Sunday, November 30, 2014

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.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

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

Friday, November 28, 2014

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

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

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.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

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

Sunday, November 23, 2014

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 

Saturday, November 22, 2014

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.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

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

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

"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.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

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!

Monday, November 17, 2014

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


Sunday, November 16, 2014

"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 


Saturday, November 15, 2014

"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.

Friday, November 14, 2014

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

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

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

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Thank You


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

Monday, November 10, 2014

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

Sunday, November 9, 2014

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.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

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?

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

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.



Tuesday, November 4, 2014

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.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Rollin'


Keepin' it rollin' in to another month. We loaded up the rig for another as the weather looked like it was
to hold up till at least Monday this next week. I liked what I saw with light showers and overcast ski's,
we would see if the Colorado would give up a few nice fish on streamers, it did not disappoint.
 Craven's Dirty Hippy in both the Brown and Rainbow trout patterns continue to catch a lot of fish, whether in Montana, Washington or Colorado, they have a hard time resisting these little devils.
Ms. Floatfisher kicking' it in the back channel on the lower Colorado. The weather was incredible for November 1st.
 Fish where very active on midges today , black zebra with golden brown ice dub 
head was the ticket today.