Tying the CDC Beetle

Beetles and Ants are some of trouts favorite summer foods. This pattern has done me well the past couple of summers. It was my go to fly on the fish in our catch and release area. Fish that had repeatedly refused other offering would often take this fly on the first presentation. The fact that it is easy to tie is a bonus.

Happy Tying

Dakota Angler & Outfitter

www.flyfishsd.com

Tying the Palomino Midge

An awesome pattern from Tier Bret Smith. Easy to tie and it catches finicky fish. Three versions are shown in this video- Antron Winged, CDC Winged, and Deer Hair Winged.

This fly is one we are starting to fish again, after an unexplained hiatus. Dave Gamet reluctantly showed me the deer hair version a number of years ago and I am glad he did!

This is a versatile pattern worthy enough to be every trout fishers box.

Happy Tying

Dakota Angler & Outfitter

www.flyfishsd.com

Tying the Little Black Stonefly

The dry fly season starts in earnest with the hatches of little black stoneflies. In the Black Hills these bugs start hatching in March and some years the hatches continue into May. This pattern fools the trickier more selective fish, while a black-fly fly will do the trick on the rest.

Happy Tying

Dakota Angler & Outfitter

www.flyfishsd.com

605-341-2450

Tying the Cranefly Larva

Craneflies are an often overlooked trout food. A version of this pattern was shown to me in my first summer of fly fishing. I will be forever grateful to that unknown angler for clueing me into craneflies. This pattern has been very effective on Black Hills streams, and has worked well on larger tailwaters such as the Bighorn. In recent insect sampling we have seen an increasing number of Cranefly larvae in Rapid Creek. Stay tuned for the adult cranefly pattern.

Happy Tying

Dakota Angler & Outfitter
605-341-2450
www.flyfishsd.com

Tying Barr's Slumpbuster

Ryan and I have been using this fly quite a bit over the past year. It has worked well on trout in Black Hills streams, bass on the Missouri, and it caught Ryan's biggest brown on the Bighorn. Tie this in Black, Olive, Barred Flesh, Brown, or Barred Ginger. It will do you proud. This is another great pattern from the inventor of the Copper John, John Barr. It is featured in his great book- Barr Flies.

Tying the Rabbit Strip Jig-Fly

This has been the most productive type of fly for me when fishing for smallmouth bass on the Missouri River near Pierre, South Dakota. This rabbit strip version is more durable than my version that utilizes grizzly marabou. Both are very effective. Tie this pattern onto your tippet with a no slip loop knot.

Happy Tying

Tying Don's Bully Bugger

A quick but deadly tie from the vise of resident Carp Master Don Polovich. The Bully Bugger is just about all you need to catch smallmouth and carp over on the Missouri River. Well, that and Don's Benson Dry Fly, but as they say "that's another video".

Happy Tying

Dakota Angler & Outfitter
605-341-2450
www.flyfishsd.com

Tying the Wire Bodied Baetis Nymph

This is a design I have been tinkering with for a while. I like the wire body for weight and segmentation, the wing buds, and the tail leg combo are coming together. Small baetis nymph are a staple of trout diets in our neck of the woods. We are always looking for something else to throw at them. Previous versions of this fly have done well for me and I am looking forward to catching fish on this one. Our baetis nymphs range in size from size 18 down to 22-24's. These small sized nymphs don't allow for overly complicated flies. This fly isn't too difficult to tie and has a few features that are sure to get the fishes attention.

Happy Tying

Dakota Angler & Outfitter
605-341-2450
www.flyfishsd.com

Tying the CDC Bubble Winged Caddis

Here is a great fly from Oliver Edwards outstanding DVD "Essential Patterns Vol. 1". Check out this DVD for several more cracking patterns. I tie this in a few sizes for the caddis hatches found here in the black hills. Sizes 14-16 are particularly well suited for the waters I fish. The color schemes of light brown to tan work best for the hatches I fish. Happy Tying

Tying the Crystal Wooly Bugger

A classic fly for us here at Dakota Angler & Outfitter. We have used this fly for many years for black hills trout, bass, carp, and panfish. Tie it with or without a beadhead. Vary the colors from black to olive to brown. They all work. A great fly for a beginning fly tyer.