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.

First Drawing with AutoDesk SketchBook Express

While this is not a fishing post, the subject matters is all trout. While at the Apple store today I purchased a Pogo Stylus. So on arriving home I downloaded SketchBook Express for my iPad and went to work.

Here is the result.

Rag Bug takes it First Victim.

Crane flies are starting to pop around here in the east.  Crane flies are in most river system's and the larva are abundant. Crane fly larva come range in sizes from a size 16 all the way up to an 8 and are a large meal to any trout.

Crane Fly Larva from wikipedia.

There are many patterns that work well to imitate this abundant food source.  The first and foremost is Frank Sawyers Killer Bug. To see how it's tied one I recommend Tying Frank Sawyer's Killer Bug with Davie McPhail on YouTube. The Killer Bug uses Chadwick 477 which is almost impossible to find. Veniard sells a fine substitute (See Killer Bug Yarn post).  I also found some old craft yard which looks like it will do the job as well (See Possible Chadwick 477 Substitute), but I've not tried it to date.

Another great Crane fly larva imitation is Walt Young's Walt's Worm.  The Jersey Angler has a great post Sometimes Simple is Best... Walt's Worm.

So what to do if you can't fine or wait for Veniard 477 order to ship, well you can do what I did.  Go to your wardrobe and fine an old Rag Wool sweater (one that shrunk or in my case, doesn't fit my fat ass). Cut out a good size piece and pull apart the fibers and tie my Rag Bug.

Here is the Rag Bug's first victim. 

This Hen slammed the Rag Bug.

Smile for the camera.

Here is a valuable tip, If you don't tie take or can't wait take any Hare's Ear nymph and with your nippers cut way the wing case and tail any you'll have a very effect Crane fly larva pattern.  I've done this many time when I lost my last Walt's Worm while fishing.

Kype Magazine Volume 3 Issue 1

Here is the latest Issue of Kype Volume 3 Issue 1, a quarterly magazine on salmon, trout, and steelheading.

Enjoy.
 

https://issuu.com/kype-fishing-magazine/docs/digital_issue

Flubbed Photo's

One of the hardest aspects of fishing sometimes seems to be to take a good photography of your catch when your fishing alone.  For this reason I don't take my DSLR out when I on my own though many time I wish I had it with me.  Before the current line of underwater cameras I invested in a underwater housing for my Canon G9 but it was as bulky as my DSLR.  So when I purchased my Pentex W90 I thought finally a solution that will help my to take photographs while on on the water without the bulk of fear of damaging gear.

While I've received complements on many of the photographs many of them never make it to the blog.

So here are two of my recent flubbed photos:

Slippery when wet.

No grip.

Wet Spring

First my apologies for not posting as often as I usually do, life, holidays and taxes made this April a bear of a month.

Here in the east we are having a very wet and until recent cool spring.  This shouldn't be taken as a complaint, because so far this is a good water year (I hope it keeps going through July).  However with all the rain the stream has put the local rivers at high level some times even unsafe levels to wade.  Keeping me off the water on some days.  On the other hand the fish are healthy and on the bite.  With the weather as it's been I've not gotten out for some dry fly action, but nymphing is producing.

Rather than talking about the flies, technique, and what's been producing I'm going to let the photographs tell the story.

Enjoy.

River Clean-up

Point Mountain section.

Every year Central Jersey TU (my chapter) as well as other NJ TU chapters in association with Musconetcong Watershed Association and South Branch Watershed Association have there annual river clean-up.  This year it was cloudy and cold but once we started to walk the banks of the river we warmed up quite quickly.  The big hauls were several tires, a mattress, and ton of bottles, cans and coffee cups.  It's amazing how every year we manage to pick-up lots of garbage (everyone felt there was less this year).  At least this year there were large items like  shopping carts and washing machines (a good sign). We were out on the Musconetcong river and our group spent four hours cleaning up a 4 mile section of river.  We were lucky, the rains held off until after the clean-up and lunch. 

River Road and Rt. 31 section.

Can and bottle in the clear bags.

Open Day Weekend

Opening day of trout season one can say is no different than any other day on a trout stream. After all the trout and the bugs don't know what day it is, they are in the business of survival and sex. While we also concern ourselves with sex and survival we add rituals help us mark time and remember.

One ritual I and many other anglers partake in is opening day of trout season. Some states have longer close season so trout may reproduce and the young of the year have a fair chance of developing. Whether your streams are closed for three weeks or several months opening day opens the possibilities of trophy trout, socializing with friends, and enjoying nature.

We pass on these traditions and rituals to our offspring sharing experience and memories. Here are some photographs of this years trout opening day weekend. I only guided my oldest son this weekend and didn't wet a line once. With the smiles on his face there was no need.

First cast, eyes on the drift.

Caddis focused on one thing.

"Caddis Porn"

Trout to the net.

Grip and Grin

Grip and Grin take two.

Fish of the day, need I say more.

With all the caddis on the rocks the trout were readily taking a Hare's Ear Nymph and Hare's Ear Winged Wet on the swing.

Costa Presents...Fly Fishing Film Tour hits NYC

For the last four years The Fly Fishing Film Tour has become the fishing entertainment event. The Film Tour is making it's New York City stop on April 6th, 2011 (sorry for the late notice). The tour showcases some of the best independent outdoor film makers. 

The Film Tour will be hosted by Urban Angler in New York, NY at the Helen Mills Theater - 139 West 26th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenue) New York, NY 10001

Directions to The Helen Mills Theater

There will be 90 minutes of fly fishing excitement, drama, and lore.

April 6th, 2010. $20 advance / $25 door. Doors open at 6:45pm, film starts at 7pm.

To buy tickets in advance go to http://shop.urbanangler.com/store/pc/Fly-Fishing-Film-Tour-Ticket-NY-April-6th-2011-96p7671.htm or pay at the door.

If your in the city maybe I see you there...

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.