Lou DiGena is an accomplished fly tier from New Jersey. He’s an
extraordinary guy. We dive deep into fly tying, photography, digital
media, and fine art. As I learned on this podcast, he is a professor of
fine art and digital media at St John University.
I don’t think either of us thought we were going down the art rabbit
hole but that is the fun part of podcasts, learning about your guests as
a person and their expertise. It clear Lou is an artist, both behind
the vise, behind the lens and in various other art mediums.
He stresses the idea of observation both in art and on the water and
how focused observation will make you a better fly tier and fly
fisherman.
Dick Talleur calls this nymph the Pea-Ca-Bou Brown, and I can only find mention of this pattern in Hooked on Fly Tying - Classic Wet Flies & Nymphs, Bennett-Watt Entertainment, Inc. (https://amzn.to/2Mp1yFU)
It's a tremendous all-a-round nymph that uses two of the best materials out there Peacock herl and marabou. I've found smaller sizes are effective little black stone flies, and larger versions imitate Isonychia, also known as the Slate Drake.
It's simple, and once you get used to handling the marabou, a fast pattern to tie.
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/
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
Here is the latest Issue of Kype Fishing Magazine, Volume 4.2.
My favorites reads are the Punk Rock Fly Fishing with Mike McAuliffe on page 14, the Modified Caddis by Aileen Nishimura Ellis on page 24 and Longevity for Nymphs by Gaeron Friedrichs on page 26.
The Underwater World of Trout Series is an informative video collection, that every angler should own. Don't take my word here's what Lefty Kreh, Gary Borger, Jay "Fishy" Fullum, and Ed Jaworowski said.
“Not just trout fishermen but any fly fishermen stalking fish (bonefish, redfish and more) should buy and absorb what Ozzie has so well presented“. - Lefty Kreh
“For most of us, this DVD by Ozzie Ozefovich, will provide a highly informative view of the world through the trout's window—a view that we all need to understand, but one that few have seen. Be certain that you see this DVD, it will make you a better angler“. - Gary Borger - Trout Vision & Refraction
“After viewing Feeding Lies,I plan to take a second look at stretches of water I passed up in the past. I will also re-think some of my presentations to the fish residing in these areas.” - Jay "Fishy" Fullum - Feeding Lies
“Feeding Lies will revolutionize trout fishing…no more guessing or imagining what goes on in the trout’s world.The most important trout video to date.” - Ed Jaworowski - Feeding Lies
Wendell "Ozzie" Ozefovich has been filming and videotaping for more than four decades, so he has the skill and equipment to produce a quality experience. He is an accomplished fly fisherman who looks at a river not just as an angler, but also as a filmmaker. He asks the same questions you do—sometimes finding answers, sometimes finding more questions to ask.
There are no staged aquarium shots; these trout are in their natural environment. There is also footage of sea-run rainbow and brown trout. There are wild fish and stocked fish, fighting fish and spawning fish. You will see beneath the surface as trout feed on drifting invertebrates and surface flies, and how a trout views an angler through its window.
There is a segment on electrofishing and stream bank restoration, which will show that anglers, together with private conservation organizations and government agencies, can work together toward a common goal. This is one of the few presentations that almost everyone from rank beginner to crusty old cuss walks away having learned something!
The weekend before Memorial Day a group of friends and I went out to catch the Sulphur hatch/spinner fall. Since this required a late night on the stream we decided to camp out. This was a car camping expedition, so there was no need to keep weight down. This translates into steaks on the grill with all the fixings, not to mention plenty wine, desert and fishing stories.
Now that Hendrickson and Grannom hatches are behind us now it's the slow time before the next super hatch "Sulfurs."
There are plenty of bugs on the water tan, olive and black caddis, but the Crane flies are starting to hatch. For me that's when I go back to nymphing and fish a Walt's worm, Sawyer's Killer Bug or my K.I.S.S. Crane fly larva. One thing I've noticed is that there are no subtle takes, more like a Bullet train.
The Bullet train story I have is of one that got away. I hooked a monster brown I'd estimate 24" plus, no wait I think it was 30" plus. Either way it was a good brown with shoulders that hit hard and I was running me up and down the pool. I'd lost him when during the fight a 16" Rainbow took my top dropper went one way and the Brown went the other. The train derailed and I was left with smaller fish was at the end of my line. The expletives flew, and I was cursing what was a respectable Rainbow, because it blew my chance at the fish of the day. Why was I not fishing 20 lb. Fluorocarbon?
I should have packed up and headed for home but the fishing was too good, so I stayed and landed many more fish, but non as large as that 38" Brown.
Here are some of fish who recently fell victim to the K.I.S.S. Crane fly larva and one Rainbow who ran interference.
Over the years a tradition has developed around opening day of Trout Season. My boys and many friends have a dinner on the banks of a river and many of us camp out to fish the next morning at the 8:00AM start of the season.
This year we had 30 for dinner with just less than half camping out. The large turn out is in direct proportion to the weather, which this year was fabulous.
I'm the grill master with help from The Jersey Angler, and every one brings some thing to table, whether it's appetizers, sides deserts and adult beverages of one sort or another.
While the season only closes for 3 weeks, this is the first outing for many after a long cold winter. This year we didn't winter, more of an extended Autumn.
For me it's a day where I guide my boys and spend time teaching them the art of angling.
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.
The holidays for me are filled with rushing around and dealing with crowds. Something I don't like. Fortunately the weather and fishing are still good. Fewer anglers makes winter fishing some of the best. I try to get out before the holiday rush and chaotic family time. Eggs were the ticket the last time I was out, and these eggs delivered a pre-holiday treat.
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.
Finally, after juggling our schedules, Matt Grobert and I final got out fishing this past weekend.
You may know Matt from the The Star Ledger's Fly Fishing column. His work also includes: Fly Fishing New Jersey Trout Streams, published in 2008; Caddis Chronicles, a blog - "A celebration of the well-chewed fly." He's also ties patterns at the International Fly Tiers Symposoum, the Fly Fishing Show (NJ), Shannon's Fly Shop in Califon. He's also featured on video at Tightline Productions.
Matt chronicled our trip in his Short Report post of December 4th. I don't have much to add other than the photos and comments below.
It was a cold morning, but warm for December - low to mid 40's. It always feels colder when your feet are in 42-degree water. It was even colder for Matt. He left his thermals home and his waders had a leak. (It's safe to say Matt's leg and foot never warmed up until he got home.)
The water was high, clear and cold, but fishing was good. Matt took his fish with a bead head Bird's Nest, LaFontaine Sparkle Emerger, and one on Walt's Worm. I, on the other hand, was Czech nymphing and took most of my fish on a my "big and ugly" variation of Hans Stephenson's "Bomb". It was a good day; we both got into fishing.
Here is a short video from my trip out west this year. It's the first shot with my new GoPro HD camera while using the chest harness. The Rainbow took a double bead black stone fly nymph. The current was moving and the trout used it well.
If your like me you have a collection of fishing cloths. If you've purchased some in recently you may have the brands treated with insect repellent, some which may last 40 washings. It goes without saying these treated cloths cost 2 to 3 times there non-treated counter parts.
So what's one to do if you don't want to buy all new fishing cloths with the insect repellent. Well you can do it yourself. This DYI project won't last as long as the brand named cloths, but it works. I've been doing this for several years and it works.
Caution must be taken this repellent is nasty stuff. Avoid contact with your skin, eyes, and lungs and do not apply to the interior of your clothing. Read and follow the instructions.
Apply the repellent outdoors on a windless day and wearing gloves.
You can pick-up this or other brands at your local camping/hunting store. One can will treat 4 garments.
Two cans treated 3 shirts, 4 pants and 1 hat. Now all my fishing cloths are treated for a fraction of the cost. I find I only have to do this once a year especially when I going to fish where there a ton of blood sucking insects.
I'd say that this works for 95% of the places I fish, but there are those places where you do have to supplement the your DYI "Bugger Off" cloths.
I'd purchase the Ben's at my local EMS and this post is not a recommendation for one product over another. You can find others brands at you local camping, fishing or hunting shop.
Performance:
On my recent trip to Montana's Yellowstone country I can tell you my Bugger Off clothing performed brilliantly. While my buddy Rick was being attacked on our way to Grebe Lake I was virtually untouched. The only insect bites I received were on my hand, which was untreated.
We rolled in to West Yellowstone set up base camp at Sleepy Hollow then walk over to Jacklin's and talked to Bob and his guides.
Every Sunday at 7:30pm Bob conducts a free casting clinic behind the Police station. We went once to lend our support. The Jersey Angler and I volunteer our service and helped Bob out with the one-on-one instruction.
camera while using the chest harness. The Rainbow took a double bead black stone fly nymph. The current was moving and the trout used it well.
