Life On The Fly

Denver Fly Fishing Show

2012-01-09T08:45:00.009-07:00

Well the Denver Fly Fishing Show is done and has moved out of town for another year. I tied flies again this year at show Saturday and Sunday. Had a good time as always, got to see old friends, made some new ones, received a few custom orders, Thanks Gents! Want to thank all who stopped by to watch me twist up a few bugs. Here is a photo of one of Sunday's more popular bugs. The photo was taken by Carl P. Check out his blog CP's Fly Fishing and Tying.

This fly is my Prince Nymph Hybrid called The Stoned Prince.

Hook: Partridge CZ #12

Thread: Benecchi 12/0 Brown

Bead: Gold Tungsten 1/8

Tail: Dubbing Mix of Performance Flies UV Black Ice Dub and Life Cycle Golden Stone

Body: Same as above

Rib: Mono Chameleon

Wings: Spirit River vinyl wing material Wings and Things Clear motted

Legs: Partridge

Thorax Same as tail and body

Prince Style wings: White Goose Biots

Hot Spot: UV black Ice mix with blue fine sybai flash.

other version tied over the weekend, had hot spots added by using Glo Brite Thread Fl. Pink and Fl. Yellow. Thorax's had Bronze Siman Peacock. Will try and post pictures later this week.

Soldarini Barbless Hooks

2012-01-04T08:31:00.003-07:00

Just a quick update on Soldarini Barbless Hooks! I have received quite a few emails about where to get these hooks, they are available at http://www.performanceflies.com/ Check them out. I think you will enjoy these hooks.

Also I will be tying at the Denver Fly Fishing Show this weekend, Saturday and Sunday. Come by and check it out.

Go Barbless in 2012

2011-12-27T09:30:00.019-07:00

2012 is here and the world is upon a re-birthing of sorts. The Mayan calendar comes to an end this year and all sorts of folks have different views to what is going to happen. From the complete destruction of earth, to Alien invasion, to higher level of consciousness, and many other crazy ideas have emerged.

I am going to suggest another crazy idea for 2012! Let us as fly fisherman, go to barbless hooks! I have been using barbless for years, I find they are easier to release a fish without using forceps, because the hooks easily slides out. I have also found it is easier to remove from my skin on an errant gone bad cast. I think they some of the barbless hooks hold better then barbed hooks, they are easier to penetrate the fish lips for a good hook up. The barb sometime complicates the hook up and you lose your fish. There are some great barbless hooks on the market from some of the well known names you know and use daily, to some European style models, and this year landing stateside is yet another new barbless brand.

These barbless hooks are called Soldarini and come from Italy and the mind of Sandro Soldarini himself. He is introducing a very well thought out and strong barbless hook. These Hooks went through years of ongoing research, development and testing and is made from some of the best steel on the market. The series of hooks has four different models. The D-Series is a classic nymph hook straight, black finish and in sizes 10-16. The J series is a jig hook(not pictured) black nickle finish in sizes 10-16. The G series is the grub/scud hook, bronze finish in sizes 10-16. The S series is a long shank streamer hook, with a black nickle finish in sizes 8-10.

At first glance of the g or grub/scud hook it should intrigue the tyers here in the U.S. because of the uniformed shape of this particular hook. When looking at it, it appears to be the same shape as most scud hooks that you are used to tying on. Like the TMC 2487, 2457, Dai Riki 135 and the Daiichi 1120 hooks. This hook resembles these hooks with its very uniformed curved shape that will appeal to tyers here in the US. Take a glance below at the continued curved shank. They also have a brownish bronze-patina finish, and hook spear is pointed up much like the Dohiku Grub hook, but the curved shank is what is appealing about this hook and the hook gap looks to be a sure fish holder as well.

Grub/Scud Hooks

Classic Nymph Hook

Streamer Hooks

Various Twists

2011-12-19T09:16:00.005-07:00

Just finished up a few orders of flies. Here is some various pics of flies that were twisted up.

Have a Happy Holiday Season.

Dynamic Nymphing

2011-12-13T08:48:00.004-07:00

Once in awhile comes along a good read and here is the newest good read. This book is worth checking out and learning a few new tricks. I think its actual release date is in January. But you can get a copy now for the Holidays from Performance Flies.

Here is book worth looking into.

M.I.A. missing in action

2011-11-08T08:44:00.004-07:00

Howdy,

Sorry I have been missing in action. It has been sometime since my last post. Have had a very busy fall. Wish I could say I have been fishing and tying flies like crazy and taking a ton of pictures, but neither has happened for some time. Hopefully going to get some river time here very soon.

With the kids back in school and my social director keeping us pretty busy, I have found very little time at the bench and on the river. I how ever did escape to Jamaica for a nice relaxing vacation with the wife and several good friends which was very very groovy. Good times. Thought we would deep sea fish while there, but we opted for laying on the beach, swimming in the ocean and being served cocktails all day long. We did manage to get into the hills, up to Negril, out to see some local music and try the local eats. All good, mon!!!

Well now, I am back and eager to get cranking on things again. A few updates for you all.

Hend's flytying materials out of Czech Republic has landed stateside over at Performance Flies. Hend's offers some really good products and one of my favorites that Kevin is stocking is their line of Lacquers. Great stuff. Check it out. He also has Hooks, Body Quills, CDC, Threads and dubbings to offer. Also he has a special going on right now. Spend a $100.00 and get this, Flyfishing and Fly tying, The second, English edition was written by Jaromir Karafiat and Miroslav Machacek, two exceptional fly tiers and anglers from the Czech Republic. The work includes 150+ pages of step-by-step fly tying instructions and photo galleries of Mayfly and Caddis Dry Fly patterns, Czech Nymphs, Wet Flies, Beadhead and Jig Nymphs, Tungsten Thorax Nymphs, Bloodworms, Buzzers (Chironomids), Fry Flies, and Streamers. It is truly one of the finest European fly tying books to emerge in recent years. The set also includes a DVD which provides interesting angling footage as well as tying instruction. Check it out!!!!

Getting back to the dungeon. Since it was a few weeks since I tied some flies, and left for vacation, I finally made it down to the dungeon this weekend to twist up a few bugs, had two styles I was going to do and as I was getting the material set up and ready to go. I had left the hare pelt and the wet winged mallard wings out, from my previous tying session and some little nasty pest got into those and went to town eating them and leaving a neat looking outline of wing. As for the hare pelt, that was pretty much dust. Oh well lesson learned. New pelt on the way for tying and good thing I had back up mallard wings. Just got to remember to put the feathers, pelts, skins, ect... away when done tying.

Ill be tying at the Denver Flyfishing Show this January. As for my flytying demos this winter, there will be a couple, but not many. I hope to spend more time snowboarding and fishing this winter with friends and family.

Anyhow, I am back and working on getting into the fold again of twisting up some bugs.

A few flies to come off the Bench

2011-08-26T04:20:00.003-06:00

Wire Perspective For Performance Flies Branded Wire

2011-08-23T09:21:00.005-06:00

Here are the 3 wire spool comparisons, for the Performance Flies Branded Wire post. You can see how big of a difference there is between the 3 different manufactures.

I guess you can make your own judgement, on which is the better value.

Happy Tying!

Sunday's adventure

2011-08-23T04:20:00.000-06:00

I was able to make it out with for a fishing day on Sunday. I fished with Jim, Neal and Gin. Thanks gents for a great day and the stream side sushi lunch, was the topper. The fellas met at my house at 6:00 am and we loaded into the Subaru and headed west up I-70. No traffic and made it over Pass and into Winter Park in no time. The fellas had to stop and Mickey D's for a bathroom break and just pulling into the lot at the same time was a good friend of mine Scott and his family. They got run out of their campsite by a few bears, the wild strawberries are in full bloom.

Back on the road, we made it up to the stream, got geared up and hiked in. Only one other car in the parking area, which was a great sign, and only saw a few other people fishing the canyon all day, which was key too. The fishing started of a bit slow, but once I found a rig that was working, well it was pretty much over from that point on. Because I we couldn't do no wrong and lots of big healthy fish were caught.

I managed to catch a couple rainbows, a few little brookies, and bunch of browns. Had a great time. We got off the river about 5:30 and hiked out of the canyon and made our way back to the car and headed home. A few fish pics from the day, sorry they are out of focus, wasn't really keyed in to taking pictures. But managed a few.

Performance Flies Wire

2011-08-22T08:41:00.002-06:00

This product update is for the users of Wire.

There is colored wire from UTC and Largatun and maybe a few others... I know there are, but just can't think of them right now. Soo with that in mind...

Let me introduce to you to Performance Flies Branded wire. This wire is perfect for ribbing, brassie's, copper Johns and just about anything else you might use your wire for. This is an extra fine wire perfect for the midge tyer in mind. It is an 0.10mm which can be used on those Deep Poison Tungs by Craven, micro Johns, brassie's, dries, nymphs, double ribbed torpedo tungs by Compton, with out the added bulk. Also gives yer flies that added, but subtle flash, with out going overboard as well. Try weaving a few micro polish woven flies with this wire as well.

The wire comes in a bunch of colors, Black, Gold, Hot Pink, Brown, Silver, Dark Purple, Gun Metal, Leaf Green (Olive) and Violet.

Notice the size of these spools. Each spool should last a life time for the average tyer and go along away for the professional tyer. These spools of wire are 25 grams, which is huge and will make thousands of flies. And get this the cost is $4.95 per spool. Which is a steel in my opinion.

You have heard of the everlasting gobstobber, well this is the everlasting wire.

So with that in mind, check out Performanceflies.com or give Kevin a call and get some wire, tying season is just around the corner.

Summer stuff part 2

2011-08-15T09:29:00.004-06:00

Where to begin. I have fished a bit through out the summer, but it hasn't been super high on my priority list. Have been saving for a trip later this fall with the wife to a little island in the Caribbean. I have fished the Frying Pan, Dream Stream, Yampa, Blue, Cheesy, Joe Wright Res, and 11 mile. Nothing to shocking or out of the ordinary there. I have brought the float tube on a few trips, but have yet to pump it up.

The Frying pan was high and muddy and flowing near a 1,000 cfs when we were there. We hit 11 mile before the high waters hit. Fished the dream at good flows and caught a bunch of fish, the blue, is the blue, Joe Wright was fun, caught a few grayling, which was a nice change of pace. Cheesy is the cheese as well and had a good time as always before the high water set in there. Went up to the blue a couple weeks back and forgot my wading boots, so attempted to fish the higher water in my chaco sandals. I really dont recommend that, unless you want banged up toes!

Took a family vacation up to Steamboat this past week and got out a few times during the week. The first afternoon I tried to fish just before town, but it was just below the main rubber hatch area and I spent more time dodging tubers, which wasn't all that fun, caught a few small cutts, before I decided to bag it.

Then a two days later I headed up towards Stagecoach, but didn't make it quite to it, I found a nice section of a mile and half of river that I had by myself for a while, before I ran into another angler who said he was up near Stagecoach, but it was packed with folks and he came down here, because it was open and no one was there but me. I had a great time in this section, landing and loosing fish after fish after fish, caught browns, cutts, and big bows. I lost a few big bruisers as well. I didnt have my camera, but had my Iphone on me and managed to snap a few shots with that, but I was too afraid that I was going to drop it into the river, so only broke it out a few times. Some of the photos of fish are below.

Then on Friday, we went to town mid day and walked around town and the kids were tired and the family wanted to head back to the condo for some rest and relaxation, so we went back to the truck and I put on my wading boots grabbed the rod and decided to work my way through town and work my way back to the condo. Spent a few good hours on the river, catching fish and dodging tubers. I managed, a grand slam this afternoon, with a cutt, brook, and few browns and bows to boot. Was a great time.

That is about the end of it. Nothing to spectacular, but some good times and well some off times.

Have a couple more trips planned in the coming weeks, but nothing big, just a bit of water time.

Summer Stuff

2011-07-21T09:35:00.006-06:00

Decided to take a bit of a vacation from fly tying for the past month and some and get out and enjoy the outdoors. Have made a few ventures out for some fishing. With the super high water flows, haven't hit all the normal spots which was nice, because it got me outside the box of my normal places and got me to venture off the beaten path and hit some new body of waters, that I haven't fished previously or it has been years since I have wet a line in a few of the places.

Anyhow it was good to get out and have some fun. As for the fly tying, finally got the urge to sit down and twist up some bugs. I have spent the last a few nights in the dungeon twisting up various bugs of all sorts. Will get those photoed and posted here in the next week or so. But here is a little photo collection of various stuff. Enjoy.

Not Much Going On.

2011-07-06T16:20:00.001-06:00

I feel like I have not updated this in quite some time, oh well, not too much going on. Camped and Fished over the Memorial Day Weekend. Nothing to special, fished 11 mile canyon with Jason, and our boys. The fish were hitting a variety of bugs, bwo emergers where the meal ticket for the 2 days we fished. Nothing very big, but then again, I didn't really care, because I was just happy to be out.

Then we were supposed to float the Gunny Gorge, but that got blown out with run off, so we headed to 11 mile canyon for a weekend of drinking and fishing. Fished Friday/Saturday and Sunday for a few hours. Good times were had by all and the fishing was good. Lots of fish, again nothing to big, but a few bruisers were caught.

Then a couple of weeks ago camped way above Ruedi Res and was going to fish the pan, but that was high and dirty with flows above 800 cfs. Not too fun. So we fished the inlet to Ruedi, nothing to special but fun to be out. Have tempted to break out the float tube, but have not gotten around to it. Bummer!

Haven't been down to the dungeon to tie much lately either, finished up with a few custom orders before the memorial holiday and only tied a 1/2 dozen bugs for fishing a few weekends ago, but haven't been back to the bench. Just got an order for some woven bugs, so looks like some tying time to come here soon.

I hope to get out this coming weekend for a few hours, don't know where yet. Maybe break out the tube and hit a still water for kicks and giggles, but again not too much happening. Been busy with Jen and Kids doing a ton of stuff, which has been a blast and nice filler from fishing.

anyhow, hope it goes well with the rest of ya!

Cheers.

Back on the Train

2011-05-23T08:27:00.003-06:00

Okay then, last update, was Good Friday, which was, depending on how you look at it, either a good day or a bad day. What is your definition of a good day vs a bad day. Well on this particular day the good wasn't so much the fishing, but I did manage to catch a helluva fish. Bad-was the 4-runner breaking down. Now lets flash forward a few weeks, I still have the 4 runner, which is still not working, and won't be until someone who decides to buy and fix it up them selves. I decided to upgrade the vehicle a bit, while every one is down sizing their cars, I biggie sized mine. LOL. I ended up with the car I have sought for some time. A Toyota Sequoia, now I just have to keep a little journal to remind myself to change the oil every four thousand miles and then some, instead of my previous output of say every 7 to 10 thousand miles. This way Ill keep the Toyota running for some time.

So after being vehicle-less for sometime, I put fishing on the back burner no fly tying and no fishing for a few weeks. Which was good, because when I finally did get back on the river, I had a good day. A range of nice sized fish, small, medium and a few pigs. Good times.

I also found myself getting back to the vise this past week and turning out a few BWO dries and emergers, some green drake dries, some adam's dries, and to wrap it up some pmd cdc paraloops. So hopefully I will be getting around to photographing them this week, before disappearing in the mountains for Memorial day weekend.

Also this week, look for a product update, this one all you midge tiers will like.

Cheers...

Good Friday or was it.

2011-04-25T08:43:00.002-06:00

Managed to get out with my buddy Mac on Friday for some fishing. The fishing started off slow for the day, it was cold and windy as heck. First we checked out the Colorado River, but that was too high and muddy and flowing good for my buddy Mac to fish it. So we decided to head over to the Blue. Fished the lower Blue for awhile and nailed this little beauty. First fish of the day. After fishing here we decided to get in the car and warm up and head over and fish in town. Fished for a few hours in town. Caught several fish, but none the size of the first fish and decided to head home. On the way down the mtn, truck started ticking and appeared the transmission/clutch dropped just outside Dumont and was able to coast off the highway onto the exit and pull over. Couldn't get the old 4runner running again so called the tow man to come and pick us up. Got the truck back to Denver and now begins the thoughts of what to do. Fix it or buy a new truck. Ill have to sit on this one awhile. A little bummed about the truck breaking down, but what is one going do. Stuff happens. No reason to get mad. At least I caught a nice fish.

The H Bomb

2011-04-13T16:20:00.000-06:00

This pattern has been a pattern that I have tweaked and re-tweaked and continued to alter over the years. It has been one of my most consistent flies that I have ever tied. When I first developed this guy many years ago. It was a just a simple take off the Woolly Bugger with some of my own twist thrown into it for good measure. It has mutated itself over the years, by adding this or that and taking away this or that. I have combined this and that too over the years, just seeing what works and doesn't work. Lucky for me, all the different versions that I have created over the years have caught fish and a lot of them too boot.

In tweaking the pattern over the years, I have always stayed true to a key ingredients of the fly. Those key ingredients are the just a few of the keys to this fly. Streamer hook, Tungsten Cone, Marabou Tail, silli-legs and wire under-body to make it heavy and sink like a rock. I have always kept the profile slim so it will slice through water and gets down fast.

The few ingredients that have changed over the years has been the flash in the tail or along the side of the body. The body material itself, but I have always kept the body shaggy and buggy as I could using dubbing with longer and shaggier fibers to give it action. I have wrapped hackle around the body, like the true wooly, but I always thought wrapping the hackle around the body of this fly took away from the dubbed body and the shagginess that it had. So I have stirred away from the hackle. I have experimented with the thorax and collars too over the years. I have given it different styles of wings from your classic matuka streamer wet wings to jungle cock wing pads to zonker strips.

I also have played with the colors scheme of this pattern as well, but there is one color plate that I keep going back to and tying every year. The choice color that seems to work year round and in tailwaters, still waters and running water is Olive. After my last few outings, I was starting to get low on a few colors of the pattern so it was off to the spooky dungeon man cave of my house to begin twisting them up.

With this batch came a few new twist that I have yet to incorporate into the pattern yet. Instead of diving right into the pattern, I played around with a few ideas I had bouncing around my head for sometime. But after I twisted up the ideas, I didn't care too much of the results and now knew, what I didn't want to put into the pattern. So I was set. With this batch I decided to go with slightly bigger streamer hook then in years past. I also added some new flash into the tail that I had used on the Platte River Apprentice flies, opting for the Rusty Olive Angel hair. This gave it a nice amount of under flash with the marabou over it. I continued with the 3/4 strands of krystal flash on each side of the tail as well.

Next up was the body. Sometime last year I whipped up an Olive blend of dubbing that I had titled Psycho Olive for Bunker Bombs. Looking back it must have been sometime last spring when I was, well replenishing this fly, but never got to using this blend. Twirled it up in a dubbing loop, twisted it on the hook and gave it a quick brush to shag it up.

Put in the silli-legs and now came for the next part. This is where I wanted to give it something new that I have yet to put in it. I mentioned before I have put Zonker strips in it, as well as jungle cock and various Matuka style feathers. So I had to come up with something new for my little fly here. I started digging around the vast amount of materials I had and when it hit me, to go for a double whammy here. I decided to use Black Ice Angel Hair underwing and Mallard for the overwing. The Thorax/Collar blend is a mix of European Hare Skin Le Lievre, Jack Mickievicz Masterblend of Rainbow Warrior Peacock Olive dubbing and a touch of the Psycho Olive Bunker Body Dubbing and a few have bits and pieces of mallard. Yes, I know it seems like a lot of stuff going on here, but it just pops and gives the thorax/collar a neat look to it.

Spring Break

2011-04-05T08:54:00.008-06:00

Spring Break 2011. I have to admit, I really enjoyed spring break this year. Not only for the great company, but for all the activities that came with it. This year I took off the week that my kids were not in school and headed for the mountains of Steamboat for some Skiing, Snowboarding, Fishing, relaxing and chilling. We rented a condo with a few other families, and have to say this was not a normal condo. It was oversized and was able to fit 4 families into comfortably. We left Denver early Saturday and made your way over I-70 needing to take a little detour, because Rabbit Ears Pass was closed to an accident, so we went the long way around and really enjoyed the drive. After arriving at the condo, Jim unloaded his van quickly and I unloaded the truck quickly, and got the stuff up into the condo. After a quick dump and run, we blew out of there and headed down to the Yampa for some late afternoon fishing.

We found an area just before town that we wanted to fish and quickly got strung up and jumped into the river. It wasn't long before I had caught a beautiful Cuttie. Wished I had took a picture but I couldn't get to my phone buried inside my jacket, so I quickly released it and dug for the phone and moved it to my front wader pocket for easy access.

Fished for a little while longer and caught a few more fish, managed to take one picture of a nice brown that I had caught.

A bit later the sun had crept behind a mountain and the temp started to dropped so we started to pack it in, but not before making one last cast. I made the last cast and hooked into what I thought was going to be a pig, because it ran quickly and broke off, oh well. Will try again another day. So we called it a day and headed back.

The next day we put all the kids into Ski/Snowboard school, so we could all ride together and what a great day to be on the slopes. The snow was great there was fresh powder to be had. We took the gondola up and quickly rode down to the Storm Peak express and up to the Morningside Park for some powder action. We played in Morningside park for a couple of hours before making our way into the Chutes and bowls of Christmas Tree Gulley. The snow was great to be riding in here and took one nice run down here.

A stop for a late lunch and cocktail, we made a few more runs before we had to pick our kids up from ski school, so we headed down to the bar for cocktails. Woo Hoo. Packed it up for the day and headed back to the condo for dinner and hot tubbing.

Next morning we woke up, had coffee and breakfast and quickly packed up the fishing gear for a morning on the river. So Mac, Jim and I bolted out of the condo and headed to the river for some snow fishing. Got to the river and the area we chose we were the only ones there for a short time before more anglers decided to show up. No great stories to tell, but some nice healthy fish.

We only fished for about 4 hours before we had to be back at the condo for the girls to make their way to Strawberry Hot Springs and we were on children duty for the day.

The next day we woke to 2 feet of fresh powder, so a the night before we made plans for a few us to get up early and make first tracks and the others to round the kids up and bring them to the mountain for afternoon skiing. This worked out great because, Mac, Jim 2, Jenny, Jen and I were able to make it up to Stormpeak for first tracks. After a few powder runs with the girls, the boys and I broke away from the girls and headed into Morningside park for a quick run, so we could hike up to the no name chutes and bowls for one last run before heading down to meet the kids. And what a run it was, STEEP and DEEP and FAST. Made our way down to bottom to ski with the kids for the rest of the day. We all took a few family runs before meeting for lunch. After lunch the girls went off on their own, Jim 2 took Quinn and his girls for a few runs. And took all of them back to the condo and then it was my daughter Celia and I for the rest of the day. Her and I must have made about 20 runs that day. She was a super trooper on the slopes and couldn't get enough. It was great!

My little girl on dressed up.

We had to pull out of Steamboat the next day to get back to Denver for the arrival of Jens mom and our niece, for a few day visit. Was able to get out and fish Cheesman on Friday. Nothing special here a few nice fish, great weather.

The weekend consisted of great weather and some fly tying on Sunday. Well that wraps up a great week of fishing, snowboarding, fishing snowboarding, driving, fishing, and fly tying.

On tap this weekend, float fishing Saturday followed up by cat skiing on Sunday.

The Mirage Copper Sexy MayStone

2011-03-24T12:30:00.001-06:00

The Mirage Copper Sexy MayStone came about after fiddling with a few other patterns and trying to combine a few elements of different may and stone fly patterns into one. The Sex Stone fly pattern is a popular stone fly pattern up in the Roaring Fork Valley and the only thing that I took was the name. LOL. , The Shimmer Stone was uploaded last year to the fly tying contest held by Feather Craft. I liked the idea of the flash under the Half Round Rib. And the Copper John body is made from, well Copper Wire in a variety of colors so it too gives the fly a bit of shimmer or flash. I was playing around with a few different ideas and this is what I came up with. I really liked the final product. I thought this pattern would work perfect in place of a Copper John or Wired Stone Fly or any other heavy weighted fly. I have a few more ideas creeping into my head for this pattern, to give it some variation, that I will think will pop in the eye of the beholder and lure a few fatties as well.

The Mirage Copper Sexy MayStone

Hook: Nymph Hook any style nymph hook will work.

Bead: Brass or Tungsten

Tail: Goose Biots and pink dubbing (Siman)

Weight: Lead Free - .020 or .015

Body: Brassie Ultra Wire Black and Hot Yellow or Copper Brown and Chartreuse woven over Mirage Opal Tinsel.

WingCase : Siman Magic Shrimp Foil (add some biots for a prince style look to it.)

Thorax: Here I used Jacks Olive Peacock or Rusty Black Squirrel blend

Legs: Partridge or any soft hackle type feathers. Rubber Legs would work as would biots. Depending on how you would like to dress it. Here I chose Partridge.

Check out how the tinsel peaks through the woven wire giving it a bit of nice flash to it. This fly is perfect for the pre stone fly hatch, dirty water, lead fly, or searching pattern. This thing will sink quick and get down fast. Can be fished as a trailer behind a meaty streamer, or used as a lead fly.

The Polweevil

2011-03-17T10:10:00.000-06:00

Ah, the Polweevil. What exactly is the Polweevil, well, I sat down at the vise the other night to begin working on a few new fly patterns, but wasn't quite sure what to tie. So I put a beaded hook into the vise and sat looking at the desk of materials. Hoping something will jump out at me. Nothing did, so I turned around and began digging stuff out from my fly tying box from the demo at Hook Fly Fishing shop from the week before and found some sand thread and began laying down the foundation. Added some lead to the shank and began to cover that up. The phone rang so I went to go answer it and low and behold as I was running up stairs to get the phone, the pattern hit me. I quickly ignored the phone and turned around and sat down at the vise. Tied in a piece of Amber Ultra Wire for the ribbing. Tied in the Glo-Brite Flosses. Green on the far side and Orange on the near side. Turned the vise and stared the Polish Weave. Ribbed the fly and tied that off and add the Turkey Biot wing pads. Yes the Polweevil was born. It is a mutation cross between the Davie's Evil Weevil and Vladi's Polish Nymph. I added a special blend of Squirrel and Angelina fibers with hints of UV in it and finished off the fly. The first fly was a little rough, because the idea was there, but laying down the fundamentals of the fly were a work in progress. By the time I was done, I had about a dozen twisted up and each and every fly looking better then the previous one. I was happy with the way the flies turned out and they should be real fish catchers here in the near future. They should work in all kinds of situations from Stoneflies, to large mother day Caddis and even some of the bigger mays later in the Season. I will test them out soon. But thought I would share, because I thought they looked buggy and had the elements to catch that lunker behind the rock that has eluded you for some time. These are the first two to come off the vise. They are not the prettiest of ties, but was thrilled at the outcome.

Happy Twisting.

The Polweevil

Hook: Partridge CZN #12, 14, & 16

Threads: Base Layer Benecchi Sand 12/0 and finish Black Benecchi 12/0

Bead: Nickel Tungsten 1/8

Weight: .015 Lead

Body: Glo-Brite Floss Green and Orange

Rib: Ultra Wire Amber Brassie

Wing Buds: Turkey Biots

Thorax: SLF Squirrel and mix of Golden Iris UV Angelina Fibers, or Olive mixed with Golden Iris UV Angelina Fibers

Hook Fly Fishing Demo

2011-03-03T09:08:00.002-07:00

I am doing a fly tying Demo Saturday March 5th at Hook Fly Fishing down in Highlands Ranch Saturday at noon. Come by and check it out. I will be twisting up some buggy looking bugs for all in attendance.

Check out Hooks website at www.hookflyfishing.com They are located at 2030 E. County Line Road in Highlands Ranch in the Southwest Corner Just East of Target and Sunflower Markets.

Jacks Back dubbing Review

2011-03-02T11:10:00.001-07:00

Jack is Back. Some of you maybe fimilar with Jack, but, If you are not fimilar with Jack Mickievicz, here is a breif story about the guy. Jack is the man who introduced packaged dubbing to the market somewhere in the Early 70's. He helped co-design the presentation Renzetti vice too, he has also accomplished and done many things for the fly fishing industry too many to list, but enough to be well known through-out the north east. Most of what I didnt know until just recently. Heck I had no clue the guy ever exisited up in till a few weeks ago, when I was sent a few packages of his dubbing to try out. The dubbings I received were Jack Mickievicz Genuine Hare Dubbing Dark Olive, Rainbow Masterblend Stonefly yellow, and Red Fox Squirrel Thorax dubbing. My good friend Kevin over at Performance Flies told me he had lured Jack out of retirement to work on his amazing blends of dubbing once again. I don't know too much history of his dubbings, but from what I do know, his dubbings are very popular through - out the north eastern United States and have been searched out by many folks.

As of now the dubbings he is offering over at Performance Flies is Jacks Genuine Hare's Ear Dubbing is made with English Hare skins and is available in Ginger, Brown, Medium Greyish Brown, Blackish Brown, Olive, Olive Brown, Blackish Olive, Light Dun, and Dyed Black.

Jack's Squirrel Blends is a mix of Squirrel and Antron that not only gives your flies spikiness it also gives it a small bit of flash but not too much to shy the fish away. Just enough to lure the fish in. The Squirrel blends come in Grey and Antron, Red Fox Abdomine Blend (Belly hair), and Red Fox Thorax Blend(Black hairs). I think you will really enjoy this dubbing. I have found it very easy to work with and I have also mixed it with some Angelina fibers to give it that extra special pop.

Next Up is Jack's Masterblend which is a mix of Natural Fur, Antron and Crystal Flash and this stuff comes in the pefect color combonations for you midge tiers out there. Rainbow Warrior Light color, Ranibow Warrior Dark, Purple Haze, Stonefly Yellow, and Peackcock Olive. I also think you guys will enjoy the the Stonefly Yellow and Peacock Olive colors. I have included both of them here to give you an idea of the coloring in these mixes.

And the last blend that is available is the Poly Caddis Blend with Antron. I have yet to see and play with this blend but I thought I would share that it is also available. Colors available for this blend is Amber & Cream, Olive, Apple Green, Brown Olive, Tan Caddis, Grey Caddis, Cinnamon Tan, Yellow, Greyish Yellow, and Blackish Brown. I am showing the Olive color here because I think it pops really nicely and should be a sure fish catching blend.

Happy Tying!

Hot spot Bugs

2011-02-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

Nothing to special here, Just a few bugs, using Glo-Brite Floss as hot spot, Body Quill, Nymph Head' Steelhead Blue Tungsten Beads, Fine Wire, Magic Shrimp Foil, Benecchi Thread and Jacks Dubbing. More on Jack's dubbing coming soon.

I really like how the Glo-Brite Floss adds to the fly, and my only complaint is that it builds up rather quickly. These are only a few wraps to secure. The bugs do pop out at you though.

Tungsten Bugs

2011-02-20T13:22:00.001-07:00

An assortment of Tungsten Thread Bugs in various colors and weights, some with single beads and a few with double beads. Shot in a few different angles. I had just finished twisting up these bugs to refill some empty spaces in a box and they were laid about the stealie coaster and I liked how they looked spead out and decided to take a few shots. After going through the photos these are the ones I thought really highlighted a few features in the flies in different angles and views.

Tails: Coq De Leon
Body: Benecchi Thread
Ribs: Fine Wire and Body Quills
Coating: Fly Rite's Fly Tite Cement
Thorax: Squirrel and Angelina
Bead: Tungsten
Hot Spot : Globrite Floss

Product Spot Light - Fly Rite's Fly-Tite Head Cement

2011-02-18T08:41:00.003-07:00

Fly Rite's Fly-Tite Head Cement is an innovative non toxic cement that is made of all natural ingredients. It dries clear and flexible. 2 fluid ounces comes in this little bottle. I have just started using this product that was recommended to me. And after a few uses, I have to say it is quite easy to work with. No toxic fumes to be concerned with. Gives off a semi-gloss coat. Strengthens your whip finish or adds a nice coat of durability to your flies. You can put down a small layer of the cement on the shank before you begin twisting the thread for durability as well. The stuff is available for $4.95 at Performance Flies.

Got to get out and fish

2011-02-14T08:22:00.004-07:00

I got to get out and fish a bit yesterday. We meet in Higlands ranch were we quickly hopped into Keith's truck and made the drive over to the canyon. We got a bit of late start opting to meet at 9:30 to let things warm up a bit. And what a great call that was, because it was absolutely beautiful day for it. After we made the snowpack trek up to the ridgeline and the icey and snowpack trek down to the river, we all took a different run to work. It wasn't long before I was into fish. We didn't hike far into the canyon, because all the early holes and runs were open and folks must have been further up the canyon. Both Keith and I caught fish, Robert had a more difficult day as did many other anglers we ran into. I hooked my fair share of fish though out the day and landed this brute of a fish about 4:20 just as we were getting ready to leave. Robert was fishing this little run and pool with no luck. He moved down stream a few yards, so I moved down a few feet and just above where he was and made a couple of cast and got this one to come up and take me for a ride. Ended a very beautiful day of fishing the canyon. Had a great time.

The Super Bowl Champ

2011-02-11T09:20:00.005-07:00

I am a big Green Bay Packer Fan. With their Super Bowl win last Sunday, I was in the dungeon designing a Super Bowl Champ nymph in honor of them. This is what I came up with it. It is a Polish Woven nymph in Green and Gold coloring. A very simple Champion Polish Nymph.

Here it the Super Bowl Champ!

Hook: Dohiku G-644 #14

Bead: Tungsten 3.0 mm 7/64"

Threads: Underbody White Benecchi 12/0, Finishing Thread Benecchi Black 12/0

Body: Glo-Brite Flosses Top: Green, Bottom: Lime Green

Rib: Small Gold Wire

Thorax: Spiky Squirrel Dubbing

Flashback Underworld Caddis

2011-02-10T08:57:00.005-07:00

I was asked to put this caddis pattern up here on the blog. It is a take off of my original version of the caddis of the underworld patterns. The only difference being is that I added a bit of UV Tan dubbing in the tailing area and instead of using Klima live body for the body, I went with a dubbing body and Pearl shrimp foil for the backing. I also removed the cdc under the swiss straw wing buds. Still a highly effective buggy pattern.

Fundraiser Box

2011-02-05T13:04:00.004-07:00

Here's a few flies for a fundraiser box I put together this week while the temperatures were sub-zero.

Bottom view of UV Polish woven

Top view of UV Polish woven

.
Side view

UV Tungsten Torpedo

Copper Ribbed Polish Woven

Caddis Larva

Box also included a few midges and dries.

Gettin Jiggy

2011-02-02T12:37:00.002-07:00

A few jig patterns I have been playing around with.

Flashback ET PMDs

2011-01-23T19:39:00.003-07:00

A few ET Pmds. Notice the middle left one with the pearl magic shrimp foil.

Poleberry Czech

2011-01-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

The Blueberry

2011-01-22T23:09:00.004-07:00

The Blueberry is a fly I featured at the Denver Fly Fishing Show and was a fly I could not tie fast enough. The fly quickly gained a cult following and for good reason. The blueberry was tied late this fall in anticipation of fishing it this winter. Then earlier December I found myself inside Cheesman Canyon it was mid day the sun was blocked by the clouds. The air was crisp and cool and I had just had retied my set up and had put this fly on. First Cast into the deep pool, brought forth a very thick 19" inch rainbow. A few hours later and about a dozen more fish all on the same fly. I had lost about 5 other fish that I had either missed or broke off. I had found the perfect winter combination fly and pretty hefty one to boot. The Fly originally is a size 12 & 14 Dohiku Grub 644 Hook.
Thread: Pale Water Olive UTC 140 denier
Weight: .015 lead
Body: Tying Thread (bottom colored with Yellow permanent marker and bleeding heart brown permanent marker)
Shellback: Pearl White Magic Shrimp Foil
Rib: Fine Silver Wire/Black Sulkey another combo is UV Quill Body Fly Dk and Copper Wire. (deadly combo)
Thorax: Siman Peacock and Squirrel Tail natural mix
Bead: Steelhead Blue1/8 mm Brass (variation Montana Lucent Tungsten Blue)

Variation with Brass Steelhead Blue Bead.

Variation With Copper and UV Rib Partridge Cz Hook

Foggy Mountain BWO

2011-01-18T08:16:00.009-07:00

The Foggy Mountain BWO is a pattern, that I have been playing around in my head for sometime after seeing Michal Benatinsky's March Brown wet fly in the book Secret Flies of the Czech and Slovak Tiers. I finally got some time last week to put my thoughts to work. I wanted to keep the aspects of the original fly I was basing it off, but wanted to add a few twists into the fly as well. I decided to add a little UV dubbing to make the fly visible in the depths of the water and instead of going with a true soft hackle collar, I went with squirrel to give it added texture of spikiness. Take a look.

The Fly.

Hook: Dohiku G-644 # 16

Thread: Benecchi Thread Tan

Tail: Mix of light and dark Coq De Leon fibers

Body: 1/3 UV Olive Ice Dub and Olive Pearls Hare Ear

Rib: Fine Hot Yellow Wire

Wing: Matched Duck Quills

Thorax/Collar: Mix of Squirrel Tail Natural and Siman Peacock Eye Dubbing

Head: Thread Head/ colored with purple metallic marker and Lacquered with Hend's Clear Lacquer.

This will be a great pattern for hatching BWO's fishing it on the swing or dead drifting it through a deep pool. It should work in choppy pocket water and pick up a few fish as well. I have not fished it yet. Waiting for the right time to unleash this fly on unsuspecting trout. Which should come soon. Looking forward to giving this guy a try and see what happens.

European Nymphing with Aaron Jasper

2011-01-11T08:52:00.004-07:00

Here is a great introduction video to European Nymphing with Aaron Jasper. Aaron explains the techniques of Czech/Polish and French/Spanish nymphing. He also shows how to lead the flies, working the cast, leader set up and ties a few patterns in the video as well. Aaron had sent a box of the videos to my house for Kevin Compton to sell at the Denver Fly Fishing Show this past weekend. So Kevin and I decided to watch it right away. We both felt that Aaron did a great job with the Video, it wasn't a fish fest like some videos you see. He really concentrated on the ins and outs of European nymphing and explaining it all very well and clearly. The video was done very well and should clear up a few questions about European Nymphing.

If you need to add a video to your library, need an introduction to European Nymphing, want to learn a few new patterns to tie, check out this video. You can pick your copy up from Kevin at Performanceflies.com or Trout Predator online.

Also check out the Drone Stone from Aaron in the recent Fly Tyer Magazine.

Happy New Year, Denver Fly Fishing Show and other notes of interest.

2011-01-06T08:46:00.004-07:00

Happy New Year to you all.

A few notes of interest. Ill be tying this Saturday and Sunday January 8 and 9th at the Denver Fly Fishing Show at the Merchandise Mart. Should be a good time and the show will have something for everyone to check out from new rods, reels, gear, fly tying material and have tons of tiers on hand.

Also I came home to find a big box of DVD's on my front porch yesterday from Aaron Jasper over at Trout Predator online with his new European Nymphing and tying techniques. Got to watch the video last night with Kevin Compton and I think this is great introduction video for new comers wanting to learn the secrets of Czech/Polish/French and Spanish Styles of fly fishing. Kevin will be selling the videos at the show this weekend so swing by and check it out.

Also Kevin will have Dohiku barbless hooks in all sizes and ranges for sale as well.

I will be tying a splatter of bugs from the new Euro Trash Adams, some European Jigs and caddis flies as well, stop by and say hi.

Tight lines

Polish Quills

2010-12-30T10:07:00.003-07:00

So you are stripping some peacock quills for your nymphs, dries, mergers, midges or whatever you may be twisting up at the vise. As you know Peacock quills make very awesome looking segmented bodies. But are you stripping your quills with an eraser, your fingers, dipping it in a solution of sorts? Well, if you are and are sick of breaking them or find them too time consuming to strip, check out www.polishquills.com . They are a relatively new company over in Poland that is hand stripping the quills which eliminates the problems of cracking or breaking mid wrap because they are not dipped in some solution that weakens the quill. The quills that they are creating can be used on hook sizes from #12 to #22. They are also producing the quills in 10 different colors to meet all your natural and unnatural needs. Colors available are Natural, Olive, Golden Olive, Orange, Yellow, Red, Pink, Brown, Crimson and Ginger. Each Pack has 25 quills ready to be twisted into something buggy. Check them out and there quills. And the neat thing about them if you do decide to splurge and buy a few packs, is that they have a complete satisfaction program in place, if you don’t like them, send them back within 7 days for a refund. Happy Twisting

Fly of the Day

2010-12-29T12:04:00.003-07:00

From the archives comes the fibet/polywinged rs2

hook: 200R #18

body: biot

Underwing: two fibets

Overwing:Polywing

Thorax: Buggy Nymph Dub

Tying for myself

2010-12-22T09:50:00.003-07:00

Got a few minutes at the vise to twist up some bugs for myself.

Where is the time going, Thanks, 2010 in the rearview mirror.

2010-12-22T08:41:00.003-07:00

Everytime I sit down to put something on the blog, something comes up so I have not been very active here. I have managed to get out and wet a line this fall and winter a few times, not as many as I would have liked, but each time I did get out, was well worth it. I was also able to get out and carve some turns in the fresh powder that has been dumping snow on the mountain, which will be a good cleansing for the river systems in the mountains this spring.

I have found myself tying flies for myself and customers, had a great year both at the vise, on the water and life in general.

This year I was able to fish Montana, Idaho, New Mexico and my beloved state of Colorado. I want to reflect on this past Year. 2010 was a busy year for me flytying. I did demos all over the front range at several shops, a few Trout Unlimited Chapters tying events, Denver Fly Fishing Show, and was added to the Partridge of Redditch International Pro Staff. I added several new customers around the country and globe for custom tied flies of my designs which is very rewarding.

A few of the patterns that made it into anglers boxes have been my BWO pattern, Stones of the Underworld, Caddis of the Underworld, Bunker Torpedos, midges galore and the newest pattern the ET Adams.

As this year comes to the end, I want to thank the folks who take the time to read Father Natures Life on the Fly Blog and who have contacted me about tying flies for them, the shows, the demos, and Partridge of Redditch for adding me to their Pro Staff. I am looking forward to 2011 in terms of fly tying, and fishing. Thanks to all, hope you all have a Happy Holiday Season.

Cheers,

Chad aka Father Nature!

E.T. Adams

2010-11-22T09:45:00.001-07:00

Here is a pattern that I came up with and tested out this past year on the water. It is a basic mayfly nymph and the colors and size can be adjusted to any color scheme to match Blue Wing Olives, Pale Morning Duns, March Browns, Drakes and Tricos.

The pattern is a very basic pattern with very few bells and whistles, but the bells and whistles that this fly does have is what makes this fly count. This is a year round pattern and can be sized differently as well as changing up the color scheme as noted above. The pattern has gone through a very thorough testing phase before I began showing it off recently at a few tying demos. This bug is one buggy bug and made to go in any fly box. The fly was responsible for bring many fish to net this year and will have a place inside my fly box for quite some time. It is one the best mayfly nymph patterns that I have used this year and has a very bright future in my fly box.

The pattern is called Euro Trash Adams or E.T.Adams for short.

I took the name from a Cracker Song called Euro Trash Girl.

Why the Euro Trash associated with it. Only because the most of the materials are of European descent from the Hook, Tail, Dubbing, Wingcase and Lacquer.

The Guts and Glory of the fly

Hook: Partridge CZ hook #16

Tail: Coq De Leon

Rib: Vinyl rib (as an added attractor add a small gold wire for double rib).

Body: Mixed dubbing grey and tan hare

Thorax: Siman Peacock UV Green Dubbing with chopped up deer hair from Fly DK

Wing Case: Siman Magic Shrimp Foil (I give the wing casing a little slab of black marker and hit it with Hends Lacquer Olive.

Wings: Partridge or as the top left corner fly has some medallion sheeting for the wings under the partridge. Works great as an Emerger.

Thread: Black

This bug is tied reversed hook point riding up.

Fly Tying Demos This week

2010-11-08T09:11:00.002-07:00

I have a couple of Demos coming up this week. Ill be on hand Thursday night at the Cherry Creek Anglers Fly Tying Clinic twisting up some bugs and Ill be at Anglers All in Littleton on Saturday from 10-12. Come by one or the other and check it out. Ill be twisting up some hook reversed mayflies, a few caddis patterns, maybe a bwo dry or two. Should be a good time. Hope to see you out.

Cheers,

Fish vs Phishing>>

2010-10-16T21:11:00.000-06:00

I was able to get out and do some phishing this weekend, no not fishing, but that’s right Phishing. I was able to see the first two nights of Phish’s 3 night stand here in Broomfield, CO. I was also able to attend the Fourmile benefit show prior to the Phish stand. Being able to see Phish in a small venue again, brought back many memories of seeing them before they really exploded on the Hippie Jam band scene after Jerry Garcia’s death. I was a true and hard faithful follower of Phish’s music for many years. I kind of got uninterested in them for awhile in the early 2000’s only going to a handful of shows between now and then. I thought the band was regressing a bit with their popularity and just moved on to different music and bands. Jump forward to the fall of 2010 and deciding after hearing a bunch of summer shows, I thought to myself, can this be true, they are playing fierce, tight and really good, I may have to check them out again. So when the fall tour was announced, I tried to get mail order tickets and was shut out again. I used to always get mail order tickets anytime I tried, but since 3.0 I have been shut out many times and was really losing patience on trying to get tickets. The day tickets went on sale, I had another obligation I need to attend, the Sunnyside Music Festival, so I was not near a phone or computer to even attempt to get tickets. I emailed a few friends to see if they could get tickets for me or at least a ticket to anyone of the nights. I found out a couple days later that my good friend Scott was able to get me a ticket for the opening night. Woohoo. I got a ticket. Then a few days later they announced the benefit show for the fire victims that lost their homes in Four Mile Canyon just west of Boulder, CO. Low and behold, the ticket line up was pretty great. Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mtn String Band, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, String Cheese Incident and not Phish, but Trey, Mike, Page and Jon of Phish were all scheduled to play. Must have been something in their contract to state they could not do the benefit as Phish but rather as individuals.

So I am going to start from the benefit night. Jen and I showed up to event center a little after 6 and missed most of the Leftover Salmon set, Page sat in with Leftover and we caught the last few songs which sounded like it was a great set. Next up was Yonder Mtn String Band the four placements of mics and a drum kit in back of them. Hmmm… is Fishman going to sit in with Yonder? Why, yes after a few songs, Jeff Austin said hey we are getting the band back together! We had this drummer for a couple of tours and then he had to leave our band to go back to some college band he was with prior to us. The event center exploded as Jon came out and played the rest of the set with YMSB. Next up, Big Head Todd and the Monsters. I really didn’t care a whole lot for this set, it was too loud for the venue and Todds new line up with the horns and keys is not the old Monsters of old that we all grew to love. He to has regressed as a musician, oh well. Next up Trey and Mike acoustic!!!! Wow, things are getting exciting. Trey and Mike make their way to the stage and get set up and jump right into Back on the Train from Farmhouse into Water in the Sky (a favorite of mine), A Sample in a Jar followed and really got the place grooving! Then they went into Train Song from Billy Breathes album. Then a splendid Waste, Possum, and a surprise My Friend My Friend, thought they would go into an acoustic Guyute or In A Misty Glade or something along those lines. Then they really got the place grooving with WILSON and closed the set with Bathtub Gin, which is my wife’s favorite tune by these guys. Surprising. Then the Cheese came on, we were pretty beat by this time and said lets stay for a song or two and see what happens, if its going to be a big jam or what. What was nice about Cheese’s first song is they played really the only tune I really like by the Mouna Bowa. Then Trey came out and played two songs with them and as he left, we left too. I found out the next morning they did have a big jam, but with all the Colorado Guys. The boys from Phish were done.

Night 1 of Phish, I picked up my Scott who had my ticket for tonight, got to his house about 4:30 and we quickly headed over to the event center and to have a few beers in the lot and hippie watch. Hippie watching is always a fun thing to do, because you just never know what you might see. LOL.

We made our way into the show as the doors open and quickly headed to the floor since there was a lot of room on the floor and thought we could get pretty close. We ended up about 8/9 rows back centered in front of Mike. Perfect to feel the bass riffs. We sat talking with other folks who were in town to see the boys jam. The lights were dimmed and the boys came to the stage and ripped into Chalkdust Torture, what a way to kick things off and get people up and shaking. Ocolet quickly followed Chalkdust and kept the groove going. Then Page pulled back into one of my old favorites It’s Ice. I have always liked this tune from the old days. It kind of lost its place in the rotation in the 2000’s glad its back. Bouncin and Funky Bitch were next and really got the place grooving and shaking. Oh yeah, its going to be a good night. Then we were treated to a really rocked out AC/DC Bag, oh are we going to enter the world of Gamehendge tonight. Nope, they went into another old favorite of mine NICU. NICU was followed up by a super funky Moma Dance. I have liked the way this tune has progressed over the years. As I thought the set was over they went into another oldie but goodie Horn, which went into a sick Stash also from Rift. Man they are going old school on us tonight, this is great. The Stash was sick and I thought for sure its time to hit the rest room for a quick break, but no, another blast form the past Golgi Apparatus. End of Set. Holy cow, Im spent that was great. We have another set to look forward, there is no way they could top set one, but could they.

Set 2 Night 1, well they came out firing on all cylinders and broke into Mikes>Simple. This pairing is the perfect 1, 2 punch to get the crowd going. They the noodling at the end of Simple, I thought forsure they were going to break into Punch You In the Eye, but no, I said to Scott I think its Ghost and this little guy in front of me turned around and said oh yeah its Ghost and Ghost it was and funky and groovy as could be. And then Mike came through with an Authority bass crunches that only could be Weekapaug Groove and the place just fell apart and everyone in the place was dancing and having a great time. Then Trey stepped back and picked up the megaphone, oh yeah, more old school stuff coming our way, everyone in the place knew Fee was next. Oh what a great tune to hear anytime anywhere. And the boys didn’t disappoint it was perfect. Next up on the sushi platter was a reggae influenced old school Makisupa Policeman. Good stuff right there and towards the end of Makisupa Trey stepped up and asked everyone if they wanted to hear a new tune. Well of course, bring it on Trey. My problem right there was the new tune, that has a ton of potential. The lyrics reminded of the Lawnboy days, it was nice to hear. They quickly went back into Makisupa to finish it off. Then yet another old school tune made its appearance and had the place going crazy, Slave to the Traffic Light. I thought this was going to be the end of the set, but no, Page quickly dropped into Strange Design, which was awesome, it settled the crowd down to catch their breath, before breaking into a tune, I had told Scott earlier in the day I wanted to hear, Julius. What a great way to end the show. Okay for the encore, I thought forsure they were going to do a Beatles tune, but they brought us Lovin Cup, which is always a great closer to an awesome show. This version wasn’t as good as others I have heard, but sent everyone home with a huge smile on their face. Both Scott and I were happy as heck to see such a great show. I had only expected to see this show.

Day 2, I was sitting at work and got an email from my friend Annie who said she had another friend with an extra who was trying to trade it all day long for a New Years Run ticket but had no luck and wanted to know if I wanted, of course I wanted, but need to check with the wife to make sure we didn’t have any other plans that night, so a quick email to her and her quick response was yes go have fun. So another quick email to Annie saying Yes I want, where do we meet, what time, ect… so I quickly wrapped things up at work headed home to change, I am dragging from the night before, oh how am I going to get the energy to pull off night 2. So I said bye to the kids and Jen and made way to the Cuban Café to get a large double shot of espresso coffee and drank it on my way to the lot. Oh the coffee started to kick in, I made a quick call to Annie to see where to meet. West entrance. I grabbed a couple of beers and made my way to the west entrance, as walked up to the entrance I ran into a few friends who were shocked to see me there for night 2, thought you didn’t have a ticket, I scored one around 3:30 so its game on. Annie quickly showed up and we found her buddy Don in line and I got my ticket and we made our way into the show in one fellow swoop. I quickly made my way down to the floor like the previous night, hoping to get a little closer and yes I did this time more centered between Trey and Mike. Perfect. Started talking to this couple from Lake Tahoe who made the voyage out to see the shows. Had a beer and hung out for awhile and the lights were dimmed and the boys walked to the stage.

Set 1 night 2. Can they top last night or will it be a letdown. What are they going to play, they came out and quickly settled into Runaway Jim. This is a great tune to hear anytime and Mike just like last night was all over the place. Foam would follow Jim, another oldie but goodie, I was not disappointed but rather giddy. I like how this is turning out for night two. Then they broke into Back on the Train which is an awesome tune from Farmhouse and has really developed over the years into a great tune. Then Wolfmans Brother, one of the funkiest versions I have ever heard and was soo happy to hear it. Had me shaking and grooving. Then they broke into Reba, which Scott wanted to hear the night before so I sent him a quick text that they were playing it and I got a DAMN, response back. It rocked old school style, expect no whistle ending. Then more old school fun Halley’s Comet which was as good as the old days that went into a very sick and twisted Tweezer. Oh yeah. Tweezer was followed up by a new Mike tune What things seem, off his new album Moss, that Trey quite didn’t have down, but there is plenty of room for improvement and possibly exploration jamming to fit in with it. The Squirming Coil was up next which is always a treat as well, and I thought this was going to end the set, but no, staying with old school fashion, they broke into Run Like an Antelope with Trey having fun with the audience. Trey- Marco, audience Polo, this went a few times before they ended Antelope and set break.

As soon as the set was over I took off for the bathroom and some fresh air. Made my way back to the floor and find my new friends from Tahoe. They were holding the spot we had for the first set so all was good. Lights dimmed and we were ready for set 2 nite 2. What are they going to play.

They broke into a tune called Golden Age which was played once on the fall tour of the previous year. And not to disappoint they rocked and rocked it hard. What an awesome tune for the boys to cover and have fun doing it. Piper which is my favorite tune of Farmhouse was next and played very well. It was awesome to hear and had me excited and having fun. Then out of nowhere came Camel Walk. Man, they are busting into these old school tunes and having sooo much fun playing them, the place was going nuts. Then Alaska off their new album Party Time made appearance and what great tune this has turned out to be. Just plain old fun. Then Gotta Jibboo was next and funky and groovy. I have only heard this tune live a few times and like it more and more every time I hear it, so it was super nice to hear. Wading in the Velvet Sea was next up and mellow and psychedelic it was. What a great tune from the Ghost album. And then another Farmhouse tune made its appearance Twist, this was going to be the set closer the way they were playing and jamming this tune out. But no, wait, is it, no it can’t be oh hell yeah, it is Fluffhead, this is my all time favorite Phish Tune and anytime I hear it, I consider it to be a big treat to me. Wow what a way to end a set, I had the biggest smile on face, sweat dripping down my face, and I was completely spent from shaking and grooving all night long. But it wasn’t over yet, Backwards Down the Number Line from Joy was to close the set out and I absolutely love this tune, its catchy and groovy. I was bustin a move and having so much fun. I couldn’t have asked for a better two night stand of tunes to be played. Okay now for the encore we all knew Tweezer Reprise was coming, but what was it to be paired with. I had no clue what to expect and thank god I didn’t because they broke out Sleeping Monkey. Which is another old school fav of mine and the closer was the Reprise. Man, I was in heaven after that set. What a great way to end my two night run with Phish. There was no way I was going to pull 4 nights in row, 3 were plenty enough for me and I don’t think they could top the two nights. And after listening to the 3^rd night, I think I was right and chose the first two and catch up some much needed sleep on their 3^rd night. But Phish proved once again they follow current events and played to Freed Chilean Miners. Trey gave a shout out to them as they were being freed and changed up their second set to reflect what was going on. Light>Theme from the Bottom>Free> and Joy! Wow, if that is retrospective of whats going I don’t know what is. It reminded of a show many many years ago when OJ Simpson was on the Run. They came out in the second set and no one in the audience had a clue what was going on, but they kept signing, Run OJ, Run. Funny stuff right there. Hopefully they have a very successful fall and New Year’s Run that we get to see them again next spring here in Colorado. Thank you Phish for such a great time!!!!

Golden Stone of the Underworld

2010-10-06T07:54:00.000-06:00

I recently finished a custom order of Golden Stones of the Underworld for a customer of mine. Sent them off and he got to fish them. He then sent this picture of the Stone in Action. What a great shot.

Here is a picture of the order that went out to him.

The golden stones were tied on the Partridge of Redditch's Authentic Czech Nymph Hook size 10. Perfect for stones!

A little history behind the hook that the fly was tied on. The hook is Partridge of Redditch's Authentic Czech Nymph Hook. This is the hook that matches the famous Czech nymph hook that was used in the World Championships. The Curved shank and the bold offset point are crucial to this design in the hook. The in-curved and offset point gives it a very secure hook hold even though it is barbless. These hooks are perfect for weighted nymphs used in the Czech style of fishing, hence that is why I recreated the Golden Stone on this hook vs the old hook I was using. The thicker wire and heavily weighted body gets this bad boy down to where the big piggies like to hang out.

Rocky Mtn National Park & Lilly Lake

2010-10-04T08:30:00.002-06:00

Got to squeeze in one more group family camping trip. We headed up to Rocky Mountain National Park this weekend with the Bryant St. Crew, Smirnows, Martins, Kellers, Popes and us. We got to the park just after 10:00 am Saturday and went and checked into our campground to see if we could get into our site and low and behold, our site was open for business. So we headed to the site and got camp set up, made lunch and got ready for a little hike. We decided to hike from the campsite down to Moraine Park to see and listen to the Elk. We managed a pretty good hike with 7 kids and one infant in tow. Got down to Moraine park and could see Elk everywhere through out the grass lands. Did our hike and made our way back down. As we were crossing the Big T inside the park, the kids wanted to play in the river for a bit.

As the kids were playing in the river there was a whole herd of Elk right behind us, bugling. So we checked out the Elk and made our way back to the campsite. As soon as we got back it was late afternoon already, cocktail hour.

Got dinner ready and sat around the campfire for a few hours, Jason and Steph played guitar and sang a bunch of tunes until 10:30 or so. At this time we decided to call it a night. Woke up the in the morning of course to find a bunch of deer right outside our site in the grass valley we overlooked.

Got breakfast going and broke down camp. Loaded up and instead of doing a hike, Quinn, Myles, Jason and I got to head up to Lilly Lake to get in some fishing while the girls decided to do one of the hikes based out of Lilly Lake.

We got dressed up in waders and rods strung, I tied on hoppers and beetles on mine and Quinn's rod and made our way down to the lake. We started walking around the lake watching rising fish every way. Got Quinn set up and he started casting, I in the mean time, cut the beetle off and went with a size 16 BWO and first cast, a beautiful greeenback cutt to hand. I quickly gave the rod to Quinn and let him play him and bring him in release him. He had a good time and asked me to do it again. So I made a few more cast and few more greenies for him to play he was having a ball. Caught up to Jason and Myles and let gave him a bwo that was working for us. We made our way around and hooked and lost a few and brought a few more to hand. That lasted a couple of hours and we were ready to head out. Wish I had the camera, Jen took it with Celia hiking, because Quinn was having a ball reeling in the cutties. Good times.

Gunnison and Taylor

2010-10-01T04:20:00.004-06:00

Gunnison/Taylor Weekend

Fall Colors!

I managed to get out and fish the Gunnison and Taylor river last weekend with a Jason and Eric. We left Denver about 5:30pm on Thursday night and made our way to Cottonwood Pass. We we arrived to me Eric at the Camp site, we found his truck and camper in pretty rough shape. LOL. Sorry Eric, but this story is too great not to tell. Eric ended up following his GPS device against his own better judgement, hoping to cut his trip in half by going over Aspen to Taylor pass to drop down in Taylor Park. He was driving his Tundra while pulling his camper and raft on top of the camper(see the set up below). The Taylor creek pass is not for the non 4 wheeler, we have heard stories of this pass eating up Jeep 4wheelers, it is more tailored to 4 wheelers then all terrain vehicles. (check out a few videos on 4 wheeling Taylor Pass on Youtube. you will get the idea of what he did, lol. ) He went and made it over the pass after two hours of white knuckled driving and smashing his truck and camper up pretty good. He basically played pinball off boulders with the truck n camper in tow. He managed to crush his water tank below the camper, bend an axial, smash the steel stairs and completely tore apart his wheel wells on the truck. It was a good one.

The pinballed truck.

As for the fishing. We floated the Gunnison from Almont to North Bridge. Got a later start but was good, because we had the river pretty much to ourselves for the day. Only saw a few other fisherman on the water in a few pockets up near Almont. We caught fish through out the day. We hooked a few Salmon, but none were landed. All in all it was a good day, not a large amount of fish caught, but fish were caught.

Before Fridays Launch.

Saturday we power waded the middle and upper Taylor. It was a different story today. Fishing was good, caught a ton of fish today, small, medium sized and few bigger browns. We fished until just before the sun went down, and as the sun was setting, we made our way up to the dam to fish for a few hours. We fished the dam from 7-9:30 or so. As soon as we got the dam, I started hooking fish immediately. Caught a few bigger browns and lost a few bigger fish on the 6x tippet I was using. Eric caught several nice browns as well.

Got off the river and headed back to the campsite to make dinner and do some maintenance work on the trailer so Eric could drive it back to Eagle. The major thing was removing the stairs from the trailer that was crushed up against the tire. As soon as Eric got that off he was hopefully good to go. Sat around the fire drinking some whiskey and just relaxing, before turning in for the night.

Sunday we were up early and got camp broken down and the trailer down, raft on top of the camper and headed up to the dam for a few hours of fishing before heading home. Got up to the dam and all hooked fish. I found the right fly right of the bat. A size 22 chartreuse and grey jujubee. I started hooking fish pretty consistently and got the Jason and Eric set up with some flies. Then it kinda of died down for me. Still hooking big fish, but not landing any. Breaking me off pretty quickly straiten out the hook. Jason how ever landed a pretty nice bow, with a ripped lip most likely from a treble hook of sorts. Just before noon we packed it up went up to the vehicles broke down, had a beer and headed home. Great trip, fun times and good story

provided by Eric.

Jason with ripped Lip

Rod Bush new species of plant?

The smashed up Tundra pulling the rig.

A nice brown I caught on the Taylor

Jason with his bow

Dam Brown by Eric, great expression.

I caught one!

Fall Colors

More fall colors.

3M acquires Ross

2010-09-30T16:04:00.002-06:00

Now that 3M has acquired Ross Worldwide, will 3M expand on the Scientific Angler brand with Ross or will Ross help expand the Scientific Angler Brand. A few things to watch. Is this a sign that once staple manufactures are getting gobbled up by bigger corporate brands for the better or for the worse. A few things to ponder. Will Rod makers start lowering their price of their high end rods to meet a financially strapped person or will you save all your pennies to get that higher end rod. With this acquisition of Ross, who will be next.

Cheesman Canyon Gill Trailhead Clousure

2010-09-27T09:33:00.002-06:00

Just FYI out there to all you hikers that like to hike into Cheesy Canyon. The lower trail from the parking lot is closing here soon for some repairs, see details below.

The Trail Head Lot will be closed by the USFS (the big lot off of Rt 126 -- scheduled closure is from Tuesday, October 12th, for 6 -7 weeks - which brings it re-opening around November 23rd thru the 30th

The closure is to allow them to store construction equipment to repair the culvert under FSR 211, the road that runs up to the dam - they plan to dam up Wig Wam Creek, pump that water past the culvert & road back into the Creek, dig out all the sediment and drop the culvert down 10 feet, where it originally sat - it is currently just a foot below the road - an emergency repair after last summers nasty floods.

At some time during the project, FSR 211 will be closed for about 7 days - which means no access to the Canyon will be available - good news is that the program will not muddy up Wig Wam Creek - at least that is the theory - since they will pump clear water past the in-creek work.

These dates could be moved back, depending on the diving work schedule currently ongoing at the dam - can't close the road if the divers are not done.

While FSR 211 remains open, access to the Canyon will still be available from the dam trail - the one where I have to bring oxygen tanks and Sherpas to carry me out

We will keep updates on the weekly report as we are advised by the USFS - the old dirt parking lot (the good o'le one) will not be opened during the closure - so basically no one will be able to access the lower Gill Trail (by parking legally) for the duration of the project -- and I can assure you that cars not parked legally will be ticketed - and legal parking will not exist.

But - we are looking at setting up a shuttle service from the shop to the trail head - just depends on how much of the trail is closed off - as we learn more on the project (and what will be open or closed) we will keep you advised

The service, if implemented, will not be free, but as reasonable as we can make it - all depends on response from all of you - so spread the word to all your Canyon buddies - have them send a short e-mail to us if they might be interested in such a service - we will take it from their.

IFTD Show

2010-09-15T08:50:00.000-06:00

Well, I got to go down to the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show last Thursday and got to meet some really good folks and talk to a few folks. Didn't have much time to see all the new gear and gadgets for the upcoming season. Got to talk to the Dusty at the Scott Booth for a few minutes and talked to John over at Hardy briefly and sat down with Mark with Partridge of Redditch for most of the time I was the show. The outcome of that meeting is that I am going to to be steep in tradition and aligned with a hook company willing to think outside the box and give some of the other hook makers a run for their money. I am now a proud member of the International Pro Team with Partridge. This is a truly a great honor and looking forward to many years with them. I am in good company too. The likes of Oliver Edwards, Marvin Nolte, Barry Ord Clarke, Ad Swier, Morten Oland, Jukka Taipo, Edward Muzeroll and myself. So at this year's demo's Ill be tying on Partridge hooks. Look for some really neat things from this company in the near future. Mark of Fishing Matters which also represents Varivas, Owner, American Fishing Wire, Marryat and others is getting deep in the Partridge tradition and working to restore the company back to its heydays. .

Partridge of Redditch has been under the wing of Mustad, Norway, for the past thirteen years, but recently has been returned to British hands.

Partridge has 130 years of heritage and can be credited with the invention of modern fly hook manufacture. Wet and dry fly classics are the benchmark hook for fly dressing and Partridge produce the preeminent salmon hook. Look for new hooks from this company in the near future.

Well now, gotta go get ready for some fall fishing on the Gunnison.

Tight Lines,

Platte River Apprentice

2010-09-02T04:20:00.001-06:00

The Platte River Apprentice is an combination of my new designed Apprentice fly and Chris Schrantz's Platte River Spider. If you are not familiar with the Platte River Spider it has been a favorite streamer pattern of mine for years. You can check out the Tutorial over at www.charliesflybox.com. I found that the Platte River Spider fishes best in fall. So with fall looming in the air I found myself at the bench getting ready for an upcoming trip. With the Apprentice still fresh in my mind I thought way not take the color scheme of the Platte River Spider and make an Platte River Apprentice.

So I broke out a few various dubbings and got busy blending them to the color and shag I was looking for. As soon as the dubbing was complete it was tying on.

Started off by tying the stinger hook first.

Partridge CZ hook #12
Thread: Black
Tail: Peacock Angel Hair, Yellow Marabou, Brown Marabou and Root Beer Crystal Flash
Body: Sunset Mix
Collar: Wood Duck colored

Main Body
Hook: Grip 13812 Streamer #4
Tungsten Cone Large
.030 Lead 11-13 wraps
Tail: Peacock Angel Hair, Yellow Marabou, Brown Marabou and Root Beer Crystal Flash
Body: Sunset Dubbing
Legs: Pumpkin Sili Legs
Collar 1: Wood Duck Colored
Collar 2: Mottled Marabou
Collar3: Yellow Marabou
Optional Hot Spot: Siman Peacock Eye Dubbing (I have tied a few with and few with out this hotspot, this one is with out the hot spot,)

Stone Flies

2010-09-01T21:53:00.000-06:00

Just finished up a few Golden and Black Stones for an order. Using the Partridge CZ hook.

Streamer Season

2010-08-19T09:19:00.008-06:00

Is fall really in the air. The kids went back to school the other day, the night time cooler temps only mean one thing. Streamer Season is just around the corner. Those who fish with me know I use streamers all year long. The bigger flies produce bigger fish at times. So the last few weeks I have been thinking up some new streamers for fall. So this past week I tied up a bunch of articulated streamer patterns to give a shot. I tied up my first prototype with out the articulation to get my proportions and all the bells and whistles right, before moving on to the articulated one. After a few tinkerings here and there I was able to make the articulated Apprentice. The Apprentice is an off shoot of my original bunker torpedo and the circus peanut dressings, but tinkered into my own fly of pure trout evil. Why do I call it pure trout evil, because this thing is pure evil. I don't know if it was dumb luck, stupid fish, or whatever, but I managed to get out this past weekend and hiked into Cheesman Canyon. I got to the canyon for an early start. I managed to make it down to the water by 6:20 am. I got to a spot where I like to start fishing and work a section of the river before hiking further back. I had the new rod put together, and tied on my new streamer the Apprentice. At this point I didn't tie any droppers on, just wanted to give this bad boy a few cast and see it flow through the water. Okay, I got my line out and made my first cast and was getting ready for the drift, but the thing didn't have any time to drift, because as soon as it hit the water, I nice very thick, 18" rainbow slammed it. The line went tight and the rod was bent. Since this was the first fish with this rod, I wanted to get the feeling of the rod and loosened up the drag and let the fish take off. I don't know if that was a good thing or not, because it ended taking me a while to get the fish back in. After about 10 minutes I landed, revived and released the fish back into the waters of the South Platte.

Getting ready for the next cast, I moved up a few feet from my first drift to work a nice piece of faster pocket water. The flows were beautifully at 356 cfs which is much better then the 96 cfs we usually see at this time of year, but with the work going on at the dam the water temps where much warmer then normal. Getting myself ready for the cast, made my decision on where I was going to put the fly. The fly hit the water, I made an upstream mend and the line went tight! After a few minutes landed a 21" bow. Two cast, two fish, on the new rod with the new fly. The stars must be aligned for me today I was thinking. Worked a few more pockets and runs that I like in this section and another 6 fish later I was ready to hike up stream a bit. All fish took this new articulated streamer I developed earlier this week.

Back to the fly itself, The Apprentice

Stinger Hook: Partridge CZ #12
Tail: Widow Flash, Marabou Olive, and dash of lite Bright Flash

Body: Bunker Torpedo Dubbing
Collar: Wood Duck Flank

Main Body: Streamer Hook Size 6
Tail: Widow Flash, Marabou Olive and dash of polar flash
Body: Bunker Torpedo Dubbing
Wings: Olive Ostrich Herl
Legs: Speckled Olive rubber legs.
Collar one: Wood duck flank, Colored olive
Collar two: Mottled Marabou
Hot Sport : Siman Peacock Red
Tungsten Cone Head

Underbody Weight: 7-10 wraps of .030 Lead

To articulate the streamer. I take a heavy mono filament and feed through the hook like you would be tying it normally. Then I take the two strands of the mono and tie to each side of the main hook shank and wrap it good and cement it and begin the second portion of the fly. Once the fly is completed, I snipe off the hook of the main fly and now you have a really great articulated fly.

Here is another color variation. I titled the Majestic, with some minor flash subsititutions.

But a great purple/black streamer for those overcast days that lie ahead in the coming months.

Tight Threads!

New Rod

2010-08-17T22:41:00.003-06:00

Today, I came home from work and my kidos greeted me at the door to say I received a box. I wasn't expecting anything so I was caught off guard. My son Quinn disappeared into the house and came out with a triangled box, which I knew contained a fly rod. But I wasn't expecting my fly rod back for another month due to repair noticed I received a few days earlier. I sent in a beat up Zero Gravity and got back a brand new ZG Helios. I am excited to hit the river and give it a shot. I am also wondering If Ill receive my T3 back or a new Hydros.

Glacier and beyond road trip

2010-08-09T12:33:00.003-06:00

I just returned from a two week vacation with my family and some neighbors of ours. We traveled 3000 miles, 9 campgrounds, 12 campfires, 40+ miles hiked, 1 yurt, several fish species caught and returned to the water, US/Canada boarder crossing a few times, 3 bears, lots of deer, bald eagles, mountain goats and some very beautiful weather.

We started the journey off leaving Denver and traveling north to Billings, Mt, with a quick stay at the Yellowstone River Campground in Billings before making our way to Glacier. We arrived at Two Medicine in Glacier to find a full campground, so we made our way further north to the Cutbank campground in Glacier and got the very last spot. We spent two nights here tooling around two medicine side of glacier.

We then made our way into Waterton Lakes International Peace park for 3 days, we rented a canoe one day and paddled across Cameron Lake to a really neat mountain side made up of waterfalls and glacier. We did a ton of hiking in Waterton, traveled to Goat Haunt on the International Tug Boat, got our passports stamped here and returned to Waterton in Canada. And while in Waterton, we split from our neighbors who searched out some showers and we went up to the Prince of Wales of Hotel. Wow, what a beautiful place. Checked out a few more places inside the park and did a few more Hikes before leaving Canada and heading to the west side of Glacier. Made our way up to Bowman Lake in the upper northwest corner of Glacier, fished Bowman Creek caught a ton of little west slope cutts and cuttbows, fished the Flathead and got a Bull trout. Knocked that fish off my list. Did a few hikes and spent two nights here before leaving the park and headed to Kalispell for laundry day. The girls did laundry and we took the kids to a very crappy restaurant and meet back up with the girls. After we picked the girls up we headed into the Flathead valley to find a campsite, finally found one at Holland Lake, boy what a neat, yet weird campground.

After spending the night here, we woke up had breakfast and did a 3+ mile hike to a really cool waterfall, and returned to the cars to head out to Idaho, we made our way to Salmon Idaho, where we found a campground right on the Salmon river. Jason and I headed into town to get our fishing Licenses. After two stops finally found a place to sell us a license at 7:30 at night. Made our way back to the campground where the girls where putting dinner together. Got camp set up and got the rods strung up and fished the salmon river right at the campground, caught a few salmon, whitefish, a cutbow and a few rainbows. Woke up the next morning early, everyone else was sleeping, so I slipped into my waders and fished for two hours before everyone woke up. Managed to catch a couple salmon and rainbows. We had breakfast and broke down camp and started to make our way to the Galena Lodge, but we made a one stop along the salmon river to fish a few a few hours. Caught a few white fish and a ton of rainbows here, before hoping back into the Toyotas and headed towards Galena Lodge.

Got to Galena Lodge, had some dinner, made our way up to the yurts, which was cool, first time any of us stayed in a yurt. We woke up the next morning, had breakfast, meet our hosts for an afternoon hike, did the hike came back to the lodge for some lunch, ate lunch and the girls and kids hung out at the lodge for awhile while, Jason and I headed down the Big wood River for some fishing. We fished for about 3 hours catching a ton rainbows, nothing to big, but lots of fun. Headed back to the Galena got the kids and girls and headed down to Sun Valley for dinner.

Next day checked out of the yurts, Jason's family went horseback riding, and we headed to a our next campsite, we were supposed to head to the Tetons today, but decided to stay and extra day and camped on the Bigwood river, got camp set up and I went fishing, Jen hung out with the kids. I fished for a while, catching a ton of fish, the day was cloudy, so the fishing was a bit easier today and the fish seemed much bigger today then the day before. After a few hours, I headed back to the campsite, got Quinn and Miles in the waders and took them down to the river we only had about 45 minutes before we had to be back up at the lodge for Horseback Hay rides for the kids and BBQ. After dinner we headed back down to the campsite and Jason and I quickly hit the river for some evening fishing. Got into this hole where every cast would induce a strike or fish, which was awesome. Next morning we broke camp down and started to head home. Traveled through Idaho, and Utah before making our way to Fort Bridger for a quick night on the road, last camp night before making it home. Made it home the next day about 4 o clock. Today back at work.

What a great family vacation, the kids did awesome, the parents managed to drink a few handles of whiskey and couple cases of beer. Back to reality after two weeks and 3000 miles on the road.

New Materials

2010-07-07T09:07:00.004-06:00

I was recently sent some new materials from my good buddy Kevin Compton at Performance flies. He is now importing some materials from Sybai out of the Czech Republic.

SYBAI Tackle s.r.o. is professional producer of tying materials and accessories for fly fishing. The way we develop and manufacture our products is putting great emphasis on quality and continuous process of innovation is enabling us to successfully export and distribute our products throughout the world.

Some of the materials I received from Kevin.

Flexi-floss is an excellent stretchable floss with all the qualities of rubber. This material is ideal when forming bodies and legs on any type of fly. I have been using the flexi-floss as a ribbing agent on both nymph and dry fly bodies. It is a very sturdy material and easy to work with. I have also been using it as gills on midge patterns. Comes in a huge assortment of colors.

Pearl Braidback is another material I got which is Very translucent and pearl luster material used in nymph bodies, backs and wingcases. This material makes for a great shellback on czech nymphs and makes a beautiful wingcase for nymphs. I need to experiment more with this material.

3D Epoxy Eyes,

The eyes are made by the most modern technology from the special resin of the excellent quality, which includes especially:

UV radiation resistance ( no getting yellow and color stability supporting)

long time elasticity ( scratching and cracking by stroke resistance)

high transparency ( against usually used resins on the polyester base our ones reach higher „ 3 D“effect)

The most of the 3D Epoxy Eyes are the original models, which SYBAI tackle is the only producer. I have not yet played around with these, but looking forward to twisting up some streamers using these neat, very neat looking eyes.

And one of my favorite products that I received was Fine Flash Dubbing. A fine diameter, Flashabou textured synthetic dubbing. Can be mixed with other dubbing materials. Perfect for speedy formation of shiny saltwater, streamer, nymph and wet flies bodies. This material is a lot like the Siman Peacock dubbing, but with a wider variety of colors. This was the first product I broke into and started playing with. I took some Black Spikey Squirrel dubbing and the Burnt Orange color of Fine Flash dubbing and mixed it up to get a very neat Salmon fly body color. This stuff needs to be chopped up a bit for the fibers are long, but very workable. Looking forward to working with this material more as time goes on.

Well time to get back to the work bench and see what comes off the vise.

Tight Threads!

The Midge

2010-07-07T09:03:00.001-06:00

Here is a link to a neat little clip of midges hatching done up Ralph Cutter.

http://www.midcurrent.com/video/clips/cutter_midge.aspx

Taylor Park

2010-06-29T09:21:00.004-06:00

For my sons 7th birthday, we had two choices at hand. The first camping with one group of friends at a Disney Park type of campground in Grand Lake with all sorts of rides, foods, events and high dollar cost for the weekend or rafting with another set of friends. Jen and I let Quinn decided on how he wanted to spend his birthday weekend. He chose rafting. Great choice Quinn! So Friday we packed up the camping gear, rafting gear and of course the fishing gear and headed off to Taylor park. We left town right around the four a clock mark on Friday afternoon. The traffic thru the western suburbs on I-70 was slow going and once we got to 285 it was easy sailing thru the mtn towns. We made it to Buena Vista at about 7:30 for a quick stop at Subway for some dinner. Got back on the road and started up Cottonwood pass. We made it up and over Cottonwood pass as the sun was setting. Once we made it down into Taylor Park, we needed to find a camp site. It began to rain a bit, but not bad or heavy, just a light consistent sprinkle. We found a campsite up on the upper Taylor in a field about a 100 yards away from the river. We got the camp set up, fire going and got the kids ready for bed. After a few beers and discussing about the float next day we headed off to bed ourselves.

We all woke up just after 7 to bright blue sunny skies. The girls made breakfast while Jason and I readied the gear for rafting. Got all loaded up and headed off to down river to Almont to raft the Gunnison. We set in where the East and Taylor Rivers merge to form the Gunnison. Our float was an 11 mile float down the Gunnison to what the locals call the Bridge. After dropping the raft and running a quick shuttle, we got back to the launch site and got ourselves all geared up and ready to go. Jason was on the oars, the girls in the back and Quinn, Myles and I up front. I got the boys all set up for fishing, but they were more interested in just floating and having a good time, so I strung up the fly rod.

Started with a streamer dropper, but I soon noticed fish were taking Caddis off the top, so I quickly changed to a stimulator and dropper for the afternoon and began working the shore line. Missed and broked off the first few fish, but finely landed a nice brown. After a few more fish a few mishaps and just plain old relaxation we made our way down river to the take out. The fishing was not hot nor cold, but average and most importantly a good time with the families.

After we got off the river and ran the shuttle back to my truck we got loaded up and quick stop at Almot to get the kids some ice cream we headed back towards the campsite. But Jason and I decided to stop at the Taylor dam and let the girls go back to the site with the kids so we could fish. We only had about 2 hours to fish before we were to be back at the camp for dinner, so we didn't want to waste much time, we quickly got dressed and headed down to the river. I had to tie up a new leader, because towards the end of the float, my back cast caught some trees and broke off, so that took about 30 minutes to get myself ready. I finally got my self ready and tried to find an open spot of river, but it was crowded and we walked down from the bridge, but it seems all others were moving up river as well, I looked back down towards the bridge and few anglers had left so I moved up towards the bridge, got my self positioned and saw a couple of pigs to fish to. Started to fish and caught a nice 16" rainbow, landed and quickly released, and moved a little closer to the bridge and spotted a huge pig in front of boulder and made a few cast and didn't even entice the big boy, so I resorted to looking through the fly box and picked out a smaller midge dropper trailed by a Craven Juju in the colors of purple and chartreuse and made two cast towards the pig, but a brown intercepted my drift and he was a nice one, pushing 20". Quickly landed and released him. Made another cast up stream to get the perfect drift for the pig, I saw the huge red strip move and my rod bent quickly, got him. But as quickly as I hooked him, he went into a deep hole and broke me off just as quick. Moved out of the pocket and sat on shore to rerig and some guy jumped into my hole, so I finished tying up and moved up stream about 20 yards and saw a whole pod of fish. Landed another small rainbow and made a few more cast and hooked into another nice fish and he snapped me off, not the rig, but broke the hook in the bend, damn cheap Dai Riki hooks. (I find that the size 22 and 24 Dai Rikis to be really weak and will no longer buy those hooks in those sizes.) So I headed back up stream to find Jason and get myself ready to fish, but the time flew by and we needed to head back to the campsite.

Headed back up to the site, when we reached the site, we encountered 65 mph winds and couldn't get a fire going or charcoal for the grill going, and the sand, dirt was pelting us so hard, we decided to head down to Almont for dinner. Made the 45 minute down to Almont for dinner, had a nice dinner and some beers and headed back up to the site. Once we reached the site, the wind and subsided, we got a fire going, got the kids some smores and off to bed they went. Jason broke out the guitar and we had a few drinks and Jason played a few tunes before we headed off to bead.

Woke up about the same time shortly after 7, the girls got breakfast going, we started to break camp down, had breakfast, cleaned up, Quinn opened up some presents for his birthday and then we finished packing up to head home. We decided to do a hike up to a lake which was 3.3 miles to the lake. The boys basically ran the first mile and half and I had to leave everybody behind to stay close to the boys. A little time later Jason caught up to us, we finally made it up to the lake, what a nice little lake surrounded by the mtns, and the rain clouds came in, a little thunder, rain, snow mix we quickly headed back down the trail to meet up with the girls, they were waiting at the car for us, time to head back to Denver. We loaded up and head back, making it back to Denver about 5:30. Quinn had an awesome time for his birthday.

TU and Urban South Platte River need our help!

2010-06-16T12:22:00.001-06:00

Please join the Denver Trout Unlimited Chapter and the Cutthroat Chapter in their quest to restore the South Platte River and bring trout back to the city!The South Platte River runs throughout Denver-metro area, providing millions of metro-area residents and visitors the opportunity to connect with a resource that makes Colorado great--our rivers! Although trout and other wildlife currently suffer from severe habitat degradation and poor water quality along this 12 mile stretch of the South Platte, a private-public partnership has developed a plan to take back this urban gem to provide recreation and enjoyment for all! Having raised over $20,000 for the project to date, the Denver Trout Unlimited Chapter and Cutthroat Chapter are hoping to raise $250,000 more through the Pepsi Refresh grant, and they need your help to win--projects that receive the most votes online by June 30, 2010 get the cash! Here's what you can do to help:1) Cast a Vote with Your Mouse (and do so often!)Click here to cast a vote for the South Platte project on the Pepsi Refresh site. You can cast 1 vote per day. The project with the most votes will receive a Pepsi Refresh grant worth $250K! Voting ends June 30, 2010.
2) Spread the WordForward this message to your friends and family and encourage them to cast their vote for the South Platte project. Click here to share this announcement on Facebook!
3) Learn MoreWatch DTU's video about the South Platte project by clicking here or visit the DTU website to read more about the project.

Camping & Quinn's first trip out

2010-06-13T18:51:00.002-06:00

Over the holiday weekend we had our annual neighborhood camping trip. The last few years it has snowed, rained, and hailed on us. This year was different, it was absolutely beautiful. We camped in the Arapaho National Forest up near Hot Sulphur Springs on the mountain side with Beaver Creek flowing nearby. The site was down from the main forest road down a little embankment on the side the mtn. Great site, we were able to fit 5 families on the site with no problem. After the first night we took the kids over to Williams Fork Reservoir for some fishing. It is here Quinn put on the waders and waded out into the water and made some cast with the fly rod. He was casting a big ole bugger in the wind. He didn't hook up, but it was nice to get him out for his first time. He continued on for an hour, with a few tangles here and there, but had a good time. The jetstream then came blowing down on us and we had to breakdown pretty fast, because these winds were just wrecking havoc on the boy's fly cast. We headed back to the camp site for the rest of the day.

Next morning, we headed back down to the Reservoir for some more fishing before the four winds came a blowing again. We mangaged to work on his cast for about 2 hours before the high winds made an appearance again. Oh well, at least we got out for awhile and got him making some cast. We will have to try again in the coming weeks.

Just a heads up last week I received some new fly tying materials from my good friend Kevin, that came from... yeah thats right the Czech Republic. At first glance some very neat stuff and neat colors as well. Stay tuned for some pics and hopefully some new creations from the new stuff. Till next time, Cheers.

Chad's New Olive BWO

2010-05-12T08:37:00.002-06:00

Blue Wing Olive season is here and has been a good one. After a few trips this spring with some great BWO action, I went to the bench for my last outing and decided I wanted to work on some bwo emergers. So after I while at the bench and a few patterns later I came up with something close to the one above. I only tied up 3 since I was pressed for time and thought that should be enough to have for the outing. Well I stuck the 3 in my box and headed to the river the next day for some great fishing. Well low n behold, after fishing a good part of the day, sticking fish on everything we threw at them, from streamers, stonefly nymphs, caddis larva, and few midges. I forgot about the 3 bwos I had tied the day before. I was sitting on the bank and rerigging my rig and going through my fly boxes, I stumbled across this fly I tied the day before. I sat on the river bank watching the snow fall and noticed on the top of the river surface these little bwos starting to hatch and becoming more prevalent in the moments that have passed, so I tyed one on and got off my butt and made my first cast, and who would have thunk, not even a full drift, I had this huge tug on the end of my line and quite a fighter at that. Got him after a little fight and quickly released him. Got myself reorganized again , made my second cast with this fly. This time the strike was more powerful and a bigger fish at that. He broke off pretty quickly, rig lost. So I found myself on the bank side again tying up another rig. I thought to myself, was it a hoax that was being played on me, so I tied up the same rig and made my cast. About 10 feet into my drift, I hooked another fish, and this one air born about 3 time and got tangled up in a log mid stream and broke me off. Okay one fly left, so I found myself back on the stream side rigging myself up again. Same rig as before. Got up and made my cast , and again not 15 feet later, the line went tight and another big fish, this one I landed, snapped a picture and quick to release it. By this time the snow gave way to some sun and more bugs in the water. Got myself organized again and made another cast, and bam another huge hit and got to play this one for a couple of minutes, before he broke off, this time, I couldn’t tell if it was weekend tippet, bad knot or, just a strong fish that broke me off. No more flies of this particular pattern, made myself a mental note, when I get home, quickly hit the bench recreate it for next time. So over the course of the next few days I found myself at the bench tying a bunch of these up, and expanding on my original pattern making it a bit more realistic then the first versions I tied. Tried a new technique to my liking I came up with the attached photo. Did a quick google search on BWO bugs and came up with the Real BWO in the vise and by my own amazement, they look pretty darn close to being the same bug. I had them up on my computer screen and my son came into the room and took one look at it and said Dad, did you tie that bug, I said yes and he said you can hardly tell the difference. It looks almost like the real one, expect for the hook coming out of his but. LOL. I am very psyched at how this bug turned out and can’t wait to get back on the river to give it a few more outings. I am thinking this one will for sure take some big tailwater pigs. Got to make a trip up to the frying pan and give it a shot against those picky fish. Here is the details.

Hook: Partridge K3A Swedish Dry Fly Hook #18
Thread: Olive Benecchi 12/0
Tail: Coq De Leon
Body: Mix of BWO dry fly dubbing and Olive Micro Fly dubbing
Rib: FlexiFloss Olive
Under or lower wing: Tan UV Ice Dubbing, dubbed into noodle and tied in and then picked out sparsely to create the smaller mayfly wing.
Over or Standard wing: Z-lon colored up.
Thorax: Mix of Siman Peacock Eye Dubbing and Spiky squirrel dubbing and some deer or elk tips cut at the very top of the hair patch, twisted in a dubbing loop and picked out to get the life like legs.

I have been experimenting with some colors and came up with a grey adams, march brown, pmd, green drakes, and fall baetis.

Well Tight Threads, if you tye this bad boy up, drop me a line and let me know how this works.

Mtn Stimi

2010-04-29T15:01:00.004-06:00

The Mtn Stimi.

Sorry for the photo quality, was playing around with some different shots, but wanted to high light the Siman Peacock dubbing and deer hair dubbing for the thorax and out of a few different photos, this one came thru the best.

Thread: Olive

Hook: Dai Riki 270 #14

Tail: Olive Elk

Body: Rusty Olive Emergence dubbing

Hackle: Olive Dry Fly Hackle

Wings: CDC Brown, MFC Wing and Elk

Thorax: Mix of Siman Peacock and Fly DK Dubbin in Olive. Speckled with black marker.

Cheers!

Mother's CDC Caddis

2010-04-26T14:05:00.002-06:00

Mother's CDC Caddis patterns are a great fly for the UP coming Mother's Day Hatch. I like to tie my in the olive color.

Tight Threads!

Pearl Magic Shrimp Foil

2010-04-19T09:10:00.002-06:00

Get it while supplies last. According to Steve Korbay at Fly Tying Specialties the MS Foil Pearl is going away. And he has some nice stock to fill those orders before it goes. There are some good alternatives to the Magic Shrimp Foil, by a couple of other vendors. Check out the flashback material by Fly DK not quite the same stuff, but a good alternative and the fluoro body stretch.

You can also acquire the Magic Shrimp Foil directly from Siman Ltd for under $4.00 per pack.

Various Flies n stuff.

2010-03-31T12:01:00.004-06:00

Have a trip coming up to San Juan next week and here are a few new patterns that will get a tested on the Juan.

Dream Stream

2010-03-29T12:36:00.002-06:00

Finally got some needed time on the water this weekend. Headed to the Dream Stream for a quick tune up before my annual spring fishing trip. The Dream fished very well. Lots of fish were caught, nothing of super size, did however mange to land some beautiful Cutbows.
One of the Cutbows was pushing 19" inches and in full spawning colors, came out of a deeper hole to grab the streamer.

The weather was super cold in the morning. Lots of ice on the lines and in the guides. After 10:00am things warmed up nicely. Great Midge hatch for most of the afternoon. We fished from 7am till about 4. Good time was had by all except for Jeff, who broke his rod. Bummer.

This was the perfect tune up to try out several new patterns that I have been working on for our trip next week to the San Juan. The upcoming trip is replacing my annual spring trip to the Bighorn, decided it was time to venture off and hit a new piece of water that I have yet to fish. So we decided on the San Juan this year.

Looking forward to fishing the Juan for a few days.

Utah Rivers and Streams to Close to Anglers. Keep them open.

2010-03-25T11:29:00.004-06:00

Keep Utah’s Rivers and Streams Available to Anglers

In one week, more than half of the premier fisheries within Utah may close. A new law recently passed by the Utah legislature threatens many famous rivers and nationally renowned waters from public access. Utah sportsmen and fly fishing businesses need your help right away. Contact the Governor’s office and request a veto of HB141. The Governor’s office number is 800-705-2464 or email at gherbert@utah.gov

River-access bill is a disaster

March 24, 2010
Source: Deseret News

River-access bill is a disaster

By Frank Hugelmeyer

Published: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 12:13 a.m. MDT

One of the great moments in the life of any sportsman is that special introduction of a son or daughter to the wonders of the great outdoors. Millions of young outdoor men and women have been thrilled as they learned about the skills and secret fishing holes passed down over generations. This wholesome tradition has brought families closer together and become deeply ingrained in our Western values. Over time, sportsmen and their children's children fueled the emergence and growth of a $700 million angling industry within Utah that has become vital to the economic health of the state and many communities. Tragically, a new law recently passed by the Utah legislature threatens it all.

Most Utahns do not know about — or even realize — the severity of the situation. In one week, more than half of the premier fisheries within Utah may close. Utah HB141 places an immediate one-year moratorium on all land access to and on rivers and streams crossing private land. While the rights of private property owners are obviously important, Utahns, like citizens in other Western states, have had a long-established public easement for river access to enjoy hunting, fishing and other recreational activities. This new legislation brings an unceremonious and abrupt end to generations of riparian access.

For reasons not fully transparent, the Utah Legislature hastily approved a bill that radically changes river access law without collaborating with sportsmen, angling outfitters or outdoor businesses. The impact of this bill will prove to be particularly devastating to the angling business communities statewide. As Utah's summer tourism season begins, access to sections of nationally renowned waters like the Provo and popular local waters such as the Weber, Ogden, Logan, Blacksmith Fork and Huntington, among many others, will disappear. HB141 will have a severe and lasting impact on local businesses still struggling to recover from the recession. Job losses will be noticeable as visiting anglers choose to spend their valuable dollars in neighboring states that boast exceptional and open access to high-quality fisheries like Idaho, Montana and Colorado.

The fate of generations of Utah's outdoor sportsmen and businesses now rests in the hands of Gov. Gary Herbert. Only his veto can preserve the public's access to these venerable rivers and streams and ensure Utah's national competitiveness as a sportsmen-friendly state. For Utah's sake, let us trust that Herbert will choose to support the generations of anglers that have befriended these great waters and protect the quality jobs in outdoor businesses that depend on public easements to exceptional rivers and streams.

Vladi's Worm!

2010-03-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg2ykAHYE3Y

Fly Tying Demos its a wrap!

2010-03-04T09:38:00.002-07:00

Well, I finished up my fly tying demos last weekend at Hook Fly Fishing in Highlands Ranch. Thanks to Andy and Shannon for having me out to demo some bugs. I ended up tying the Vladi Condom worm, some European style buzzers, a competition nymph and few other patterns at request of the folks that came out to see me.

This fly tying season saw me tying at a few new shops and the Denver Fly fishing show. All in all it was a good season of tying bugs for various shops. I tied various bugs at all demos, none of the demos where the same as the one before, which was good, because I saw a bunch of familiar faces at some of the demos. I gave out samples of Dohiku hooks at demos and was hopefully able to teach a few folks some new techniques at the demos and some new patterns. I want to thank all the shops I tied at this winter from Ghillies in Colorado Springs, Anglers Roost in Fort Collins, Charlies Fly Box in Arvada, Hook Fly Fishing in Highlands Ranch, the Cherry Creek TU clinic and the Denver Fly Fishing Show.

Cheers to everyone who came out and supported me and the shops this winter.

Chad

Upcoming Hook Fly Fishing Demo

2010-02-22T07:15:00.003-07:00

Hey Now All,

I have a fly tying demo coming up on Saturday the 27 at Hook Fly Fishing in Highlands Ranch on the corner of C470 and University Blvd. Ill be twisting up some Vladi Condom Pink Worms and Euro Style buzzers. I will also if time permits twist up some bugs on request. Should be a good time. Come on down and spend a few hours with me at Hook Fly Fishing. Demo Starts at Noon.

Hope to see ya Saturday

Dream Stream To Be Renamed

2010-02-12T08:46:00.001-07:00

Just a little piece of interesting information. The Dream Stream section is to be renamed after popular Denver Post Outdoor Writer Charlie Meyers. The CDOW voted for it last night. Good news for Charlies Family.

Tying Demo

2010-02-02T19:34:00.004-07:00

Hey Now Folks,

I have a fly tying demo up at Anglers Roost this weekend in Fort Collins. Saturday Feb 6. 10 am till Noon. Ill be twisting up some torpedo's, cdc hackle stacker paraloops, some Slovakian Buzzers and hopefully a few other things if timing permits.

Charlies Fly Box Demo

2010-01-18T08:42:00.002-07:00

Just wanted to say thank you to all the folks that came out to see me tie at Charlies this weekend and for the folks that stayed for Kevin Compton's Demo. My demo started off good until the spilled coffee incident. So next year, Greg is going to have a big for me with a big ole lobster on it. LOL!!!

I have to say it was packed in there and with all the folks and side chatter and the shop buzzing with folks buy stuff I could hear myself at time as well. I had a good time. Thanks to Charlie, Greg and Ross for having me down again this year and allowing Kevin to follow me up. Hope everyone learned a new trick or two. I have the pleasure over the last two weekends to tie with, next to and watch Kevin twist up some bugs. A true master at the art of flytying. Next Demo will be up at Anglers Roost in Fort Collins Feb. 6th. Hope to see a few folks there. Ill be doing more CDC Hackle Stacklers/paraloop flies, some midges (Eastern European Buzzers), a competition nymph that Kevin showed me, a really neat little bug.

Cheers.

Fly Fishing Show

2010-01-11T08:37:00.002-07:00

The Denver Fly Fishing Show wrapped up late yesterday afternoon. I shared a table with Kevin Compton and we were busy cranking out flies all weekend and there was a steady crowd to keep us busy. It was great to meet so many folks, chat with the other tiers there, and running into a few old friends, that I have not seen in a while. Sold some flies, gave some flies away and traded a few flies. I was glad to be part of this show and have the opportunity to twist up some bugs, good times.

A few notes of interest.. Kevin Compton will be doing a special tying demo at Hook Fly Fishing down in Highlands Ranch on Thursday Evening.

Saturday both I and Kevin will be doing a tag team event at Charlies Fly Box. I will be from 11-1 and Kevin will be 1-3. So come down and check this out if you can.

I also have Anglers Roost Demo coming up in early Feb, Hook Fly Fishing late Feb, and will be tying at Anglers All here in the near future, stay tuned for a date and time on this event.

That is it for now. Cheers!

Fly Fishing Show

2010-01-07T16:31:00.003-07:00

This weekend is the Denver Fly Fishing Show. Ill be there tying on Saturday and Sunday. Ill be next to Kevin Compton and Eric Stroup. Come on down and say hi.

Hope to see you this weekend.

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

2009-12-29T08:25:00.003-07:00

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!

2009-12-23T08:29:00.002-07:00

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

2009-11-26T10:41:00.004-07:00

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

Slovakian Gypsy

2009-11-15T19:27:00.003-07:00

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

Denver Fly Fishing Show

2009-11-08T08:33:00.003-07:00

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

2009-11-06T21:17:00.003-07:00

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

2009-11-04T17:55:00.005-07:00

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

2009-10-14T16:20:00.001-06:00

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

2009-10-11T21:27:00.000-06:00

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

2009-10-04T20:33:00.005-06:00

A fun little pattern.

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

Tan Underworld CDC Caddis

2009-10-02T16:20:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-28T21:56:00.004-06:00

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!

2009-09-17T18:24:00.004-06:00

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

2009-09-14T18:30:00.004-06:00

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

2009-08-25T10:04:00.002-06:00

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

2009-07-20T10:56:00.002-06:00

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

Performance Flies

2009-07-14T11:00:00.004-06:00

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

2009-06-25T14:30:00.001-06:00

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

Fly Tying TV

2009-06-12T08:30:00.003-06:00

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

2009-06-02T08:17:00.004-06:00

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

Stonefly Galore

2009-06-01T09:56:00.002-06:00

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!

2009-05-26T20:21:00.002-06:00

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

2009-05-21T20:31:00.002-06:00

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!

2009-05-20T08:37:00.008-06:00

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

Bunker Torpedo

2009-05-13T21:01:00.000-06:00

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

2009-05-11T21:50:00.000-06:00

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

2009-05-08T11:56:00.001-06:00

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