Monday, December 28, 2015
Friday, December 25, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Tying Matt's Buzzer
Buzzers are nothing new on the other side of the pond, where anglers have been fishing with them for many years to imitate midge larva and pupa, particularly on still waters. Many anglers in this country know about them but seldom do I run into an angler that fishes them. Back in 1998 we were fishing the Missouri River in Montana and having seen a fair amount of midge larva in the weed beds, I tied a few buzzers with and without bead heads, basing the imitations on what I recalled seeing in British angling magazines. The flies worked very well, especially the ones with bead heads. Since then I have used them all over the country with good success. I've always coated them with Sally Hansen Hard as Nails, but here I've used the Bondic UV resin, which makes for a quick drying, hard shell.
RECIPE
Hook: Scud #16 -1X heavy
Bead: 1/16" gold
Abdomen: Flat thread - Chartreuse.
Rib: Krystal flash strand
Thorax: 6/0 Olive Danville
Wingbuds: Red dyed duck quill
The original ones I tied used the duck quill for the wing buds, but I also use red flexi-floss for wing buds wing buds, which makes a smoother thorax. When I get a chance over the holidays I'll post some pics of the fly tied with other colors and without bead heads.
Sharpen your hooks.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Tying the Three Dollar Dip
This week's Tightline Productions video has me tying the Three Dollar Dip, a great subsurface fly that is a version of the Serendipity. Both the Serendipity and the $3 Dip originally were tied for use on the Madison River in Southwest Montana; the former, a pattern designed by Ross Marigold, and the latter by Nick Nicklas of Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, MT, and named for an access on the Madison River known as the Three Dollar Bridge. I have fished the fly all over the country with success since first learning about it years ago, and recommend giving them a shot wherever you fish for trout. I tie them in sizes #16-20, and also in red and caddis green.
RECIPE
Hook: Dai Riki #135 size 16
Bead: Gold 3/32
Thread: 6/0 Brown Danville color #47
Body: Thread - slightly tapered, keep it thin
Rib: Fine gold wire
Wing: Bleached Elk hair
Tie some up and fish them as fits your own style. I guarantee you will have fun, and its likely you will catch fish on them. And thanks to Tim Flagler for another great video production.
Sharpen your hooks!
Friday, December 4, 2015
Tying Craven's Jujubee Midge
With winter right around the corner, it's time to think small, and that means midge larva. Here Tim Flagler ties a very simple and effective midge pattern, Craven's Jujubee Midge. It's tied with only two materials and thread, and since it must be tied in small sizes, that's a blessing.
Tie some up and sharpen your hooks.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Losing Sleep
As you may have guessed, I haven't been sleeping well since I heard about trout with hand shaped fungus on them (see 11/9/15 post below). I keep having these vivid nightmares about landing fish that have mushrooms on their sides that are shaped like a hand. Dreadful stuff indeed.
For the record no one has sent us with a photo supporting the idea, so I think we can conclude that like Sasquatch, this one is a myth. Time to move on.
That's not to say that it isn't very important that we respect our quarry and handle each one for the beautiful creature they are. Again, use common sense when landing fish and if you want a photo, be aware that when you lift them from the water they are out of their natural environment, so make it brief and be gentle. If the fish starts squirming, let them fall back into the water and swim away, a picture isn't worth harming them to keep them still. The memory will stay with you longer than any photo.
Sharpen your hooks!
Sharpen your hooks!
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