Friday, February 28, 2014

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Purple Slip Knot



Purple Slip Knot
Thread: White UTC 140, Fire Orange UTC140
Shank: Senyo 25mm, Senyo Blue Intruder Wire
Hook: Octopus # 4
Body: Purple STS Tri Lobal Dubbing
Hackle: Senyo Purple Wacko Hackle
Marabou: Black Marabou
Wing: Purple Eumer Finn Raccon
Collar: Purple Guinea
Head: Fire Orange UTC 140, with Clear Cure Goo Hydro

Monday, February 24, 2014

Baitfish Pattern

Baitfish Pattern
Hook: Gamakatsu
Thread: Uni Mono
Wing 1: UV Polar White Yak
Flash: UV Black Krystal Flash
Wing 2: UV Tan Yak
Wing 3: Bronze Angel Hair
Eyes:  Clear Cure Goo- 3-D 
Resin: Clear Cure Thick and Hydro

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Blue Poison Tung- by Henry's Fork Anglers


Blue Poison Tung from Henrys Fork Anglers on Vimeo.
A simple two minute tie of the Blue Poison Tung by our good friend Charlie Craven, The folks at 
HFA do a great job with this video short. Check it out.


Friday, February 21, 2014

Comparadun

Simple Compadun
Hook: TMC 100, Sz: 16-20
Thread: Grey 10/0 Veevus
Tail: Light Dun Micro Fibbets
Body: Light Grey Superfine Dubbing
Wing: Blue Ribbon Flies- Compardun Deer Hair

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Photo of the Day- "Turnin' Back the Clock"

A time past when we all used to race our schwinn's down the road to the corner market for 
candy and ice cream. This well used grip was found on the streets of Salida, CO, still making the treks down to the corner store. Keep on keeping on!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

2-Wire Beaded Stone

2-Wire Beaded Stone
Hook: TMC 5263, Sz:8-12
Thread: UTC 70 Brown
Bead: Copper Tungsten(tied back from eye)
Lead: .020 lead
Tail: Amber Goose Biot
Dubbing Ball: Golden Brown Ice Dubbing (help split tail)
Abdomen: BR Black and Ginger Wire
Dubbing: Golden Brown Ice Dubbing
Hackle: Natural Indian Hen Hackle
Collar: Golden Brown Ice Dubbing


Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Hot Orange Thread Mdige

Hot Orange Thread Midge
Hook: TMC 2499, Sz. 18
Bead: Silver Tungsten
Thread: Hot Orange 8/0 Uni
Rib: Lagartun Small Silver Wire

Wyoming Wildscapes II


Wyoming Wildscapes II from Nicolaus Wegner on Vimeo.
An absolutely fabulous time-lapse from Nicolaus Wegner on the stunning Wyoming Wildscapes.
Definitely a video to put on wide format, turn up the volume and enjoy with a little Bailey's and coffee on the this great Tuesday. The storm shots are smashing.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Shimmer Stone

Shimmer Stone
Hook: TMC 5262, Sz: 8-10
Thread: UTC 70 Black
Bead: Copper Tungsten
Lead: .015 lead
Tail: Black Goose Biot
Antennae: Black Goose Biot
Abdomen: Black D-Rib
Thorax: Med. Golden Olive Cactus Chenille
Legs: Natural Indian Hen
Collar: Golden Brown UV Ice Dubbing

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Alpacas of Montana- Product Review

 At the recent outdoor show Mary and I were looking for new alternatives in socks and hats for our  upcoming steelhead trip. While walking the aisles, we came across the booth of Alpaca's of Montana.
While looking at the socks and trying on the hats, the pretty young gal, put he sell on us , selling the merits of Alpaca, it warmth, durability and that she would buy it back if we did not like it once we came back from Washington.
The sell tactics worked, we picked up several pairs of socks and couple hats. I was excited to use them, finally some socks sized for someone with large feet, that go down to 20', -20'.  DId I mention how soft the socks are, wow, like wearing pillows on your feet.
The socks worked like a charm, keeping the feet nice and warm without sweat or excess moisture
that tends to build up over the course of a long fishing day.  With a simple liner unearth, these sock
are a game changer. There are on the pricey side at $32 a pair, but warm feet are worth it.


The fishing hat that Alpaca of Montana creates is stellar. After three days of fishing in the wind and rain, this hat repelled water, dried quickly and with the Windstopper liner, kept my head nice and toasty. Most hats I have had in the past ride up and are not comfortable, this one was different. With the cinch cord at the bottom, I did not have the issue of the had riding up. One of the biggest factors is, Alpaca's makes 10-12 different sizes to fit your head. Not just a sm, m, l,l.

This is not for everyone, just my opinion on a real nice product  that is made in the USA.
Check them out.

Friday, February 14, 2014

more STEEL 2


Thought I would share a couple more pictures of our spectacular trip to the OP. The sights are to beautiful not to share. 
 Mary hooked up on one of the other local fish.
 Floatfisher was right at home this king size river. Can't wait to come back, OP rainforest is just so 
bitchin'.
You think you have a fish net, Check out this gem from Rimrock Net Co. Since the fishing was 
tough, Mary was happy to run the net. She looked right at home. I think we need to hit the lottery and spend the winter chasing these fish, well maybe some others too.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

First STEEL


Mad Props to Jeff Brazda, Annie and the fine team of guides with Brazda's Fly Fishing in Forks, Washington. Ms. Floatfisher and I just returned from a fantastic trip to the OP for our first trip to catch steel or chrome, as the seasoned veterans refer to them. 

Also , thanks to Shawn Lawson and our great friend and long time guide of Brazda's Joe Willuaer for giving us the push and recommendation to get there. Job well done.



Did not take long Day 1, for the first pull near the great looking logjam, of course. WOW, the power of these fish are amazing and this one that has been in the river a little while. Although, not the prettiest steel, I will take it for my first one, as it was in the net, and in my hands. Thanks Aaron for a great day.


Many others hooked through the day, but the hard hook set was the down fall for both Mary and I. You have to $%#$#$% launch that hook into them. Then hope your line is clear of any tangles or debris,  then you have to survive the initial run. Well then you have a shot a landing one. Easy you think. Not so. On day one we were lucky enough to fish the lower HOH River, there were fresh fish moving in the river, and it was active. Had the opportunity to hood a 20# fish for a slight time, and it schooled me and send me collecting my line and backing. 
Last fish of the day, #3, was very happy, very, very fresh fish. These fish are pure muscle.
It is incredible. 

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

UV Purple and CDC

UV Purple and CDC
Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 12-16
Bead: Black or Silver
Thread: Grey 8/0 Uni
Abdomen: Purple UV Halo Tinsel
Rib: Fine Silver Wire
Soft Hackle: Trout Hunter Light Dun CDC
Collar: Purple UV Ice Dubbing

Monday, February 10, 2014

Miracle Nymph


Seems like everyone like to see these little guys from time to time, thought I would post an old stand-by that should be in every tailwater fisherman's flybox. Does not get any easier than this tie.

Miracle Nymph
Hook: TMC 2499 or 101, Sz: 18-24
Thread: White 10/0
Bead:  Diamond Glass
Abdomen: White 10/0 
Rib: X-Small Copper Wire


Sunday, February 9, 2014

Floatfisher's TB Rainbow Midge

Floatfisher's TB Rainbow Midge
Hook: TMC 2499/ 2487, Sz. 16,18
Bead: Red Lucent Tungsten
Thread: Black 10/0 Veevus
Tail: Rainbow Krystal Flash
Body: Black 10/0 Veevus
Rib: Rainbow Krystal Flash
(Coat of Clear Cure Goo)
Thorax: Red UV Ice Dubbing


Saturday, February 8, 2014

"Damn that Looked Real"

Sometimes the photo says it all. The fly looked so, so good the our finned friend could not
pass it up. Must of thought to himself, " Dam that looked Real", fooled again.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Hickman Fish Taco


"Dansels in Distress: by Sharptail Media


Damsels in Distress from Sharptail Media on Vimeo.
Alright, if this video does not get you going you do not have a pulse for flyfishing.
This is some down right top notch stellar video. Wow, what a treat to be in the right
place at the right time to witness this. Right on, Crazy ass video short.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Orange Bead Midge

Orange Bead Midge
Hook: TMC 2488, Sz: 18
Bead: Hot Orange Glass Bead
Thread: Grey Veevus 10/0
Abdomen: Small Blue Wire
Wing: White Anton
Collar: Dun/ Callibaetis UV Ice Dubbing

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Drone

 Unmanned Drone
Hook: Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, Sz. 3-5
Thread: Hot Orange 6/0
Body: Hot Orange 6/0
Rib: B/R Silver Wire
(2 coats of Bug Bond UV Resin over thread and rib)
Marabou: White Marabou 
Flash: 4 Strands of Hot Orange Krystal Flash
Hackle: Hot Orange Strung Hackle
Ostrich: 4 Strands of Hot Orange Ostrich Herl
Flash: 4 Strand of Royal Blue Krystal Flash
Head: Hot Orange 6/0

Boogle Abstract


Monday, February 3, 2014

Hot Head Midge

Hot Head Midge
Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 18
Bead: Fire Orange Tungsten
Thread: Grey Veevus 10/0 
Wire: Small Blue and Silver Wire
Thorax: Dubbing Mix- Dun/ Callibatis/ Purple
UV Ice Dubbing

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Game Day - Tie


Ready for the Game- thought I would get up and twist up fatty for the game. Good luck to the teams, don't really have a dog in the fight since the Packers are home on the bench, next year I look forward to tying Green and Gold!

Fly Tying Saturday at Charlie's Flybox


Gratitude- as alway's, thank you to the many folks who braved the dicey, snowy roads to come
watch me tie a few selected patterns from my collection. I am always humbled to have so many friends and visitors come in to watch me tie.

 Charlies Flybox has a nice venue to have guest tiers, with the camera and TV set up, it allows all patrons and onlookers to have a clear view of the tying session. Even with some 25-40 folks, all had a view of theevent and recipes. In addition, you can walk right to the wall and pick up the materials to tie that afternoon. Thanks again everyone who came out.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Photo of the Day- "Cloud Show"


Mercer's Swing Nymph

Mercer's Swing Nymph
Hook: TMC 3761 or 2499, Sz. 12-16
Thread: Camel Uni 8/0
Body: Camel Uni 8/0
Rib: Pearl Krystal Flash
(coat of Clear Cure Goo for durability)
Thorax: Brown UV Ice Dubbing
Bead: Black Tungsten
Antron Yarn: Brown Antron
Soft Hackle: Natural Partridge