No Body 3/0...a test fly

A little experiment

I was just testing out a couple of design things with this one, so it's not as polished as what I'd usually tie/post. Maybe I'll fish this one...

The Hammer

The Hammer - sz. 5/0

As of a couple of weeks ago, the 2011 fishing season ended for me. It was a good season, but I'm ready to switch gears and move back to the tying bench for the winter. A lot of people enjoy fishing throughout the year, but I need time to cleanse the palette. I enjoy tying relatively involved flies and learning new techniques, most of which I'd never take the time to do while the fishing is hot. After a month or so, I'll have cabin fever, but I have a lot of good memories to reflect on this season past, as well as some adventures to look forward to (and tie for) in 2012.

Also, I absolutely detest the cold and snow. I wasn't made for this climate. If not for a career in music, I'd be living in Hawaii now! I guess that's why I'm not a steelheader.

Anyhow, aside from some classics for fishing, the "The Hammer" is kicking off the "fancy fly" tying season for me. Stay tuned for more to come...

The Hammer

-original design-

Hook: Mustad 3899 5/0

Tip: oval silver tinsel

Tag: red floss followed by green embossed tinsel

Tail: topping

Butts: light blue hackle, followed by red hackle, followed by ostrich herl

Body (1): red floss, ribbed with green embossed tinsel

Body (2): jungle cock nails, tied chatterer-style 

Body (3): "red feathers", tied chatterer-style, with one small jungle cock nail on each side

Bottom Wing/Throat: pair of jungle cock nails; kingfisher cheeks; two toppings below all

Wing: jungle cock nails with pair of dark green hackles slightly shorter than the j.c.; broad strips of amherst pheasant above; four toppings above all

Head: ostrich herl

A Pair of True Classics

The Major and the Jock Scott, tied to throw

The Major and the Jock Scott are two of the most iconic flies in the history of fly fishing. Nowadays, they are most often seen tied in very large sizes for framing. I have tied and framed both of these patterns, but now I tie them for the river. As such, plenty of liberties have been taken with material selection. Hopefully, those snooty salmon won't object.

Jock Scott 5/0, tied for the wall 

The Major 4/0

A 2/0 J.S., about to embark on its maiden voyage

Orange Parson, Revisited

Orange Parson, after

The first classic salmon fly I posted on this blog, Dr. T.E. Pryce-Tannat's Orange Parson, is my favorite classic salmon fly pattern. It is not my favorite for its fish-catching abilities (though I hear it's one of the better ones) as much as for aesthetic reasons. Having never hooked a salmon on a classic before, I never had much confidence in them.

My luck finally changed yesterday morning. A salmon followed my Green Highlander tube and rose for it as I stripped up the running line to prepare for my next cast. It would not come back for the Highlander, so I tried the trusty Sugerman Shrimp. The fish wanted nothing to do with that fly. I rested the salmon for a few minutes while I changed flies and talked to an angler who was watching from the river bank. I figured now was as good a time as any to try a classic. The salmon took the Orange Parson in the early part of the fly's first swing. After releasing the salmon, I was relieved that my first fish on a classic salmon fly was on the Orange Parson which, for the time being, has reestablished its place as my favorite, though no longer just for its good looks.

Orange Parson, during

Green Highlander Tube Fly

A modern take on an old classic

Green Highlander Tube Fly


Tube: Plastic Scandinavian Style tube 1"-1.5" (total length)
Tag: Silver flat braid
Tail: Yellow Fluoro Fiber
Rib: Silver oval tinsel
Body: 1/3 yellow Uni-Stretch, 2/3 highlander green S.L.F. or green Ice Dub
Body Hackle: Yellow
Throat Hackle: Highlander green
Wing: Yellow arctic fox, silver Angel Hair, orange arctic fox, pearl Krinkle Flash, highlander green arctic fox (wing tied Temple Dog Style); peacock herl
Cheeks: Jungle cock
Head: Silver turbo cone

Hook: I prefer Loop/Guideline Tube Doubles or Owner SSW Straight Eye singles

Flamethrower Tubes (Green & Red Butt)

Green & Red Butt Flamethrower Tubes

Here are a couple of flamethrower tube fly variants tied at the CFFC&M Arts of the Angler show yesterday. They're tied on aluminum tubes which are a little over 1/2" long. Since the standard red and green butt flies are so effective, I figured they should work well in Flamethrower form. This fly has an amazing action in the water. The true test will be next June on Russia's Kola River.

Upcoming Events and Fly Assortment Sale

Six CT Broodstock Salmon Fly Assortments

Here are some upcoming events you might want to check out:

 Presentation

“Traditional Methods for Broodstock Atlantic Salmon” 

Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association

Veterans Memorial Clubhouse

100 Sunset Ridge

   East Hartford, CT 06118

November 9, 2011

7:00pm

Demo Fly Tyer

Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum

Arts of the Angler Show

Ethan Allen Inn

21 Lake Avenue Extension

Danbury, CT 06811

November 12, 2011

8:30am-5:00pm

November 13, 2011

9:00am-4:00pm

On sale for a limited time:

CT Broodstock Salmon Fly Assortment

Each hand-tied assortment contains seven of my most productive flies for Connecticut broodstock Atlantic salmon. One of the six will be raffled off at the CT Fly Fisherman's Association meeting on November 9th. The remaining five will be on sale through PayPal (shipped via USPS) or directly through me at the CFFC&M show in Danbury or at the salmon fishing presentation. The cost is $28.00 plus shipping and handling (if ordered with PayPal). The assortment includes one of each of the following flies:

Sunray Shadow (1" plastic tube, approx. 4"-5" total length)

Ally's Shrimp (#2) 

Mickey Finn (#6)

Claret Shrimp (#6)

Butterfly w/green and red butt (#4)

Sugerman Shrimp (#2)

Same Thing Murray (#6)

The Lucky Seven

These flies are fish catchers! Get them while they last. Contact me for more info.