New Pics From a New Camera

Chopham-tied on a 3/0 Alec Jackson (gold)

I recently invested in a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200. It's a bridge camera. I didn't feel like I was ready to take the DSLR plunge quite yet, but I think this will either do the trick or, eventually, become a "gateway drug" into the world of DSLRs. I also bought some cheap, clip-on LED lamps. I'm really going to try to up my game photo-wise, so bear with me while I work out the kinks. I'm already impressed with what this camera can do despite only using 10% of what it's capable of.

Once I get my act together, look for more step-by-step posts and possibly some instructional tying videos in the future. Stay tuned...

Here are some miscellaneous shots from the first day...

The Pearl - #4 (Mustad 3371)

Jock Scott - #2 Double

Willie Gunn Dee - 3/0 Alec Jackson

Dirty Bird - #4
(more details on this one soon...a very effective fly!)

Tiemco TMC 700 - Lament for a Hook

Some of my favorite TMC 700 treatments

About a month ago, I thought I'd stock up on one of my favorite "specialty" hooks, Tiemco's TMC 700. I figured I'd need some for future orders of Connecticut Broodstock salmon flies, as I tie two of my three favorite patterns for CT salmon on these hooks (Mickey Finn and the Same Thing Murray). Little did I know that Tiemco had discontinued this model of hook not too long ago. I was shocked! I was dismayed! How dare they?!?

When I regained my composure, I hunted for sources of remaining stocks of TMC 700s. I started with the elusive size 10s and ordered the other sizes from that particular source to save on shipping. Two sizes were absent, however. TMC 700s in size 1/0 seem to be relatively abundant compared to the other sizes, ironic given that my source carried almost all the other sizes, but not 1/0. Also missing were size 4s. These proved to be the phantom of the group. They're really hard to find for some reason. I put out feelers all over the internet and was contacted by a kind gentleman in Germany who had a bulk bag of 600 for sale. I snatched them up. I didn't really need that many but I had no idea where else to find them. 

Moderation

Trying not to succumb to the serial material/hook hoarding instinct which comes naturally to fly tyers, I figured 50 of each size is enough to get me through most of the rest of my life. I just have to stop tying commercially on them, which is fine with me and I doubt my customers will mind too much. I only really use them for three patterns; Mickey Finns (for salmon), the Same Thing Murray and various Muddler variations. The thing is I really like them for Muddlers and Mickey Finns. I could live with another hook for Murrays, but I've had so much success with that fly on this hook that I'm too superstitious to change now* (which is ridiculous). 

The difference is in the wire (and the eye)

As you can see in the Tanner Chart above**, they're pretty much the same length as the heavy wire, up eye offerings from both Tiemco and Daiichi. Other than the eye and the limerick bend, the main difference is the weight of the wire. The TMC 700 is a heavy hook. The wire is substantially thicker than the Daiichi 2441 which, due to those $25 off Orvis coupons, has become my mainstay for salmon wet flies***. It appears that the wire on the 700 is marginally thicker than it's cousin, the TMC 7999. I don't really use 7999s though, at least not when I can get $50 worth of Daiichis for $25 two or three times a year. So the TMC 700 is roughly the same size as my normal hook, but weighs more. I've heard it said that down eye hooks fish slightly deeper than up eye hooks, so I like having a few flies tied on 700s to get down a tiny bit more. They really are a terrific Muddler hook if you're not trying to skate it or fish it dry. The TMC 700 is a tough hook for nasty fish. It's sharp, seems to hold well and I doubt many fish are capable of bending it.

So what I already had and what I just bought is going to have to last. At the rate I'm fishing these days, I probably bought 47 too many of each size. I plan to rectify that come autumn, however. What a drag though...I've spoken to several fellow tyers who feel similarly. Tiemco-san, if you're reading this, please let the TMC 700 live again! 

* The same goes for tying it with a moose hair wing. Just about everyone ties it with bear hair, but my first had moose, and they worked, so moose it is forever...(probably equally as ridiculous and superstitious) 

** Gary, if you're reading this, I love your hook comparison charts. Thank you!!

*** The Orvis Salmon Wet-Fly Hook is a rebranded Daiichi 2441. I wish they made a size 10 in this hook. You hear that, Daiichi-san??

Chopham & The Outlaw

The Outlaw (above) & Chopham (below)

It's has been a while since I last posted anything here. Mid-May through the end of June was a very busy period of work for me (a good thing). I played a bunch of fun gigs and was in the studio, recording several ballads for an upcoming Chet Baker tribute album. When I wasn't working, I was at home with the little guy. It left very little time for fishing and even less time for tying. Sadly, my spring fishing season can summed up in two words...bad timing. I just couldn't seem to time anything right. First the water was way too low for my quarry, then it was way too high. Finally, I couldn't take it any longer and fished right through a tropical storm. This summer, my goal is to find a good babysitter so I can time things a little better come autumn!

I did find the time to tie up a couple of freestyle display flies this week, however. It felt good to tie this style of fly again. I think the last freestyle fly I tied was almost a year ago. I have some more ideas I'm going to try to work out while we're in the summer doldrums.

Chopham-tied on a 3/0 Alec Jackson (gold)

The "Chopham" is based on the Popham, one of the most iconic flies of the Victorian era. The indian crow subs in this fly were made by Bryant Freeman of Eskape Anglers. Because of the lack of a formal body, I aimed for an airy look overall. 

The Outlaw-tied on a 3/0 Alec Jackson (silver)

"The Outlaw" uses a color scheme that I am very fond of...black, white, red and peacock green. I can't get enough of white feathers with a black/dark accent. Amherst and silver pheasants, silver badger rooster and, in the case of this fly, speckled bustard neck hackle (throat). I'm also a sucker for embossed tinsels. Along with "The "Moon Maiden,"  and "The Bandit" (one of my first freestyle flies), this fly is the third in a series of flies in this color scheme.

Stay tuned for more in the near future...

Hammonasset Trout 1 - Little Guy 0

My future netsman

This little fella has been going more and more places lately, so I figured why not fishing? I thought I had this all figured out. We'd go to the Hammonasset River, a mere 20 minutes from home. Worst case scenario, his great aunt is only a mile away, tops. I put on my hippers before leaving home. My rod was already rigged up with a Golden Olive Dabbler and a small Silver Invicta. I figured today was the day to introduce the little guy to his first trout and I figured I had about ninety minutes of fishing time to get the job done. 

I should have taken the dirty diaper upon arrival as a sort of foreshadowing. Fortunately, the back of my Mazda Tribute is the perfect baby changing station. We took care of the stinky mess and were on our way. It was a short walk downhill to a pool where, according to my friend Pete, the trout "rise with blatant impunity."

We made it to the pool and found some small risers. Unfortunately, they were chubs. After bringing two to hand, I spotted a decent sized trout rising in the tail of the pool. Because of the nature of the pool, I had to work downstream to cover the bulk of the deeper water. I hadn't thrown close to enough line to cover that far down the pool before an unexpected thirty minute meltdown began. 

I knew we were done for the day. He wanted out of the car seat and wanted to be held. I tried to calm him down so I could get that one elusive trout and we could be on our way, but it wasn't meant to be. It was time to head home. 

I wish I could give some kind of helpful fishing report to the locals, but we weren't there long enough to see much happen. Plus, my attention was mainly focused on the bank, not the water. On the drive home, I told his mom about my shortest fishing trip ever. She replied, "30 minutes? That's a pretty good amount of time outdoors for him!" Was our trip a success? I didn't think so, but maybe I was wrong. 

I'll give him another month or two before we attempt this again. I know of a stream filled with wild trout and decent enough stroller access. In the meantime, I'll have to phone the Duke of Roxburghe and tell him to postpone our trip to the Alta River until further notice...

The Ever-Maddening Quest for ONE Fly Box

Works for now, I guess

I wish I could be one of those guys who carries a small fly box with just the essentials. As an avid fly tyer, that's just not me. That said, I hate carrying a bunch of boxes. I want one box that does everything, even if it's big. I'm not talking Cliff Bugger Beast big. As long as it fits in the pocket of my wading jacket I'm happy.

I tried a Wheatley swing leaf box. It was ok, but the clips flatten the wings on Butterflies and I find the layout somewhat limiting. I tried one of those C&F style waterproof boxes. It was OK, but the foam notches distorted when I used really heavy irons. The tiny doubles seemed to get lost in that box's streamer-sized foam. The swing leaf soon lost its adhesive properties and fell out. Overall, it was not that durable.

I use a run-of-the-mill large Nubby Tack box for big doubles. So far I really like it. I decided to buy another to house the contents of the old C&F knockoff box. Fly size doesn't seem to matter. The little nubs seem to do a great job with small and large irons alike. Also, I like how I can put a fly anywhere, not just where a slot or clip exists.

Here's my gripe...there aren't many options. There are just three styles of double-sided boxes with Nubby Tack...the one pictured above is the largest size. I have two ideas...one simple and one elaborate. Both are probably outside the realm of reality, but please humor me regardless...

Solution #1

I want to buy sheets of Nubby Tack material and make custom boxes. I think I could make a sweet box. It might look sort of crude, but it would function well. The only hitch in this plan is that no one can buy sheets of Nubby Tack. It's a proprietary material used only in Mill Stream fly boxes. There goes idea #1, the simple solution...if someone knows of some Asian-made Nubby Tack knock-off available in bulk, please let me know!

Solution #2

I want Mill Stream to let me design a box primarily for North American salmon anglers. Here's what it would be:

Left side: A few rows of slightly elevated nubby tack w/spaces in between the rows. This would be the section for dry flies (Bombers, large Wulffs, Carters Bugs, etc.)

Swing leaf: Both sides fully covered in Nubby Tack- One side for Buck Bugs, Butterflies and small flies; the other side for workhorse, medium sized wets, doubles and singles

Right side: fully covered in Nubby Tack- used for large flies; streamers, Muddlers, shrimp patterns, large wets, etc...single and double.

Also, where space is available, I would put some of my more commonly used tube flies (w/hooks). I'd still carry a dedicated tube fly wallet, but I wouldn't necessarily need it on me at all times. I could put just the essentials in this box (mainly Sunrays). The beauty of the Nubby Tack is that it can handle singles, doubles and trebles equally well and not suffer any damage.

The box would be offered in two sizes, the current medium and large. It's a very simple design and it would hold all sizes of flies securely. I think it would be a winner. I think I could even make due with the medium sized box a lot of the time.

Too bad it's even more far fetched than solution #1.

And the search continues...any ideas? Please post 'em

Portfolio Book

Front Cover

The text from the recently published FrankenFly blog post comes from the introduction page of a salmon fly portfolio book I created in Apple's iPhoto program. I decided to bring the book to tying shows and presentations so I wouldn't clutter up my table with a bunch of flies (except for what I was tying at the time). Besides flies, there are plenty of fishing images and scenery shots from various salmon rivers. I'm very happy with how it turned out and it will be easy to add pages and print another, should I decide to do so. A few people have asked about purchasing the book. For its size, it costs too much to print to justify the price I would have to charge to recoup what I spent, so I'll just be using it as a personal portfolio for the time being.

The book has been very well received, but I'm not sure anyone actually read the introduction, which I wrote as a way to establish the overall theme of the book. Without it, the book is just a collection of random fly pictures, which wasn't my intention. Here is the introduction, as well as a few samples:

Click images to enlarge

Introduction

Sample #1

Sample #2

Sample #3

Sample #4

Sample #5

Introduction

     Toward the end of the twentieth century, we began to see a disconnect between the art of Atlantic salmon fly tying and the sport of Atlantic salmon fishing. In the right hands, a workhorse fly pattern like the Jock Scott became a large, immaculately crafted object, suitable for framing and hanging on one’s wall. Though many like it have hooked thousands of salmon over the last century and a half, this particular fly will never see water, much less the business end of a dime bright Atlantic salmon. Creative fly tyers soon pushed past the boundaries of the old “recipe books” and designed vanguard works of art in a previously underutilized medium. 

     Meanwhile, equally imaginative salmon fishermen used elements of classic salmon fly design as templates for bold new fish-catching patterns. The iconic mixed wing of the classic salmon fly took shape in more mobile forms. Lustrous exotic feathers were replaced by synthetic materials, which have a glow even more powerful than their predecessors. In some countries, large hooks were replaced with plastic and metal tubes. Armed with small double or treble hooks, these tube flies have become a more efficient fish fighting tool. Outside influences, such as trout and saltwater fishing and fly tying techniques, made their presence known to the salmon fishing community.

     As a professional musician friend of mine passionately states, “Innovation does not exist in a vacuum.” As in jazz music, fly tying innovation does not exist in a vacuum.  The well-worn patterns and techniques of great fly tyers past are constantly tweaked to make more effective salmon-catching implements. Though modern materials may replace rare feathers and delicate silks, the classic flies of the Victorian era live on in new forms. Salmon fishers and fly tyers from North America, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Russia and Iceland all have something unique to offer. Embracing this diversity and learning from one another will help take the sport of salmon fishing, as well as the art of salmon fly tying, to the next level.

     I began tying classic Atlantic salmon flies shortly after my first salmon fishing trip in autumn 2007. Tying the classics was a way to “stay connected” to the sport when I was unable to participate in it. Though the history of Atlantic salmon flies and fishing initially drew me in, it is the evolution of the sport that truly excites me. Whether I tie a classic salmon fly, a Scandinavian-style tube fly or an original piece of “feather art,” I try to remain aware of the complete breadth of the sport of Atlantic salmon fishing, as opposed to smaller parts of it.

FrankenFly Blog Feature

FrankenFly! 

I'm happy to be featured today on Paul Beel's terrific FrankenFly blog. Paul has done a great job of highlighting a diverse group of fly tyers and their patterns. The blog is definitely worth a look, so head over to FrankenFly!

*Paul even spelled my name correctly, which almost never happens in my career as a jazz musician...Thanks, Paul!