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)

Nothin’ Much to Do? Flight Fest

 

Vaux’s Swifts @ Chapman Grade School, Portland, Oregon

Interesting, to me, for two reasons: I went to this grade school for two years (1953-54) and I have thousands of Vaux’s Swifts that inhabit a holly tree orchard behind my house most of the winter. It is intriguing to watch their comings and goings each evening and morning. They go off somewhere for the day to forage and return at dusk, swarming by the thousands over head. Careful as the earth, cars, houses, you?  are bombarded with droppings. Quite the attraction to watch the birds return to the Chapman chimney. I read the birds are suppose to migrate to Central America…they didn’t last year. Stayed and pooped on everything all Winter long, then departed in Spring ’til August!

At another venue with equal fascination for flight..Austin, Tejas…the evening bat festival at the Congress Street Bridge.

Congress Street Bridge Bat Fest