Paul's March 2017 Fly of the Month

Greg's Big Up Shrimp

Hook:  Size #4 Gamakatsu SL45 Bonefish hook.

Tying thread:   UTC 140 Shell Pink thread.

Weight:  .025 lead wire.

Body:  Spirit River Mo Hair Yarn, Muskrat Grey.

Legs:  White Mallard flank; topped with 4-5 fibers of yellow buck tail, topped with 4-5 fibers pink buck tail

Egg sack:  Slf dubbing soft shell dubbing (orange/pink color).

Eyes:  30 lb mono, melt ends for eyes.

Antennae:  Two strands of peacock krystal flash.

Body:  Spirit River Mo Hair Yarn, Muskrat Grey.

I don’t know why but there are very few fly fisherman out there fishing crab or shrimp patterns.  This particular shrimp pattern is a magic one.  It was developed by a fellow fly fisherman by the name of Greg Mattioli of Califon New Jersey.  I met Greg on one of my trips to Cape Cod.  We met fishing the Bass River during the May striper run.  He was really nailing big numbers of fish with this fly.  He was kind enough to give me one.  We’ve kept in touch since. The friendships through the sport of fly fishing are truly remarkable.

Begin by lashing two strips of lead wire to the bottom of the hook shank.  The lead is not wrapped around the hook shank.  Two strips are lashed on the bottom of the hook shank.  Next, tie in the mallard flank fibers.  The thickness of the fibers should be approximately ¼ inch wide.  Tie it in on top just around the bend.  It should extend about a hook shank length beyond the bend and angled slightly downward.  Scrape it with your finger nail to flair it out.  Next, tie in some yellow buck tail, 4-5 hairs max.  It should be the same length as the mallard.  Now tie in your pink buck tail, again 4-5 fibers.  It should extend slightly beyond the yellow buck tail.  Next, dub a little dubbing ball with the slf dubbing.  Now, tie in your mono eyes.  They should extend about about a ¼ inch beyond the bend of the hook.  Next, tie in two strands of peacock crystal flash for the antennae.  Next, tie in your Mo Hair yarn.  Wrap the body from behind the dubbing ball to just behind the eye.  A rotary vise comes in handy for this step.  Stroke the mohair fibers back as you wrap the yarn.  Finally, wrap, whip finish, and tie off your thread.  At each stage of tying this fly apply hard as nails or choice of head cement to make it as durable as possible.

To fish this fly, make a couple short strips, stop and wait.  It is particularly effective in estuaries, back bays, and anywhere else where there are shrimp populations.   This fly is a great producer.

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 . 

Paul's February 2017 Fly of the Month

Charlie Place's Yellow Mustache Streamer

Hook:  Mustad 3665A Size #6. 

Body:  Silver mylar body wrapped from the eye to the bend of the hook and back to the eye.

 Gill/cheeks:  Bright red thread started from the eye and wrapped about a half inch toward the hook bend.

 Wing:  Yellow marabou on top of the hook.  Extends about twice the hook shank.

 “I make the bodies then cover them with head cement or whatever you use.  Then put the marabou on”.  – Charlie Place.

 A few months back a fly fishing friend asked me if I knew the instructions for tying Charlie Place’s Yellow Mustache Streamer.  Charlie passed away some years ago, and I didn’t know or remember how to tie the fly.  So I got in contact with a friend who knew friends that did.  Above is the recipe for the streamer.  An easy tie for even a novice fly tyer and it sure catches fish. 

I didn’t know Charlie very well.  Just enough to say hi and bye at fly fishing functions and meetings.   A few times we spoke briefly about fly fishing Cape Cod, a passion for both of us.  Unfortunately the timing was never right for prolonged conversations.  We were both very involved in the events that we attended.  That was my loss.  In seeking out the “Yellow Mustache” I went through some old magazines in my basement.  I came across a few articles that Charlie had written for On the Water magazine.  I had loved reading them back then.  Re-reading some of them now, I appreciate them even more.  I think Charlie captured the essence of what fly fishing is all about.  He viewed fly fishing as more of a life experience.  He wrote as much about his friends, his fishing surroundings, and passion for the sport, as he did catching fish.  I wish I had taken advantage of getting to know him better.  He was my “kinda’ of fly fisherman”.

You can view a tribute to Charlie Place on-line at http://www.onthewater.com/remembering-charlie-place/.  It also includes one of Charlie’s articles that gives you a great sense of what he was all about.

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 .