Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Rusty RS@

Not a tough tie, but sure a good pattern for persnickety rainbows feeding on baetis emerging nymphs. This has been very effective in small sizes 20-24.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Two New Flies

Tungsten Squirrel Leech



On the small streams I frequent, it is hard to fish streamers. It doesn't seem like an obviously fly choice. However, once you start using them and catching fish they become a staple in your box. Rabbit Hair leeches and squirrel hair leeches work great. On smaller water I find myself fishing them more and more. I cast across, let them sink, swing, and then "jig" them back upstream. Tie some and you will be happy they did

CDC Midge Pupa



Midge Pupa can be an extremely important trout food. This version is a quick tie but does a good job imitating the profile of a midge pupa. It can be tied in many sizes to accommodate stillwater chironomids to the smallest midges on your local trout stream.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Tying the CDC Midge Pupa

Midge Pupa can be an extremely important trout food. This version is a quick tie but does a good job imitating the profile of a midge pupa. It can be tied in many sizes to accommodate stillwater chironomids to the smallest midges on your local trout stream.


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Tying the Tungsten Bomb

The Bomb gets your flies to the bottom quick. Best of all you don't need additional weight in the form of split shot or tungsten putty. No more hinging and tangling nymph rigs. Tie these in the colors to match caddis larvae, cranefly larvae, or scuds. I routinely use this as my lead fly and drop one or two droppers behind it.

Happy Tying


Tying Hans' Spring Soft Hackle

This easy to tie soft hackle pattern takes early season trout feeding on midges or emerging baetis mayflies. The purple thorax seems to be a trigger to trout. This fly can be fished deep behind a nymph, on the swing, or as a dropper a few inches behind a dry fly.

Happy Tying


Fly Fishing in Pierre for Rainbows

Fishing in Pierre this past Sunday for rainbows was the best I have seen. Four anglers made the trek over and we all caught fish. That seldom happens in the trout fishery that exists for a brief period each spring. My experience is usually casting for hours into a 50 mph wind all day without the hint of a bite. This time was different. Here are some photos to prove it:

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Tying the Hydropsyche Caddis Larvae

This has been a solid producer for me in areas with good populations of free swimming caddis larvae.

This pattern is very similar to the caddis patterns of Oliver Edwards. Thanks for the great tips and instruction Oliver!

The legs are a great addition to any caddis larva pattern, or stoneflies and clinger mayfly nymphs.