Where's the hook?

I never heard this selling angle before. 

Troy from American Milestone left a message, re: an opportunity to be part of an “interstitial program” that featured Joan Lunden.  So what's an interstitial program?  Well, it’s a 3 - 5 minute editorial used to bridge the gap between longer PBS programs.  Cool you might say.  Okay… so I called back to find out more after doing a little research on line.  Everything seemed above- board.

The phone call was pleasant and Troy informed me about the show and what they do.  He asked a few questions, but really didn’t have a clue what I did or what Fly and Fin was.  So I played along, because I didn't know what he wanted yet.  After a few questions about Fly and Fin (which he never referred to by name) he came to the real nature of the call. 

The question was what kind of advertising budget I had.  Advertising budget? 

I tried not to laugh, and said I had modest budget ($0.00 to be exact).  He then said creating a program might not be a match unless I had $22,000.00 dollars to pay for the piece.  I said no thank you, hung-up the phone and had a good laugh.

Later I was talking to The Jersey Angler about this weekend’s Fly Fishing show and told him what happened.  He said, “Well, it’s obvious your blog is getting out there.” 

Polish Pheasant Tail Varation

Not much more needs to be said about Pheasant Tail, other than it's one of the most used fibers for making nymphs. There are three fibers I can't do without: Pheasant Tail, Peacock Tail and Hungary Partridge.

This is a variation on Davie McPhail's "Polish Pheasant Tail Nymph"

What's nice about this pattern is it's simple, and it has all the elements of a great nymph.  The profile is tied in the round.  It presents the same profile when the nymph is tumbling downstream.  The pheasant tail fibers offer the iridescent brown/olive color found in most naturals.  It also has two triggers, the two hot spots and a gold bead.

If you're looking for the Glo-Brite and Jan Siman Dubbing, I'd recommend you go to  Kevin Compton's site http://www.performanceflies.com/. He has most of the materials you'll need for tying your euro-nymph patterns.

This is a K.I.S.S. pattern you want in your box for euro or standard nymphing.

Hook – Mustad S80-3906

Size – 10-16

Thread –  GLO-BRITE Fluorescent Floss – Shade #5 Hot Orange

Bead – Gold Tungsten Bead

Tail – Pheasant Tail Fibers

Body – Pheasant Tail Fibers

Rib – .32 gauge Copper Parawire

Thorax – Jan Siman Synthetic Peacock Dubbing – Peacock Eye

Hot Spot –  GLO-BRITE Fluorescent Floss – Shade #5 Hot Orange

Tie in your Glo-Brite.

Tie in Pheasant Tail.

Tie in wire.

Wind Pheasant Tail fibers forward counter clock wise.

Counter wrap wire forward in open wraps and tie off.

Dub thorax and tie in hot spot.

Whip finish.

K.I.S.S. Crane Fly Larva

Crane Flies are the largest of the dipteran family of insects and can be found everywhere.  There are about 14,000 distinct species all over the world.  Some common names are leather jackets, daddy-long-legs and skeeter eaters.

Many Crane Fly patterns imitate the larva.  Frank Sawyer’s Killer Bug and Walt Young's Walt's Worm are popular.  Depending on your location, Crane Fly larva will vary in size from ½ inch to 2 inches.

I’ve added a variation of a Crane pattern to my box, inspired by Sawyer and Young.  I file it under my Keep It Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S) rule.

I've written about finding a replacement to Chadwick's 477-wool.  My Rag Bug was a first attempt using rag wool from an old sweater to tie a killer bug variation.  Now I've found Patons Classic Wool Yarn (00229) Natural Mix in a local Michael’s craft store.  The color is just right, but I don't have a piece of Chadwick's 477 to compare it to.  (If you have any, I'd appreciate a small sample.)

Hook – TMC 2302
Size – 6-12
Thread – 6/0 Tan
Weight – .22 lead wire
Tentacles – Dun CDC
Body – Patons Classic Wool Natural Mix (00229)
Rib – .32 gauge Brown Parawire or Copper wire
Shell Back – Hairline 1/8" Clear Scud Back

Patons Classic Wool Natural Mix (00229)

Wrap lead wire to hook.

Bind down with thread.

Tie in CDC Tentacles.

Tie in wire, shell back and wool.

Wrap wool forward and secure.

Pull shell back over the top and secure.

Advance wire in open wraps to define segments.

Whip finish and cement head.

Evening's Tying Session

Long time readers of this blog know The Jersey Angler and I are close friends.  In the winter months we get together from time to time for a tying session. It usually involves tying, chili, stories and an adult beverage.  We review the patterns that worked for us and create some new ones.

Between the holidays we managed to squeeze in a tying session, while our boys played video games.

The Jersey Angler checking his blog.

12 Hour Chili

Adult beverage.

Flies from the session.

Happy Birthday - Fly and Fin

Well today is Fly and Fin's Birthday.  Two years ago I started the blog with a posting of my CDC Little Black Stone fly pattern. 

I've managed to keep it going. Sometimes posting a lot, and sometimes a little.

I have to recognize the The Jersey Angler , because we both compete with each other.  Who catches the first, largest, most fish and so on.  So, when he started his blog, I had to cast my line into the blogger-sphere.

I keep on posting as long as it's fun and people comment.

Thanks for reading and sharing.

Lou

A.K.A. Fly and Fin

Scuds and Belated Happy New Year

Belated Happy New Year!!!

Scuds have nothing to do with the New Year.  I just fish them more in the winter when not much else is happening hatch-wise.

Scuds are found in most waters. Most are herbivores and scavengers feeding on the detritus (leaf litter and dead stuff). They're light sensitive and prefer low-light conditions - dawn, dusk and cloudy days. I've found them to be a great searching pattern when nothing much is going on. Now who wouldn't like a shrimp cocktail before your main course?  Unless of course you have a food allergy. Lucky trout don't.

My K.I.S.S. Scud is my go-to-pattern, but you can use any imitation. Remember they're fast movers with seven pair of legs, so trout don't have time to inspect your fly.

Typical Scud, notice the detritus.

K.I.S.S. Scud in the lip.

Let's see that Brown.

Rainbows large,

and small love scuds.

 K.I.S.S. Scud