Paul's March 2015 Fly of the Month

Shakey Bealy

Hook: TMC 2312, or TMC 200R, or nymph hook of choice, sizes 10-18.
Thread: Brown, 8/0
Tail:  Yellow mallard fibers or Coq de Leon fibers over Strands of orange Krystal Flash

Body: Amber emergence dubbing

Rib:  Brown thread or utc ultra wire.
Thorax: Orange Ostrich herl or orange ice dub.
Soft Hackle collar/legs:  Partridge or hen hackle.

When I first started to fish the Housatonic 75% of my limited fly arsenal consisted of wet flies.  They were more forgiving considering my limited fly fishing abilities.  Also, the materials needed to tie them were cheap and readily available to me.  I immersed myself into fly fishing books such as ‘The Soft-Hackled Fly’ by Sylvester Nemes, and tried to master wet fly techniques such as the “leisenring lift”.  Over the years I fished ‘wets’ less and less as my other fly fishing skills improved.  However, this fall I fished a lot of wet flies and was so thankful that I did.  Wet fly fishing is often a forgotten method for most fly fishermen.  I don’t know why.  Many times it can be the most effective way to fish for trout.  By the way one of the best books I’ve ever read on wet flies is “Wet Flies” by David Hughes. 

This above listed pattern was developed to represent an emerging March Brown.  Don’t let that prevent you from experimenting with different colors and materials.  When down sizing this fly to represent the hatches of smaller insects, I substitute orange ice dub for ostrich herl, and use “midge” Krystal flash which has a smaller diameter.

Begin by tying in 7 or 8 strands of Krystal flash on the hook shank.  When you tie the Krystal flash in it will form the tail and serve as part of the collar of the fly.  The flash will extend approximately 2/3rds the length of a typical wet fly tail and beyond the eye of the hook (this will become part of the collar of the fly).  Lash it down the entire length of the hook shank so that it extends beyond the eye of the hook.  Next, tie in your natural tail fibers.  They will extend over and beyond the Krystal flash part of the tail.  Tie in your rib.  Next dub your body along the hook shank leaving enough room to tie in your thorax and collar (approximately 2/3 the length of the hook shank).  Rib the body and tie and cut it off.  Tie in your ostrich herl and create the thorax with 4-5 wraps.  You can also dub a thorax using orange ice dub.  Next, take the strands of Krystal flash (which you initially tied in and extend beyond the hook eye) and fold them back over the thorax and lock them in place with your thread.  You want to arrange the Krystal flash so that the strands envelope and surround the thorax like an artificial hackle.  Next, tie in your Partridge or Hen hackle. Take 3-4 wraps behind the eye of the hook.  Tie off the hackle, whip finish and apply some head cement to the finish wraps.  

Below, Nick Nicklas and Blue Ribbon Flies have a nice video on how to tie the Shakey Bealy.  

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of the Month, I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .  This pattern can also be viewed at www.hffa.net .

HFFA Fly Tying & HFFA Expo has been Canceled.

 

Well another winter fly tying class has ended.  Above are two "big fish" flies.  On top is the Trickster and on the bottom the Razzle Dazzle.  They are two of my favs.  It's been a very very long and harsh winter this year.  Although the river is full of fish, it's frozen from the Derby Dam to Sunnyside Boat ramp.  Dreams of warmer days and fishing with good friends.  Give me a call or email me when the snow and ice finally melts.  I'd love to fish with you !   Also below is info on the upcoming HFFA Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo.  Hope  to see you there ! .................. Paul

Due to a scheduling conflict with Saint Paul’s Church in Wallingford, we have to cancel the HFFA Fly Fishing Expo this year.  We hope to have the event next year !  Thank you for your continued support.

Paul's February 2015 Fly of the Month

Sluiceway Special

Hook:  Allen Fly Fishing N203 Hook (or scud hook of choice) in sizes #18 to #24.

Tying thread:   Black or brown, 8/0 thread.

Bead:  Black tungsten bead.

Body:  Krystal flash, red or black, coated with ‘hard as nails’ or head cement.

Thorax:  Peacock dubbing.
 

This is one of my “go to” small nymphs.  Many times I’ll fish a black one and a red one together.  I’ll also fish one of them as a dropper off a dry fly.  This fly can imitate mayflies, caddis, and midges.  It covers it all.  With some minor modifications or additions (such as a tail and legs), it can do it all.  Also, it’s very simple to tie !!

Begin by placing your black tungsten bead on the hook.  Next begin your thread behind the bead and wind down past the bend of the hook.  Tie in 2-3 strands of Krystal Flash.  Advance your thread close to the bead leaving enough room to dub thorax.  At this point you are going to coat the Krystal Flash with ‘hard as nails’.  This will provide bullet proof durability to your fly and provide a nice sheen to the body.  Next dub your thorax with peacock dubbing.  Whip finish the fly at the bead and you’re done.

A fellow fly fisherman by the name of Tim Camissa has a great instructional video on how to tie this pattern.

I also recommend visiting his website at http://www.troutandfeather.com/ .  It’s a wonderful website chock full of videos on tying some great flies.

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of the Month, I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@snet.net .  This pattern can also be viewed at www.hffa.net .

 

Paul's January 2015 Fly of the Month

Peacock Bugger

 

Hook:  3x or 4x streamer hook.  This bugger can be tied in Sizes #6-#10.  By far the most productive size for me has been in a Size #10.  Great small bugger on small and big waters.

Tying thread:   Olive or brown thread.

Head:  Black or gold bead to match hook.  I tend to do better with a black bead.

Tail:  Black marabou flanked with two pieces of Peacock Krystal Flash.

Body:  4-5 strands of peacock hurl twisted around a thread tag to form a dubbing rope. 

Rib (optional):  Peacock Krystal Flash.

Hackle:  Black saddle hackle.

Every once in a while I’ll have to highlight a Wooly Bugger as a Fly of the Month.  It is just one of the best trout flies ever created.  On occasion I’ve also repeated a Fly of the Month because it’s been super productive.  That’s happened 3-4 times over the 30 years that I’ve been doing this.  This is the only time a pattern has appeared as the FOTM 3 times.  Why?  Well it is one of my top 5 “go to” flies.  It is deadly on small streams and big rivers.  When I was an inexperienced fly fisherman, it was one of the first flies that caught fish after fish for me.  It works all year long if you fish it in a small size.  

Begin by placing your bead head on the hook.  Start your thread behind the bead and layer it to the bend of the hook.  Tie in your marabou tail.  It should not be longer than the hook shank length.  One of the things I like about the small size of this bugger is a lot of “short strikes” are avoided.  Next flank the marabou with two strands of peacock krystal flash. (Option:  If you want to rib your fly do not clip/save 1 tag end of the krystal flash and palmer it later.)  Now tie in your saddle hackle by the tip. Next, tie in 3-5 strands of peacock hurl.  Create a tag end of the thread similar to how you would create a dubbing loop.  Advance your thread up to the bead.  Twist the thread and strands of peacock hurl into a rope.  The thread will provide extra durability for your fly.  Palmer your “rope” forward along the hook shank, creating an even body.  Tie it off.  Next, palmer your hackle forward in the opposite direction.  Give it additional wraps before the bead to create a collar on the fly.  Tie it off and apply head cement to the final wraps. Your done!  The peacock bugger can be fished with nymph, wet fly, or streamer techniques. 

This fly can also be viewed at the Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association website at  www.hffa.net and www.tightlinesflyfishing.blogspot.com .  If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .

Paul's December 2014 Fly of the Month

Euro Jig Pheasant Tail

Hook:  Jig Hook Size #10-#18.  I use Allen Fly Fishing J100 BL hooks.

Tying thread:   UTC 70 denier Black or brown.

Bead:  Black tungsten bead.

Tail:  Cul de leon feather fibers.

Abdomen:  Pheasant Tail fibers.

Rib:   Copper Ultra-wire ‘brassie’ sized wire.

Hot Spot:  UV Hot Orange or Hot Pink Ice Dub.

Thorax:  Natures Spirit Emergence Dubbing.

This has quickly become one of my “go to” nymphs.  With regard to jig hooks, I’ve never seen anything like them in terms of how fast they get down in the water column.  Most importantly, they catch fish.  I use Allen J100BL jig hooks.  They are black and barbless.  Be aware that the shank on a jig hook runs smaller than a traditional nymph hook.  I tie most of mine on a Size #10 hook.  In reality it results in a Size #12 or #14 nymph.

Begin by placing your black tungsten bead on the hook.  Some tyers use “slotted beads” when tying on a jig hook.  I haven’t had any problem using a traditional bead.  Next begin your thread behind the bead and wind down to the bend in the hook.  Tie in your Cul de leon fibers to create a tail.  The tail should be approximately the length of the hook shank.  Next, tie in your copper wire for a rib.  Now tie in 5-6 pheasant tail fibers by the tips.  Starting at the hook bend wrap the fibers forward just as you would a traditional pheasant tail nymph.  Tie off making sure you have left in enough room for your “hot spot” and thorax.  Next, dub your hot spot.  It should be approximately two (2) wraps around the hook shank.  For the rest of the thorax or collar you are going to use a different tying technique.  Take small clumps of dubbing and tie them in behind the bead.  Stroke the fibers back to create a veil or collar similar to that of a hackled wet fly.  An alternative to this method is to use a dubbing loop and make a couple wraps right behind the bead.  Remember to stoke the fibers back.  Tie off your fly and apply some head cement to the end wraps. 

A gentleman by the name of Hans Stephenson has a great instructional video on how to tie this pattern.

 If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of the Month, I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .  This pattern can also be viewed at www.hffa.net .

Fall Fly Fishing with Friends 2014

As I get older the most important part of fishing isn't catching fish.  It's the sharing of experiences with good friends.  I hope to fish with some of you in the near future.  Paul

Paul's November 2014 Fly of the Month

Small Fry  -  A great "cross over" fly.

Small Fry Salt Water Version

Hook:  Mustad 34077 or similar – size to match forage fish (Pictured is tied on Size 4 hook).

Thread:  Mono, 3/0 thread, flat waxed nylon, or Fly Master Plus, with color to match wing.

Belly(underwing):  White buck tail.

Flash:  A few strands of holographic tinsel and pearl flash. 

Wing:  Sparse layer of pink buck tail topped by a heavier layer of olive buck tail.

Eyes:  3 D adhesive eyes.

Epoxy or Resin:  Cover eyes and half of the body with 5 minute epoxy or “light curing” resin.

Small Fry Salt Water “Jig” Version

Hook:  Mustad 34184 or similar – size to match forage fish (Pictured is tied on Size 1/0 hook).

Thread:  Mono, 3/0 thread, flat waxed nylon, or Fly Master Plus, with color to match wing.

Weight:  Lead (.035 - approximately 10 wraps) on 1/3 of the hook shank closest to the bend before the eye.

Belly(underwing):  White buck tail.

Flash:  A few strands of holographic tinsel and pearl flash. 

Wing:  Sparse layer of pink buck tail topped by a heavier layer of olive buck tail.

Eyes:  3 D adhesive eyes.

Epoxy or Resin:  Cover eyes and half of the body with 5 minute epoxy or “light curing” resin.

Small Fry Fresh Water Streamer

Hook:  Diachi 2220 4x long hook or similar – size to match forage fish (Pictured is tied on Size 6 hook).

Thread:  Mono, 3/0 thread, flat waxed nylon, or Fly Master Plus, with color to match wing.

Belly(underwing):  White buck tail.

Flash:  A few strands of holographic tinsel and pearl flash. 

Wing:  Sparse layer of pink buck tail topped by a heavier layer of olive buck tail.

Eyes:  3 D adhesive eyes.

Epoxy or Resin:  Cover eyes and half of the body with 5 minute epoxy or “light curing” resin.

 

There are 3 different flies here with a basic pattern recipe.  All work great.  I started tying this fly after seeing friends from CT/RI Fly Fishers fishing it in the salt.  Not only is this a great fly to imitate small bait fish, it’s also a great fresh water streamer. I’ve caught some nice trout on it.  I also experimented with it by tying it larger and heavier on a jig hook and did well on that.  In the salt I fish it with slow small twitches, especially when I get close to the end of my retrieve. 

Begin by covering the first 3^rd of the hook shank (near the eye of the hook) with thread. 

Jig Fly - If you’re tying the jig fly remember that you will be tying this pattern on an inverted hook.  The fly is going to ride upside down similar to a clouser minnow. You also must cover the thread with wrapped lead. 

Next, tie in your white buck tail belly.  On the small salt water fly, and the trout streamer, the belly is tied in sparse.  Now it’s time to tie in your wing.  Tie in a few strands of holographic tinsel and pearl flash.  Not much is needed.  Next, tie in a sparse layer of pink buck tail.  On top of that is a heavier clump of olive buck tail.  Form a head with tying thread.  Tie and clip off the thread.  Add your 3 D adhesive eyes.  Coat the eyes and body from the eye of the hook to half way down the hook shank. 

This fly can also be viewed at the Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association website at  www.hffa.net .  If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .