Killer Rock Worm with Lou DiGena

 

Hook:        Mustad S80-3906 (https://amzn.to/3qlSsIY​)
Size:         10 - 16         
Thread:     UTC Ultra Wire, Black in size Brassie (https://amzn.to/37gXKhj​)      
Body:        Green Yarn (https://amzn.to/2LOSw4Q)
Head:        UTC Ultra Wire, Black (https://amzn.to/37gXKhj​)
 
The "Killer Rock Worm" a variation of Frank Sawyer's "Killer Bug." Using black wire and green yarn.   Change yarn and wire color to mimic the caddis larva in your waters.

The Killer Bug is famous in the U.K. and Europe and recently has this pattern gained a following in the U.S.  This fly is renowned for its catching fish and the mythological properties of Chadwick's 477 wool used in its construction.

Frank Sawyer was a river keeper on the River Avon at Lake in Wiltshire in the U.K., along with being a writer and inventor of such flies as the Pheasant Tail Nymph.  

The killer bug was developed by Mr. Sawyer to manage the grayling numbers on the River Avon.  Then Grayling considered a coarse fish and undesirable as a food or game fish.

If you're looking for an available substitute, Semperfli Chadwicks 477 Substitute (https://amzn.to/3de9ll5​) is an excellent choice.

 

Fly Tying Gear:

    Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL)
    Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe)
    Cohen's Sculpting Scissors
    Tiemco Ceramic Bobbin (https://amzn.to/3u7Gkxv)
    Matarelli Whip Finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu)
    Solarez Bone Dry (https://amzn.to/3m3o4jn) 

 

Camera Gear:

    Camera: Panasonic GH4 (https://amzn.to/2ItiCsu)
    Lens: Panasonic 30mm Macro (https://amzn.to/3n0ZZe)
    Ring Light: Neewer 48 Macro LED (https://amzn.to/2VUSfii)
    Fill Light (3): Aputure H198 (https://amzn.to/39V2D1S)
    Battery: Wasabi Power Battery and charger. (https://amzn.to/2VRyo3s)
    Backdrop: Dark Grey & Light Grey (https://amzn.to/33UzUX3) 

 

Using affiliate links helps support the channel at no cost to you, thanks.

 

© 2021 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved. 

 

#loudigena #flytying #flyfishing

 

Sawyer's Pheasant Tail Nymph with Lou DiGena

 

I think everyone knows the Pheasant Tail Nymph, but I'm not sure how many know Sawyer's Pheasant tail nymph. The pattern is dead simple, and like most patterns I tie, it follows the K.I.S.S. rule. 

For those who don't know the pattern, it's a killer. Frank Sawyers designed it to "Baetis" nymph, or "olives." I've found it's also a good imitation of the "Ephemerella" nymphs, including the Hendricksons and Sulphurs nymphs. For the "Baetis," tie the nymph in sizes 16 - 20, and for the "Ephemerella," tie it in 14 - 16. If you have a long Pheasant tail, then a size 12 is possible.

  

Materials: Hook: 

Hook: Mustad S80-3906 (https://amzn.to/2K9RWO8)
Thread: X-Small Brown Copper Wire (https://amzn.to/37NvJ09)
Body: Center Tail from a Cock Pheasant (https://amzn.to/2KOzD15)

Fly Tying Gear:

   Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL)

   Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe)

   Cohen's Sculpting Scissors

   Matarelli Whip Finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu)

Camera Gear:

   Camera: Panasonic GH4 (https://amzn.to/2ItiCsu)

   Lens: Panasonic 30mm Macro (https://amzn.to/3n0ZZe)

   Ring Light: Neewer 48 Macro LED (https://amzn.to/2VUSfii)

   Fill Light (3): Aputure H198 (https://amzn.to/39V2D1S)

   Battery: Wasabi Power Battery and charger. (https://amzn.to/2VRyo3s)

   Backdrop: Dark Grey & Light Grey (https://amzn.to/33UzUX3)

 

Using affiliate links helps support the channel at no cost to you thanks.

© 2020 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved.

Tiger Baetis Nymph is a simple and effective Baetis (BWO) nymph pattern, which you can use on any stream or river. 

 

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Materials: 

 

Hook: Mustad S80-3906 (https://amzn.to/2K9RWO8)
Thread: UTC 140 Denier Watery Olive (https://amzn.to/3mYYOwj)
Tails: Coq de Leon Fibers (https://amzn.to/3a6UF5V)
Rib: X-Small Brown Copper Wire (https://amzn.to/37NvJ09)
Body: UTC Watery Olive (https://amzn.to/3mYYOwj)
Tiger Stripes: Brown Marker (https://amzn.to/37K2V8Z)
Wing Case: Black Marker (https://amzn.to/39V1s2s)
Coating: Solarez Bone Dry (https://amzn.to/3m3o4jn) 

 

Fly Tying Gear: 

 

Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL) 

Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe) 

Cohen's Sculpting Scissors 

Matarelli whip finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu) 

 

Camera Gear: Camera: 

 

Panasonic GH4 (https://amzn.to/2ItiCsu) 

Lens: Panasonic 30mm Macro (https://amzn.to/3n0ZZe) 

Ring Light: Neewer 48 Macro LED (https://amzn.to/2VUSfii) 

Fill Light (2): Aputure H198 (https://amzn.to/39V2D1S) 

Battery: Wasabi Power Battery and charger. (https://amzn.to/2VRyo3s) 

Backdrop: Dark Grey & Light Grey (https://amzn.to/33UzUX3) 

 

Using affiliate links helps support the channel at no cost to you thanks. 

 

© 2020 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved. #loudigena #flytying #flyfishing

Bubble Pupa

The big caddis hatch everyone can't wait for is the Mothers Day Caddis or Brachycentrus.  The Brachycentrus is a cased caddis that lives in just about every stream.  This is a prolific hatch and trout engorge themselves on this abundant insects. This hatch in the east starts in May around Mothers Day and can go well in to June, making it an important hatch to fishers.

There are many outstanding patterns to imitate the pupa (it's most vulnerable stage).  The best well know is LaFontaine’s Sparkle Pupa.  Again I'd like to point you in the direction of Matt Grobert's video Tying the LaFontaine Sparkle Emerger  produced by Tim Flagler aka Tightline Productions for instruction on tying this classic pattern.  Another notable pattern is Barr’s Graphic Caddis.

My take on the Mothers Day Caddis is simple, like most of my patterns, mainly because I want to spend more time fishing than tying (the real reason is I'm lazy).  With most of the patterns I develop the golden rule is Keep it simple, Stupid.  For those who don't know the K.I.S.S. rule it's attributed to Kelly Johnson, lead engineer at the Lockheed Skunk Works think spy planes Lockheed U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird. 

This patterns is developed from observation. I always have a small seine net and will do a kick sample of the stream I fishing to see what bugs and numbers.  If you look at my Popular Posts you'll see that "Emerging Caddis Pupa" is one of my most popular post and those are the images and video I used as reference.

I must give inspirational credit to Davie McPhail videos where I pick-upped using Flashabou for the rib and tinting it with a permanent marker to create a darker but flashy rib.

Bubble Pupa

Hook: Light Wire Caddis Hook.

Size: 14 - 16

Thread: Brown 6/0 or 8/0

Tag: Flashabou

Rib: Flashabou tinted with olive permanent marker.

Abdomen:  Hareline Dubbin HD13 (Insect Green)

Gas Bubble: 1/8" Micro Foam (used to protect electronic)

Legs: Hungarian Partridge

Thorax: Brown Squirrel Dubbing

Start thread and tie in Flashabou.

Wrap tag tie off and dub abdomen.

Tint the inside of the Flashabou and rib abdomen.

Tie in micro foam 1/8" wide.

Tie in Hungarian Partridge by tip.

Wind Partridge tie off and fold over wing case.

Dub Thorax and whip finish.

Your finished Bubble Pupa.

This pattern is a impressionistic pupa designed to be fished in the film. The micro packing foam helps it float and allows light to pass through to mimic the gas bubble of the pupa.  Hence the name Bubble Pupa. This pattern can be tied in various colors to match the caddis coming off on your stream.

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.

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.

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

Damsels, Trout and Grayling

In Yellowstone country there are many great rivers to fish for trout, but there are many great lakes, other than Yellowstone Lake. These lakes require you to hike in a few miles, most have well groomed trails, but make sure you have your bear spray while in the back country (see The Jersey Angler's post "Brookies and Bears").

These high mountain are have many insects, Callibaetis, Damsels, as well as Caddis.  The hatch can be tremendous, and if your there at the right time you'll have a glorious day.  Well that's just what happen on our hike to a undisclosed lake in Yellowstone country with Grayling. (There is only one lake in Yellowstone country with Grayling*.)

On pattern that worked splendidly, was my K.I.S.S. Damsel, it's simple, extremely fast to tie and works everywhere there are Damsels.

K.I.S.S. Damsel



Hook: Nymph hook 4x long (200R*)
Size 8 - 12
Thread: Olive
Tail:Olive Marabou
Body: Olive Marabou
Rib: Gold Wire
Head: Tungsten Bead sized to hook
* I've found 200R hooks with a bead ride hook point up.

Slide bead on to the hook and attach thread.

Tie in wire rib.

Tie in Olive Marabou and form a short tail.

Wrap the marabou forward and tie off.

Counter wrap your wire forward and secure with several wraps.

Whip finish and your Damsel nymph is completed.

While in West Yellowstone we (Jersey Angler, Rick and I) would tie up some of the patterns we would use the next day.

Tying session in the cabin.

This Rainbow smashed the K.I.S.S. Damsel

Greyling takes the Damsel

*The undisclosed lake is name at the end of the video.

CDC UV Caddis - Caddis, Caddis Everywhere...

Caddis are abundant on most rivers, but the Madison and other rivers in Yellowstone country there can have blizzard hatches.  Never leave home with out a caddis pattern in your box. Here is one that is quick, easy to see, and floats like a cork.

CDC UV Caddis

Hook: Standard Dry Fly Hook Size 10 - 10
Thread: Tan

Body: Hairline Tan UV Ice Dub
Under Wing: Natural CDC (3-4 feathers)
Wing: Elk or Deer Hair

This is a another pattern which follows the K.I.S.S. rule. It's simple, fast to tie and works everywhere. You can variety the color of the body to match the caddis in your area, the UV dubbing adds some nice sparkle to the pattern, you can also substitute the UV dubbing with an Anton blend for similar results.

While fishing in Yellowstone country this past July this was my go to caddis pattern if I wasn't throwing large Salmon Files.

It caught selective trout in the Henry's Fork, Brook Trout, Rainbows and Grayling in the park.

Attach your thread.

Dub the body.

Tie in the CDC under wing.

Tie in your Deer hair.

Trim Deer hair and whip finish.

 Below are some of the trout taken with the CDC UV Caddis.

Yellowstone Brook Trout

Henry's Fork Rainbow

Madison Rainbow.