Most often the fly tier attaches materials at the rear of the shank near the bend and/or over the barb of the hook. In the linked instance, the material is tied in further up the shank then pulled back toward the bend. Thread wraps are wrapped over the material while progressing toward the rear end point. Note the instructions say to lay down a thread wrap base the length of the shank and to not progress beyond that thread base when over laying the marabou with securing thread wraps. The underlying thread wraps on the shank acts like a friction mechanism in preventing the material from rolling off the top of the shank, as it might on a bare metal hook. In fly tying classes, I have often cautioned beginners to avoid building up the fat rear end at the bend of the hook. This often occurs from attaching tail, ribbing and body material at the same tie in point; from too thick of tying thread and from too many thread wraps. The technique of attaching materials farther up the shank and wrapping back toward the bend helps space out the bulk at the rear end. Fly Fishers Republic
Archive for January, 2010
Fishing Abroad or Next Door Resources
“Fishing in France is quite good and France has produced enough fly fishing world champions to prove that you can fish and have fun while learning a lot on our rivers. BUT ! fishing here is rarely easy. France does not compare with any of the usual commercial fishing destinations. I am not joking, this is a serious warning. No one must expect miracles here, it is a different pleasure !”
In Bulgaria, ‘sweet water’ equals freshwater and you cannot harpoon fish in sweet water.
William Gent would like the assistance of any WWII Nose Art enthusiast, who might know of the downed B-24 Liberator bomber, the Ain’t Misbehavin. Gent’s family member, Mother Marjorie, was the model for the nose art. The plane was shot down over Italy. If you have any photo’s of the plane or the application of the nose art let me know and I will provide you Mr. Gent’s contact info.
B-24 Liberator Bomber, WW2
Hot Raw Sewage by Trey Ratcliff at www.sprol.com
“Of course, scientists and environmental groups alike are very careful to avoid making recommendations for restricting artificial contraceptives. (Oh, well yes, we want to be careful)
As we all know, most of us would not take kindly to the suggestion of restricting or banning hormonal contraceptives. In today’s modern world, it has become not just an issue of economic necessity, but also an issue of personal choice and freedom.”
“There is mounting, creditable research and evidence that documents this contamination. This contamination is beginning to have significant affects on the reproductive function and is feminizing fish and other wildlife.”
(Don’t even start….!)
East Lake, Dean Crouser
Know the sink rate of your Intermediate and ‘Type’ lines. The line, leader, tippet and fly need to get into a zone of fish. If you just row, kick about, or still fish and chuck and wait…well, you are the equivalent of Earnest and Jean on the shoreline in their folding chair. Lazily chatting away with their rods propped on the Y stick and Power Bait waiting on the bottom…they are you if you just mindlessly spend time waiting for an intersection of fly and fish. How mindless. Yes, I have wind drifted and relaxed while drifting across a stretch of lake. But, that technique rarely produces equal to the attention given to assessing not just the pattern, but the depth, retrieve method and location of your presentation. Stillwater fly fishing deserves the same attention to detail and timing that stream fishing demands. Focus on how many inches a second a line sinks. Do the math from there. I almost exclusively fish an Intermediate in waters up to 15′. Some would advocate switching to a Type 2 line at that depth. I carry the usual arsenal, but find a patient countdown of the rig gets me into the zone and lets me fish in a less frantic manner too. Slow down for better presentations and less stress.
"A day's catch at Big Lagoon." June 11, 1908 (Dave@Shorpy)
“The stocking of trout in wilderness lakes of the western United States began in the 1800s. This practice was followed for nearly a century with the singular goal of creating and enhancing sport fishing and without any consideration of its ecological ramifications. Following the advent of a new environmental awareness in the 1960s, and thanks to new research that revealed negative impacts on the biota attributable to introduced fishes, traditional fish-stocking practices came under question first at federal land management agencies and later at their counterparts within the states. The highly utilitarian ethic that drove resource management until well into the 1960s was gradually replaced by one that acknowledges the value of all life forms and their ecological complexity, a view currently supported even by many anglers. The necessity for wilderness fish stocking is now the subject of widespread debate, especially in view of changing social values and priorities. Options for future generations cannot be preserved if introductions continue to erode the biodiversity of mountain lake ecosystems.”
‘Following the advent of a new environmental awareness in the 1960s’….What was the research? Do we stop stocking? Many enjoyable Western fisheries were started from scratch.
The Kossiedun piece reveals a great deal about the origin and design alterations of the pattern, The Kite by Oliver Kite. What I found interesting, aside from the overall excellent info at Kossiedun, is the idea of laying down a layer of abdomen (the purple silk, in this instance) and then over wrapping it with spread wraps of heron (or perhaps ostrich) and allowing the under layer to show through. The usual intent is to closely wrap one wrap against the previous wrap. Nice picture and always an informative site at Kossiedun.
“In tying this pattern, I have also included a different way of tying a parachute. Hans Van Klinken, famous for the ‘klinkhamer’, originated this approach. What I like about it is that the tying off actually occurs right at the bottom of the wing post and under the hackle. This effectively places the thorax and body down into the water surface and this, I am sure, gives the fish a better profile and establishes a key trigger point.”
“The cougar had dragged Angel under the porch, where it continued to savage the dog’s neck and face despite the officer firing two rounds into its hind quarters.”
Golden Retriever Protects Boy From Cougar
“When the officer finally shot and killed the wild cat, its jaws remained closed on the dog’s face. When the cat was finally killed, the dog was silent for a few moments, then took a big gasp of air and got to her feet.”
Many of us enjoy fly fishing minus the support on the home front. Oh sure, it is all fine at first until the our passion develops for the sport and then a sort of jealousy or resigned tolerance sets in as your time, money and attention span goes toward energy not deemed properly directed.
Last night my wife and mother-in-law stole away to run an errand. Later, I received a gleeful phone call alerting me to a pending surprise for me. Also, they told me what a fun time they had acquiring this surprise for me. No occasion…just an ad in the local paper highlighting a book reading and signing by a local author, Jack Ohman for his new book, Angler Management. My mother-in-law, yes that is what I said, alerted my wife to this event and recruited her to attend the reading/signing at Powell’s Books, Portland, Oregon.
They sat through the presentation and thoroughly enjoyed the stories and humor of the moment. The crowd was respectable and equally appreciative of the author’s presentation. The ladies in question, made their move to get in front of Jack and got their autograph on my behalf. My wife said my mother-in-law, yes her, informed the author of my blog…I am sure she has never looked at my blog. That didn’t stop her from touting the blog to Jack Ohman…who dutifully showed interest and autographed the book.
My mother-in-law (a very lovely woman) knew of my love for the sport and because of that drew her daughter into an evening of doing something nice for me while creating a memory for their selves.
Back, Inside, Dust Jacket: ‘Jack Ohman is the recipient of the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for editorial cartooning.’ Besides his politically pointed energies, we now know that Jack Oman has the gift of humor that lifts the spirits of those that love fly fishing and all the associated pursuits of fly tying, gear acquisition and rationalization, and the pacification of the home front.
Needless to say, I know by the cherished gift, Angler Management by Jack Ohman, from my spirited girls, that I have the love and support of the women in my life for my long time pursuit of solitude, beauty, fish, gear and renewal.
Angler Management, Jack Ohman, Headwater Books at www.headwaterbooks.com
Update 1/30/2010: “Hilarious and Spot On!” -SwittersB & Fly Fishing
Ok, this morning I was sitting in a local tire shop waiting on the bad news re that squeal in the R Front area of my rig. I brought along the Ohman book, Angler Management. The chapter ‘Scientific Angler’ is worth the book alone. I sat amongst several men, who sat watching the overexposed Oblama (s0rry Jack) on the TV. No humor on their faces. I directed my attention into the book and to be honest my chuckles, little wheezes and stifled belly laughs soon had the men looking askance at me. No matter. I had a great time waiting it out on a Saturday morning. Excellent book and he knows what he is writing about…oh, and I didn’t need that brake job…just a tweak of the right front pad…out the door for zero $’s.
