Fly Fishing: Streamer Presentations

Streamer Presentation Techniques

The reality on many streams and lakes is that ‘baitfish’ imitations account for many large fish. Probably, in many instances, streamers account for more trophy fish than the traditional fly  patterns. That said, many anglers don’t have a streamer pattern in their boxes or forget where they are. So, a good over view of how to fish a streamer, particularly on a river is in order. There is more to it than the wet fly swing/strip it back presentation. I have an assortment of Muddler’s, Spruce Flies and, of course, Woolly Buggers in my streamer box. Do I fish them enough…nope.

Manly Trivia & Minutiae…Worth a Look

The Art of Manliness~Interesting Boyhood Minutiae of Old & Now

Fly Tying: WFF Hairball

Justin Carroll @ Winona Fly Factory turns out yet another innovative, enticing pattern. You have to love Bead Head Pupa patterns. Nice tutorial/SBS piece here on the WFF Hairball. Cat fur is not a bad material, if they enjoy that comb raking through their sides and back… purr away kitty.

 

WFF Hairball by Justin Carroll at Winona Fly Factory

 

 

Fly Tying: March Brown Wet

A very simple fly of Z-lon tail, maroonish-brown thread body, brown rabbit thorax, grizzly hackle, red thread (6/0) head on a size 12 hook. Nothing fancy needed. Simple, effective patterns often beg for amendments: ribbings, wings, flash. I am prone to this, as it is part of the fun of fly tying and fishing. Simple wets, large to small are effective, with presentation/location as important as adding flash and dash.

Continuous Chest Compression CPR

 

Fly Tying: Iantra’s Copper John Tutorial

The Copper John has surpassed, in some people’s assessments, the Gold Ribbed Hares Ear (GRHE) and the Pheasant Tail Nymph (PTN) as the most popular, worthy mayfly nymph imitation. The Bulgarian flyfishing site Iantra has a nice tutorial/SBS on tying the Copper John

Copper John Nymph @ Maine Fishing Today

Fly Fishing: Drops Indicators & Nymphing

I came across these ‘drops’ indicators at Jan Siman’s site. I haven’t tried the ‘sighter’ setup (although I did freeze some up) and I just saw these ‘drops’ indicator rigs. I would be curious if anyone has tried the drops set up yet and their review of the product.

Siman Ltd Drops Indicators 7 drops/8" & 15 drops/16" (SwittersB)

Wild Flowers: Sow Now, Not In the Spring

Trillium Wild Flower

“In the wild, the life cycle of wildflowers shows us what to do. When the flowers go to seed at the end of the season, the dry winds of fall scatter their seeds far and wide….We make the mistake of sowing our wildflower seeds in the early days of spring as soon as the gardening urge strikes us. But, in many cases, this is too late,…”   How to … Sow wildflowers in fall

Fly Tying: Technique Odds & Ends

TWO STRAND WEED GUARD FOR SALTWATER OR OTHER LARGE FLIES

CADDIS PUPA, SPLIT THREAD DUBBING TECHNIQUE

SIMPLE ANT PATTERN, PINCH TECHNIQUE & CAPTURING THE MATERIALS

Little Fort Leech Version (SwittersB)

A shore side set up for snapping self portraits if alone (SB)

Fly Fishing: Casting (Study, Watch, Copy)

I am by no means a great caster. I do well over all, but I get sloppy through experimentation and I rarely have anyone critiquing my stroke (at least that I can hear). So, I offer a good site that goes over the basics (yet again). Yes, again. As a beginner you must study, imagine, visualize and copy. Most of you did this as a kid. Some pro athlete(s) in some sport sparked your passion and your ability to imagine, to copy. Well, harness the same copy-cat ways now re fly casting. Watch video’s, watch a good fly caster on stream or on the lake. Don’t try to cast as far, but master the timing and the mechanics of loading the rod. Most importantly…relax and have fun. Ultimately you are hopefully doing all this to derive some calm, peace or relaxation. Hiking, wading, stumbling, rowing, climbing aside, you will find casting a karma like experience once mastered. A means to an end…not the end in itself. CASTING INFO