'Twas the Night Before Christmas ...

Christmas Tree Fly.

Recipe

Hook - #6 Streamer

Trunk - Marabou (Brown)

Tree - Deer Body Hair (Green)

Ornaments - Silver Tinsel; Pearl Tinsel;

Peacock Tinsel; Bead Chain

Star - Crystal Flash

Latex Caddis Pupa

Latex Caddis Pupa. My own design.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #12 Scud

Thread - Uni-Thread 8/0 (Camel)

Body - Latex (cut in strip and hand colored Brown and Yellow)

Legs - Hungarian Partridge

Thorax - African Goat (Brown)

Shell Back - Latex (hand colored Brown)

Horns - Golden Pheasant Tail

Eyes - Burned monofilament

Hipps Popper

Hipps Popper. I tied this based on the design developed by 

Anthony Hipps. The body of the fly is formed with strips of

basic 2mm closed cell craft foam and is not prefabricated like

many other poppers. Click HERE for a NC Wildlife Magazine

article that provides more detail on how this fly is tied.

The body is hand painted however you want it to be, and 

rubber legs, hackle, and feathers can be chosen to taste.

Hi Vis Parachute Adams

Hi Vis Parachute Adams. #14 hook.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #14 Dry

Thread - Uni-Thread 8/0 (Camel)

Tail - Grizzly Hackle Fibers

Body - Wapsi Superfine Dry Fly Dubbing (Adams Grey)

Post - Hi Float Vis (Hot Pink)

Hackle - Whiting Dry Fly (Grizzly)

Wolf Spider

Wolf Spider. #12 hook. 

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #12 Scud

Thread - Uni-Thread 6/0 (Black)

Body - Deer hair (Natural) with Clear Cure Goo

Legs - 30 lb and 12 lb mono

All other parts hand colored.

Colorful Brown Trout

This brown trout was not as big as it seems in the photo because 

of the camera angle, but it was still a good size fish. Caught a

couple of months ago on a simple #14 sowbug pattern similar to

the one pictured below (but tied with a more realistic variation).

Free Fly Tying Demonstrations at Little River Outfitters

Thanks to Byron Begley, Daniel Drake, and Dan Munger for inviting me to be a demonstration fly tyer in their fly shop on January 17, 2015. Little River Outfitters offers FREE fly tying demonstrations every Saturday beginning this coming weekend and through the end of February. If you are in the Townsend, TN area on any Saturday this Winter, stop by to visit one of the best fly shops in the U.S. and also take advantage of the free fly tying demonstrations. 

Click HERE for more details and the weekly schedule of tyers.

Extended Body Mayfly (Wallywing Technique)

Extended Woven Body Mayfly with Wallywings. #14 hook. 
Same extended body method as used in previous blog post 
except both wings are formed with a single grizzly
hackle feather by using the Wallywing technique .

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #14 Dry

Thread - Uni-Tread 8/0 (Black)

Underbody and Tail - Moose Mane

Body - Cross Stitch Floss (Yellow and Tan)

Thorax - Antron Dubbing (Yellow)

Legs - Whiting Hackle (Cream)

Wings - Whiting Hackle (Grizzly)

Extended Woven Body Mayfly

Extended Woven Body Mayfly. #14 hook. I tied this fly after 

watching Gary Jones tie one at Fly Tyers Weekend in Townsend, TN.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #14 Dry

Thread - Uni-Thread 8/0 (Camel)

Underbody and Tail - Moose Mane

Body - Cross Stitch Floss (Yellow and Tan)

Thorax - Antron Dubbing (Yellow)

Post - Para Post (Yellow)

Hackle - Whiting Hackle (Grizzly)

International Fly Tying Symposium

Looking forward to being a demonstration fly tyer at the

International Fly Tying Symposium this weekend in Somerset, NJ. 

Click HERE for details. 

Kickin' Chicken

Kickin' Chicken. #1 hook. I tied this fly after watching Josh Pfeiffer

tie one at Fly Tyers Weekend in Townsend, TN. He is a well known

smallmouth guide, and his guide service is Frontier Anglers TN.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #1 Bass

Thread - Uni-Thread 6/0 (Chartreuse)

Underbody - .0025 lead-free wire

Body - Saddle Hackle (White); Marabou (White);

Crystal Chenille (White and Red); 

Saddle Hackle (Grizzly); Craft Fur (White);

Cashmere Goat (Chartreuse)

Flash - Crystal Flash (Mirage) and Flashabou (Pearl)

Eyes- 7mm Flymen Fishing Co. Living Eyes™  (Fire)

Head - Clear Cure Goo

Garden Spider

Garden Spider. #8 hook. Body and leg technique similar to

technique on Black Widow below with various changes

to imitate a Garden Spider.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #8 Streamer

Thread - Uni-Thread 6/0 (Black)

Body - Deer hair (Black) with Clear Cure Goo

Body Design - cut yellow paper to shape

Legs - 30 lb and 12 lb mono

All parts hand colored.

Black Widow

Black Widow Spider. #12 hook. Body and leg technique learned

by watching Dave Carson tie a brown spider at Fly Tyers Weekend

last week in Townsend, TN. He is the Fishing Manager at the

 Orvis Store in Sevierville, TN. 

The Black Widow pattern is my own variation.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #12 Scud

Thread - Uni-Thread 6/0 (Black)

Body - Deer hair (Black) with Clear Cure Goo

Hour Glass - cut red plastic to shape

Legs - 30 lb and 12 lb mono

All parts hand colored.

Tradd's Bucktail Baitfish

Tradd's Bucktail Baitfish with articulated shank. #1 hook. My own design.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #1 Bass

Thread - Uni-Thread 6/0 (Olive)

Tail - Ostrich Herl (Olive)

Body - Bucktail (Natural and Olive); Crystal Flash (Red);

Flymen Fishing Co. Articulated Shank™

Head - Flymen Fishing Co. Fish-Skull™ Baitfish Head (Chartreuse)

Fly Tyers Weekend

Don't miss Fly Tyer's Weekend this coming weekend in Townsend, TN (November 8 and 9). Many of the best fly tyers in the world will be demonstrating, and admission is FREE.  This will be one of the best fly tying events of the year! Click here for more details ---> Fly Tyer's Weekend

Micro Dry Flies

Micro Dry Flies on #26 hooks.

Parachute Adams Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #26 Dry

Thread - Ultra Thread 70 Denier (Olive)

Tail - Microfibbets (Medium Dun)

Body - Ultra Thread 70 Denier (Olive)

Post - Hi Float Vis (White)

Hackle - Whiting Dry Fly (Cree)

Blue Wing Olive Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #26 Dry

Thread - Ultra Thread 70 Denier (Olive)

Tail - Microfibbets (Medium Dun)

Body - Ultra Thread 70 Denier (Olive)

Wings - Whiting Dry Fly (Blue Dun)

Hackle - Whiting Dry Fly (Blue Dun)

Adams Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #26 Dry

Thread - Ultra Thread 70 Denier (Olive)

Tail - Microfibbets (Medium Dun)

Body - Ultra Thread 70 Denier (Olive)

Wings - Whiting Dry Fly (Cree)

Hackle - Whiting Dry Fly (Cree)

Orvis - Another coupon leads to new friends

A year ago from this past weekend, we headed home after leaving the Pigeon Forge area (see previous blog post). We had an extra coupon from the Sevierville Orvis Store, so on the way back we called the Orvis Store in Asheville, NC and Sav Sankaran answered the phone. We asked Sav if we could use the Sevierville store coupon in the Asheville store. Without hesitation, Sav said it was no problem and to come on by. We arrived at the Orvis Asheville store without a lot of time to spare (only about 20 minutes until closing).

The customer service experience at the Orvis Sevierville store the previous day was outstanding, and the Asheville store personnel took it to an even higher level. Sav patiently answered a barrage of questions from Tradd about fly tying materials. They even held the store open for us after closing, and that is just a small example of the customer service that Orvis is all about. We used the coupon and purchased some materials, and that first experience at the Asheville store has brought us back many times since.

Over the past year, every person in the Asheville Orvis store has been extremely helpful and encouraging to Tradd in this new world of fly fishing and tying. James, Austin, Drew, Jeremy, Marguerite, Sarah Beth, Sav, and Troop have spent many hours talking with Tradd about fly tying materials and fly fishing equipment and have always treated him with kindness and patience.

Tradd has now had the privilege of being a fly tying demonstrator for two separate Orvis Days Events in that store and has enjoyed those expereinces very much. A lot has happened in just one year, and Orvis has been a big part of it. We are grateful for the encouragement and friendship of all of the professionals in the Asheville Orvis Store.

Wiggle Tail Streamer

Wiggle Tail Streamer. #1 hook.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #1 Bass

Thread - Uni-Tread 6/0 (Fire Orange)

Tail - Medium Crystal Chenille (Chartreuse)

Body - Medium Crystal Chenille (Chartreuse); Bucktail (Chartreuse); 

Wing 'n Flash (Chartreuse); 

SF Flash Blend (Chartreuse); Peacock Herl

Head - Flymen Fishing Co. Fish-Skull™ Baitfish Head (Chartreuse)

Little River Outfitters - A government shutdown, a coupon, and an act of kindness...

Exactly one year ago today, the US Government shutdown forced a change in our vacation plans. We had originally planned to visit a National Park in another state but since that park was closed due to the shutdown, we ended up in the Pigeon Forge, TN area. An Orvis coupon in a local visitor's guide led us to the Orvis Store in Sevierville. We bought some fly tying materials at Orvis, but they also recommended that we visit Little River Outfitters in Townsend. Earlier that day, we had visited the Bass Pro Shops nearby, and they had also recommended a visit to Little River Outfitters. We were new to fly fishing and wanted to learn as much as possible, so we thought it must be good advice to visit LRO that day.

Then came a pivotal act of kindness that was far more than the gift that you will read about below. The encouragement and support from the people at Little River Outfitters (Bryon Begley, Glenn Allgood, Daniel Drake, and Alex Bone) has had a significant positive impact on Tradd's fly tying and fishing. It is easy to see why people in the fly fishing industry all over the country know Little River Outfitters and speak highly of its reputation. We are very grateful for the kindness and friendship of the great people at LRO.

The following is an excerpt from the Little River Outfitters Daily Fishing Report on October 18, 2013.  (Click HERE for the Full Text):

Our customer Mark from Michigan and I have become friends over the years. He came in here a couple of months ago with a stack of fly tying books and videos. He said “Fly tying is not for me, do something with these books”. One of the books was that huge volume of information written by Ted Leeson and another author. I can’t remember the name of the book. I have a copy and it’s one of the best fly tying books ever written. It retails for $100. I held on to Mark’s books to donate them to our TU Chapter.

Yesterday, Tradd from South Carolina came in with his parents. He had never been here. He is eleven years old and is deep into fly tying. I can understand that. I started tying flies at the same age, 51 years ago. Tradd kind of looks like I did at that age. He and his parents had been shopping for materials at Bass Pro Shops in Kodak and at the Orvis Company Store in Sevierville. People at both stores suggested he come to our store too. I appreciate that and also return the favor when I can.

Tradd was full of questions. I answered most of them. We looked at lots of tying materials for a while. I never tell anyone I am the owner of the store but Tradd's dad asked if I was. I said yes. He told me I probably had other things to do than answer all of these questions. I told him I did have other stuff to do but I would rather be doing this. 
 

I have never seen such a young guy that interested in fly tying, not in 19 years in this business. 

At some point, I thought about that book Mark gave me. I walked up to my office, got the book and gave it to Tradd. His eyes flew wide open. I told them the story about Mark turning those books in.  So, Tradd walked out with about $100 worth of fly tying materials and a $100 book for $100. That’s three “$100” in one sentence. Am I losing my grasp of the English language?

 

It’s days like yesterday that make this whole job worthwhile. I really enjoy working with our staff. I like them all. I like working with customers, all of them. I enjoy talking to our vendors. 
 

But most of all, I get a kick out of helping young people enjoy our sport more and hopefully I can encourage their interest for life. It will take more than I can do, but I’ll do my part. This fishing report is part of that process. I know this report is read by a lot of kids and young adults. I know teachers who encourage their students to read this report for lots of reasons. 
 

Yesterday was a good day. The church bells are ringing across the street. It is 9:00 am. For all of you English students out there, it took 40 minutes or less to write this.

Have a good day yourself and thank you for being here with us.

Byron Begley
October 18, 2013

Fall Colors

 

 

Indicator Fly

Indicator Fly. #12 hook. Use this with a dropper when 

the fish insist on hitting the indicator.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #12 Dry

Thread - Uni-Thread 6/0 (Chartreuse)

Body - Craft foam (Yellow and hand colored half Orange)

Stretch Pupa

Stretch Pupa. #12 hook.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #12 Scud

Thread - Uni-Thread 6/0 (Chartreuse)

Head - Umpqua Bosstin 3mm bead (Gold)

Body - Wapsi Medium Stretch Tubing (Clear)

Thorax - SLF Enhancer (Brown)

GSS Emerger

GSS Emerger. #14 hook.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #14 Dry

Thread - Uni-Thread 8/0 (Black)

Body - Ice Dubbing (Peacock)

Thorax - Ice Dubbing (Peacock)

Trout don't live in ugly places ...

Ribbed Midge

Ribbed Midge. #18 hook.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #18 Scud

Thread - Uni-Thread 8/0 (Black)

Body - Wapsi Medium Vinyl Round Rib (Dark Brown)

Thorax - SLF Enhancer (White)

Griffith's Gnat

Griffith's Gnat. #14 hook.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #14 Dry

Thread - Uni-Thread 8/0 (Black)

Body - Peacock Herl

Hackle - Whiting Dry Fly (Grizzly)

Olive Caddis Pupa

Olive Caddis Pupa. #12 hook.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #12 Scud

Thread - Uni-Thread 8/0 (Camel)

Head - Umpqua Bosstin 3mm (Gold w/ Brown Sharpie on top)

Body - Wapsi Stretch Tubing (Clear); Ice Dubbing (Olive); 

Sharpied the back in Brown

Thorax - SLF Enhancer (Brown) and Scud Back (Brown)

Antenna - Pheasant Tail

Tiny Trout

Tiny fish have to eat too ... Brown and Rainbow Trout. 

#14 Greenie Weenie.

Davidson River Slam

Tested some experimental fly patterns on the Davidson River this weekend.

Caught some rainbow, brook, and brown trout, but mostly brooks.

Forage Flies

Forage Flies. #8 hooks.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #8 Streamer

Thread - Uni-Thread 6/0 (White)

Tail - Flymen Fishing Co. Frantic Tail™ (White)

Body - Rabbit Zonker Strips w/ Blended Flash (White)

Head - Flymen Fishing Co. Fish-Skull™ Baitfish (Silver)

Midges

Midges (Various styles). #18 hooks.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #18 Scud

Thread - Uni-Thread 8/0 (Red, Black, Olive or Purple)

Rib - Small Ultra Wire (Silver)

Head - 2mm Bead (Silver)

Thorax - Dubbing on some above

Arkansas Grand Slam

Caught on same day on #18 midges and #14 sowbugs.

 
Brook

Brown

Cutthroat

Rainbow

Cutbow

Tradd's Baitfish

Tradd's Baitfish. #8 hook. 

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #8 Streamer

Thread - Uni-Thread 6/0 (White)

Underbody - Mirage Tinsel

Body - Bucktail with Blended EP Sparkle (White and Chartreuse)

Gills - Deer Hair (Red)

Head - Flymen Fishing Co. Fish-Skull™ Baitfish  (Silver)

Foam Dragonfly

Foam Dragonfly. #14 hook. My own design.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #14 Dry Fly

Thread - 8/0 Uni-Thread (Black)

Body - Black Foam with Pearl Mylar Sheeting Glued On

Thorax - UV Dubbing (Black)

Wings - Pearl Mylar Sheeting

Spinner Minnow

Spinner Minnow. #8 hook. My own design.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #8 Streamer

Thread - 6/0 Uni-Thread (White)

Head - 3mm Gold Bead

Tail - New Material from Wapsi (no name yet)

Body - Crystal Chenille (White and Red)

Spinner -  Flymen Fishing Co. Flash Generator™

Silly Nymph

Silly Nymph. #14 hook. My own design.

Recipe

Hook - Umpqua #14 Nymph

Thread - 8/0 Uni-Thread (Camel)

Tail - Golden Pheasant Tail

Underbody - .015 Lead Wire

Body - Silly Skin (Belly White and colored Brown on top)

Legs - Golden Pheasant Tail

Wing Cases - Silly Skin (Belly White and colored Brown)

Thorax -  (Belly White and colored Brown)