Fly Tying: Mayfly Emerger

PG SUPER DUPER EMERGER FROM ARCTIC FLY FISH

This is a nice Mayfly Emerger pattern. Notice a couple things that are not offered up during the video, that lend to the success of the fly: The Krystal flash tail (notice the one thread wrap behind the tail segments that helps lift the tail upward and away from the bend; the biot abdomen, which provides a nice segmented abdomen (how the biot is tied in determines how the body will wrap…segmented or smooth); the CDC wing/legs were at first maintained in a paper clamp before being inserted into the dubbing loop and spun (that is not evident in the video to the untrained eye). I think those few clarifications will make the clip more understandable for the beginning fly tier.

Image from Moscofilia

Fly Fishing: Small Sticks on Cricks

Several times a year, I find myself up logging roads toward upper drainages/tributaries of big rivers. I string up the 9′ to 9’6″ rod and set forth weaving my way, this way and that way, through the trees toward the waters edge. Once on the water, I scout the canopy and other over hanging growth to not only avoid hanging up the fly + tippet, but also to avoid smacking the rod tip.

The confines of a small stream quickly reveal the tangled web we weave when at first we use too big a stick on a small stream. Recently, I was privileged to review some DVD’s by Ed Herbst and in those DVD’s I noticed he was wielding short rods on narrow streams. He moved with ease, in stealth mode, and waved the little wand to delicately present his flies.

Now, this initially contradicts my impulse toward bigger waters, longer rods and more power. I have those rods and love them. But, those small streams are another enviro that beg the small stick. So, I invested in a couple Loomis rods, both 3 weights and shorter (7′ and 8′). For the last few years, I have used a 3 wt. (9′ St. Croix Legend) more and have handled some substantial trout on the 3 wt. These shorter rods have a softer, medium action and will most probably meet few fish beyond 14″….more like 6″ to 10″. If I do connect to a larger fish, it will be an epic story.

These are not rods for big rivers and big fish, which to my thinking would be potentially irresponsible if I am seeking a humane catch and release. These are sticks for little streams, the intimate confines and small flies. I am excited to use these on those private little escapes. Some of my best life time memories while fly fishing were on small streams.

Marble Trout of Slovenia & The Adriatic

There is, for me, a decided uniqueness to the Fly Tying and Fly Fishing of SE Europe. One part of that uniqueness is the available Marble Trout of Slovenia. A cousin of the Brown Trout, the fish reaches large size and lives in some of the most pristine rivers, which pour into the Adriatic Sea.

A Marble Trout from Josko.Org

Take a few minutes to study up on this unique fishery and the beauty of the region at JOSKO.ORG and at Fish & Fly. I think big flies (streamers, big stones and large morsels are in order)

“If you spend every day on the water casting tiny dry flies, you might have a lot of action but your chances of hooking a trout of a lifetime are slim to none. Monster marble trout eat sculpins, crayfish, big stoneflies and most of the time small grayling.” Fish&Fly

The Marble Trout is present in several countries bordering the Adriatic Sea, but Slovenia claims the fish as theirs. High in the mountains in the Soca and Idrijca Rivers the Marble Trout return.

 

Spell Check for Public Employees

“An embarrassing spelling mistake outside a school in Manhattan’s Lower East Side reportedly remains unfixed months after the error was made. The word school was misspelled as “shcool” on Stanton Street in front of Marta Valle High School. The error was made sometime last summer…”

I, for one, need to repeatedly review everything I write. There is always an error in grammar or spelling.  I wonder if anyone on the public work crew recognized the error (you know there had to be more than one on a public work crew)? And, is crossing XNG now? 

BloodKnot Magazine, Blogger 2 Out and…….

BloodKnot Magazine, Blogger 2 Addition 

May I promote SwittersB a bit? Inside this addition, amidst all the visually, creatively stimulating materials is a humble little piece called Lost Opportunity by SwittersB. As you receive your visual fix, maybe drop by my little way station for a nostalgia fix? Thanks!

Fly Tying: A South African Fly Tying Journey, Volume 2

I was recently rewarded with an opportunity to review Ed Herbst’s (and friend’s) DVD, A South African Fly Tying Journey, Volume 1. I found that DVD very rewarding and suitable for the seasoned beginner to intermediate fly tier. (posted here 12/28/2011)

As a followup, Ed asked me to also review Volume 2, which primarily focuses on Terrestrials, a staple of South African Fly Fishing. In fact, Ed mentions in the DVD that Terrestrials are far more important to the fly fisher, in South African waters,  than Mayfly or Caddis hatches. At times, this is probably true on many waters beyond South Africa when Hoppers, Beetles, Ants and the like are prolific. 

So, I watched the enjoyable Volume 2 and came away with the following impressions: like Volume 1, it is well presented and pleasant to watch. Ed Herbst and friends (Philip Meyer, Mario Geldenhuys and Fred Steynberg) are excellent in providing understandable instructions for tying patterns, which I believe are well suited for the Beginner to Intermediate fly tier (Mario’s Inch Worm and Fred’s Ant are good beginner patterns).

The beginning tier can certainly purchase the DVD and work toward the patterns, but right out of the case, the patterns components of foam, rubber legs and hackle might be a bit of a challenge. My favorite fly pattern was the one Mayfly pattern in the mix, the RAB by Philip Meyer.

RAB Dry Fly by Philip Meyer

Thanks to Ed Herbst for the opportunity to learn more about Terrestrials and enjoy the beautiful scenery of South Africa’s Cape region.

 The fly tying DVD can be purchased online through the Stream-X fly shop in Cape Town - http://www.streamx.co.za/index.htm  and its proprietor, Craig Thom – sales@streamx.co.za.

Beginning Fly Fisher’s: Keep Your Eyes On…….

Beginning Fly Tying Courses at Fly Shops and Community Colleges

If no shops are nearby then find those Podcasts & other on line resources

Find Hatch Charts for Your Local Streams or Planned For Destinations

River Levels & Gage Station Reports for Your Area or Destinations

Reporting Stations for Mountain Passes

Hire a Guide Someday…Save Your Dinero

Identify a FF Club in Your Area and Attend a Meeting to see if it fits 

Check Fly Shops and News Papers for Fly Tying Expositions & Attend 

All these are practical planning ideas to spend the Winter months planning for open waters or Spring  openers. Tying, Watching others tie, safe road trips, planning for a trip, anticipating ice-off, hiring a guide and watching the river levels are all part of the planning process. Find the resources and keep your eyes on the charts, gages and levels. Part of the fun! Did I mention ‘planning’?

Jeffrey Foltice at Photo Nature Blog

There are some excellent outdoor photographers that drop by here now and then. I have their sites down the right side of my blog listings. I like the work of Jeffrey Foltice too. Check out PhotoNatureBlog.

Fly Tying: Dandy Lil’ Sedge Pattern

SEDGE PATTERN BY GLEN POINTON @ FLY FORUMS UK 

I like the simplicity of this Caddis (Sedge) pattern and the use of CDC is an added bonus for floatation and the suggestion of life. The ‘cock de leon‘ feather fibers my not be readily available to you, but the author/tier describes their use for the antenna, a consistent ‘trigger point’ that entices the fish to take.

This Sedge/Caddis pattern would set low in the water with the antenna in view as well.

OO America: The Great American Roadtrip

OO AMERICA…PICTORIAL ESSAY OF TRAVEL….COOL!!!        

Check this out…grabs you right away. Entertaining to say the least.

“The background project is a documentary film featuring interviews of people I met on the road,

as well as a series of large photos, trying to portray the diversity and beauties of the country and

its culture.”