A Little Tail for Friday

Everyone needs a little tail going into the weekend. Get out and fish.

Brown in Hand

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

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

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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

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

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

"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.

Photo of the Day- "Here we Come"

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.

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

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

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

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.

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