Charlies Fly Box Demo and Denver Fly Fishing Show Two must see events.

What a better way to start off the 2010 tying demos, come on down and see the fly tying demo I will be doing at Charlies. I will be tying from 11-1 and from 1-3 my good friend Kevin Compton will take over the tying chair and show you some interesting patterns from his fly box. Kevin is a world renowned tier and owner of Performance Flies. Kevin ties for the youth fly fishing team at the world championship series and also does a lot of demos all over the US. This is a don't miss event. Kevin will have materials and Dohiku hooks for sale as well. He will also be tying at the Denver Fly Fishing show with materials for sale. So come on down to both the Denver flyfishing show January 8-10 and Charlies Fly Box on January 16th for a speical tying event. Hope to see you there.

Have a safe and peaceful New Year.

Chad

Tying The Gypsy!

I want to thank Juan and Ghillie's Fly shop for having me down last Saturday for a fly tying demo. Juan was able to video the demo. Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday.

Chad Gauerke Tying Demo 12/19/09 from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here is a little holiday twist. Its a copy of my recent gypsy fly, but have altered a few materials.

Slovakian Gypsy

The Slovakian Gypsy is a wonderful caddis pupa pattern. Not completely mature yet, but ascending towards adult hood.

Denver Fly Fishing Show

I was just added as a tyer to the Denver Fly Fishing Show! January 8,9, 10. Stay tuned for more details to follow as we get closer. A great way to start off the new year. Come down and see some great fly tyers and some great patterns.

Cheers.

Czech Nymph with Venison

Here is a recent Czech Nymph with some venison thorax.
Hook:Knapek G #14
Shellback: Pearl Magic Shrimp Foil, colored
Body: Mix of Hends Czech Dubbing and Siman Czech Dubbing
Hotspot: Siman Peacock Red
Thorax: Siman Peacock Bronze
Legs: Fly DK Venison


2nd view to show of Colored Magic Shrimp Foil.

Fall and Winter Fly Tying Demos

I thought I better get this out sooner then later. This is my fly tying demo schedule and it will take me up, down and around the front range.

To kick start the year I will be tying at the

Cherry Creek Angler TU Tying Clinic.
Thursday November 12th at the Aurora Association of Realtors
14201 East Evans Drive
Aurora, CO 80014

December 19, Chad Gauerke: European Caddis Patterns; Czech Nymphs and
Slovenia Sedges and Eastern European Materials.

GHILLIES HACKLE & TACKLE FLY SHOP
3314 AUSTIN BLUFFS PKWY
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80918
719-531-5413

Event January 16th Fly Tying Demo

Chad has become a big fan of the Euro School of Fly Tying and loves to play with their unconventional methods and techniques. Check out his take on the Czech Nymphs and other crazy patterns from the far side. Chad is also incredibly sensitive to mis-spellings of his name, so please try to commit it to memory before the show.

Charlie's FlyBox
(303) 403-8880
7513 Grandview Ave
Olde Town Arvada
Colorado, 80002

February 6. Chad Gauerke

Chad specializes in European style fly tying and will present his tying techniques for patterns such as the Czech Nymph. Chad fishes many of the waters in the Rocky Mountain Region and will demonstrate some of his favorite patterns. As with many of the tiers demostrating thier tying skill at Angler's Roost, he ties for the West Denver TU as well as other Front Range Fly Shops. Chad was also featured in Takahashi's Modern Midges.

Angler's Roost Fly Fishing Company
925 E. Harmony Rd, Suite 200
Fort Collins, CO 80525

and Ill will also be doing a demo at Hook Fly Fishing
2030 Unit D. E County Line Rd
Highlands Ranch, CO
80126

Date to be determined.

And there is also the West Denver Trout Unlimited Tying Clinic in February.

I will keep ya posted if anymore demos come to light.

International Guide to Fly Tying Materials Part 2: Jungle Cock

Jungle Cock- This wild chicken from India has the awesome looking nail eye feathers, that are featured in cheeks and wings in traditional salmon fly patterns. I have used the nail eye feathers as a hot spot in Czech nymphs under the pearl magic shrimp foil.

The bird is protected and banned from import into the UK and the US, but the sought after feathers are available from domestic raised stocks in both Europe and in the US.

The feathers have been featured on salmon flies for years and more recently in the UK in trout flies. Most notably in buzzer and soft hackle patterns. I have been incorporating them into my streamers, nymphs and midge patterns.

A jungle cock cape comes at a huge price, but there are deals if you look hard enough. Both on Ebay and various fly tying websites offer deals on fishing grade capes, usually graded B.

Here are some nice pictures of Jungle Cock that I found scouring the net.



Jungle Cock Center






Jungle Cock Cape




Jungle Cock Center

Now for some flies with Jungle Cock, that I found scouring the net...









This one is tied by my friend Peter Durisik on a Dohiku Streamer hook. The Appetizer a little tasty looking number.

And a few I have tied up using jungle cock.








Pretty neat feathers and fun to work with. Gives standard flies a new little dimension.

Tight wraps!

17 degrees and snowing

When I woke this morning it was 17 degrees and snowing. What came to my mind was visions of BWO's hatching in the nasty weather. In anticipation of a trip to the Colorado River near Parshall, I decided to get busy and tie up a few fall BWO's. I sat down with the Barr Emerger in my sight to tie up. But that isn't what came off the vise today. The fly that came off the vise is the Fall Help on the Way BWO! The name is tribute to an October 9, 1976 Grateful Dead show and Help on the Way was what was playing at the time so I figured if I am getting skunked, break out the Help on the Way BWO.



Hook: Dohiku
Thread: Fly DK tying strand
Body: Mix of Flytyers Dungeon Fall Olive Dun and Nature's Spirit Mahogany brown dry and or Fall Olive Dun and Nature' Spirit BWO.
Wing Case - Magic Shrimp foil
Thorax - Siman Peacock Eye mixed with CDC brown dub
Beadhead: 2mm Black Tungsten.

I hope to take a picture later this week.

As for the fishing yesterday, it was windy and cold and cloudy. The BWO hatch never really materialized. Nice Browns were taken by both Matt and I. A few rainbows as well. Some midges were on the water, but everything was getting blown off the river as quickly as they hatched. It was a nice day to get out and enjoy some fall fishing. it will be about a week before I hit the river again. Back to the vise for the coming week and take some pictures of flies that are coming off the vise.
Cheers.

Slithering Hydropsyche Caddis

A fun little pattern.

Magic Shrimp Foil
Mono 5x
Magic Stretch Cord
CDC
Raffia
Electric Caddis Dubbing
Dirty CDC Dubbing

Tan Underworld CDC Caddis

Here is a caddis pattern that is working wonders this fall on streams here in the Rocky Mountains. Nice October caddis variation. The Tan Underworld CDC Caddis is a mix of Slovakia and Czech caddis patterns. Most of the materials origins are from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and US. A good mix of both natural and synthetic materials. I think this fly has been successful due to the semi realistic look to the pattern and origins of the pattern that are not seen on our home rivers here in the US. I have tied this fly at a few demos last year and was really pleased with how the fly turned out, but even more pleased at the way it fished thru the winter, spring and fall. I wasn't able to fish the pattern in the thick of the caddis hatches this summer due to the lack of fishing I did from throwing my back out, extended vacation and home commitments to redo our backyard. But I have been able to get on the river the last month a few times using this pattern and have been really successful with it.



Recipe
Hook: Knapek Midge Pupa # 12 reversed Hook/ rides up
Thread: Bennechi 12/0 Black
Tailing shuck Optional: Krinky Zlon Brown
Weight: .010 leadfree or medium flat wire
Rib: 5x mono
Underbody: Translucent Antron dubbing (color to match natural in your rivers)
Overbody: Klima Body Stretch Top colored with black permanent marker
Gills: Ostrich Tan
Underwing: CDC
Overwing: Medallion sheeting Olivebrown
Wingcase: Magic Shrimp Foil
Thorax: mix of antron, cdc and natural fibers
Legs: Partridge

While working on this pattern I did a ton of caddis pattern research to come up with a pattern that had all the necessary pieces to make it a very effective pattern. I found that most of the caddis pupa tied here in America are tied on a basic scud style hook. Either your TMC 2487 or Dai Riki 135. Those are good hooks, But I didn’t think they offered the correct bend and extended body that caddis pupa have. I wanted a semi realistic pattern with the extended body and correct curve to the hook shank that would give it the realistic look I was after, this is where I begin with the European influences. The hook I choose is the Knapek of the Czech Repbulic. The hook is their P hook which is a pupa hook with a longer shank and more natural curve to it. The Europeans have realistic caddis patterns down to a science, which is why I looked to them for inspiration for my caddis pattern. I have always liked how the realistic style patterns of Oliver Edwards and Steve Thornton tied their Hydropsyche Caddis larva. So I wanted to add a bit of their elements to my flies, but instead of making a larva I wanted a pupa emerger pattern that would drive trout nuts. The steps in this fly may look complicated at first, but it rather easy to tie.

1st set the hook into the vise. Lay down a base of thread, I am using Bennechi 12/0 thread black. It is a tough thread that is able to secure all your materials nicely without breaking. After you lay your base of thread down on the hook. Tie in some flat lead(Siman of Siman products CZ) or .010 round lead free wire. Make about 13 wraps of the lead. Cover the lead with thread. This next part is optional. The tail, which is really not a tail, but actual the anal proleg and claw and I tie my patterns booth ways, sometimes with and without. I use a krinkly Zlon for this part either black, brown or olive will work.
Next I tie in some 5x mono, followed by 2 strands of ostrich on each side. Next tie in your live body stretch, (I use Klima body stretch which is a product out of the Czech Republic), here you can use scud backing, nymph skin (but nymph skin isn’t as translucent as the body stretch or the scud backing). Once you get this tied in we are going to build up an underbody with dubbing. I like to use either Mercer’s Buggy Nymph blend or Ligas Ultra Translucent dubbing) I like using the antron style dubbings for the underbody, because it makes the body super translucent and really life like. Build you tapered dubbing underbody up to and just beyond the half point on the hook shank. Now wrap your body stretch up the body, overlapping each previous wrap giving your body a nice segmented yet tapered body. Make a few more wraps to secure the body stretch and take a colored marker (black) and make a quick one line down the bottom. The next step is an European Gilling technique which a lot of folks find rather difficult, but after a few flies, you will get the hang of it and will become a great tying weapon in other patterns. Take the mono tag and the 2 strands of ostrich and begin wrapping the mono up the body following in the grooves of the body stretch and catching the ostrich on each side of the top of the hook and repeat all the way to the half way point of the hook shank and tie off making a couple of securing wraps. Now flip or reverse the hook, so the hook point is now the top of the fly.

Now at the half way point of finishing the fly. Tie in the Magic Shrimp Foil another product from the Czech republic used in Czech Nymphs. I find this products makes the best wing cases ever. It has a dull side or a shinny side. Make sure you tie it in with the shinny side up. Now we are going to take some CDC Fibers and tie in on both sides of the fly. Next we are going to tie in the Medallion Sheeting wings. I like using the Medallion sheeting, because they offer a nice shine and translucency not available in other products. A good substitute is Swiss Straw. Tie the Medallion sheeting over the CDC . Now for the thorax, I like to make my thorax’s really buggy looking and to achieve the look, I use a couple various dubbings mixed together in a coffee grinder plus some CDC. Build up a nice thorax to just behind the hook eye. Now Tie in Some partridge for the legs. Pull the Magic Shrimp Foil over and tie off. Trim and color the magic shrimp foil, brown, olive, black ect… Fly is now finished.

We ready for fishing, You can add a set of antennas to give it that little extra thing and make it even more realistic. For the antennas, I like to use golden pheasant tail fibers.

Hope you enjoy this fly and as always if you have any questions feel free to contact me or leave me a message.

Tight Wraps,
Chad

International Guide To Fly Tying Materials

What is the International Guide to Fly Tying Materials? It is going to be a guide to different products I use in my flies from different manufactures from around the world. If you are interested in any of the products you see. Please comment and I can point you into the right direction.

Magic Shrimp Foil By Siman Ltd. from the Czech Republic is one of my favorite materials to work with. I use it on my Czech nymphs,scuds, wing cases, and bodies. It is a soft and very flexible material with a dull side and a shinny side. Added bonus is it takes well to coloring it. But it comes in 27 different colors. Standard size of 3/16" strips and fine strips 2/16".

Also by Siman is another version of the Magic Shrimp Foil that comes in 20 pearl translucent colors that is great for wing cases, czech nymph & scud backings, and midge bodies. It also takes a permanent marker, but loses the translucency.

The Magic Shrimp Foil comes in little baggies with enough material to tie anywhere from 100 to 125 flies. It also comes in a box of mixed colors with enough foil to tie about a 1,000 flies.


Magic Shrimp Foil Original


Magic Shrimp Foil Pearl


Magic Shrimp Foil Asst Box


Magic Shrimp Foil used on the wing case.


Pearl Magic Shrimp Foil as the Czech Nymph backing, notice the Jungle Cock showing through.


Another view of the magic shrimp foil used in the wing case. Here I colored the Magic Shrimp Foil to give it another dimension.


Tight wraps!
Chad

Greys Streamflex Rod for Czech Nymphing!

I wish I would have seen the rod at the Fly Fishing Retailer show! This rod sounds like the bomb! Please read the review below from Flytying Specialties, I am quite sure you will enjoy. Cheers.

After trying as many rods as possible for Czech Nymphing, one rod stood above all the rest. The Streamflex series of ten foot rods simply outperformed all the others in the areas we considered. Performance on the water left us with no doubt as the choice for all serious anglers who utilize the Czech Nymph fishing method. We needed a lightweight rod that had the extra lenght required to reach out and fish those areas that a shorter rod could not handle. The sensitivity is excellent, allowing the connection between the flies and the streambed to be easily transferred into the handle.

We were also very impressed with all the details this rod offers that rods costing twice as much do not. The beautiful reel seet is matched with double locking nuts the bottom one incorporating an o-ring for added security. The rich olive bronze finish is very pleasing to the eye without being overly fancy. Even the rod tube is different with it's unique triangular shape. A very nice rod sock is also included.

"The Streamflex 10 #4 is the ultimate rod for modern river tactics, dries, wets, duo, trio, Czech style, French style-it handles them all with equal ease"

Scott Nellins, three time youth World and National flyfishing team leader.

We matched this rod with GREYS Streamlite reel to help balance the outfit and minimize weight. At only 3.4oz for the #2/3 model, it significantly reduces fatigue on the arm and shoulder. Many reels costing three times as much cannot compete with that weight and quality. The wide ranging click-check system gives faultless control, protecting even the lightest tippets. The raised and bolted reel foot provides superior strength, important when fishing along difficult terrain. The gold and silver finish and soft touch handle complete the classic look of a performance reel. Easily converts for either left or right hand retrieve.

Fly Fishing Retailer

This past week in Denver at the convention center, was the annual Fly Fishing Retailer show. This is where all the fly fishing manufactures come to show off their new stuff. This year the show was moved to a smaller hall in the convention center. Why? Was it due to the economy, the lack in manufacture support, retailer attendance, or just the fact that the fly fishing industry is shrinking. Last year Cloudveil was a show sponsor, but failed to attend, this year they were back, was that due to bad economy and lost sales for not exhibiting last year.. Hmmm... This year missing was a whole slew of manufactures. Orvis, Wapsi, Spirit River, Hareline, Hatches, Biodz, Nature's Spirit, ect... I was SO surprised that all the major flytying supplier manufactures were not in attendance. Was it a conspiracy not to show up for the only major flyfishing show. Is AFFTA loosing its grip on the Fly Fishing Retailer show. Every year that I have gone, the show seems to be shrinking and loosing ground. I received a letter from AFFTA president, stating the following... "The 2009 FlyFishing Retailer Expo (FFR) wrapped up just two days ago. Although this year's show floor was smaller in size than previous years, the excitement and intensity of the show was just as strong as ever - maybe even more so given our current economy. Everyone that I and numerous others spoke with commented that the show far exceeded their expectations." Hmmm... I wonder if he was at the same show I was. Most of the exhibitors I talked too were very disappointed in the lack of retailers at the show. You think having the show in Denver would bring shops in from all over the country even for a few extra days to fish some great water. Next year no dates or place has been set for the show. It appears Denver has seen it's last Flyfishing Retailer show... It is almost certain to take on a new location. Some of the locations being tossed out is Disney in Orlando, Las Vegas, or even combining the show with the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. I think the latter makes the most sense. Keep the show in a mountain vicinity with near by fishing for some of us who will be traveling to the show.

It will interesting to see what happens.

As for great new products that are hitting the market place, hmmm, this is a hard one for me to figure out, because I really didn't see anything super new or great that I would need to go and get. Alot of the older products have been revamped or repackaged, or stayed the same. Nothing really jumps out at me.

The highlight of the show would be Modern Midges book signing by Tak and Jerry. They had a great turnout at the Stackpole Book booth. Met a few of the other tyers that submitted patterns to the book.

I also got to meet Mark and Sharon Lance! Super Nice folks that are doing alot for Trout Unlimited and our States waterways. Hopefully I will hear from Sharon soon!!!

Otherwise my opinion of the show was it was a weak show in need of a huge makeover!!!

Just an FYI... I am starting to get booked up for the fall/winter flytying demos around the state. I will be traveling to Ft. Collins and Co Springs this year for Demos as well as a few local shops as well. Stay Tuned for more details...

Tight Threads>>>>>

Chad

A recent Vacation

Wow, Summer is nearing its end and just to say, I have had one relaxing summer away from flyfishing and flytying for the most part except for a few custom orders thanks to the FlyFisherman Magazine article. I have not picked up my fly rod since May. So its been a good few months since I have fished, which as it turns out, was a good thing. I slipped a disc in my back and was hurting for over a month an a half this summer, but it is on the mend now and feeling better with each and every passing day. Woo Hoo. I have recently sat back down at the vise and began work on some new patterns for the fall.

When I decided it was time to sit back down at the vise and start tying up some patterns, I was at a dead end, no creative juices flowing yet. So I had my buddy Kevin Compton send me about a dozen and half different patterns, and that was all it took as I needed only one look at them to get me going on some patterns that I had dancing around in my head for some time. It was the perfect starting point to get myself back at the vise.

When I did sit down, I wanted to do some new Caddis patterns. I had the visions of what Kevin sent me and visions of some Slovakian and Czech patterns that I had seen before during a pattern search. I was ready to tie!

The basic recipe for what I did is listed here.

Hook - Dohiku #301 #14p
Tail or Anal prolong - CDC Fly DK
Underbody - FLY DK Green River Dubbing
Overbody - Body Stretch Sand Hends
Wings - CDC and Wood Duck
Thorax - Squirrel dubbing loop style.

The flies came out really nice. Hope to get them photographed in the next few days and then I'll post them.

Sorry for the long departure this summer, it was needed after years of hardcore tying and fishing. It was a well deserved break and I look forward to cranking out some new patterns this fall and winter. I also plan on hitting the water soon with fly rod in hand ready for some action.

Here is something for you to look forward to, is Rick Takahashi's Book Modern Midges. I have a few patterns in his book and can't wait to see the final product.


Keep those wraps tight!!!

Bunker Torpedo Ghost version

This fly has been a top producer on Sunny Bright days.

Performance Flies

Check out Performance flies at http://www.performanceflies.com to get your European flytying goodies, plus an offering of standard tungsten beads at a less-than-wholesale price: $17.50 per 100 beads (any size; in these colors: Gold, Black (out of 3.2mm), Nickel, Copper, Black Nickel; and, in limited sizes: Fl. Orange, Chartreuse, and Salmon Pink with Hot Pink on the way).

Fly D&K Materials:

*Synthetic Body Quill
Colors: Graphite & Brown

*Body Stretch Latex Foils (standard colors & pearlescent colors)

*Threads: 80 Denier, 120 Denier, and Universal Threads which are like Hends' "Elastic" thread used to make dry/nymph bodies.

*Muskrat Zonkers (more translucent, better mobility and longer guard hairs than rabbit): Natural, Brown, Dun, and Black.

*Rex Rabbit Zonkers

*Cat Zonker (white underfur, true black guard hairs -- somewhat like chinchilla but very distinct colors and no shades of gray)

New Dohiku Hooks are available as well.
New models/sizes:

Jig #8-12
Grub/Scud #14-16
Dry #10-12
Special Nymph Hooks for beadheads #12-14
Streamer #6-12 (the #6 looks really great: heavier wire & a more exaggerated sproat bend than their photo captures)

I have been using these products for a couple of years and have to say are some of the best flytying products I have ever used. If you have any questions, drop me a line.

Tight Threads.

Platte River Ghost Midge

This fly rocks them on the South and North Platte Tailwaters. Great Midge pattern.

Fly Tying TV

Believe it or not, coming soon to KBDI TV, there will be a show on TV dedicated just to flytying. Should be an interesting program.

Tight Threads...

Stones of the Underworld

A couple stones from the Underworld! Will be soon available. Stay Tuned for more details!

Stonefly Galore

Stoneflies Galore


A very recent trip into Stonefly country was much better than I had expected. The fish were in a eating frenzy. They were taking our dries and our nymphs at will. This is one heck of a stonefly hatch, that I am hoping will last for another couple of weeks as it makes it way up the Colorado thru Middle Park. We floated the lower section from Pumphouse to Radium recently. And to our surprise was the number of stones hatching.

The Rig is an easy rig to say the least. Size 10 or 12 Stimulator in various colors, from Olive, Orange and Rust dry trailed by a size 8, 10, and 12 nymph. The nymphs that were used was Barr's stone, Copper Johns, Stones of the Underworld and others of various tweeks of thread, materials and dubbing. The nymph I had used was my stones of the underworld, which must have been a great pattern for the fish to see, because they ate it up at will, like no fishes business or they haven’t eaten all winter long. Yeah Right! It was great to see this pattern work so effectively on the fish. It was a pattern that I came up with late last fall and really was the first time I got to put it to use and try it out in the perfect stonefly setting.

Recipe of the Stone of the Underworld.

Hook: Knapek Midge Pupa – size 8
Dubbing Ball @ Tail: Red Dubbing
Tail: Goose or Turkey Biots Split
Body: Nymph Skin Yellow and Ostrich
(Nymph Skin is colored on bottom with Brown Pantone marker and 3 Black Stripes one down the middle and two on the sides.)
Legs: Goose or Turkey Biots
Wingpads: Jungle Cock
Thorax: Golden Stone Dubbing Mix

Back To the fishing, the day started out on the slow side, every few cast one of us was getting hooked up and landing a fish. Around 10:00 am Mother Stonefly Hatch turned on a button and whew, she was on. Started seeing more and more stones around us and about every other cast we were getting hooked up or strikes. This lasted pretty much the entire day. We did very well from the boat as well as wading different sections were we could pull over and wade. Everyone did extremely well and had well into a 60+ fish day.

The fish were extremely healthy and sized very well. I think the smallest fish of the day was a wild cutthroat about 13” long, very beautiful. The largest rainbow was taped at 21”, but the girth was taped at 15” which made this fish an absolute pig. Catch of the Day was taped at 24.75” brown with a girth of 13.5” which was a real monster that took about 25 minutes to land. The fish was hooked in the boat and after a few runs and reels, we finally had to beach the boat and work the fish from the shore for about another 15 minutes or so before it tired out to land it. What a great time.

Sorry no photos from this trip, it was a very last minute thing, basically grab your gear and go. Camera and other things were forgotten, but not a worry in the boat, because we were fishing stones and having a blast.

I will be making another trip up to the raddy very soon, but further up stream and into the canyon for a bit of fun and excitement.

C & C Blueberry Midge!

Here is a great tailwater midge pattern that works wonders on Cutts. A recent trip into Cutthroat waters, this fly was the hot fly for those beautiful fish.

Hook: Grip 11011 BL #20
Thread: Benecchi Thread 12/0
Rib: Ultra Wire Black XS
Wings: Watersilk White
Thorax: Siman Peacock Blue
Bead: Czech Glass Blue XS

Tight threads!

C & C two phased midge

Great Tailwater midge pattern.

Hook: Grip 11011bl size 20
Thread: Benecchi 12/0
Bead: Purple Czech Glass
Body: Thread
Rib: Gun Metal Ultrawire xs
Flashback: Mirage Tinsel
Wins and Fluff: Watersilk
Thorax: Thread

Two Cheesman Canyon Bugs!

Two bug samples from Cheesman Canyon. A nice Golden Stone and Caddis.

Bunker Torpedo

Bunker Torpedo is a mutation of the Bunker Bomb.

A Tung heavy streamer that gets down fast n deep quickly!

Hook: Dai Riki 700 or 710 #10
Tail: Norther Lights Blue, Olive Marabou, krystal flash
Body: Mix of Arizona Semi Seal, Siman Peacock
Legs: Olive sillilegs
Collar: Mallard
Thorax: Siman Peacock Blue
Tungsten Cone
Thread; 12/0 Bennechi

Chad's Mojo Midge

The Mojo Midge
Hook: Grip 14723Bl #20
Thread: Bennechi Black 12/0
Rib: Silver Wire
Underwing: Purple Haze Krystal Flash
Overwing: Grey Watersilk
Thorax: Siman Peacock Blue
Ruby Red Bead XS

Bunker Bombing

Check out the July issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine out now at your local book store, grocery store, fly shop ect... Tips from the Experts is written by my good friend Matt Crouse Titled Bunker Bombing! Hope you Enjoy.

Tight Lines
Chad

Big Horn River April 16-18

Was able to fish the Big Horn River in Fort Smith Montana last week. Arrived early morning Thursday after leaving my house around 1:30am. Fishing on Thursday was to say the least a bit tough for the most part. Only landed about a dozen fish through-out the day. No one fly was the ticket either. After arriving we hit the 3 mile access and fished around the Islands most of the day. Only landed about 7 fish from 10:30 till 4ish when we decided to break for snacks and warm up. After munching we hit the Afterbay area and I headed straight to the meat hole, which in years past has been a huge producer. I got into the meat hole, which I had all by myself for about a half hour before Brandon, Stefan and Bill Showed up. Right when I got into the hole, I hooked 2 nice browns right away on a little purple midge. A few more cast nothing. Changed flies to a black zebra midge and hooked 3 more fish. Then it completely shut off for me, nothing even a strike for the next hour and we decided to bag it in for the night.

Friday morning, Eric, Jason and I got down the the ramp and started floating down stream. This day was a little bit better, but not as great as years past. Not one main fly sticks out as a real producer for me. But landed about 24 fish today.

Saturday the 3 of us again floated Afterbay to Big Horn access with today being much better as a fish producing day. But again had to work for all the fish as not a single fly was big producer for me. I did pretty well out of the boat today and later holes below 3 mile.

Not much to report from this trip. It was fun, good to get out and catch some fish, but with the water temp much lower, the flows much higher and various weather fronts, the fishing was as good as previous years.

Until next time, tight lines and threads.

Big Horn River, Ft. Smith, Montana

Later this week... I am off to the Big Horn River, in Fort Smith, Montana. The prep work has been done... I have changed my fly-line on one reel and built a new leader, had another reel lubed up. I have washed and re-waterproofed both my waders and wading jacket. Organized my flies and made room for the new ones. I have spent numerous hours at the vise the last few weeks, turning out, tiny baetis, midges, jujubees, cdc sow bugs, ray charles, the latest mutations or evolution of the CQ Little Brown Trout and Bunker Bombs Streamers. I also tied up a bunch of the Big Horn Streamers with my CQ & Bunker Evolutionary work.

This will be year six for Brandon and I and looking forward to it.
Here are some photos from years past.

Cheesman Canyon

I ventured into Cheesman Canyon mid January. Weather forecast that day was temps in the 30's, snow and chance of trout. Here is a few pics from the day.








.