Fly Tying Casual Dress (Polly Rosborough Classic)

I did not recently tie these flies. They are part of a batch tied several years ago. I have always thought this Rosborough fly pattern to be his best creation. I have rarely deviated from the gray body, although you so easily could. I have used different body materials besides the called for Muskrat fur (and guard hairs). This is a good example of a ‘classic’ pattern (at least in the Western U.S.) that has evolved away from natural furs to synthetic components. The tail and dubbed/strung collar  are the guard hairs from a patch of Muskrat fur. Today, I would opt for the simpler brown hackle barbs of a hen feather for the tail and the collar. The body has been tied with the underfur dubbing of the Muskrat…even today one nice dubbing material. But, again, synthetics are available too..and, I have even used cat (Kudra the Cat) fur with good results, although it does not seem to have the density for larger flies. The very appealing Ostrich Herl at the thorax is a favorite of mine for a wound body (abdomen-gills or thorax-legs) as well as extended tails (The Orb). Research Polly Rosborough or better yet buy his simple little book Fuzzy Nymphs. Don’t discount the information as too simplistic or too old because of the older techniques shown. This Central Oregon legend was a bug stalker. He set the tone for the more sophisticated Rick Hafele and Dave Hughes. (The Complete Book of Western Hatches).

Thread: 6/0 to 8/0 black or red (if weighted shank)

Hook: Size 10-14  (2-3 xl), nymph hook

Tail: Muskrat fur guard hairs or brown hackle barbules

Abdomen: Dubbed Gray Muskrat or alternative synthetic dubbing

Thorax Collar: Muskrat Fur Guard hairs or brown hackle barbs inserted into dubbing loop and wound

Thorax between eye and collar: Black Ostrich Herl

Creekwalker’s Streamside Companions….Recollections in the Winter’s Still

Boulder R. (Montana)

Fishing Buddies (Sweet Bill)

When fishing the creeks and rivers of Montana, I was accompanied many times by my friends. Bill was a great fishing buddy. I never had to worry about him being late to leave, and I never had to worry about what I brought along to eat, he had a cast iron stomach!

He didn’t fish however! He would once in a great while go into the creek, but only to get his feet wet. He couldn’t stand it when I would get rambunctious and try to throw him all the way in…he was always too strong anyway.

The solitude of creek walking was never disturbed. He would carefully and quietly walk the bank behind me and sit somewhere out of the way, ready to jump up and come to my rescue should danger come upon me. He was well aware of my dislike of snakes, and if I jumped, so did he. He didn’t like them either!

We appreciated his company! He liked my singing voice, and I would sing songs all the way up the highway or dirt road, and he never seemed to tire of them. He even liked me playing the banjo.

The first time I met him, he seemed to fill up the entire vehicle! What with the gear and the small truck, it was always a snug fit for us. I once asked him to ride in the back and he complained so much, I had to squeeze him in the front with us… he half sitting on my lap!

I was tying last night, and the thought of him came back so strongly! I recall I was tying with my dad, when Bill came along. He wound up with tying thread and materials all over him! Seems he could not resist the urge to chase the cat right up under the tying bench, turning it topsy turvy, if not over.
Yes, Bill was my 145 lb. German Shepherd who walked every creek in Montana with me for almost 12 years… but you know (next to Kelly) he was the best fishing buddy anyone could ask for. Bill died lying in a sunny spot along the banks of the Boulder River on a late Fall day, at the age of 14. I sure miss him!

Creekwalker

(I grew up with Shepherd’s as a boy and have fond recollections of these loyal, protective mates. Thank you for sharing that piece Creek. Many of us can relate to the loyal, patient friend on four legs, as well as the loss.)

A New Found Respect for the Cariboo

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We all have begrudging respect for the Grizzly Bear. However, the Cariboo has always been a creature depicted in hunting shows as part of a migratory herd….bumbling along the tundra and loping into range of bow or rifle for the easy kill. As depicted on Saturday morning hunting shows, I always felt sorry for the animal. Well, at least in this clip…I have new found respect for the Cariboo and additional begrudging respect for the Grizzly Bear.

Fly Tying with a Rotary Vise (Noteworthy Advice from Tom Cutmore)

Whether you tie with a Norlander vise or sometimes spin dubbing on a Dyna-King or Renzetti or a fixed vise, there is sound advice here on this site from a few years back. Take the time to read it and find those bits of sound advice that resonate with you.

Rotary Tying Tips from Tom Cutmore

Most Dangerous Man in America (Bill Dance)

Yes, it is Bill Dance (although that bumbling Pinched Poser runs a close second). I did not link to the numerous videos of his bloopers…I was having trouble loading. Still worth a look though at a few of them. Can they be real? I think they look too real to be contrived…and dangerous!! My advice is if Bill Dance is anywhere near you on some private pond….get the hell away quick!

BILL DANCE…MOST DANGEROUS MAN

Holidays Can Be Stressful…Keep It Simple

This time of year can be like being sucked down a whirlpool of commitments. Work, family, shopping, the timing of it all. Throw in health and welfare issues for loved ones and friends and things can feel like that Merry Go Round ride just became way more challenging than you first imagined. Slow down and gently speak your mind to others that your needed comfort zone is thus….otherwise things just don’t go as planned……..

Santa Time

Bottled Water Production Costs (Tap When You Can)

BOTTLED WATER COSTS

I imagine some people have to resort to bottled water for practical reasons re water quality or availability. Also, I cannot vouch for the veracity of the stats…eco’s tend to fudge toward the brink of oblivion, if not out-and-out fabricate…but if half-true and you imbibe out of laziness…use your safe water bottle and fill from the tap when at all possible. And…obviously, this whole food processing, health issue is way beyond locally grown..local water etc. Be aware!!!

Coyote v. Car (The Only Good Coyote is a Dead….Well Now Wait One Minute…or 8 Hours)

“Meet the wiliest of all coyotes: Hit by a car at 75mph, embedded in the fender,road for 600 miles – and SURVIVED! When a brother and sister struck a coyote at 75mph they assumed they had killed the animal and drove on. They didn’t realize this was the toughest creature ever to survive a hit-and-run. Eight hours, two fuel stops, and 600 miles later they found the wild animal embedded in their front fender – and very much alive.

Daniel and Tevyn East were driving at night along Interstate 80 near the Nevada-Utah border when they noticed a pack of coyotes near the roadside on October 12. When one of the animals ran in front of the car, the impact sounded fatal so the siblings thought there no point in stopping. ‘Right off the bat, we knew it was bad,’ Daniel explained. ‘We thought the story was over.’ “

COYOTE V. CAR (Photo’s)

No, I am not touchy feely about varmints, but I do have to give this one the animal survival award for this year. And, for those that are quick to remark on your favorite varmint round, this is pretty impressive….give the dog his due.