Fly Fishing Insect Smörgåsbord & Bull Trout

“Still amazing. Green Drakes and Flav’s, PMD, blue wing olives, mahogany duns, 4 types of caddis, little olive stones, yellow sally and golden stones are all hatching. sometimes at the same time which is a puzzle to figure out which fly the fish are eating on any given afternoon. Tons of bull trout in the system now, with kokanee just migrating up this week. We can expect to see them by the tens of thousands in the next 2 weeks spread out between the lake and the headwaters. That means aggressive Bull Trout and plenty of eggs in the drift for the trout.” A late September ’09 report from the Fly Fisher’s Place, Sisters, Oregon on FishEyeSoup. Bulls and Kok’s should give it away. To Oregonians at least.

1994 migratory study by ODFW on wired up Bulls….interesting small scale study that provides info for you, the fly angler on location, location. Oh, don’t get your panties pinched. Not talking redds or spawning trib’s. Fair target otherwise. A chuck & duck streamer pattern.

Peanut Envy (Kelly Galloup Pattern)

Peanut Envy Streamer Recipe

Peanut Envy (Kelly Galloup Pattern)

Oh, John Judy offers up even more incentives

Fly Fishing: Zebra Caddis

Zebra Caddisfly Macrostemum zebratum

I was researching this Caddis after noticing several enquiries for the fly. In the process, I learned a  few interesting tidbits from this eNature site.

“Female caddisflies drop masses or strings of hundreds of eggs into fresh water, or they attach them to vegetation overhanging water, into which larvae drop…. (Underline my emphasis).  Eggs hatch in a few days but most larvae need a year to develop.”

Zebra Caddisfly Macrostemum zebratum

“These fast-water caddis flies are unusually elegant; they have shiny, dark metallic-colored bodies and glossy wings.” Troutnut.com

I can envision a few strands of careless yellow or orange CDC trailing from the abdomen of an adult Caddis imitation; impressionistic perhaps, pointless perhaps. But more imagination toward a suggestive female adult in the water with trailing egg strands near shore or adrift. I don’t know. Just trout food for thought. Ha! The season is almost over, save the October  Caddis, and now I find this. Well, planning for next late Spring I guess.   Zebra Caddis Pics

Fly Fishing: April Vokey said……

SwittersB

Apparently, the tensions of the sport have prompted April Vokey to offer a reminder that is clearly honed down to the essence. In an era of incessant manipulation of class envy, I think this is often blue collar v. white collar for want of a better analogy (at least in my circle). The new breed of NW fly anglers are decidedly not white collar, so the conflict must stem from a technique/status angle not as familiar to me. Anyway, she said:

“For the truly great angler, whether they fish a fly or conventional gear, is proud to be an eternal student and strives to read every drop of flowing water and deliver every drift or swing with flawless presentation...Ultimately, presentation is key….Similar to the lengthy travels of these sea-run beauties, the aspiring angler will most likely take a metaphorical trip of their own. Facing obstacles of indecision and uncertainty, it is advancement down a long and endless road that I call…. “The Journey of a Steelheader”.  FlyGal & April Vokey

I, for one, am fascinated by the ladies of the sport. Yes, yes, April is appealing as are the ladies that move in and out of her blog. But, every now and then, out of the fish porn, promotions and glitz, she and other women like Adrienne Comeau write about the sport in a different way. You read their perspective and notice a different angle, a different construction of thought that is refreshing.

Fly Tying: Underwing/Beard

So, forget my photo play experiment on the left. I was just experimenting with PhotoScape. The fly on the right is a sedge (Caddis) pupa pattern. This is one of those salvaged flies I found out in the shed in an old plastic tub. The abdomen is wrapped brown wool. Wool was a popular body material 30+ years ago. The wing is tied under the body in beard fashion like a real Caddis pupa and a bit too long. The thorax is hare’s ear/mask with a few prominent guard hairs. The fly was not weighted. The hook is a size 14. The wing under the body is tied in under the hook just back of the eye and is sometimes referred to as a beard.

Progressive Sex Hype at SwittersB

I queried some trusted friends that look at SwittersB & Fly Fishing enough to get an idea of the style and feel. I remarked that some, of note, had referred to SwittersB as ‘old school’. At first, I was ok with that. But, one does want to appeal to a broader range of fly fishers. So I asked my friends, what should I do to garner more interest. The overwhelming response was I needed a touch of the Moldy Chum, some T & A. Hmmm?

I recalled such previous efforts raising the wrath of the few female fans I had. My friends said, as expected, screw that. Go for it. Do it. So, I am starting slow. A tentative step toward a threshold that will either significantly raise interest or generate women and few men calling me disparaging names. We shall see. Pretty tasteful so far, don’t you agree?

Fly Tying: Beginning Fly Tying Classes (Sign Up)

SwittersB

Summer is over. Most shops are already gathering names for their beginning fly tying classes. Get in there and get started. Don’t be shy. Some in the class will be taking a refresher from a long lay off, some will be in there because their wife got them a gift certificate to get their lazy rear out of ‘the chair’. While others, are there (like you) a bit nervous about what it all entails. Get into the shop and see what it takes to get signed up. As time approaches your week, find out if the shop has adequately booked enough people into the class. Be sure on cancellations for weather. Give them a good cell number or some number to reach you to let you know they are canceling for the weather, come Winter. Ask if there is a refund policy should the shop fail to fill the class or the instructor fails to continue. Often, the shop will not fill Spring classes as people get too antsy with the improving weather. This can be a good time for a class, if the numbers are there. 3-5 classes are typical in a price range of $45-65. It is almost always worth the effort to learn the handling of the tools, the materials, tie a few serviceable flies and hopefully light that pilot light. The rest is up to you.

Additional: I have been reminded that community colleges, neighborhood centers, fly fishing clubs and private lessons. If there are any other options please let us know.

Fly Fishing: K-Pump (The Best Pump)

I previously remarked about the quality of K-Pump’s. I am again touting their worth because of the quality of the product, but also because of their immediate customer service over a minor cosmetic concern. Check them out and trust me, an exceptional tool.Oregon based, they at a minimum have a ton of NW business.

K-Pump

Fracking That: Did You Know?

HYDRAULIC FRACKING

WHAT THE FRACK IS GOING ON

4 Feet, 8.5 Inches (I wonder if……?)

I have seen this little piece before and enjoy it each time I read it. The one about U.S. rail track widths being a long historical progression from the Roman’s chariots. I have it passed on by fun loving retirees, who receive all manner of Internet minutiae from other retirees. But, I thought I am going to snoop a bit on this one, and did. Don’t put too much mental energy into it, but just in case in the next decade or so at a BBQ some besotted type launches into this in a slurred, all knowing voice and your patience level just reaches that 5 beer level…then let him have it!

TWO HORSES ASSES or Maybe More?

Fly Tying: Magic Stretch (Body Material)

A while back I was at a bead shop…one of those ‘I wonder if…’ moments hit me when I saw this stretch stuff on a spool..Magic Stretch. I bought a spool and as often happens set it aside, until it was rediscovered two years later…’oh, wow I remember this’.

So, the other day I tied a bead head Caddis pattern and for the heck of it ribbed the fly by stretching the Magic Stretch. I pulled it pretty hard but it was a bit much for a small fly.

So, I was perfusing Flytying: New and Old and low and behold there was a use for Magic Stretch of great value. Just like VRib and other vinyl tubing-ribbing materials it provides the segmented body and the color can be added beneath and by marker. Check out Flytying: New and Old for additional info on this inexpensive material.