TRAVIS JOHNSON: PRACTICAL TIPS RE SKAGIT CASTING
This is a nice, short reminder on foot placement, Snap T landing points and just the visuals of how the cast should look and what a Steelhead actually looks like…..been toooooo long. Video from FlyFishUSA (Bachmann)
I frequently use a heavily weighted Caddis Pupa pattern as a point fly (kind of a Czech Nymphing rigging). The question of whether to tie a dubbed abdomen or a smooth abdomen has never been settled for me. I tie both and frankly have success with both styles. The scraggly, dubbed body has trailing fibers that suggest life and attracts, I think, by creating a shroud of bubbles about the fly’s body.
The smooth bodied Pupa pattern (latex wrapped to create smooth, segmented abdomen) keeps that wet, translucent look to the fly. The smooth body’s complimented with the gently dubbed thorax, which gives a hint of movement.
Which is better? Tier’s discretion and fish’s selection. Try them both. Match the fly’s weight to the water’s depth and speed (streams).
SWALLOW THE FLY HAS SOME NICE PHOTOGRAPHY & PATTERNS
“Our mission is nothing more or less than providing you with the most comprehensive, best-photographed multi-species fly pattern database on the world wide web.”
This is a nice Mayfly Emerger pattern. Notice a couple things that are not offered up during the video, that lend to the success of the fly: The Krystal flash tail (notice the one thread wrap behind the tail segments that helps lift the tail upward and away from the bend; the biot abdomen, which provides a nice segmented abdomen (how the biot is tied in determines how the body will wrap…segmented or smooth); the CDC wing/legs were at first maintained in a paper clamp before being inserted into the dubbing loop and spun (that is not evident in the video to the untrained eye). I think those few clarifications will make the clip more understandable for the beginning fly tier.
Image from Moscofilia
Several times a year, I find myself up logging roads toward upper drainages/tributaries of big rivers. I string up the 9′ to 9’6″ rod and set forth weaving my way, this way and that way, through the trees toward the waters edge. Once on the water, I scout the canopy and other over hanging growth to not only avoid hanging up the fly + tippet, but also to avoid smacking the rod tip.
The confines of a small stream quickly reveal the tangled web we weave when at first we use too big a stick on a small stream. Recently, I was privileged to review some DVD’s by Ed Herbst and in those DVD’s I noticed he was wielding short rods on narrow streams. He moved with ease, in stealth mode, and waved the little wand to delicately present his flies.
Now, this initially contradicts my impulse toward bigger waters, longer rods and more power. I have those rods and love them. But, those small streams are another enviro that beg the small stick. So, I invested in a couple Loomis rods, both 3 weights and shorter (7′ and 8′). For the last few years, I have used a 3 wt. (9′ St. Croix Legend) more and have handled some substantial trout on the 3 wt. These shorter rods have a softer, medium action and will most probably meet few fish beyond 14″….more like 6″ to 10″. If I do connect to a larger fish, it will be an epic story.
These are not rods for big rivers and big fish, which to my thinking would be potentially irresponsible if I am seeking a humane catch and release. These are sticks for little streams, the intimate confines and small flies. I am excited to use these on those private little escapes. Some of my best life time memories while fly fishing were on small streams.
There is, for me, a decided uniqueness to the Fly Tying and Fly Fishing of SE Europe. One part of that uniqueness is the available Marble Trout of Slovenia. A cousin of the Brown Trout, the fish reaches large size and lives in some of the most pristine rivers, which pour into the Adriatic Sea.
A Marble Trout from Josko.Org
Take a few minutes to study up on this unique fishery and the beauty of the region at JOSKO.ORG and at Fish & Fly. I think big flies (streamers, big stones and large morsels are in order)
“If you spend every day on the water casting tiny dry flies, you might have a lot of action but your chances of hooking a trout of a lifetime are slim to none. Monster marble trout eat sculpins, crayfish, big stoneflies and most of the time small grayling.” Fish&Fly
The Marble Trout is present in several countries bordering the Adriatic Sea, but Slovenia claims the fish as theirs. High in the mountains in the Soca and Idrijca Rivers the Marble Trout return.
“An embarrassing spelling mistake outside a school in Manhattan’s Lower East Side reportedly remains unfixed months after the error was made. The word school was misspelled as “shcool” on Stanton Street in front of Marta Valle High School. The error was made sometime last summer…”
I, for one, need to repeatedly review everything I write. There is always an error in grammar or spelling. I wonder if anyone on the public work crew recognized the error (you know there had to be more than one on a public work crew)? And, is crossing XNG now?
May I promote SwittersB a bit? Inside this addition, amidst all the visually, creatively stimulating materials is a humble little piece called Lost Opportunity by SwittersB. As you receive your visual fix, maybe drop by my little way station for a nostalgia fix? Thanks!
I was recently rewarded with an opportunity to review Ed Herbst’s (and friend’s) DVD, A South African Fly Tying Journey, Volume 1. I found that DVD very rewarding and suitable for the seasoned beginner to intermediate fly tier. (posted here 12/28/2011)
As a followup, Ed asked me to also review Volume 2, which primarily focuses on Terrestrials, a staple of South African Fly Fishing. In fact, Ed mentions in the DVD that Terrestrials are far more important to the fly fisher, in South African waters, than Mayfly or Caddis hatches. At times, this is probably true on many waters beyond South Africa when Hoppers, Beetles, Ants and the like are prolific.
So, I watched the enjoyable Volume 2 and came away with the following impressions: like Volume 1, it is well presented and pleasant to watch. Ed Herbst and friends (Philip Meyer, Mario Geldenhuys and Fred Steynberg) are excellent in providing understandable instructions for tying patterns, which I believe are well suited for the Beginner to Intermediate fly tier (Mario’s Inch Worm and Fred’s Ant are good beginner patterns).
The beginning tier can certainly purchase the DVD and work toward the patterns, but right out of the case, the patterns components of foam, rubber legs and hackle might be a bit of a challenge. My favorite fly pattern was the one Mayfly pattern in the mix, the RAB by Philip Meyer.
RAB Dry Fly by Philip Meyer
Thanks to Ed Herbst for the opportunity to learn more about Terrestrials and enjoy the beautiful scenery of South Africa’s Cape region.
The fly tying DVD can be purchased online through the Stream-X fly shop in Cape Town – http://www.streamx.co.za/index.htm and its proprietor, Craig Thom – sales@streamx.co.za.
All these are practical planning ideas to spend the Winter months planning for open waters or Spring openers. Tying, Watching others tie, safe road trips, planning for a trip, anticipating ice-off, hiring a guide and watching the river levels are all part of the planning process. Find the resources and keep your eyes on the charts, gages and levels. Part of the fun! Did I mention ‘planning’?
