Dreams of the Hatch

I've not gotten out to fish and have no time to tie. With Forsythia blooming in my area I've been dreaming of Henderson's on the wing. Water levels are high and temperature has cooled down, so I'm hoping the hatch is delayed. I would be nice to take fish on top.

Vices

Like many you start off modest and then upgrade.  Next thing you know you have 4 vices and desire a 5th.


First:  Thompson A  (Wasn't sure if I wanted to invest a lot into tying.)

Second: Regal (Loved tying and wanted better.)

Third: Renzetti Traveler (Regal to bulky for traveling, so buy a travel vice.)

Forth: Snowbee-WALDRON (Want a better desk vice but the exchange rate to high to get a LAW's.)

Fifth:  LAW Pedestal Vise (Setting money aside to place and order and hope the exchange rate is better.)

On the bench now.

Renzetti Traveler

 

 Snowbee-WALDRON

Road Kill Materials

While picking up my boys from school on Monday I spotted a Pheasant on the opposite side of the high way.  Sure enough it was Cock Pheasant that met with windshield of a car some time over the weekend.  The breast and underside of the bird was destroyed.  The wings and tail feathers looked good so I clipped them. Now I need to do is to pick-up some Boraxo and clean meat off.  The tail is on the short side but has good long fibers.

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.

CDC Purple and Orange

The Partridge and Orange and Purple Snipe are tradition wet fly staples.  While playing at the vice I'd put both together with a twist.  I like using CDC for a many soft hackle flies.  The main reason is the barbules catch little air bubbles, which makes the fly sparkle.  Not unlike emerging caddis gas bubble.  I believe trout key in on the halo.

 

Hook – TMC 2457 or any nymph hook

Size – 12-16

Thread – 8/0  Rust

Body – .32 gauge Purple and Orange wire
Thorex – Tan UV Ice Dub
Hackle – Dun CDC Fibers

  

 

 1. Mash down barb and tie in thread.

 2. Tie in purple and orange wire.

 3. Advance purple and orange wire together and tie off.

 4. Tie in CDC feather.

 5. Dub Thorax with Tan UV Ice Dub.

6.  Wind on CDC.

 

 6. Pull CDC fiber back, form a head and whip finish.

Wire Blood Worm

I was playing around with wire and some flash to create a blood worm pattern.  Below is the result.

Hook –Mustad 37169 Wide Gap
Size – 16
Thread –8/0 Red
Body – .32 Gauge Red Wire
Rib – Krystal Flash

1. Mash down barb, tie in wire and Krystal Flash.

2. Tie down the wire and flash all the way back to the bend.

 

 3. Bring thread forward and half hitch.

4. Advance wire forward and tie off.

  

 

5. Wind Krystal Flash forward with open
wraps, tie down and whip finish.

 

 6. Apply a layer of head cement to the entire fly.

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.

Yellowstone Cut at LeHardy Rapids

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.

Cure for Cabin Fever

Fly fishing show came and went, then you start to feel the on set of a fever.  You prescribe dose od single malt tie a bunch of flies.  You only feel better for a short time.  Snow blankets the Mid Atlantic and more on the way due mid week.  Your achy and burning up.

Only one thing can break this fever.

Drop off he kids to school, answer email in the morning, seek off during lunch,  turn off phone and go fishing.

 

I think the fever is starting to break. 

Take one Rock Work and add water.

Not feeling better take another.

Still not better take add a Ice Pheasant Tail

Fever Broke.