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)