Macro Work: Tying & Fishing Small Flies: A Speck of Doubt

Tying and fishing with fly patterns smaller than size 18 have been, for me, a test in faith. As one explores fly fishing, you see the tendencies toward small offerings and the implied suggestion that it is a must to have such flies for gin clear waters and finicky fish.

Well, I have donned the goggles once again to tie up these miniatures of temptation. They are thankfully simple creations of a single strand flash or thread for the abdomen and a small dubbed thorax, finished with a minimal thread head. The faith comes from believing they will see the fly in anything but gin clear water and that the hook can be set into the jaw of a fish and remain there through the struggle against thin tippets and my exuberance.

Three smallish Midge patterns, Size 18, 20 & 22. I usually fish these as droppers or as a straight offering on fine tippets and a supple rod tip. These smallish hooks get even much smaller, which seem more suitable for hooking fish in your home aquarium to me.

Here, I combined my enjoyment of Macro Photography, artsy composition and an effort to show you the scale of the flies to a common object…a beer bottle cap, a spool of thread and scissors. Micro tying & Macro Photography & maybe hungry trout. Double click image.

Salmonella & Chicken Poop

“Don’t Look At Me”

If you or someone you know is raising some hens for eggs or more, then share this LINK re cleanliness and avoiding illness. Wash your hands and watch the transference of that chicken poop about your property.

“Salmonella can be found in the intestines of chickens. That means that their droppings can be infected. And because chickens are often in a confined space, there is a good chance that their feathers, feet and beaks also have Salmonella on them just from their walking around in their environment.

The germs can also get on anything they come in contact with – their cages, coops, water dishes, hay and dirt.

In other words, just by working with your chickens, you can get Salmonella on your hands, shoes, clothes, etc. And this creates the environment that allows you to get infected.”

Photography &/or Fly Fishing: John’s Advice Poses Questions

At the risk of waking John up, I have a consideration perking away in my mind.

I know I can be rather energetic and prolific when I accumulate images that have inspired me and I feel I cannot pace out the sharing of them. I just want to share. But, John is not at all pleased with, not just the annoying email alerts that I have posted, but also, and most importantly to me, the content of my posts. He does not appreciate my photographic focus, so to speak.

In the five + years that I have been posting at SwittersB & Fly Fishing no one has ever commented upon my content or judgment on content. And, as many of you might respond, do as you will and ignore the comment.

It is not that John’s comment is devastating as much as it raises a question that has been admittedly irritating me: SwittersB & Fly Fishing originally was indeed only peripherally about photography and then usually about fish or flies or water or nature. So, when I ventured toward areas away from water and fishing was I confusing the situation for the visitors?

SwittersB has evolved toward the appreciation of life, imagery, nature, fish and art with a dash of soulfulness. Should SwittersB branch out to SwittersB Photography and perhaps also a separate SwittersB & Fly Fishing or just combine my passions into one brew and let it be as it has been? I just seem to have ventured hither and yon over the last few years, as I have in life. 

“The prince looked hither, thither, and yon for the beautiful woman who had lost the glass slipper.”

I will have to think about this more. I always viewed my photographic efforts as just gravy or icing on an otherwise decent offering. I hope I didn’t wake you up with an email notification yet again John.

Fly Fishing: Scuds…hold the lemon

A must have producer for streams and stillwaters, the Scud (‘shrimp”) patterns an enticing morsel. Check the areas you fish for indications of this tasty morsel and tie accordingly in shades of green, grey, the obligatory orange, even blue. Simple to tie, this pattern has been around along time and lends itself to tying the Czech Nymph patterns (Scuds into Caddis Larva/Pupa patterns).

Chironomid.com has an excellent informational re scuds. On the appropriate rivers and streams, fish the pattern like any clinger/crawler nymph that inhabits the bottom and has been set adrift from the cobble bottom. Check out fishing Czech Nymph patterns and adopt much to the dredging techniques for all but the slowest of streams. Slower, weedier waters are usually a much more vertical, precise presentation.

For those of you that have Shrimp & Lemon on the mind…here are many mouth watering recipes.

Fly Tying Materials: Innovative Euro Products

An excellent source for Euro Fly Tying Products is Performance Flies USA

The below Soft Hackle Pattern was tied with Synthetic Ice Quill Body materials purchased at Performance Flies USA in Cleveland, Ohio

Photography: Ceiling & Light & More………….

Photography: Festive Fly

This small copper bead head pupa pattern (Size 16) almost looks festive for the holidays. A dubbing brush that incorporates those dazzle colors of the spectrum and the Starling wing are wound behind the bead head. A fast sinking pattern for dredging through the riffles and rapids to entice a quick hit. The macro lens shows the simplicity of the pattern.

Double Click the Image for detailed look