Monday, January 31, 2011

Shad fishing taking up the net above Chester, N.J.


Here is a splendid drawing I found in the Library of Congress's digital collection.  Fishermen are standing in the Delaware River (1855), netting shad along the shore.  The artist is Queen, James Fuller, 1820 or 21-1886, and the drawing is graphite and chalk ; 23.1 x 33.2 cm..

Chester, N.J. is not the Chester of Morris County, but Chester Township, one of Burlington County’s original townships now Borough of Palmyra (if my research is correct).

I'd played with the drawing in PhotoShop to bring out some of the detail and if you like the see the original click this link: (http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2009632254/).

Enjoy.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Don Bastian is offering a second classic wet tying class.

Back in December I posted that Don Bastian is hosting a Classic Wet Flies Fly Tying Class on February 11 – 13, 2011. Well that class filled up (Jersey Angler and I took the last two spots) and Don is now offering a second class.  The dates are February 25 – 27, 2011 at Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop and Bed & Breakfast.

The classes will cover wings (quill, mixed, married, herl, and flank feather), as well as Don’s proprietary wing quill method. You'll learn about body materials and techniques for working with floss, tinsel, wing quills, goose shoulder, and other materials. Don will cover proper proportions, material selection, grading, and working around and through any fly tying problems.


The package price of this class is $325.00 based on double-occupancy, and includes room tax. 50% deposit required to secure reservation. Credit cards accepted. Call or e-mail Fishing Creek Angler to make your reservation.

Package Price Includes:

Friday evening dinner featuring Mary-Ann’s lasagna with salad and; home made dessert; full breakfast on Saturday and; Sunday;

Lunch on Saturday.

Lee’s Saturday evening steak bar-b-que with baked potato, salad, and; home made dessert.

Two nights double occupancy lodging at the Fishing Creek Angler B & B.

Relaxing evenings in the B & B with your favorite libation and lots of fly tying talk and informal tying sessions.

For more information contact Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop,  Bed & Breakfast:

314 St. Gabriel’s Road
Benton PA 17814
570-925-2709
infofca@epix.net 

or visit Don's Blog Don Bastian Wet Flies
 
Don with Plate No. 3, wet flies from Trout.

Don has forty-seven years fly tying experience including a decade long stint as a commercial tyer. He has nearly 765 classic wet fly, streamer, and bucktail patterns published in the book Forgotten Flies. Many of Don’s classic wets can be seen on the Complete Sportsman web page www.rareandunusual.com. His first fly tying video, Tying Classic Wet Flies was released in November 2004. In August 2007 two more Don Bastian DVD’s were released - Advanced Classic Wet Flies, and Traditional Streamers and Bucktails. Don has a feature wet fly article in the 2010 print issue of Hatches magazine, and Don’s Ray Bergman Collection, a year-long project, started in September at www.hatchesmagazine.com Don also had a feature article on classic wet flies titled Feathered Splendor in the Fall 2006 issue of Fly Tyer magazine. He has been a fly tying instructor for over twenty five years.

Again I'm getting nothing for this promotion, Don is a friend and and in my opinion one of the best Classic Wet Fly tiers out there.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

My attempt at tying Umpqua's Scuba Nymph

Back in October I posted what I felt was the recipe for Umpqua's Scuba Nymph. Here is my attempt tying the Scuba nymph.



Size – 12-18 Grub hook
Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Brown
Head – Tungsten Bead
Legs – Rubber Legs Mini (Montana Fly Company-Tentacles)
Thorax: Peacock
Body and Tail – Pheasant tail
Rib – Copper wire
Back – Crystal Flash

Mash down barb, and weight fly
Tie in Crystal Flash
Tie-in wire.
Tie-in Pheasant tail fibers to form the tail.
Wrap PT tail fibers forward and counter wrap with wire.
Tie in 3 Peacock tail fibers and wrap around to form the thorax.
Fold over Crystal Flash and tie-in.
Tie in Tentacles and whip finish.  (I did this in 3 small clumps.)




Tuesday, January 25, 2011

It's cold...

The channel is still clear, but...


polarizers in front of the lens reveals the anchor ice.
No fishing for me unless there is a warm spell.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

UV Bobesh

UV Bobesh
I was playing around with some UV materials while tying at a sportsman show about two weeks ago.  Here is the result the UV Bobesh, which is a variation  on the basic Czech nymph.

The Bobesh fly imitate the larvae stages of Caddis and first started with the sausage skin, than skin of the catfish or the eel and later latex.

I've found adding UV material to my patterns to be very productive, so here I went all out and used as much as possible.  We'll see how it works when the streams open up.



Hook – DOHIKU Scud/Grub Hooks any heavy Grub hook
Size – 8 - 12Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Black
Thorax/Head – Hairline Black UV Ice Dub
Hot Spot – Hairline Hot Orange UV Ice Dub
Abdomen – Hairline Tan UV Ice Dub
Rib – .32 gauge Brown Parawire
Shell Back – Knapek Pearl Braidback UV Claret (2.5mm)
Weight –.015 Lead Free Wire


Wind on your non-lead wire. (Flat lead works the best.)
Secure wire and wrap with thread to form a taper.
Tie in Braidback.
Dub Abdomen.
Dub hot spot. (Heart)
Dub Thorax.
Fold over Braidback and secure.
Advance wire and tie off.
(You may finish the fly here if you like.)
Dub the head with Black UV Ice Dub and whip finish.
(This is optional, but I like how it finish the fly.)

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Fly Fishing Show Jan. 21, 22, & 23


The Fly Fishing Show has made it's way to NJ.  As many who attend this or other show like it's one big reunion. I usually can't get three feet down an isle before I bump in to a friend and  telling stories (telling lies).   It's great catching up with friends that you only see a hand full of time (just because life gets in the way).  There are some bargains usually last years disconnected items and some new items that were announced at the International Fly Tackle Dealer show. 

Fly Fishing Show is at the Garden State Convention Center on January 21, 22, 23 2011

Show Hours: Fri 10 - 6; Sat 8:30 - 6:00; Sun 9 - 4:30

Admission: Adult: $15 for one day,
$25 for two-day pass,
$35 for three-day pass;
Children under 5 free, under 12: $2
Scouts under 16 in uniform: free
Active Military: $10

It's a fun time and maybe I'll see you there.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Offer from Moldy Chum - Buy a Ross Vexsis Reel Get a Free Line

Here's a offer I found on Moldy Chum's site that was posted on January 18, 2011.

Buy a Ross Vexsis Reel Get a Free Line


To take advantage of this offer you must submit this coupon with your original receipt for a Ross Vexsis Reel.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Duke's Cigarettes Card – California Salmon

Here is another of the Duke Cigarettes card from the Library of Congress's digital collection.  It's of a California Salmon (King Salmon).  I wish I as able to find cards in better condition, but no luck.  I've clean it up a bit, but the scans from the collection are not the best.  They only have seven of the cards digitized in the digital collection, and I've not found any others online.  I'll  posting them throughout the year.

Enjoy.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Ben Turpin ties his Bead Head Pheasant Tail Nymph

Filmed at International Fly Tiers Symposium here's Ben Turpin ties his Bead Head Pheasant Tail Nymph

Ben Turpin is a guide and rod builder based on the Delaware River system.  He guides in PA, NJ and NY.  He's turned his 20 years of year-round fly fishing obsession in to Ben Turpin Custom Rod Building and Guide Service, established in 1997. Ben offers guided fly fishing trips in the scenic Pocono Mountains, Delaware River (East, West & Main) and Northwest New Jersey.

Ben's Bead Head PT

Size – 16 - 18 Scud Hook
Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Brown
Head – 5/64 Copper Bead
Body – Pheasant Tail Fibers
Tail – Pheasant Tail Fibers

Another variation of the beloved Pheasant Tail nymph it's a sure winner. I like it for that an it follows the K.I.S.S. rule. So here is Bed tying his Bead Head Pheasant Tail enjoy.



Thursday, January 13, 2011

Happy Bleated Birthday



My mind must be going.  I was ready to post that Fly and Fin turned one on the 14th, but I was wrong.  Fly and Fin's first post was on January 8th not the 14th. So happy belated first birthday.

Here's to year two, and I hope I don't forget my name.  I know this is not much of a post, but show season is upon us, and I should have more to blog about soon.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Trout Unlimited Program to Serve Veterans

News from www.anglingtrade.comTrout Unlimited (TU) announces a new Veterans Service Program that will serve U.S. veterans throughout the country, through conservation projects and fly fishing instruction.

I imagine TU will following the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Program model. The project will work with veteran rehabilitation groups, assisting their rehabilitation after physical and emotional injuries.  Besides the therapeutic value of fly fishing, veterans will be introduced to TU’s mission conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

Alan Folger of Hendersonville, N.C. is the project’s program coordinator.  (I don't have any other contact info.)

This is so new it's not posted on TU's web site, and like all new programs it will take a while for it to get going.  These type of programs always need volunteers and the success this or any program will depend on volunteers who want to give back.  I can't think of a finer group to give back to.  If your TU chapter starts a Veterans Service Program, please get involved.

In full disclousue I'm the former NLC representative for New Jersey and serve on Central Jersey's chapter's board and a life member.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Salmon fishing on the Dee.


I found this brilliant print in the Library of Congress's digital collection. The title is "Salmon fishing on the Dee," I take it the it's the river Dee in Scotland. It looks to be a mezzo-tint print published in 1903 by Joesph Farquharson. I did clean up the image removing the some of the patina.

Enjoy

Friday, January 7, 2011

Pearl Tag Caddis

Here is a pattern from the Holiday tying session it's another variation on a Caddis larva. I tied it on the Mustad's Demon Circle Hook (here in a size 12), but you can use the grub hook of your choice. I purchased the Jan Siman’s Peacock Bronze dubbing and Fly D&K Quill Body from Kevin Compton.  I didn't see it on his web site www.performanceflies.com but I'm sure if you email him through the his sight he'll hook-you-up (yes pun intended).

Pearl Tag Caddis

Size – 8 - 12 Mustad Demon Circle Hook 1X Fine Wire (Ref# 39951BLN)
Thread – 8/0 Dark Brown
Head – Gold Tungsten Bead 2.3mm
Thorax – Jan Siman’s Peacock Bronze
Body – Hairline Dark Hare's Ear
Rib – Fly D&K Quill Body
Tag –Pearl Flashabou

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Hot Bead Pheasant Tail

Over the holiday the Jersey Angler and I got together for some tying, chili, and fish stories.

Here is a pattern I worked up which is another variation on the beloved Pheasant Tail nymph. The hook is the biggest variation, I trying out Mustad's Demon Circle Hook (here in a size 8). The Mustad 39951 BLN (Black Nickel Finish) was introduced in 2004 as a general purpose saltwater baitfishing hook but the demand for this hook as a Czech Nymphing hook prompted Mustad to introduce the hook in sizes 8 and 10. In keeping with Euro-Nymph fly design I'm keeping the nymph very slim.  I like the wide hook gap, and the profile you can create.

Hot Bead Pheasant Tail

Size – 8 -10 Mustad Demon Circle Hook 1X Fine Wire (Ref# 39951BLN)
Thread – 8/0 Dark Brown
Head – Tungsten Bead 2.3mm (Fluorescent Orange)
Thorax – Jan Siman’s Peacock Bronze
Body – Pheasant tail
Tail – Pheasant tail
Rib – Copper wire

Monday, January 3, 2011

Smoke 'em if You Got 'em


I found this beautiful Speckled Trout (a.k.a Brook Trout) in the Library of Congress digital collection.  It's a Duke's Cigarette Card, date (?).

I drive by the Duke's Estate when I visit my parents I had no ideal of the history of Duke's Cigarettes nor the family history. All I knew was Doris Duke family business was in tobacco. I did not know until recently that they are responsible for the pre-rolled cigarette as we know it and the American Tobacco Company was one of the original 12 members of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.  American Tobacco Company became the largest tobacco company in the U.S. and was broken up in the 1911 by the Supreme Court through the Sherman Antitrust Act on the same day that it ordered the Standard Oil Trust to dissolve (in school Standard Oil got all the attention).

The American Tobacco Company was broken up in to American Tobacco Company, R. J. Reynolds, Liggett & Myers, and P. Lorillard.  American Tobacco Company later expanded in to non-tobacco products and renamed itself American Brands and has since been renamed Fortune Brands and no longer has tobacco interests. Some of Fortune Brands products are Jim Bean, Makers Mark, Moen, Master Locks, Pinnacle, and Titleist. Maybe I should by stock in Fortune Brands since I've consumed and used many of their brands.

I've not even touched on the it's history with Duke University and it's international businesses.  All this because I went looking for trout images in the Library of Congress digital collection.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year 2011

 
Happy New Year from Fin and Fly