Craziness…Pure Craziness…On Many Levels

Chucking Line & Chasing Tail

http://www.millsfly.blogspot.com/

TENKARA FLY FISHING

Tenkara Fly Fishing 2

Spoon Fly (NWMagnum)

“The proper action for this fly is for it to “wobble” its way through the water, both when sinking and when being stripped. While sinking, the fly should swing back and forth, side to side, like a falling leaf. This action sends waves through the water that fish sense, much like the waves of a swimming fish. This attracts feeding fish even if the water is not clear enough for them to see the fly.” NWMAGNUM Spoon Fly Tutorial

Fabrizio Gajardoni on the Mastallone River (Italy)

“The Mastallone is a fantastic alpine river characterized by runs and deep pools with the presence of various insects and during the year it’s easy to see many big hatches of mayfly, caddis and stonefly.” (Kossiedun Blog)

(Peccary Bodied Fly) http://smallflyfunk.blogspot.com/

I want to again highlight Pecarry-Javelina quills for the body of fly patterns. I like the variegated body. Attached is a link to a UK how to post. Also, check out Small Fly Funk for additional nice patterns of the small variety.

http://www.danica.com/flytier/hklinken/once_and_away.htm

Preparing Quills

Random thoughts re this: I have fished private, reasonably priced pay lakes and thoroughly enjoyed the experiences; I hate class warfare or the promotion of class envy that is so popular now in the U.S.; I instinctively envy those that can afford $1K+ a day venues, but don’t anguish over it. I have spent a considerable sum for a week on Christmas Island. Choices in life being what they are, I maybe have one such trip left if I stay healthy and solvent. I am lucky and know it.

So, I have to admit to wondering about fishing houses, beats, private waters etc. if they become the norm and the sport becomes privileged. Can the average angler afford to fish the Skeena or some fabled waters in Ireland. Is the fly fishing sport going to become increasingly elitist in order to access well managed waters, because the state cannot manage their ass out of a bathroom stall?If I seem harsh re the state, well I am…deminuitive state and all.

I am much too ignorant of how this has all evolved around the world to know what has been lost to the average fly fishers elsewhere or even gained. But, my instincts tell me we best be careful in our drive to protect habitat, species and status, that we do not cut off the non-privileged that hold a normal job, have life’s obligations and will never be able to afford exotic venues or pricey, private waters….just random thoughts. Out West (U.S.) we are accustomed to room to roam, but that currently seems counter balanced by poor management in many areas.

“Ironically the democratic structure of Fish and Game has made regional councils vulnerable to take-over by self-interest groups. At the 2009 fish and game elections, there is an underlying but real threat to a century old egalitarian tradition of public fish and game sport. Few within fish and game – only those with a vested interest – would want to see the public ownership of fish and game eroded and replaced with privatisation and shooting and fishing fees.“  Kiwi Fishing

Hassel Wet Fly by Aarne Karjala of Finland

The Art of Fly Tying with Aarne Karjala

Posted in Adventure-Remote, Art, Bugs, fishing, flies, fly pattern, fly pattern design, fly tying materials, flyfishing, flytying, grayling, how to tie flies Tagged: Aarne Karjala fly tying, летать связывание, летят обвързване, 매는 비행, Finland, Fliegenbinden, fly tying, Hassel wet fly pattern, lentää sitominen, флы везања, voar subordina�, zbura lega, 抱き合わせ飛ぶ ]]> http://swittersb.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/fly-tying-by-aarne-karjala-practical-and-fanciful/feed/ 3 SwittersB hassel aarne karjala http://swittersb.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/fly-fishing-in-england-w-rex-hunt/ http://swittersb.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/fly-fishing-in-england-w-rex-hunt/#comments Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:18:19 +0000 SwittersB http://swittersb.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/fly-fishing-in-england-w-rex-hunt/ ]]>

“If Erie steelhead failed to shine this year, you can blame voracious walleyes as much as low water in tributaries. Predation on young steelhead by record numbers of adult walleyes born in 2003 led to fewer silvery salmonids for anglers to catch in recent months. “There’s definitely an inverse relationship between big walleye numbers in the lake and the number of steelheads in the streams,” said Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologist Chuck Murray. “When we stock [steelhead] smolts during years of high walleye abundance, you can expect steelhead catch rates to decline a couple of years later.”

PAT ELLEKSON & FLY FISHING



Whether you manipulate or present your WB this way, look at the movement of the material as the fly makes its way across the bottom. This view gives you confidence in the material, whether in a stream or ten feet down in a lake. Slow and easy and trust in the life of the marabou.

Evan Muncy Looking at the Business End of a Z Axis

SPEY CASTING INTIMIDATION FACTOR

I don’t propose to instruct you on the finer points of a two hander. I have a couple rigs and suspect I will be spending the rest of my life trying to remember all the moves beyond the single spey, the double spey, the snap T etc……There are numerous movements involved in Spey Casting and if you know them well it is probably akin to telling someone how to ride a bike…   But, I know this…the basic moves of the spey rod produce amazing results with minimal effort…even for a novice. Like buying a one hander, if you can afford at least a mid range priced set up, do so. Don’t be intimidated by those waving the magic wand…take a lesson or too, be patient with yourself, very patient. Pull with that bottom hand more than push with the top and have fun with a sloppy 70-80′ cast with the bank high to your rear. Get better and the drift is yours to explore and understand. Read the works of Larimer, Hogan et al and watch Ward’s dvd, check out YouTube vid’s…be inspired. Go to the river and do not compare and be frustrated (unless you are blessed)…just quietly and patiently work on the basics and soon enough you too will try to explain just how you ride a bike.

Looking-glass River

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Smooth it glides upon its travel,
Here a wimple, there a gleam–
O the clean gravel!
O the smooth stream!

Sailing blossoms, silver fishes,
Pave pools as clear as air–
How a child wishes
To live down there!

We can see our colored faces
Floating on the shaken pool
Down in cool places,
Dim and very cool;

Till a wind or water wrinkle,
Dipping marten, plumping trout,
Spreads in a twinkle
And blots all out.

See the rings pursue each other;
All below grows black as night,
Just as if mother
Had blown out the light!

Patience, children, just a minute–
See the spreading circles die;
The stream and all in it
Will clear by-and-by.

Yes, I understand that if you cannot love the one the one you want…love the one you’re with. Good for Tejas and  misapplied stocking programs of trout. A fish to a fly is the basic concept; pick your favorite specie(s).  Put and take stocking programs are often wasteful and misapplied to satisfy the gluttony of a 1950’s mentality. Put and take is ok, if the sportsman remains mindful of the wild stock and the priorities of habitat. Man’s meddling and arrogance about managing the fishery often makes a mess of things…and, the harvesting angler becomes less concerned for the habitat and fish and more for the frying pan or freezer…. I mean they did pay for that license, so they have a right to meat….right?

Nymph Pattern w/ Ostrich Body and Tail

The Ostrich herls from the plume are similar to marabou. The barbs undulate with the current, at least that is what I envision. Mayfly nymphs that are found at several excellent sites like Troutnut.com show the gills down the sides of the abdomen of the mayfly. I have a cursory knowledge of their purpose as propulsion or transference of energy/respiration, but the point is the ostrich wrapped up the shank to form the abdomen produces the feathery suggestion of gills. The gills are on the sides of the nymph’s abdomen, so you could trim the top and bottom of the abdomen, though I don’t think it is necessary.

Ostrich Plume

The Orb with Ostrich Tail & Abdomen

Ostrich herls are also used as wing components for tube flies along with peacock herl.

Trespasser (http://www.outfittersnorth.com/pere-marquette-spey-fishing-patterns.php)

Get rid of the reason rodents are being attracted. FOOD.  The most common rodent attractant in urban locations is wild bird seed.  Once a constant food source has been detected, rodents will leave pheromone trails for their family members to follow.  This could result in a large populations being attracted to your home or business.  An abundant supply of food will also speed up their reproductive cycle. Most people who feed wild birds don’t realize they are probably feeding more rodents than birds. Pet food, grass seed and poorly stored human food are other attractants.

Eliminate the route rodents are taking to enter living and working space. Once inside a building, rodents will follow plumbing and wiring to access all levels and many rooms.  Gaps around pipes should be blocked. Pay special attention to pipes under the kitchen sink, bathrooms, laundry room and hot water tank.

MICE + FLY TYING MATERIALS = COMFY NESTS (Secure your materials and watch for the droppings. Take action)

Furled~Extended Body (Rowley)

Furling means, “to gather into a compact roll and bind securely”, from a fly tying perspective furling involves twisting a material and allowing it to fold and wrap around itself. The end result is a durable tapered body. Antron is one of the easiest materials to furl but other materials work well including yarn, Super Stretch Floss, Mohair even dubbing loops. When using soft materials such as Anton, dipping the completed furled body in Softex prior to tie in provides additional durability and reduces the chance of the extended body from fouling around the hook bend. Furled bodies also offer the added benefit of built in segmentation, ideal when tying damsel nymphs and extended body dry fly patterns. Segmentation is a by product of direct pressure and the number of twists applied while furling. The more pressure and twists you use the greater the segmentation.

A small piece of flashabou in the wing

Couple things to note: Now this is under the macro lens’ ability to capture details not very visible to the human eye….the starling feather has the nice, visible barbules; the Kudra The Cat dubbing is so buggy..both will assist in capturing air bubbles or disturbing the strata. The thread, I used was 8/0, but I sure didn’t contain the dubbing and feather material at the head did I? This the quandary when advising a beginner: strive to form a neat thread head. Too sloppy detracts, BUT…a little sloppy (unintentional here) may just add to the bugginess of some patterns. Some patterns (Atlantic Salmon Flies for example) are art forms and not meant to suggest a bug form. They necessarily require perfect, unbroken lines for the artistic requirements of humans, if not fish.

Matuka’s, Zonker’s, Streamers in general. I will get to it…    Rabbit Overwing     Matuka Feather Overwing      Streamers

“A warm hat can help significantly, especially since 50% of body heat is lost through the head.” (COLD)

Conserve Head Heat

“Owning a dog really is quite an extravagance, mainly because of the carbon footprint of meat,” Barrett said. Other animals aren’t much better for the environment, the Vales say. Cats have an eco-footprint of about 0.15 hectares, slightly less than driving a Volkswagen Golf for a year, while two hamsters equates to a plasma television and even the humble goldfish burns energy equivalent to two mobile telephones.”   (Horseshit Gazette) My Tundra, my dogs, my guns, or all, given the BS emanating from social planners and/or vegans these days. Pushing your F..ing luck!

SURFACE, IN THE FILM, TENSION

“Actually penetrating the meniscus is not easy for small insects like most caddis. In LaFontaine’s book he quotes aquatic biologist, Ken Thompson, who equates the emerging process from pupa to adult in a way that we can all understand. “An example, in human terms, would be the amount of energy required for a full-grown person to escape if he were covered with three feet of dirt”. After swimming all the way to the surface you can see why the caddis must rest before attempting to break through the meniscus.”(GVFF re Caddis Emerging)

FEATHERS & POSSIBILITIES

CLEAR FLOATING FLY LINES

THE COMMON TAXA

“In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind.”
Louis Pasteur (1822 – 1895), lecture 1854

~Bugs~

Emerger or Damsel Pattern (Wrapped Marabou Body w/ Tail) SB

So many fly tying materials bring a special something to fly tying..be it peacock, ostrich, hare’s mask, partridge etc. One such material is marabou . It provides the suggestion of life whether you think to impart motion or not through your presentations. In the above photo, you can see that I pinched off a dozen fibers (more or less) from the plume’s stem. I had already tied in a burnished copper rib. I tied in the tail over the hook barb (my frequent tie in reference point). It is important to tightly secure that tail with minimal thread wraps. Because once it is secured the remaining material (marabou fibers) are wrapped up the shank toward the eye to form the abdomen of the fly. If the tail is not secured then as you begin to wrap the remaining marabou up the shank, the torque of the initial wraps will cause the tail to rotate away from you out of alignment.

Once the body is tied off up near the thorax region, the wire ribbing is wrapped up to form a segmented body/abdomen. Can you see how the marabou provides a suggestion of gills that are typical of some mayfly nymphs? (Ostrich does this as well) A small thorax was dubbed on using a synthetic dubbing material with copper highlights. This pattern is suggestive of mayfly nymphs, emergers (fished high) and could be a small damsel fly. As you look at these patterns, and the simplicity is in your face, it is possible to discount the pattern as not sophisticated or complex enough. Seriously, simple is better more often than not. More complex patterns are ok for the tier that requires more challenge in tying and creativity. For the fish, refusals may not be due to simplicity but more than likely to your presentation. Make it more complex if you must….but, you will come back to where you started sooner or later….simplicity.

Wet Fly (Because It Feels Good to Tie) SwittersB

I mean how many little bead head gems can you have? 100, 2oo? Who knows. There is absolutely no need to tie any more bead head wet flies for years to come, yet I do. Why? The lines suggest more to me than any other fly. It is simple, buggy, moving, suggestive of life, seducing through the air bubble highway below. It just feels right. So, I tie them. I give them away. I forget about boxes of them. But, two things emerge….I am satisfied and content to tie them and they always work. This is all devoid of maybe’s, might’s and should’s.

The fly was tied on a size 14 pupa hook. A bead is strung up over the barb and forced around the bend of the hook to the eye. 8/0 black thread is attached to the shank and wrapped back toward the rear of the shank. A copper wire rib was tied in at the point where the shank rounds down toward the rear.  The tail is from a Hare’s Mask; the guard hairs cut from the mask and tied in as a clump  at the rear pretty much in line with the barb of the hook (I often seem to use the barb as a reference point for the tie in). The abdomen/thorax is dubbed Hare’s Mask with few guard hairs. The wing is from a Partridge  feather tied in by the tip and wound forward. A couple things re aesthetics: when I tied in the feather, I did not cut off the tip. No harm, I believe, but you can see it as a stubby little wing of sorts. The thread finish is to wide and a gap presents itself between the bead and the wing. The camera sees this…I couldn’t.

In times of uncertainty or demands upon my tying time, I don’t wobble about experimenting too far. I stay with the proven and dependable.

Drowning by Catalyst

“There are a number of fishermen out there, myself included, that need a reminder now and then, that waders were invented to keep water out, not necessarily to increase the depth that waders could wade.”    Bish & Fish

Just a matter of time. Resist the temptation to match the fool, even if it pays off for him.

SwittersB's New Tattoo

Well, the imbalance is corrected. I resisted the gradual insertion into my psyche that one tattoo on a particular side creates a sense of imbalance. I did not rush to do just anything. My original intent was to wait until something really made sense. Nothing did. I flirted with a female form, curvaceous, but also nymphal in form (no, actually like a nymph)…something I had seen on the back of a fly fishing book years ago. But, that evaporated in time. Gradually, a simpler concept and commitment emerged in my mind, my imagination and finally my heart.

First, I envisioned a our family motto of Semper Paratus (yes, the Coast Guard’s as well) for the Always Prepared~Ready. That is how I was raised and evolved through a long public service career….seems natural, relaxed and right. Always Prepared. Also, a spiritual progression of the Triquetra. My original Father, Son, Holy Ghost…but to me a force of right, of power, of spiritual balance. I saw the Triquetra as ancient, forever, carved in stone, worn but not broken.

This force, to me, reaches beyond the individual and down toward its’ Ops Manager, Mother Nature. A force to guide, maintain, protect the species…and as you can see, the trout (pick your fish). To hold it erect, to over see it. The hands reversed to suggest, not cradling the fish or lifting out to display, but rather to show the placing of the fish into its’ rightful place in this world, my mind, my passion. I know, a whole lot of interpretation going on; I am not that imaginative….but, it resonated, it lasted. It was stenciled on and the ink was applied.

Simple, self satisfying and the balance thing resolved. Family, spiritual, the stewardship of nature and mi amor. (Tat Work Courtesy of Joe Bass, 1928 Tattoo, Portland, Oregon)

3 Playful Elk Vying for Puddle Rights

Lesson Learned for Elk Calf

ROMANIA & FLY TYING

Yes, Also: Mark Petitjean Magnum Magic Tool Set

Simon Graham of Pike Fly Fishing is more frugal. That’s what happens when you move from SA to Finland: Tight Arse Top Tips

The Goat by SwittersB

The Goat is a stillwater pattern I designed as a dragon fly nymph. The fly was tied on a size 8 hook. It is offered here as a lead in for the dubbed body. The UKFlyDressing site (ScotFly) offers up an excellent summary of all things dubbing.  I also highlighted this same excellent dubbing link for the Casual Dress pattern.

The hook drawing above, for the beginner, is important should you take up fly tying. Otherwise, there are 3 important things to remember for the non-fly tyer: One…the eye is where you tie in the tippet so you can get busy fishing. Two, the barb is what you should crimp down prior to fishing, and Three the point is what will be easier to remove from your flesh or pricey new rain coat if you remember Two. If you do start tying, you will pay attention to all the parts of the hook as they relate to each fly pattern or recipe. (That’s OK, I have a pricey, new raincoat too. My original one gave up the ghost after 18 years)

Gurgler by Lee Haskins (Jack Gartside Pattern)

Tying Instructions for Gurgler

Gartside Passes from Cancer

My personal Gartside favorite was the Sparrow, the kind of suggestive pattern that breathes life into the water. (Singlebarbed)

Posted in fishing, flies, fly pattern, fly pattern design, fly tying materials, flyfishing, flytying, how to tie flies, in how to, Sports & Recreation & Outdoors Tagged: летать связывание, летят обвързване, 매는 비행, Fliegenbinden, fly tying, Gartside dies, Gartside Gurgler, Gartside Sparrow, Jack Garside dies, lentää sitominen, флы везања, voar subordina�, zbura lega, 抱き合わせ飛ぶ ]]> http://swittersb.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/jack-gartside-passing-to-the-quieter-side/feed/ 1 SwittersB gurgler jack gartside (dan blanton) http://swittersb.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/fly-tying-casual-dress-polly-rosborough-classic/ http://swittersb.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/fly-tying-casual-dress-polly-rosborough-classic/#comments Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:28:31 +0000 SwittersB http://swittersb.wordpress.com/?p=9816 ]]>

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

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.)

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.

Posted in Adventure-Remote, flyfishing, Habitat, Life's Oddities, Nature's Power, Sports & Recreation & Outdoors, Survival & Safety, Wildlife Tagged: cariboo and grizzly bear, grizzly attack, Grizzly Bear ]]>