Compton's Cinnamon Toast Baetis Nymph

A while back Kevin Compton owner of Performance Flies and I got together to film him tying up some of the patterns he is best known for and popularizing.  These patterns are staples in the competition scene.  Kevin is always refining these patterns and making them simpler to tie.

At Performance Flies, you will find materials and patterns from the competitive fly fishing scene.  Also, Kevin has Jack Mickievicz's original materials such as Honeybug Cotton Chenille, Jack's original dubbing blends and DuPont Antron yarn.

The Cinnamon Toast Baetis nymph is a BWO (Blue-Winged Olives) nymph.  BWO’s are staples in most if not all rivers.  These nymphs are an important food source for trout because of their high number, and multi-broods.  The fact that many BWO’s are multi-brood means they are available to trout year round.  Baetis are streamlined swimmers, and the nymph pattern should be slender.

Here Kevin ties his Cinnamon Toast Baetis Nymph, which is a deadly BWO nymph.

 

Compton's Cinnamon Toast Baetis Nymph

Materials:

Hook:  Hanak H230BL #14-16
Head:  3/32 Gold Tungsten Bead
Thread: FLY DK 80 Brown
Tails:  Golden Olive Coq de Leon Fibers
Rib:  XFine Copper Wire
Body:  Brown-Olive Condor Substitute
Thorax: Jan Siman Peacock Dubbing, Peacock Bronze

For materials visit http://www.performanceflies.com/

© 2017 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved.

MFPD Pocket Picker Nymph

Last year Kevin Compton owner of Performance Flies and I got together to film him tying up some of the patterns he is best know for and popularizing.

Kevin is bring some of best materials and patterns from the European competitive fly fishing scene to the states. As well as introducing tiers and anglers to these new materials and methods he is also has Jack Mickievicz's original materials such as Honeybug Cotton Chenille, Jack's original dubbing blends and genuine DuPont Antron yarn.

MFPD Pocket Picker Nymph is a pattern designed by Peter Durisik of Slovakia and tied here by Kevin.

Enjoy.

 

MFPD Pocket Picker Nymph

Materials:  

Hook:      Hanak H230BL #14-16
Head:      3/32 Gold Tungsten Bead
Thread:   UTC 70 Watery Olive
Tails:       Coq de Leon Fibers, Medium Prodo
Rib #1:    Synthetic Quill Body, Graphite
Rib #2:    Sybai XF Gold Wire
Tip:         Glo-Brite Floss, Hot Orange #6
Body:      UTC 70 Watery Olive Thread
Thorax:   Pine Squirrel with UV Flash


© 2016 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved.

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.

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.

Fishing With My Two Unique Boys - What's a Dad to do?

Even though it was cold out, my older son still wanted to go fishing.  My younger son wasn't wholeheartedly into the idea.  What's a Dad to do?

I put on my thermals. The boys dressed in layers and packed a spare set of cloths, just in case.  While no one went for a swim, there where cold feet and hands.  This put a limit on the time we could fish, but as long as there was action, no one asked to go home.

With rain levels spiked, the 100cfs streams were at 300cfs.  At 300cfs, my home stream is  challenging to fish and next to impossible for the boys. We ended up fishing the banks - no stream crossings.  While it was cold and high, the fishing was good.  Together we netted 6 rainbows, 1 brown...long line released a monster.

Both boys were happy in varying degrees, and I'm sure we'll be heading out again soon.

One happy lad.

Boy my hands are cold.

Cold + Egg = Rainbow

Bow on a rock worm.

They liked the rock worms.

October Caddis Time

Leaves are starting to turn. There's a crispness in the air, and the last of the big bugs are about to pop.

It's fall - October caddis time.

Here's a weighted wet-fly patten that I use during the fall. It's a great addition to your Euro-nymph rig or fished alone. Make sure you swing the fly at the end of the drift and hold on.

October Caddis

Hook: Standard Wet Fly Hook (Mustad S80-3906 or similar)
Size: 8 - 12
Head: Black Tungsten Bead sized to hook
Thread: Brown 6/0 or 8/0
Rib: Red and Gold wire (.32 gauge Parawire or UTC Size BR)
Abdomen: Equal parts, Hareline Ice Dub Orange, Tan UV Ice Dub,
and Hareline Rabbit Dubbin HD15 (Hand blended)
Thorax: Hairline Ice Dub Peacock
Rib: Gold Wire
Legs: Hungarian Partridge

Pheasant Tail Anchor to the Rescue

Many readers know The Jersey Angler and I are friend's and we go out west and fish together quite often.  While in West Yellowstone this summer we'd tied up a few flies.  One of the pattens I'd tied up during one of our evening tying session was his Pheasant Tail Anchor (click to load his post).  It's been hard getting out fishing because of the  crazy high water.  Hurricane Irene and few tropical storms have flooded and kept our stream over flowing. 

The river I fish, fishes best around 150 cubic feet per second not the 250-300 it's been running.  I did manged to wet a line the other day, mainly to see what Hurricane Irene did to the stream.  Many of the pools and runs I know well have all changed.  It's like fishing a new river.

The water was high and moving but thanks to the Pheasant Tail Anchor and that over-sized  disco tungsten bead, I did well.  The fly sinks like a rock on steroid, ticking the bottom every time.  They worked so well I lost everyone I had in my box. Luckily I'd tied some up with standard tungsten beads. Now I'll need to stock up on those disco bead

Here are a few of the fish taken on that day.

Fishing with "The Jersey Angler"

While I haven't been posting regularly this spring, I've managed to get out an wet a line.  Here is a little video I shot on one of the few sunny days we had this spring.  I was fishing across for "The Jersey Angler" so I put down the rod and shot this footage.  Enjoy.

Some patterns just stand out.

Our streams close for three weeks before the state opener (this year 4/9/11), but I managed to get three hours in before it closed.  I noticed after reviewing my photos for the which pattern was the most effective.  Drum roll...Ice Pheasent Tail Jig. Now credit needs to be given to Johan Klingberg; he taught me the pattern. Many thanks Johan; it's a winner.  I've found it to be a great early season pattern. Here are some photos from that day:

Tie up some I know you'll be glad you did.

UV Chewee Rock Worm

UV Chewee Rock Worm

Hook – Any Heavy Grub hook
Size – 8 - 12
Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Black or Olive
Head – Black Tungsten Bead
Thorax – Hairline Black UV Ice Dub
Abdomen – Caddis-Green UV Chewee Skin
Rib – .32 gauge Green Parawire

While tying at a CJTU meeting I started playing around with UV Chewee Skin.  I've seen it on the web and at the shows, so I've decided adapted it with one of my most productive patterns (Green Rock Worm).  Rhyacophila larvae are abundant in most freestone streams and because of behavioural drift they are always breaking free from the bottom and tumbling down stream.  This pattern and all Rhyacophila patterns work great in a Czech/Euro nymph set-up.  It's a quick pattern to tie and follow the K.I.S.S. rule.

 1. Mash down barb, slide on bead and secure in wire.

 2. Tie in UV Chewee Skin.

3. Wrap UV Chewee Skin forward.

 4. Wind wire forward to create a ribbing.

5. Dub Thorax and whip finish.

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.)

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.

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

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

Review 2010

Now that most of the holidays have passed I starting my review of some of my most effective patterns. One fly that has done well this year is my Tan UV Caddis which has become my go to anchor fly on my Polish/Czech or if you like Euro-Nymphing setup. Not only does it get the other flies down on the bottom but fish take it regularly.



Hook – Jig Head
Size – 1/125 – 1/80
Thread –8/0 Orange
Body – Ice Dub UV Tan
Hot Spot – Hot Orange
Rib – .32 gauge Brown or Copper Wire
Legs – Rust Dun CDC Fibers

One of the last Brown's that fell victim to the Tan UV Caddis.

You may notice most of the gold is worn off the fly.

I don't know if it's the the tan UV Ice Dub, the Hot Spot, the CDC legs or all of the above, but it works.  I went through all the flies I tied last winter, and I'm going to tie double this winter.

The Grubber

Here is a pattern I found in the November 2010 issue of Trout & Salmon (Bauer Media) in an article by Paul Procter "The Wild Side of Town."

The Grubber

Size – 14 - 16 Grub Hook
Thread – 8/0 Black (Here I used 8/0 Brown)
Head – Tungsten Bead 2.3 mm,  Orange
Body – Hare's Ear Dubbing

Mash down the barb, place bead and apply thread.

Dub abdomen whip finish and push bead over abdomen.

Re-attach thread and dub thorax and whip finish.

As far as fly's that follow the K.I.S.S. rule, well it's obvious this fly is there.  It will make a good addition to the Czech nymph box.  I'm going to give it a try as soon as possible.

K.I.S.S. Scud

Scud's are translucent and range from tan to light olive.

This is a scud from one of my local streams. Scud's are an overlooked food source by many anglers, it's very abundant an in the streams year round.

Most Czech nymphs imitate Caddis larva but they also imitate scuds. I use fluorescent orange thread to add a small hot spot on the rear and behind the bead.

This K.I.S.S. pattern is easy and a quick tie.



Size – 14 - 16 Grub Hook
Thread – Danville Flymaster Plus 210,  Fluorescent Orange 503
Head – Tungsten Bead 2.3 mm,  Gold
Body – Hairline Ice Dub UV Tan
Shell Back – Pearl Flashabou
Rib – Fine Copper Wire