Pea-Ca-Bou Nymph with Lou DiGena

 

 

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.

Pea-Ca-Bou Nymph

Hook: 2X Long Wet Fly (Tiemco – TMC2302) (https://amzn.to/36wY0bM)
Thread: UNI 6/0 Brown (https://amzn.to/3ahRCWY)
Hackle: Brown Marabou (https://amzn.to/3r8bYbN)
Tail: Brown Marabou (https://amzn.to/3r8bYbN)
Body: Peacock Herl (https://amzn.to/3re0u6N)
Head: UNI 6/0 Brown (https://amzn.to/3ahRCWY)

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) 

 

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

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

Don Bastian to offer a Tying class in Febuary 2012

Selection of Don's Wet Flies for Bergman’s Trout

It's no secret that I'm friends with Don Bastian. I've taken his classes in the past and raved about them. I'm excited he's offering more - February 3-5, 2012.

Don's New Post:

Fly Tying Class at Fishing Creek Angler

Tying traditional wet flies
Selected Carrie Stevens style streamer techniques
At least one blind-eye wet fly pattern from the 1800′s

Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop and Bed & Breakfast
570.925.2709 / infofca@epix.net

My post from Don's 2011 class: Tying Classic Wet Flies with Don Bastian.

Fontinalis Fin

Fontinalis Fin

Recipe:

Hook – Mustad 3399
Size – 6 - 12
Tail – White
Rib – Flat Silver Tinsel
Body – Orange Wool or Floss
Hackle – Furnace
Wing – Married Orange, dark slate and white

The Fontinalis Fin is an imitation of a clipped brook trout fin (a.k.a. bait). This version is from Bergman, R. Trout (1938) and is tied with an orange wool body.

Start off with a white thread base.

Tie in your tail.

Tie in your orange wool or silk and silver rib.

Wind forward your wool or silk.

Wrap forward your rib in 5 open wraps and whip finish.

Tie in black tread and hackle by tip.

Wrap hackle 2-3 turns and with your thumb nail push fiber down.

Marry your quill fibers place on top of hook shank and secure.

Trim waist at a 45 and build your head and whip finish.

Second wet tying class with Don Bastian Cancled

My apologies for not posting this sooner. The second classic wet tying class with Don Bastian is canceled. The class was canceled on February 6th, Don had emailed after the class and I dropped the ball on getting it posted.  If Don offers another class I'll be sure to post it as soon as possible.

Method of Dressing Nymphs

Method of Dressing Nymphs comes from THE WAY OF A TROUT WITH A FLY by Skues, G. E. M. (George Edward Mackenzie), published in London, A. & C. Black, ltd. in 1921.  I found this brilliant plate while researching some traditional wet fly patterns.  I find inspiration in looking at old patterns and intrigued with the methods used to tie these pattens.  Enjoy the plate and description.

Plate II. METHOD OF DRESSING NYMPHS.
From a water-colour drawing by St. Barbe Goldsmith.

"Placing your hook—say, a Limerick No. 16—in your vice, begin whipping near the eye, and whip nearly halfway down the shank. Tie in here, with point towards head of hook, a bunch of six or eight fibres of feather of suitable colour, regulating the length so that when the fibre is bent over to the eye of the hook and tied down there will be enough of the points left to be pressed out on either side to represent the legs. Then pass the silk under the ends of the fibres of feather on the side of the bend of the hook, and whip on the bare hook to the tail; tie in two short, stout, soft whisks of suitable colour, tie in gold or silverwire, twirl on dubbing thinly, and wind to the place where the fibre is tied in; wind on the wire in regular spacing to the same point, and secure on the head side of the place where the fibre is tied in ; thicken the dubbing, and wind over roots of feather fibre to head. Then divide the points equally, and press backward from the eye; bring over the feather fibre to the head, tie it down with two turns, including a half-hitch, cut off the waste ends, and finish with a whip finish on the eye. Thus the legs are forced to stand out at right angles, or rather more backward, from the eye, and below the level of the hook shank, andthe effect of wing cases is produced. (See Plate II.)" –  Page126  THE WAY OF A TROUT WITH A FLY

Tying Classic Wet Flies with Don Bastian

Flies tied by yours truly at Don Bastian Classic Wet Fly Class

This passed weekend I had the opportunity to learn how to tie winged wet flies with one of the best wet fly tiers out there, Don Bastian. 

The Jersey Angler and I headed out to Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop and Bed & Breakfast in Benton, PA for a weekend for tying to learn how to marry wings and the techniques to tie classic winged wet flies.  I have to say straightaway it's one of the best class I've taken. I don't know any one who comes close to Don's knowledge of Ray Bergman, and Classic Wet flies.

First the accommodation at Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop and Bed & Breakfast were first class, Lee and Mary Ann are marvelous host.  Second, the food was out standing, from Mary Ann's lasagna,  Lee's grilled steaks, and not to mention the cheese cake.  Second, the fly shop, Fishing Creek Angler is a full service fly shop, and Lee had all the materials on hand for the class and then some.  Next, the instructor, Don is a great teacher and a authority on traditional wet flies, he was generous in sharing his knowledge and materials. Finally, the students, why the students you might ask, because we were all hard core, we stared early and finished late which meant we covered a lot of techniques.

I learn a lot from Don's class and I'm going to incorporate these techniques and flies into my repertoire.  If you ever get the chance to take one of Don's classes all I have to say is do it.  Here are a few photos from the weekend.

Don and a few Plates for Bergman's "Trout"

All 10 Plates tied by Don

Plate No. 1

My messy tying area (just like home).

Students hard at work.

Don applying the final touches on a fly.

Don Bastian is offering a second classic wet tying class.

Back in December I posted that Don Bastian is hosting a Classic Wet Flies Fly Tying Class on February 11 – 13, 2011. Well that class filled up (Jersey Angler and I took the last two spots) and Don is now offering a second class.  The dates are February 25 – 27, 2011 at Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop and Bed & Breakfast.

The classes will cover wings (quill, mixed, married, herl, and flank feather), as well as Don’s proprietary wing quill method. You'll learn about body materials and techniques for working with floss, tinsel, wing quills, goose shoulder, and other materials. Don will cover proper proportions, material selection, grading, and working around and through any fly tying problems.

The package price of this class is $325.00 based on double-occupancy, and includes room tax. 50% deposit required to secure reservation. Credit cards accepted. Call or e-mail Fishing Creek Angler to make your reservation.

Package Price Includes:

Friday evening dinner featuring Mary-Ann’s lasagna with salad and; home made dessert; full breakfast on Saturday and; Sunday;

Lunch on Saturday.

Lee’s Saturday evening steak bar-b-que with baked potato, salad, and; home made dessert.

Two nights double occupancy lodging at the Fishing Creek Angler B & B.

Relaxing evenings in the B & B with your favorite libation and lots of fly tying talk and informal tying sessions.

For more information contact Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop,  Bed & Breakfast:

314 St. Gabriel’s Road
Benton PA 17814
570-925-2709
infofca@epix.net 

or visit Don's Blog Don Bastian Wet Flies

 

Don with Plate No. 3, wet flies from Trout.

Don has forty-seven years fly tying experience including a decade long stint as a commercial tyer. He has nearly 765 classic wet fly, streamer, and bucktail patterns published in the book Forgotten Flies. Many of Don’s classic wets can be seen on the Complete Sportsman web page www.rareandunusual.com. His first fly tying video, Tying Classic Wet Flies was released in November 2004. In August 2007 two more Don Bastian DVD’s were released - Advanced Classic Wet Flies, and Traditional Streamers and Bucktails. Don has a feature wet fly article in the 2010 print issue of Hatches magazine, and Don’s Ray Bergman Collection, a year-long project, started in September at www.hatchesmagazine.com Don also had a feature article on classic wet flies titled Feathered Splendor in the Fall 2006 issue of Fly Tyer magazine. He has been a fly tying instructor for over twenty five years.

Again I'm getting nothing for this promotion, Don is a friend and and in my opinion one of the best Classic Wet Fly tiers out there.

My attempt at tying Umpqua's Scuba Nymph

Back in October I posted what I felt was the recipe for Umpqua's Scuba Nymph. Here is my attempt tying the Scuba nymph.



Size – 12-18 Grub hook
Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Brown
Head – Tungsten Bead
Legs – Rubber Legs Mini (Montana Fly Company-Tentacles)
Thorax: Peacock
Body and Tail – Pheasant tail
Rib – Copper wire
Back – Crystal Flash

Mash down barb, and weight fly

Tie in Crystal Flash

Tie-in wire.

Tie-in Pheasant tail fibers to form the tail.

Wrap PT tail fibers forward and counter wrap with wire.

Tie in 3 Peacock tail fibers and wrap around to form the thorax.

Fold over Crystal Flash and tie-in.

Tie in Tentacles and whip finish.  (I did this in 3 small clumps.)

Classic Wet Flies Class with Don Bastian

I've known Don Bastian for 10+ years. He’s recognized as one of the best nymph fishers in the states and an authority on Ray Bergman.

Don has been tying wet flies for 45 years and has contributed to Paul Schmookler’s 1999 book, Forgotten Flies, DVDs - Classic Wet Flies and Traditional Streamers & Bucktails, and the magazine, Hatches. His blog is Don Bastian Wet Flies.

On February 11 – 13, 2011, he's hosting a class at Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop & Bed & Breakfast.

Classic Wet Flies Fly Tying Class

You can learn about wings, such as: quill, mixed, married, herl, and flank feather, Don’s proprietary wingquill method, materials and techniques for working with floss, tinsel, wing quills, goose shoulder, and other materials, plus proper proportions, material selection, grading, and working around and through any fly tying problems.

You can kick back and relax at the B&B with informal tying sessions, your favorite libations and home-cooked meals.

The package price is $325.00, based on double-occupancy, which includes room tax, dinner on Friday and Saturday and full breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday. A 50% deposit is required to secure a reservation.

Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop & Bed & Breakfast

314 St. Gabriel’s Road Benton PA 17814 570-925-2709 infofca@epix.net

Below are a dozen files my boys picked out from Ray Bergman’s Trout (1938), tied by Don in 2008. The close-ups are some of my favorites.

A Selection of Wet Flies for Bergman’s Trout

Sliver Doctor

Bergman Fontinalis

Professor

Swinging wet flies with the Jersey Angler

This weekend I managed to head out and fish (which has become a rare event) weekday seem to be the only time I can get out these days. By chance I hook-up with The Jersey Angler and group of friends who where doing it "old school",  fishing cane and swinging wet flies.  I joined then but without my cane for fear of getting wrangled in to yard work.

Here is The Jersey Angler breaking in his new cane rod built by Art Port a 7'9", 5 wt with a Garrison taper.  Despite the long line release on the first fish, the day was very productive, go to his Bamboo Day post to see the sweet bow he landed.

He handed me the rod at the end of the day and it cast's like a dream.  Here are two fill I took in the film.

This one took the a Black Starling

Here the Partridge and Orange Soft Hackle

Good afternoon with fly and fin.

The northeast was hit with another snowstorm on 2/26/10, which dumped about 12" on top of the 24" from the last storm in my area of New Jersey. After digging out on Friday, I'd promised myself to do something nice on Saturday.  So I went out on Saturday to wet a line.  It was a great day, air temp was around 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the water temp was 38 degrees Fahrenheit with cloud cover.  The water was high but crystal clear, and the trout were hungry.  I only took two Browns who took the Green Rock Worm, the rest of the trout were Rainbows and they took all three the Rock Worm, Tan UV Caddis and CDC Purple and Orange dropper.



This was the first time I fished the CDC Purple and Orange and the bows slammed it.

 

Water was high but wade-able.

 

The Point.

 

The Anchor.

 

The Dropper.

Took the Green Rock Worm.

  

The Release.

 

Another on the Rock Worm.

 

On the dropper.

 

The Release.

 

The Fight

 

And Release

  

The last fish of the day.