Houstock April 23, 2011 Sponsered by the HFFA

A Day of Peace, Love, & Fly Fishing Bliss

 Date:  Saturday April 23, 2011

**this date has been selected so that those who wish the fly fish at the mouth of the Housatonic can do so from approximately 8:00 a.m. until noon.

We will be giving away a rod for the largest fish caught.

Time:  12 noon

Place:  Stratford CT Short Beach under

the Main Pavilion #1

Come picnic with us on the beach !

Hot Dogs, Burgers, and other eats will be served.

We will be having a raffle that will include at least one rod and reel !

This event is free to all HFFA, CT/RI, & MIANUS/TU   $5 for all others.

Please RSVP to Paul Dinice at pdinice@snet.net or if you don’t have an email address call at

203 305-3850 so that we can get a head count for this event.

Hi All, Houstock is happening a few weeks earlier this year…..in fact its going to be held during prime striper migration…..so I’m hoping the fishing is much improved from last year and without lightening>>>>>>was that unbelievable ?….  ALL I ASK IS PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR GOING TO BE THERE !!!….You must be signed up to be eligible to win the rod for catching the biggest fish…. ..Time slot for this contest is 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon….You must catch the fish ON A FLY…similar to the Barry Adams Tourney you will measure the length and girth of the fish in case of a tie….so bring your tape measures….and it must be witnessed by another Houstock Participant…..a photo would be nice too but not required……HFFA Representatives will be there for assistance……..I need your name email address and phone number…..only those people that sign up will be eligible to win the rod……….So let me know !!!…..EMAIL ME…AT pdinice@snet.net   ..WITH YOUR NAME, EMAIL, AND PHONE NUMBER!!!…lots of food and eats starting around 12 noon……..we will also be raffling off a salt water rod and reel……….so bring your tie dyed shirts, Greatful Dead CD’s……..and party with us……….Paul  

as the event approaches I will be furnishing directions and more particulars ……..Paul  ps…….CT/RI MEMBER PETER JACKSON HAS ALREADY THROWN DOWN THE GAUNTLET MAINTAINING THAT HE’LL BE WINNING THE ROD TWO YEARS IN A ROW……

Paul's April 2011 Fly of the Month

Sulfur Soft Hackle

Hook:  Size 14 to 18 dry fly hook.  Tying thread:   Yellow or orange.

Tail:   Light dun hen hackle fibers.

Abdomen:  Yellow rabbit dubbing such as Hare’s ear plus.
Rib:   Fine gold wire.

Thorax:  Orange Hare’s ear plus.

Hackle:  Light dun hen hackle.

Sulfur hatches (Ephemerella dorothia and smaller Epeorus vitreus) are major hatches on the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers.  A lot of anglers don’t even bother to fish wet flies but I find them a very effective way to catch trout.  When fishing the fly, try presenting it so that it starts to rise just as it reaches a good lie – where you believe the fish to be holding (a technique known as the Leisenring lift).   Another technique I use when fishing wet flies is to fish them directly downstream (straight drift technique).   You’ll be amazed at how many fish will take your wet fly when it’s dancing down stream from you on or near the surface of the water.  Occasionally give your line a little twitch, or let some additional line out.

Sometimes it’s hard to identify what stage the insect is in when trout take them.  Or they can be taking them at different stages and at random.  All the more reason to fish two (2) flies.  I love fishing two flies during a sulfur hatch.  I’ll fish a sulfur dry or floating emerger and trail the sulfur soft hackle 8 to 12 inches behind it.  The first fly even acts as a strike indicator for the soft hackle.

I love the fact that this pattern has orange in it.  All the sulfur patterns that I have with orange out produce the ones that don’t.

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a pattern 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 .

Bear's Bunker

This pattern is just magical when it comes to catching stripers.  We constantly get asked "What fly are you using?" and "how do you tie a Bear's Bunker?"  Well here it is.

Bear’s Bunker

Hook – Mustad #34007 or salt water hook of preference, sizes #2 to #5/0. 

             (I like using Gamakatsu B10S or Tiemco 600 SP)

Thread – Clear monofilament.   

Body – Flash n’ Slinky.

Wing – Flash n’ Slinky (Optional - add flash material of choice,

             angel hair, etc.) 

Eyes – 3D molded eyes or stick on eyes.       

Epoxy  – Over eyes and head of the fly.

This fly is actually an improved and advanced version of what was previously known as “Bear’s Big Yak Attack”.  There was a time when I would never tie or fish flies comprised primarily of artificial materials.  I preferred to fish large deceiver type “grocery flies”.  Some of the newer materials now available have changed my mind.   These “new” materials, with their iridescent silhouette, catch fish like crazy.  This pattern is so versatile it can imitate the complete range of bait fish, from silversides, to peanut bunker, to bay anchovies.   This is an easy fly to tie.  It just takes a little practice.  Each one is like your own personal little sculpture and will reflect your tying “style”.  

Begin by tying in a length of flash n’ slinky approximately 1 ½ to 2 times the hook shank length at the bend of the hook.  (Be sure to roll the material in your fingers and make sure the fibers are tapered and uneven, or your fly will be comprised of “straight cut” sections of material.)  Tie it in at the bend of the hook.  The material tends to spin.  Hold it in place until it’s secured.   Next, invert your fly in the vice.  Tie in a length of material on the bottom of the hook shank.  It should be tied in at a 45 degree angle, approximately 2/3 the length of the tail.  When applying it must be split to have equal portions on each side of the hook bend.  Keep your hook inverted.  Next, tie in your belly, 2-3 segments, again at a 45 degree angle.  Length should extend from the hook shank to the hook point.  Invert your fly back to the conventional tying position.  At this point you might want to coat the hook shank with flex-cement for durability.   Tie in your sides to the fly deceiver style along the hook shank.   The sides should extend a little past the bend of the hook.   Add your first layer of wing material.  I usually tie the belly of the fly in white, and use a darker color for the wing.   It should extend slightly past the tail of the fly.  Apply a second layer of wing material, same length.  When applying the wing you can add additional flash material if you so desire.  I sometimes use angel hair.  Finally, add your last segment of material on top of the wing, approximately ½ the length of the wing.   Apply 3D molded eyes.  Epoxy eyes and the head of the fly.  Color combinations that produce are olive and white, orange and white, black and white, all black (killer at night), and all white in small sizes (this is a great Albie Fly!)  An instructional video on this fly can be viewed below:

        If you have any questions about this fly e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .

Paul's March 2011 Fly of the Month

The Black Leach

(also tied in Olive)

Hook:  Size #10  Mustad 9672

Thread:  Black.

Tail:  Black or olive rabbit zonker strip and 4-6 strands of rainbow or pearl

Krystal flash.

Body:  Black or olive leech yarn (mohair).

Weight:   Lead wraps, on only first third of the body

A few years back fly fishing friend John Springer gave me a few “Leaches” to try on my next fly fishing excursion.   I haven’t stopped using them since.  It is a “must have fly” in my box.  The fly was developed by John’s friend Ed Ostapczuk.  Although I’ve fished it almost exclusively in river and streams, Ed says it’s also a great “still water” pattern.  The fly is weighted.  Lead is only applied to the first half - to first third of the fly.  The action that is created is similar to a lead head jig.  When the fly is stripped through the water it undulates.  At each pause it “dives” towards the bottom.  This action is deadly.  I’ve also had great success dead drifting and nymphing with it.  I love fishing it with my 4wt and a 10’ sink tip line. 

You can read how Ed developed “The Black Leach” in the “Stories” section of the HFFA website at http://www.hffa.net/ .   Some great photos on how to tie it as well. 

Welcome to Paul's World of Fly Fishing

Hi All, Welcome to my blog site.  It's dedicated to Fly Tying, Fly Fishing, and most of all, friends who join me in this endeavor.  I feel very lucky and blessed to passionately enjoy the "quiet sport".  I feel equally lucky to live in CT, a state with tremendous oppurtunities to fish fresh and salt water.  I'm also in proximity to great fishing in NY, RI and MA, and in particular Cape Cod.  I hope this site will provide information on great fishing spots, fly patterns, and experiences.  Hope to see you at the tying bench or out on the water.   "Tight Lines"   Paul D