The New Fly Fisher: Joe Humphreys | Nymphing Techniques

Joe Humphrey needs no introduction to the fly fishing community, here "The New Fly Fisher" pays homage to Joe Humphre, angler, author and educator. 

Joe Humphrey teaches the essentials of nymph fly fishing. This full-length show was shot in Joe's home region of Pennsylvania.

Richard Strolis ties his DDT Nymph" Deep Darlon Terror"

Richard Strolis ties his DDT Nymph" Deep Darlon Terror"

Richard Strolis is by his own admission a fly-fishing fanatic who enjoys designs new flies for catching large trout.  Rich has 30 years of fishing experience, 25 of those years tying and 10 years as a guide.

Many of his flies have been published in Flyfisherman, Magazine, Eastern Fly Fishing, Caddisflies by Thomas Ames and other publications. Rich runs the blog, Catching-Shadows, where he post videos of his fly tying creations, and photos of this fishing adventures.  His videos are also available on his Vimeo page richstrolis, where he has 118 high definition videos of his patterns with detailed instructions.  Rich is on the Performance Flies, and Regal Vice Pro Staff. 

Rich is known for targeting large trout in the Farmington River with large streamers and he rarely fishes anything lighter than an 8-weight rod.

You may purchase Rich’s patterns directly from him at his web site: http://catching-shadows.goodsie.com/

Rich is going to be at the following events:

October 2, 2013. Farmington Valley Trout Unlimited.  Presentation on Streamer Fishing For Trophy Trout.



October 8, 2013.   Southeastern Massachusetts Trout Unlimited.  Presentation on Fly fishing The Farmington River.



2013 International Fly Tying Symposium.  November 23 & 24, 2013.  Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ.

I’ve come to know Rich through his videos and social media, and finally met him at last years International Fly Tying Symposium, where he was next to my friend Kevin Compton of Performance Flies.  We finally got to talk and spend some face time and I was able to film him tying his DDT nymph.

Enjoy.



DDT Nymph

Hook:                   Scud/Grub Hook Size 16 - 20
Thread:                14/0 Veevus Olive
Bead:                   2.0 mm Tungsten Bead
Tails and Legs:    Darlon (Any fine fibered synthetic such
                             as Z-lon or Antron will work.)
Flash:                   Midge Flash
Body:                   Olive Super Fine Dubbing
Hot Spot:             UTC 140 Florescent Orange (Optional)

Chris Stewart ties a Takayama Sakasa Kebari

Chris Stewart is know as the Tenkara Bum, he got in to fishing Tenkara by accident by way of English Spider patterns.  In researching North Country soft hackle patterns he was drawn to there simplicity and beauty. During that research he came across David Webster's book, The Angler and the Loop Rod which talked about using a long rod, no reel and a horsehair line tied to the rod tip. He also came across a mention of Tenkara (Japanese Fly Fishing), which is very similar to angling with a loop rod.  Those of you who read the blog knows that in the The Compleat Angler, Piscator used only a rod and line to catch the first fish. (Diving into Tenkara)

Chris experimented with crappie rods, because at the time Tenkara rods were not available in the U.S., in 2008 when he got his first Tenkara rod.  At the time information on Tenkara was hard to come by and most of it was in Japanese. Chris goal in starting Tenkara Bum is to provide the information he wish he had when he was started out.

He's a featured tier in “Tying Tenkara Flies" which is put out by Learing Tenkara.

Chris goes on spreading the word of Tenkara through his blog Tenkara Bum, where shares information on all things Tenkara, from rod reviews, how to ties traditional Tenkara flies, sharing Tenkara stories and sell everything you would need to get in to Tenkara fly fishing.

Here Chris ties the Takayama Sakasa Kebari, a legendary sakasa kebari originating in the Takayama region of Japan. I hope you enjoy the video, filmed at the 2012 International Fly Tying Symposium.

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.

Jay "Fishy" Fullum ties his "Peel-and-Stick"

Filmed at the International Fly Tiers Symposium, Fly and Fin presents Jay "Fishy" Fullum ties his "Peel-and-Stick"

Many know Jay "Fishy" Fullum from his “Creative Tying” column in "Fly Tyer", but he’s also the "artist in residence" at the magazine.  He shops for most of his materials at craft stores and the big box home improvement centers.  While he will tie with feathers, dubbing and other items we all find in our favorite fly shop, Fishy love to use non-traditional materials for his creations, such as meat trays and sandwich wrappers to kickboards and fake fingernails.  As an example a dry cleaning garment bag become an endless supply of bodies for his “Bitsy Spider.”

He is the author of “Fishy's Favorites for Bass, Trout, and Salt Water” and “Fishy's Flies.” He gives fly-tying classes and seminars and is a featured tier and lecturer at the International Fly Tying Symposium.  His innovative patterns catch everything from bluegills to bonefish.

Enjoy.

Aaron Jasper ties his "Fire Fly"

While at the International Fly Tiers Symposium several tiers where gracious to allow me to film them tying some of their patterns.

The first in a series will be Aaron Jasper co-founder of Trout Predator Online (TPO) a New Jersey native and Euro-Nymphing master.  Aaron cut his teeth on Flat Brook, Ramapo and Pequest Rivers and now writes, and educates angles on Euro-Nymphing through TPO, speaking engagements, and shows.

The "Fire Fly"



Size – 16 DOHIKU D301 Barbless
Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Dark Brown
Head – Tungsten Bead 2.3mm (Fluorescent Orange)
Thorax – Jan Siman’s Peacock Bronze
Body – Pheasant tail died Brown
Tail – Wood Duck fibers
Rib – Copper wire

As a 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 Aaron tying his "Fire Fly," enjoy.

Tying with the Jersey Angler

By now many of you must have figured out that "The Jersey Angler" and I are friends.  We've know each since the 4th grade (far to long).  In that time we've been partners in fishing crimes through the U.S. and Canada.

So last weekend we took our boys out crabbing in Barnegat Bay down in Bayville, NJ‎ at Berkeley Island County Park.  Since we were to get up in the wee hours, we all meet up day before for dinner and some tying.

We didn't get down to Trixie's Landing as early as we would have liked so we went to the Berkeley Island Park in stead of renting boats.  It you'd like an account of the day go to The Jersey Angles post "In days bygone...."

While the crabbing was a bust we did managed to tie up some flies the night before while the boys were watching a movie.

This look came my way when I
made a comment about his vision.

Tying  a Super Ant.

"The Super Ant"

If you want to know more on the "Super Ant" visit The Jersey Angler's post "Super Ant"

Tree Fly

 

I've been traveling and not at my bench the last few days.  So I've not posted in several days.  I was going through my photographs from the International Fly Tying Symposium from Nov. 2009 and ran across this fly.  I don't remember who's the tier and if some knows please post his name.  It's just fun.

Cooper Bug

The Cooper Bug may be tied in many other colors, including one particularly popular variation tied with light deer body hair pulled over a red dubbed body (Devil Bug).

Hook – TMC 2302*
Size: – 8 – 14
Thread – Black
Body – Peacock Herl
Rib – Red Wire
Tail/Shellback – Coastal Deer Hair

*Traditionally tied with a dry fly hook.

I've known Bob for some 15+ years and he one who shares all his knowledge to promote our sport. I don't know many who can cast as far and accurately. While on the Madison he was casting to and catching fish I could barely see rising some 100 feet away. In the summer he holds a free fly-casting class to all comers. He is a great fisher and friend. If you ever get the chance to talk with him do. Here he is tying a White Wulff for my son "D".