Olive
Tail: Olive Flouro Fibre
Body: UTC 70 Thread- Olive
Rib: Small UTC Wire- Black
Wing: Olive Flouro Fibre

: 

D- Midge Fly Pattern- Purple
Hook: TMC 2457, Sz: 16-20
Thread: UTC 70 Purple
Bead: Size 17 Glass Bead- Purple
Tail: Purple Flouro Fibre
Body: UTC 70 Thread- Purple
Rib: Small UTC Wire- Silver
Wing: Purple Flouro Fibre

Riverside Photo's - Old Windmill

One of my favorite old windmill's that sits on the side of the Missouri River, between Holter Dam and Wolff Creek Bridge. The weathered character the metal takes on with the rust and fading of the paint.

This was also the inspiration for Old Windmill Malbec, that we stomped several years ago, as a part

of Floatfishers Cellars wines. We have another crop of grapes that have been picked, stomped and are settling now, hope to be bottling in the next few months.

Stay tuned for the next batch …….

"Blue Bayou " Twist

Blue Bayou

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 16/18

Thread: UTC 70 White

Bead: Lucent Blue Tungsten

Collar: Montana Fly Good- Chartreuse Collar

Tail: Coq De Leon

Body: Veevus Blue Halo Tinsel

Rib: Lagartun Small Wire

Simple Hare

Simple Hare

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 14-16

Thread: UTC 70 Tan

Bead: Gold Tungsten

Tail: Pheasant Tail Fibers

Body: AZ Dubbing- Hares Ear

Rib: B/R Copper Wire

Solitude of a Winter Float

Although I am not ready for winter to set in for the next few months, I do enjoy the occasional 

chance to break the boat out to enjoy the cool winter float. The peace and solitude of the river all

to ourselves, people looking extremely crazy at us as we slide the boat down the launch to the water.
Never stop, keep on keepin' on!

Wire Pheasant Tail

Wire Pheasant Tail

Hook: Nymph Hook, Size # 14-16

Bead: Copper Tungsten

Thread: Brown UTC 70

Tail: Pheasant Tail Fibers

Abdomen: Pheasant Tail

Rib: Small Copper Wire

Thorax: B/R Copper Wire

Wing Case: Pheasant Tail

Collar: Purple UV Ice Dubbing

Fishing Skies

I miss the summer Fishing Skies that are provided in the late afternoons. This sight

was provided from the summer fires in Canada this summer while we were fishing on the 

Blackfoot River, colors like this are hard to reproduce.

" No Clear Line" by Zachary Ellis and Joshua Leal

No Clear Line from Fly First Cast on Vimeo.

A very nice little video short and great little sound track to accompany the fishing.

Have a nice tall Bailey's and coffee and enjoy. 

Claret & Orange

Claret & Orange

Alec Jackson # 3 

 UTC 70 White, FL. Orange UTC 70

Veevus Iridescent Silver Braid

Claret Marabou (three layers)

Orange Marabou (three layers)

2 Strands Orange Krystal Flash

Orange Ostrich

Orange Guinea

Monday's Twist - Floatfisher's Marabou

FLOATFISHER'S MARABOU

HOOK: ALEC JACKSON- STEELHEAD IRON # 5

THREAD: UTC 70 White / UTC Fl. Pink

Tail / Mid / Head Marabou: Lilac Blue Marabou

Mid Sections: FL. Pink Marabou

Head: UTC 70 Fl. Pink Thread

Lizard Caddis

Lizard Caddis

Hook: Alec Jackson, North Country , Size 11-13

Thread: Veevus 8/0 Tan

Bead: Copper Tungsten

Dubbing: Senyo's " Lizard" ,  Fusion Dubbing

Hackle: Trouthunters Premium Tan CDC

Collar: Brown UV Ice Dubbing

Blue WackaMo

Blue WackaMo

Hook: Alec Jackson, Size 3

Thread: White UTC 70, UTC 70 Black

Body: 2 strands Veevus Blue Mini Braid, 

1- Strand Small Lagartun Silver Wire Twisted 

Flash: Medium Blue Polar Chenille

Hackle: Blue Hackle

Guinea: Baby Blue Guinea

Rear View

While always looking ahead to the next adventure, it is neat to reflect of rivers recently floated, fish caught, interesting folks met along the way, and all the great photo's to document the crazy ride.

If you haven't, get out now and enjoy, if you are Keep On Keepin' On!

Fly Patches

Every patch takes on a little different look as time goes on. Rivers and water dictate the flies that 

will warm your patch.

Low Water Steelhead Tie

I came across this fly in while traveling in Washington earlier this summer, it looked so good, took 

a photo and wanted to twist a few up this winter. My apologies to the originator as I have looked everywhere for the pattern , only to come up dry. Shoot me a note if someone knows the originator and name.

low water steelhead

Hook: TMC 777SP, Sz, 4-6

Thread: UTC 70 White / UTC 70 Black (head)

Body: Veevus Metalic Silver Tinsel / Veevus Metalic Purple Tinsel

Rib: B/R Silver Wire

Thorax: Caddis Green UV Ice Dubbing

Flash: Purple Ice Wing / Plum Ice Wing

Hackle: Blue Doctor Guinea 

Head: UTC 70 Black Thread

Resin: Clear Cure Goo

Winter Project

One of recent projects has been to re-organize every fly we own into a much more

organized system, after several years of neglect. What an undertaking, it has been, I would 

had never thought I would say I have too many, but in certain fly's, I have too $#@%$#$ many!

For many years, they have been in different boxes or areas, getting them grouped will greatly help 

the searching and searching next year in the heat of the hatch and fishing. It will also help eliminate the boxes that are not needed all the time.

One of the new boxes we decided to try, after it received Rave reviews was the Tacky fly box, using the silicone inserts. Although a touch on the pricey side at $25, it appears to be a very well thought out box. It holds 144 flies, the slots do a fantastic job of retaining their memory once a fly is removed. The lid is crush-proof, and has nice locking feature.

I think we are up to 6 of them now along with several other manufactures with new slim profile.

Give them a try.

Jake's No Sink CDC Caddis

Jake's No Sink CDC Caddis

Hook: TMC 100 BL, Sz: 14-16

Thread: UTC 70 Black

Body: Tan Foam

Wing: Trouthunters Tan Premium CDC

Optional: Tan Krystal Flash

Bug Collars - You Gottem

As many have settled in to twist some flies for the holiday and winter season, it is always fun to try out

some of the new items on the walls of your local fly shops. The newest ones shown below are put out

by Bozeman Fly Goods, and called Bug Collars. As you can see they come in a plethora colors, ranging from your normal bead matching black, silver, copper to the polished vibrant pinks, oranges, chartreuse's and many others. 

These collars allow you create a number of new concoctions or your of old favorites.

 FF  Collared Midge

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 16

Thread: Black Veevus 10/0

Bead: Black Tungsten

Collar: Bozeman Flygoods - Fly Collar- Chartreuse

Abdomen: Black Veevus 10/0

Rib: Small Chartreuse Wire

Dubbing: Az. Dubbing- Black

Little Black Stone

Hook: TMC 5262, Sz: 6-10

Thread: Black UTC 140

Bead: Black Tungsten

Collar: Bozeman Fly Goods- Fly Collar- Chartreuse

Tail: Black Goose Biots

Body: Herters Blood Red Ice Hair Dubbing

Rib: B/R Red Wire

Legs: Brown Indian Hen

Collar: Herters Blood Red Ice Hair Dubbing

Happy Thanksgiving from Floatfisher

Putzy's

A real neat pattern I picked up off the North 40 Flyshop website. Another caddis pattern utilizing materials everyone already has in their tying arsenal. Well maybe not some the fancy colored tungsten

beads. Twist a few up over the holiday weekend. What else you gonna do, Fish!!! 

Putzy's

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 14-16

Thread: UTC 70 Purple

Bead: Silver / Purple Tungsten

Tail: Caddis Green UV Ice Dubbing

Body: Caddis UV Ice Dubbing (use dubbing loop)

Thorax: Purple UV Ice Dubbing (use dubbing loop)

Dubbing Brush- comb out and blend two ice dubbing, trim to shape.

Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag

We have started the marathon project of cleaning and reorganizing every fly and flybox 

we own. With the addition of the boat we needed something that would move easily between

both the raft and skiff. I think we have found the perfect boat bag. 

The Simm's Dry Creek Boat Bag has a ton to offer. (See the Simms write up below). Our great selling 

point to the bag were the overlapping lid, magnetized , self closing clasp. This will keep light rain and water residue out of the bag while fishing, but make it much easier to access the bag. Our previous bag, the Patagonia Boat Bag, which is industructable and amazingly waterproof, but very difficult to access during simple in and out chores. 

I think it is a worthy purchase.

"Instead of juggling all kinds of gear like some kind of fishing clown, keep everything in one place in the Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag. Ultra-durable TPU-coated fabric is completely waterproof, and a compression-molded overhanging lid repels water when the bag isn't completely zippered shut. A magnetized Catch & Release buckle keeps the lid securely closed. In designing its Dry Creek line, Simms did years of research and extensive product testing, resulting in features like intuitively designed interior dividers and trays for gear organization. Hypalon strap attachment points on the sides of the bag allow you to integrate other small packs or pieces of gear."

• Durable, wateroof, TPU-coated fabric
• Welded construction
• Hypalon strap side attachment points
• Magnetized Catch & Release buckle
• Compression-molded lid
• Interior dividers and compression molded organization trays

Shewey's Spawning Purple

Great to be sitting back at the bench today, decided to get out a few beautiful tying materials and see

what I could create. My little Sunday morning twist turned out alright before the Packers game. Was hoping for another route, but ended up having to many penalties and barely winning. Thats alright , on to the Patriots next week. 

Anyways, back to the tie, enjoy , give this one a try. 

Shewey's Spawning Purple

Hook: Alec Jackson 1.5 Gold

Thread: UTC 70 White / UTC 70 Black

Body: Veevus Hot Orange Tinsel (coat of Clear Cure Goo)

Wing: Purple Marabou

Collar: Purple Schlappen

Eye: Jungle Cock

Collar: Orange Dyed Guinea 

Photo of the Day- "Gravel Bar"

"gravel bar"

One of my favorite gravel bars on the lower Colorado River, this a great place to stop re-rig, work the soft inside seam , along with the lower seam. Lots of great fish in the great little hole. Cross the river, and visit the back eddy that sometimes can have some nice rising fish. We typically run a few streamer casts through the back foam pocket, let say the results can be rewarding.

Nymphs

Nymphs by brian kuchynka

CRAZY ANTZ

CRAZY ANTZ

Hook: TMC 100 BL, Sz: 16

Thread: Veevus 10/0 Black

Back Hackle: Whiting Black Saddle

Back Dubbing Ball: Senyo's - "Eat a Peach" Dubbing

Middle Flash: Orange Flashabou

Front Dubbing Ball: Senyo's - "Tabacco" Dubbing

Front Hackle: Whiting Black Saddle

"Midges Tame to Trashy by Minturn Anglers

The team over at Minturn Anglers have produced a nice little fly tying video short

illustrating the multitude of variations one can do with a little hook, thread, wire and beads.

Sure does make it easy to fill your midge box quickly with all these variations.

They all work quite well too. Twist a few up while you are stuck indoors the next couple of days.

Altered State of Mind

Altered State- photo taken on the Missouri River. That is the neat things about photo's, it the memories

each brings back, each brings back the exact thing you were doing at the time you shot the picture.

Sitting on cold day, thinking of a long winter ahead and the fish less weekends ahead, there will be many more of the photo's to look at and reminisce. 

THANK YOU- VERY HONORED

Thank you so much to the folks you might check-in occasionally, follow religiously, feel obligated because you are family. It is pretty cool to eclipse 100,000 views for a guy who just enjoys floating, fishing and tying a few mediocre flies. 

THANK YOU FROM FLOATFISHER!

E-Z Baitfish

E-Z Baitfish

Hook: TMC 600sp, Sz: 2

Thread: 6/0 White

Body: EP Brush- Blue

Overwing: White X-Select Craft Fur

Flash: Green Peacock Minnow Flash

Eye's: Large Bead Chain

Resin: Clear Cure Goo

"napaNED" - Fly Pattern

Inspired and enhanced with a few glasses of wine. Tested and fished this past summer with 

nice success, napaNED is keeper simplistic, durable and catches a few fish.

napaNED

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 14-16

Thread: UTC 70 Purple / UTC Mono (head)

Body: UTC 70 Purple

Rib: Lagartun Small Silver Wire

Gloss Coat: Clear Cure Goo- Hydro

Hackle: Partridge

Collar: Purple UV Ice Dubbing 

"Amongst the Kootenays" - A Precursor

Amongst the Kootenays - A Precursor. from Jah Raven Creation on Vimeo.

Always has been and always will be one of my favorite places to fish for cutthroats.

the Elk River valley is beautiful as is rests in against the Canadian Rockies.

Fishing for the bull trout is not to shabby either.

Neat little video trailer for this gentleman's video coming out in December. The soundtrack is pretty dope.

Egg Sucking Leech

FloatFisher's Egg Sucking Leech

Hook: TMC 7999, Sz: 6

Eyes: Red/ Black Lead Dumbbell Eyes

Thread: FL Orange 

Body: Cross-Cut Purple Zonker trips

Flash:: 2-Strand Pearl Krystal Flash (each side)

Head: Senyo's Fusion Dubbing= Eat a Peach - color blend

Fishing Cabins

Just some of the beautiful sights you see along the rivers.

Veevus Sow

Veevus Sow

Hook: TMC 100BL, Sz: 14

Thread: Uni 8/0 Fl. Orange

Lead: .010 Lead (optional)

Body: Wapsi Dark Sow Bug Dubbing Mix

Back: Veevus, H09, Turquoise Halo Tinsel

Head: Uni 8/0 Fl. Orange
Coating: 1 coat Clear Cure Thick
1 coat Clear Cure Hydro

Thank You

Great Day to sit back and reflect on the freedoms we take for granted.

Thank You

the BOSS- Coho Fly

Adapted from Jay Nicholas's original, The Boss is a proven coho fly.

Just a little something different as the second season (fly-tying) starts to kick in.

The Boss

Hook: Daichi SL 12, Sz: 2

Thread: Tan 3/0

Tail: Orange Bucktail with Black Krystal Flash

Body: Black UV Ice Dubbing

Front Veil: Orange Polar Chenille- Large

Didn't Work so Well

I showed this to Ms. Floatfisher, but got smacked across the back of the neck.

Thought it was pretty funny though. The ads from yesteryear.

Photo of the Day- "Colour me Gone"

"Colour me Gone" by BrianKuchynka

One Crazy Bastard

Some say!

They Say You Should?

If you know where this is on a special little piece of western water, they say you should portage,

sometimes that is just a "challenge" to Floatfisher. The question is, can we fit under? Will we get stuck?

There certainly is not much room for error. What would you do?

Montana River Lapse by Joe Cummings

Another nice video short by Joe Cummings out of Missoula, this time he tackles

the art of time lapse photography using the amazing rivers of the Missoula Valley as the

backdrop. A great way to ease in to the morning, press a fresh cup of your finest local coffee,

sit back and enjoy.





Boogie Woogie Caddis

Boogie Woogie Caddis

Hook: TMC 2488, Sz: 6-10

Lead: .020 Lead

Thread: Black 8/0

Body: Chartreuse Mini Braid

Hackle: Brown Indian Hen

Head: Black UV Ice Dubbing

Optional: Black Tungsten Bead

A very simple cross functional trout and steelhead pattern. Very easy to ties, most have all the materials in there arsenal of tying materials already, twist a few up today.