Happy New Year 2011

 

Happy New Year from Fin and Fly

Wild On The Fly Premiere's January 1, 2011

What to do on New Years day (besides sleeping in), well if you manage to wake up before 1:30PM you may want to ease in to your day with some Trout Porn, (no wait) I meant to say a new angling adventure series Wild On The Fly.

Wild On The Fly, presented by Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop in Missoula, Montana is debuting on the Outdoor Channel on January 1, 2011 at 1:30PM. Wild On The Fly  is a new 13-episode series of angling adventures from all around the world.

Here is the schedule:

1. January 1, 2011 Trout Mecca Missoula - Trout slaying on the Clark Fork, Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers; 2011 Season Preview
   
2. January 8, 2011 Angling For Gold – Golden dorado on the Rio Juramento in northern Argentina
   
3. January 15, 2011 Rainbow Rhapsody – Massive bears and monster 'bows wilderness float trip in Bristol Bay, Alaska
   
4. January 22, 2011 In Search of Sabalitos - Baby tarpon at San Felipe in northern Yucatan, Mexico
   
5. January 29, 2011 Tamin’ Taimen – Wild river expedition for huge taimen in Mongolia
   
6. February 5, 2011 Musky Madness – Trophy muskies on the fly in the north woods of Wisconsin
   
7. February 12, 2011 Mexico Largemouth – Largemouth bass in El Salto and Mateos reservoirs on mainland Mexico
   
8. February 19, 2011 West of Key West – Tarpon and sharks on a live-aboard in the Marquesas, southwest of the Florida Keys
   
9. February 26, 2011 Nile Perch – Monster perch on the fly in the shadow of the Egyptian Pharaohs
   
10. March 5, 2011 Patagonia Unplugged – Early season browns, rainbows and perca on the Rio Chimehuin in Argentne Patagonia
    
11. March 12, 2011 Permit Passion – A week chasing permit at the legendary Palometa Club in Ascension Bay Mexico
    
12. March 19, 2011 Redfish Requiem – Rediscovering redfish after "the spill" in marshes of Louisiana
    
13. March 26, 2011 Amazonia – Peacock bass in the Rio Negro headwater jungles of Amazonia, Brazil

Now I've only previewed the show on YouTube and on Wild On The Fly web site and it looks good. They are covering most of the fly fishing destination and species you would want to log before your worm food.  The winter months are after all for preparing for the upcoming season, and this series looks to be a good way to fight off cabin fever.   Check your local listings for times.

Review 2010

Now that most of the holidays have passed I starting my review of some of my most effective patterns. One fly that has done well this year is my Tan UV Caddis which has become my go to anchor fly on my Polish/Czech or if you like Euro-Nymphing setup. Not only does it get the other flies down on the bottom but fish take it regularly.



Hook – Jig Head
Size – 1/125 – 1/80
Thread –8/0 Orange
Body – Ice Dub UV Tan
Hot Spot – Hot Orange
Rib – .32 gauge Brown or Copper Wire
Legs – Rust Dun CDC Fibers

One of the last Brown's that fell victim to the Tan UV Caddis.

You may notice most of the gold is worn off the fly.

I don't know if it's the the tan UV Ice Dub, the Hot Spot, the CDC legs or all of the above, but it works.  I went through all the flies I tied last winter, and I'm going to tie double this winter.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from Fly and Fin

Everyone have a safe and healthy Holiday.

The Grubber

Here is a pattern I found in the November 2010 issue of Trout & Salmon (Bauer Media) in an article by Paul Procter "The Wild Side of Town."

The Grubber

Size – 14 - 16 Grub Hook
Thread – 8/0 Black (Here I used 8/0 Brown)
Head – Tungsten Bead 2.3 mm,  Orange
Body – Hare's Ear Dubbing

Mash down the barb, place bead and apply thread.

Dub abdomen whip finish and push bead over abdomen.

Re-attach thread and dub thorax and whip finish.

As far as fly's that follow the K.I.S.S. rule, well it's obvious this fly is there.  It will make a good addition to the Czech nymph box.  I'm going to give it a try as soon as possible.

Release II

Just having some fun with videos Rick sent me from our last outing. These release shots are the same fish from the Grip and Grin post.

Enjoy.

K.I.S.S. Scud

Scud's are translucent and range from tan to light olive.

This is a scud from one of my local streams. Scud's are an overlooked food source by many anglers, it's very abundant an in the streams year round.

Most Czech nymphs imitate Caddis larva but they also imitate scuds. I use fluorescent orange thread to add a small hot spot on the rear and behind the bead.

This K.I.S.S. pattern is easy and a quick tie.



Size – 14 - 16 Grub Hook
Thread – Danville Flymaster Plus 210,  Fluorescent Orange 503
Head – Tungsten Bead 2.3 mm,  Gold
Body – Hairline Ice Dub UV Tan
Shell Back – Pearl Flashabou
Rib – Fine Copper Wire

Tenkara: High Sticking

Here is another video of Rick fishing Tenkara.

You can see the line and drift control you can achieve when fishing Tenkara. It would have been nice if Rick landed this fish, but that's why we call it fishing.

The one down side I see with Tenkara is once you touch the line to land the fish you lose the spring of the rod. Allowing the fish to pull or break off. Rick commented how the fish went bonkers (usually a massive head shake) when he grabbed the line. This seem to be a problem with fish over 18 inches.

Grip and Grin

It's not offend that when I'm fishing with a buddy that they are near by to take a shot on a nice fish.  Most of the time it's fumbling with the camera, trying to be a "Trout Whisperer", and warming cold hands to move.  So it's nice to get a shot of myself with an nice "Brown".

I've managed the grip but still need work on the grin.

Now Rick got them both, and yes he was fishing Tenkara.

The normal shot I use when you buddy is up river.

 

It's hard to know when the Trout is out if the scene with out going for a swim.

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

Kype Magazine Volume 2 Issue 2

Here is the latest Issue of Kype Volume 2 Issue 2, a quarterly magazine on salmon, trout, and steelheading.

In this issue I like the article by Michael McAuliffe, Learn What Trout Really Eat.  Mike stomach pumps trout through out the season to see what's on the menu.  I don't want to spoil your read but make sure you have your +1.5 cheaters when your on the water.  Make sure you check out the Featured Tier, Aileen Ellis who provides step-by-step instruction on tying a Split Case PMD.

Enjoy.

Open publication

Tenkara: Nymph Style

I've been trying to get out with the camera to do some filming for the longest time. Finally, a good weather day and a friend to film mid week (to many anglers out on the weekend).

So here is a short video of my friend Rick fishing Tenkara and landing a 14 inch Brown Trout.

Enjoy.

Kevin Compton ties the "Tungsten Torpedo"

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

The second fly in the series is by Kevin Compton. Kevin is a fly designer for Solitude Fly Company a commercial tier, author, speaker, and tying instructor. He splits his time between Ohio, chasing Steelhead in the Great Lakes , and the other half in Rocky Mountains of Colorado for Trout. He's also on the international pro team for Partridge Hooks. Kevin's company, Performance Flies, distributes specialty tying materials and hooks, including the DOHIKU European barbless hooks, throughout North America.

His flies have been featured in the Fly Fishing and Tying Journal and you can read his article Going Barbless which appeared in the August 2008 issue of Hatches Magazine. Recently Kevin finished second in the first "Iron Fly" completion at the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show (Charlie Craven won “Iron Fly”).

"Tungsten Torpedo"



Size – 10 - 18 DOHIKU Standard Nymph Hook (302)
Thread – Benecchi 12/0 Olive
Head – Tungsten Bead 3.8 mm
Thorax – Jan Siman’s Peacock Bronze
Wing Case –Sybai Pearl Braidback Peacock 4.5mm
Body – Benecchi 12/0 Olive
Tail – Coq de Leon Fibers
Rib – Sulky Sliver Metallic Thread Black followed by Fine Copper Wire

Sad News: Little Lehigh Fly Shop to close on December 20th

While checking my news feeds this Sunday morning I came across some sad news.

The Little Lehigh Fly Shop is closing after 17 years. Rod Rohrbach the owner said to the Allentown, PA The Morning Call "Business has been bad" and he is planning to move out west where his three sons live.

Starting on December 3rd the shop will be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Mondays only. There last day of operations will be December 20, and everything will be 50% off. No credit cards, no checks.

Rod you and your shop will be missed.

Feather-Craft Holiday Giveaway

Here is another give-a-way from Feather-Craft Fly Fishing.  For the Holiday Giveaway 4 individuals will get a $100 gift certificate valid for anything in their Christmas catalog.  Go to http://flyfishinggiveaway.com/blog/2010/11/24/holiday-giveaway/ for info and to enter.

I'd looked everywhere but could not find the closing date. Good Luck.