Caddis, Brook, Brown and Rainbows

The month of May here in the east has been wet, and gray (Chicago gray).  On the upside when the water levels are good and when wadeable the fishing is stellar.

One of the patterns that's been working well this spring is my Anchor Caddis.  A variation on Hans Stephenson "The Bomb."  It's a generic Caddis Larva that I tie with or with out legs.

Anchor Caddis

Hook: Mustad 3399 Size 6 - 10
Head: Tungsten Bead to Match Hook
Weight: .032 Non-lead Wire
Thread: Olive 6/0
Tail: Natural CDC
Ribbing: Green Wire
Abdomen: Olive Squirrel Dubbing
Hot Spot: Hairline Hot Orange UV Ice Dub
Thorax: Hairline Black UV Ice Dub
Legs*:  Hungary Partridge or any Hen Hackle.

Here are the results:

Your results may vary.

Keeping Your Fly Tying Desk Clean

Here is a little tip that I hope will make your tying space a little cleaner.

Enjoy.

Bill Skilton ties "Bill's Hellgrammite"

Filmed at the International Fly Tiers Symposium, Fly and Fin presents Bill Skilton ties his "Bill's Hellgrammite"

Many know Bill Skilton for his foam patterns using the unique materials he’s developed. Bill is an all-around fly tier, fisher and entrepreneur. He raises is chickens for hackle (personal use), develops new fly tying materials, and maintains an eight acre of pond with huge blue-gills, large catfish, large-mouth bass, small-mouth bass, and, best of all, hybrid stripers, which he rents it out to fly-fishing groups. He guided the streams of Central PA, like Yellow Breeches, Letort and the under-appreciated Susquehanna River.

Bill is wonderful instructor who as you’ll share’s all his knowledge and the “why” behind it all.

He also runs and operates USA-Flies (http://www.billskilton.com/) where you can buy all his materials.

He gives fly-tying demonstrate and is a featured tier at the International Fly Tying Symposium. His Hellgrammite pattern catches everything from bluegills, bass and trout.

First Drawing with AutoDesk SketchBook Express

While this is not a fishing post, the subject matters is all trout. While at the Apple store today I purchased a Pogo Stylus. So on arriving home I downloaded SketchBook Express for my iPad and went to work.

Here is the result.

Rag Bug takes it First Victim.

Crane flies are starting to pop around here in the east.  Crane flies are in most river system's and the larva are abundant. Crane fly larva come range in sizes from a size 16 all the way up to an 8 and are a large meal to any trout.

Crane Fly Larva from wikipedia.

There are many patterns that work well to imitate this abundant food source.  The first and foremost is Frank Sawyers Killer Bug. To see how it's tied one I recommend Tying Frank Sawyer's Killer Bug with Davie McPhail on YouTube. The Killer Bug uses Chadwick 477 which is almost impossible to find. Veniard sells a fine substitute (See Killer Bug Yarn post).  I also found some old craft yard which looks like it will do the job as well (See Possible Chadwick 477 Substitute), but I've not tried it to date.

Another great Crane fly larva imitation is Walt Young's Walt's Worm.  The Jersey Angler has a great post Sometimes Simple is Best... Walt's Worm.

So what to do if you can't fine or wait for Veniard 477 order to ship, well you can do what I did.  Go to your wardrobe and fine an old Rag Wool sweater (one that shrunk or in my case, doesn't fit my fat ass). Cut out a good size piece and pull apart the fibers and tie my Rag Bug.

Here is the Rag Bug's first victim. 

This Hen slammed the Rag Bug.

Smile for the camera.

Here is a valuable tip, If you don't tie take or can't wait take any Hare's Ear nymph and with your nippers cut way the wing case and tail any you'll have a very effect Crane fly larva pattern.  I've done this many time when I lost my last Walt's Worm while fishing.

Kype Magazine Volume 3 Issue 1

Here is the latest Issue of Kype Volume 3 Issue 1, a quarterly magazine on salmon, trout, and steelheading.

Enjoy.
 

https://issuu.com/kype-fishing-magazine/docs/digital_issue

Flubbed Photo's

One of the hardest aspects of fishing sometimes seems to be to take a good photography of your catch when your fishing alone.  For this reason I don't take my DSLR out when I on my own though many time I wish I had it with me.  Before the current line of underwater cameras I invested in a underwater housing for my Canon G9 but it was as bulky as my DSLR.  So when I purchased my Pentex W90 I thought finally a solution that will help my to take photographs while on on the water without the bulk of fear of damaging gear.

While I've received complements on many of the photographs many of them never make it to the blog.

So here are two of my recent flubbed photos:

Slippery when wet.

No grip.