Fly Tying: Underlying flash ribbing (Cz. Nymph)

Czech Mate Caddis Nymph (Orvis)

Czech Nymph

The above two Czech Nymphs are pretty much identical except for one small ribbing/flash detail you may want to incorporate….note the sub ribbing on the top pattern. It is often seen on many or the original Czech Nymphs. It is one of two ribbings, one flashier and one that goes over the top to tie down the back strap. The second rib, you will see is wrapped up between the underlying rib. Also, note with the top pattern there is an added factor, a tungsten bead, up in the thorax area, tucked amongst the dubbing. Two ways to tie much the same pattern, both fish catchers. Remember presentation of the fly is as important as the fly pattern. 

Fly Tying: Chunks and Dredgers

A ‘chunk’ on a hook. Heavily weighted hooks designed to dredge heavy currents alone or in tandem with another fly. Simple, scraggly dubbed Pupa patterns that you either better chuck/duck or sling out around you and not hit any one beside you.

The hook has a molded lead body on a large size 6 hook. This style hook from Jan Siman comes in smaller sizes also. Yes, you can get by with wrapping your own lead wire. The body was dubbed with a blend of rabbit/sparkle dubbing. The thorax was wrapped with a dubbing brush of deer hair. The hair was dyed in cinnamon, but I used a black permanent marker to darken the deer hair. A ‘chunk’ to dredge with. Not meant for quiet back waters; you’ll be hung up.

Greens, Tans, Black, Orange. Any number of colors work as the  fly tumbles the rapids, riffles and seams. Smaller versions will do well too.

Fly Fishing: TIPS Mouche Rules

TIPS Mouche Rules 2009

I was reading a piece about fly fishing competition and Lance Egan at Troutlegend.com. I have watched a few shows on American TV about competitive fly fishing. It has, personally, grated on me and I have mentally turned away from it as something to endorse or highlight. International competition and the energy associated with it seem to squish that mental space I have on why I fly fish. My problem, no one elses. But, in reading the piece, I see the worth of learning on how to maximize my personal experience and improve my techniques. Because it is predominantly about technique vs. fly pattern. So, I attached the piece because it is interesting and the references to the TIPS Mouche Rules was foreign to me. So, I attached a 2009 file re the rules. Really nothing to shattering in them unless you use split shot and  Thingamabobbers. It isn’t the techniques, it is the mind set and again…..pretty much to each their own as long as the fishery/habitat are safe.

Fly Fishing: Dropper Fly Setups

Dropper Loop at GROG (SwittersB)

GROG S-B-S

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Dropper Knot from Surgeons Knot (Rackelhanen) SB

RACKELHANEN KNOTS PAGE

There are several ways to fish a two (or more) fly set up. This is primarily used for trout & grayling. The dropper portion off of the completed surgeons knot is what I use. Extensions of mono can be tied in above an existing leader knot, using the cinch knot and after tightening sliding the tag down against the leader knot. Also, the slightly more complicated blood knot can be tied and a tag left to tie on a dropper fly.

Blood Knot (Rexgo) SwittersB

Blood Knot Dropper Tag (SwittersB)

The controlling concept here is are all the flies of equal weight/size (like a brace of wet flies) or is there one fly much heavier? Is the heavy fly at the bottom with the smaller fly above tied onto a tag, as described/shown above? Or, lastly, is the heavy fly the lead fly and a portion of leader tied in at the bend of the heavier fly, which trails back and the smaller fly tied on there. Confusing to write, I know, but easier to see and grasp…….   Steven Ojai and Nymphing Tactics

 

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)

Fly fishing: Rigging Your Dropper Nymph(s)

Loren Williams at Fly Guys Outfitting provides a good tutorial on how to rig one or more nymphs as a dropper. The article highlights knots/tag ends (to attach nymph) and weighting considerations (no split shot/weighted flies) for strike detection.

GBH 'King' Prince Nymph SwittersB

Fly Fishing: Copper Swan~Steelhead Nymph Pattern

 

Copper Swan Relief (SwittersB)

A larger version of the original nymph pattern by John Barr (The Copper John). The Copper Swan is an equally heavy, dense chunk that will get down in a hurry when nymphing for steelhead, or as a point fly for trout fishing. This fly is adaptable to different colored hot beads, or a more neutral bead tone. The wire abdomen begs all the colors available, as do the rubber legs. I mucked up the wing case epoxy coating and got it on the hackle barbs, by not waiting for it (the epoxy) to dry before finishing with the hackle. Knapek hook & Large Wapsi wire. The pattern can be tied with two colors of wire. I experimented with black and copper/black and red/black and cream.

Copper Swan Steelhead Nymph Pattern (SwittersB)

Fly Tying: Condom Worm 2 (I Promise This Is It)

I tied a few of these this weekend and received a comment (Josh McFadden @ hatchhunters.com) that I shouldn’t use an under layer of chenille, or anything but flattened lead and multiple layers of the wrapped condom. I experimented, based upon those suggestions, and it was a better result. Also, I used an orange condom rather than red (I haven’t tried the Vladi Pink). I liked the color potential here. The darker central portion was the securing thread wraps over the flattened lead. After quite a few thread wraps the black thread shows through. If I wanted to lose that affect, I might choose a different color thread. Not sure I want to.

Condom Worm (Orange Condom) SwittersB

Condom Worms (Bent Shanks) SwittersB

Fly Fishing: Wotton Leader Knot

WOTTON LEADER KNOT (SMALL & TIGHT)

“Fly Fishing Is The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Clothes On”

Flugfiskeklubben Rättviksflugan

Fly Tying: Condom Worm (The Slippery Worm)

Some time ago, I highlighted the Vladi Worm, whose primary characteristic is the use of a condom. I had not tied it, but did go buy the materials…condoms. The pattern is usually depicted in pink. I sorted through a condom bin, much to the counter guys interest. I didn’t try to explain. I found red, orange, dark green, yellow and black.  I bought the squishy little packets and tucked them away. I decided to try tying the ‘pattern’ as I recalled it was not as easy to tie as one would think. It isn’t hard, but my observations will help you avoid my fumbles.

Condom Worm by SwittersB

I selected a TMC 5263, a 2x heavy & 3x long, size 6 hook with a straight eye. I could probably leave well enough alone, but I did two things to the hook. I gently canted the point away from alignment beneath the shank to give it an offset look, then I gently put a slight bend in the shank about 1/3 of the way back from the eye.

I attached the thread (black…more about that later). It could be 3/0 to 8/0. Then I wrapped lead around the shank to give the fly enough weight to get down quickly.

I over wrapped the wrapped lead with thread wraps and added a coat of head cement. Then I worked the thread back to the bend of the hook. I then tied in a red copper ribbing (medium thick), a tuft of red marabou for a short, fluffy tail and a piece of red chenille (medium thick).

I wrapped the thread up to the eye of the hook, then wrapped the chenille up to the eye. I was going to put a small tuft of red marabou at the eye also. I forgot. I tied off the chenille and knew I had to wrap the thread back over the chenille to the bend again. The black thread jumped out in contrast. I figured no biggy it will be covered up.

I took the red condom and removed the condom. There was no skimping on the lube. I recalled that the condom could be cut in half and then halved again. The rolled up rim is thick and not easy to cut with normal fly tying scissors. Use something heavier and careful as the lube makes the scissors slide a bit toward your fingers if not careful.

In this position the rim is not easy to cut.

The condom, once cut, immediately straightens out and should be cut in half yet again.

This is a 1/4 section of the condom stretched out. The lube makes cutting through the latex a bit tedious as your fingers become slathered in the lube. This also was transferred to the marabou tail, which may have become minimized because of the lube. I had envisioned the marabou (front and rear) adding movement and a suggestion of life. Also, the 1/4 section of condom was more than enough for a size 6 hook. The quarter maybe should be trimmed even smaller for any smaller hooks.

I tied in the condom at the bend, where the red copper rib remained. I wound the condom up to the eye, back to the bend and again back up to the eye where it was tied off. A couple things were evident: the black thread was visible even after three layers of condom. Also, the wraps of chenille were possibly irregular so the condom filled the grooves and created a less than smooth surface. Consequently, when I attempted to wrap the red ribbing up the hook over the condom, the ribbing danced around a bit. Not an entirely bad look, considering it will be tumbling in rapids. Also, the black thread looks like some kind of markings. Not too bad.

Condom Worm by SwittersB

Look at that pathetic little marabou tail, slathered in lube. The ribbing is a bit uneven, ok more than a bit. But that dark veiny look beneath is interesting. Something to keep in mind: when you pull the condom tight before securing it with thread wraps at the eye, remember the condom is under tension. If the thread wraps are not tight, the condom may snap out away from beneath the thread wrap from the tension. So, this my first effort. I am going to experiment with other colors too. Certainly not as good as the Vladi Worm (too chunky/plump?), but hey, that is fly tying. Incremental improvements.

Ok. another effort. Different bend to the hook, green comdom and olive green ribbing. Sparkle chenille base, which kind of shows through the wrapped condom. More slender profile and I put less lead on and toward the rear of the shank. Maybe a little better. Still a size 6 hook.

Green Slippery Condom Worm (SwittersB)