Thursday, September 27, 2012

Tying Matt's October Caddis

I know I'm overdue on a report of my recent excursion to Montana, and it will be forthcoming, but when you go away for ten days you pay the piper when you return.   We did manage to do another tying video with Tightline Productions this past Sunday AM, and here it is.   The October caddis is the "Isonychia of caddis hatches" in that it is a large insect that hatches sporadically, and the trout become accustomed to their presence for about two, autumn-colored months of the year. 
 
Here in the East, the October Caddis primarily hatches at night into very early morning. I'm not sure about out West, but it is an important hatch there as well.  Although it will take trout at anytime of the day, I like to fish it early in the AM along the margins of fast water and bank side pockets.  It prefers faster riffles and pocket water, making an imitation an important pattern on all of our boulder strewn, freestone rivers and streams.     
 


RECIPE
Hook: #8-12 Standard dry fly
Thread: 6/0 Orange
Tail: None
Body: Mixed rusty orange rabbit and zelon (or antron)
Underwing: Amber zelon
Wing: Orange dyed elk body hair
Thorax: Same as body, touch-dubbed (It should seem somewhat heavy when you dub it, but after a cast or two, the loose fibers fall out, leaving a nice, fuzzy, floating thorax.)

Thanks again to Tim Flagler for the great production!

Sharpen your hooks, and fish a big, juicy fly for a change.
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Monday, September 24, 2012

Tying JC's Electric Caddis Pupa

Our friend John Collins recently sat down with Tightline Productions to demonstrate how he ties his electric caddis pupa.  John is an accomplished fly tyer and fisherman, whose passion for the sport is evident in every fly he ties.  This pattern has proven itself over the last few years in our area, and can be adapted to imitate any of the myriad of caddis available in our waters.  John will be at the International Fly Tying Symposium in November demonstrating this and other original patterns of his. 



Nice job, John!
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Friday, September 21, 2012

The Birth of a Tool - Axe Making

It's been a little crazy since returning from Montana, so I haven't had time to post a report. In the meantime, here's a really cool video from John Neeman, who makes tools the old fashioned way - hot coals, raw steel, hammer, andiron and raw wood and leather.  No synthetics here.  Enjoy.


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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Tying the Isonychia (Slate Drake) Spinner

I just returned from Montana, and will provide a report with photos in the next couple of days.  In the meantime, here is our latest tying video, which we made shortly before heading to wild trout heaven.  The fishing in Montana was great, and we did fairly well in Yellowstone Park/Wyoming, despite high winds the days we visited the Firehole, Upper Madison and Yellowstone Rivers. 

The Isonychia spinner here is an extended body pattern that has worked well for me over the years in the summer months and this time of the year, on cloudy, showery days, in the late afternoon until dusk.   As usual, Tim Flagler does a great job with the video production showing the methods I use to crate this pattern.
   


RECIPE
Hook: Dry Fly #10-14
Thread: Danville 3/0 brown
Tail and Abdomen: Moose body hair
Wing: Deer body hair
Thorax: Mixed rabbit fur - 2 parts claret: 1 part brown: 1 part gray

Sharpen your hooks!
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Monday, September 3, 2012

Tying the Yellow Humpy

Here's a great pattern that works well when fished alone, and when used as the top fly on a dry/dropper rig.  I've caught trout on it during a PMD hatch on the Missouri River, and closer to home on the Musconetcong River during terrestrial time.  The fly works just about everywhere there are trout, and will also take panfish and bass.
     


RECIPE

Hook: TMC 100 # 12
Thread: 3/0 Danville yellow monocord
Tail: Moose body hair
Hump and Wing: Elk body hair
Hackle: Dry fly - one brown and one grizzly

Tie them in sizes #10-16.  You can also use red or green thread to change the view, or any other color you may wish to try your luck with.
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