I don’t like being cold or wet when I am Fly Fishing. What follows are some products which have served me well through the years – snow flying sideways, blowing, horizontal rain and ice in the guides…

Patagonia:

Talus Jacket

I use this as an outer layer and underneath this if it is snowing or raining:

Simms Guide Jacket

I have been using the same Simms Guide (Gore Tex ) Jacket that I picked up in 2001… Don’t need the bells and whistles. I like their products!!!

For base layers, I go with the Fred Segal T- Shirts ( “Mod -O-Doc” ) that are ONLY available at their shop on Melrose because they are the softest T-Shirts that I have ever found – ( and because. the eye candy therein is absolutely unbelievable when browsing that store and restaurant)…I cover it with:

Patagonia R1 Pullover

If it is REALLY cold, I add this:

Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover

Which compresses well under the Talus Jacket…

Bottoms are: Patagonia Capilene 1,2,3,or 4

covered with:

Simms Guide Fleece Pant

Head

This is very important , it is where a majority of the body’s heat can escape…

Patagonia Synchilla Alpine Hat

or:

Patagonia Warm One Beanie

Hands:

Simms Windstopper Half – Finger Gloves

Cloudveil, Run Don’t Walk Glove

SEALSKINZ Waterproof Gloves

I am fortunate to live in Los Angeles. There are many locations where I may find these products, I especially like to go up to Ventura and drop in at Great Pacific Ironworks, the first Patagonia Store – which I have visited for many years…And, the proprietor likes to FF…
Mighty Midget Emerger

A Yvon Chouinard Pattern, From Blue Ribbon Flies Newsletter…

PT/TB

After I get the story of Michael up ( finally) – I will be posting some new Midge patterns and some variations on Jeremy Davies’ famous ” Evil Weevil”…seen here:

Instructions for tying may be found at:

Hipwader

Right now, I kinda’ feel like this guy…

Angelo “Diablo” Barker, hunkered down in the snow, White Mtns., Eastern Sierras…

New stuff to play with…

Hump-Bak™ Glass Beads
Designed with an offset hole, these beads are the ticket for Bubble-Bak™ or Flash-Bak™ patterns. Perfect for sizes 12 – 18.
Available in the colors below
177 Blue 251 Smoke 257 Copper Sheen 250 Clear Rainbow 254 Roe Red 471 Pearl

PT/TB

Dave Wiltshire, DW Fly Fishing & Tying, ties great patterns. Here is a selection of BRASSIES that he recently added to his BLOG . They certainly would be appropriate for imitating Midges in the upcoming cold weather season. Give him a visit, He also has some interesting Baetis patterns that I find provoking…

PT/TB

I will post our early fishing experiences when I have a chance to speak with my son.

He is currently occupied:

With his Sisters…

PT/TB

Cruisin’ around the Ether, I picked up on this interesting piece , posted today, (10.15.09) at:

The Fiberglass Manifesto BLOG

These are the new Sweetgrass Fiberglass Fly Rods…TFM is

Cameron Mortenson’s

most excellent BLOG…Stop on by and find out more about these new offerings from The Twin Bridges, MT, “Boo Boys”…Rod lengths, weights and how to order…I love FIBERGLASS…

So does Ally, back channel – below Varney Bridge, Madison River, MT….

PT/TB

Here they is:

PHOTO: “BAETIS” – John Jurasek, Blue Ribbon Flies Newsletter

The prolific little bugs that love to hatch on overcast, blustery, rainy, snowy, miserable and memorable days on waters everywhere. I LOVE these guys…

OLIVE/BROWN Baetis…

Hook: TMC 2487, Diiachi 1130, #16-24 (Fall SMALL)

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths, 14/0, olive or gray

TAIL: Three olive or brown Pheasant tail fibers

Rib: Gold Largutan extra fine wire

ABDOMEN: Wapsi thread, Olive Brown

THORAX: SLF Prism ,Olive Brown, picked out

WINGCASE: Black Krystal Flash or Firefly

BEAD: Gold

I have used this fly on the Owens, Hot Creek and The East Walker River in the Fall with success by fishing it deep prior to a hatch, The black KF version works best trailed off an emerger – about 12′ of tippet material off the bend…

John Barr’s BWO Emerger…

HOOK: TMC 101, # 16 – # 24

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths, 14/0, Gray

TAIL:Dun Hen Hackle fibers, clipped

ABDOMEN: Stalcups BWO Dubbing

THORAX: Adams Gray Superfine or Muskrat Gray

WINGCASE/ LEGS: Bunch of Dun Hen Hackle tied over, evenly separated and tied back

John Barr developed this pattern a long time ago – it still works. Fish it deep or through the water column. I sometimes pull Black KF over the top above the hen hackle to give the fly a sight hump. The hen hackle fibers are retained for legs…

Foam Baetis Emerger…

HOOK: TMC 100, #18-#24

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths 14/0, Olive or Gray

TAIL/SHUCK: Olive or Olive Brown Zelon

RIB: Largutan, Gold, extra fine wire

ABDOMEN: Olive or Natural Pheasant Tail

THORAX: Dk. Olive ,Stalcup’s Baetis dubbing, picked out

WINGCASE/TAG: Razor Foam, Gray

This is a good flat water, stuck emerger. I use it along edges on the Owens and on waters where the Trout are in the tipped back sipping mode – picking off easy prey. I find this on really cold days when it takes a little longer for the bugs to get off the surface film…

Pheasant Tail…

HOOK: TMC 3761, #16-#20

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths 14/0, Brown

TAIL: Natural Pheasant Tail Fiber or Olive

RIB: Largutan, Gold, Extra Fine or XSM Wapsi Wire, copper

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail Fibers, natural or Olive

THORAX: Peacock Herl, SLF Prism ,Olive Brown,Arizona Peacock (natural), Ice Dub, Olive Brown,Ostrich Herl- Olive, Brown and Dark Gray

BEAD: Gold or Copper

WINGCASE/ LEGS: Pheasant Tail Fibers, pulled over and separated, Natural or Olive

This is the American standard. Through the years, I have tied it using different kinds of materials for the thorax. With the arrival of Dyed Pheasant Tail, I have tied it in Black, Red, Yellow and Green…get the picture? IT SLAYS…

EthaDun BWO Parachute…

HOOK: TMC 100, #16-#24, TMC 102Y, # 17- #21

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths 14/0, Olive, Brown, Gray

TAIL: Microfibetts, color to match thread

ABDOMEN: Turkey or Goose Biot, fringed- tan, olive, gray

THORAX: Flyrite, Super Fine or Stalcups – Lt. Olive, Dk. Olive, Olive/ Brown, Brown/Olive

HACKLE: Premium Dun

WING: Ethafoam or Evazote – Gray or colored Gray

One of my favorite dry patterns. I don’t use dries a lot. I learned early on from Georges Odier that 90% of the time, Trout feed below the surface. However, there is just something irresistible about dry fly fishing and this pattern floats well and produces…

GRHare’s Ear…

HOOK: TMC 3769 #16-#20, Diiachi 1560, #16-#18, TMC 100, #16-#24

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths 14/0, Gray, Olive, Brown

TAIL: Stiff Hare’s Ear – from Mask

RIB: Gold Mylar Tinsel, SM

ABDOMEN: Fur from a hares mask # 3

THORAX: Spiky, darker Hare’s Mask Fur # 4

WINGCASE: Mottled Turkey Tail Fiber Section

This is another Standard pattern. I tie this pattern in Natural, Olive, Dun and Black. The first there colors work well for Baetis / BWO’s. They are all in their appropriate slots in my Nymph Boxes. Here is a good tutorial from Hipwader on this essential fly… I do not use weight for smaller patterns…

Hipwader Tutorial GRHE

Quasimodo Pheasant Tail…

HOOK: TMC 2487, #16-#24, Diiachi 1130, # 16-#24

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths 14/0, Brown

TAIL: Pheasant Tail Fibers- Natural,Olive,

RIB: Gold Largutan, extra fine wire or Wapsi xsm Copper wire

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail Fibers, Natural or Olive

THORAX: Peacock Herl, Peacock SLF Prism, Arizona Peacock, Ice Dub Olive/Brown

WINGCASE/ LEGS: Pheasant Tail Fibers, pulled over, separated and tied back. Black, Pearl or Peacock KF works too!!!

BEAD: Gold or Copper

Kinda’ looks like Charles Lawton…This is an alternative to the classic PT. Hunched and curved it gives the impression of SQUIRMY in the water column. Jeremy Davies swears by this hook and it’s heavier versions for the holding capability …Works for me…

BWO Emerging Dun…

HOOK: TMC 2487,#16-#24, Diiachi 1130 #16- #24, Mustad C49S ,#16-#24

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths 14/0, Olive, Brown, Gray

TAIL: Zelon, Olive/Brown, Olive or Brown

RIB: Optional, Largutan extra fine, Gold

ABDOMEN: Goose or Turkey Biot, Fringed, BWO, Olive, Tan,Gray

WING: Reversed Half Hackle Wing, Premium Dun or Lt. Olive

HACKLE: Premium Dun or Grizzly Dun, clipped at bottom

This FLY catches fish. It has a great profile, hangs like an emerger should and floats in every condition except the roughest water. I came across this pattern years ago and finally worked up the gumption to deal with the wings. After a number of tries, it became easy..try some, the fish like it…

BWO/ BAETIS ZELON EMERGING DUN…

HOOK: TMC 1oo. #18-#24

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths 14/0 Olive or Gray

TAIL/ SHUCK: Amber or Gold Zelon

ABDOMEN: Sm. amount of Gray Superfine or Stalcup’s BWO Dub for #18-#20, Thread for smaller ties

THORAX: Small amount of Gray Superfine or Stalcup’s Baetis or BWO Dubbing

WING: Med. Dun Hi-Vis, Upright, spread with fingernail, clipped in back

HACKLE: Premium Dun

Notice the 7X Mono in the eye…this fly produced for me on a wet, windy, cold day on the Wild Trout section of the Owens River. No one else was there but me and the Trout…

Freezing rain on the Owens, GOOD Baetis/BWO conditions…

Glass Bead Emerger…

HOOK: TMC 200R, # 16-#24

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths 14/0, Olive Brown or Gray

BEAD: Glass Metallic or Pearl

TAIL: Pheasant Tail fibers

ABDOMEN: Goose or Turkey Biot, fringed, Tan, BWO, Olive or Gray

THORAX: Fly-Rite mixed with Hare’s Ear or Muskrat, picked out

WING: Mallard Flank, Gray or Lemon Wood Duck, posted and covered by dubbing

This is a very good soft water fly pattern. I use HYROPHOBE on the thorax section of the fly ONLY. If it tilts over, no matter, the fish rise to it anyway. Lots of fun with this on The East Walker River…

Starling BWO…

HOOK: Alec Jackson, North Country, # 17-#19, TMC 3761 #18-#20, TMC 2488, #18-#24

THREAD: Gordon Griffiths 14/o, Gray, Olive or Benecchi, 12/0 ,Tan

RIB: Largutan extra fine wire, Gold

ABDOMEN: Tying Thread

THORAX: Muskrat dubbing

HACKLE: Starling

I enjoy swinging soft Hackles. This is an easy tie and the fishees seem to like it anywhere it drops in…

Silver Wing Case PT…

I include this fly, which has a silver Mylar wing case, because one day – on The Madison River, above $3.00 Bridge, at about 6AM in Mid-September, I hooked six of the largest Browns and Rainbows that I have ever brought to a net …on this fly in size # 20…

In THIS SPOT – On the Madison River

I don’t remember when or why I was inspired to tie this particular fellow. This is the same fly…hook not bent…go figure…

Tan Biot KF Emerger…

HOOK: Diiachi 1560, #16-#18, TMC 3761, # 16-#20, TMC 2488, #16-#24

Thread: Gordon Griffiths 14/0, Tan

Tail: Olive or Amber Zelon

RIB: Optional. Largutan, extra fine Gold Wire

THORAX: Olive Ostrich Herl

WINCASE/ LEGS: Peacock, Pearl or Black Krystal Flash

This is my favorite Fall BWO/ Baetis Emerger. I fish it deep with twist-ons…It has worked like a charm here:

The Owens River, below Five Bridges…

MORE:

BAETIS/BWO’s # 1

BAETIS/ BWO’s # 2

PT/TB

Dean Endress has FINALLY got his Blog up and crankin! Dean is one great guy and he has created some very interesting patterns. Visit his site to see flies like this:

Brown Hackle Peacock

ROBO PT

He is an accomplished Saltwater Fly Fisherman and I am certain that some of his exploits and patterns will turn up here:

FLYJUNKIE’S FLY FISHING

PT/TB

Some good news for those who want a longer rod for nymphing from the makers of THE GREEN STICK…

10′, 4WT, BIIX….

Here:

Sage is for Turkey,

Winston is for Fish!

NEW GREEN STICK

PT/TB

In the next week or so (Sat. 10.10 or Sun 10.11), I will post new Baetis/BWO patterns and the story of how my son Michael was introduced to Fly Fishing and how he now outperforms his Pop …(sometimes)…

Ally and Michael at the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery on Oak Creek just North of Independence, CA…

This is where Michael saw his first REALLY big Rainbow, in the brood stock pond behind the kids…This, is a great place to suck ‘em -( the wee ones) -into FF…

Michael, taking a break on The Owens…

Michael, sending Slugs and Sabots into a profile target from a Benelli M1 Super 90…

Ally, climbing on the rocks at Trumbull Lake…

Michael and Ally at Trumbull Lake Campground…this is where they both caught loads of fish when they were starting…

Ally and PT, goofing around in Deep Springs Valley…

Angelo, with his stick,takes it all in….

PT/TB

When I think about getting from here to there, my feet come to mind. I have been having a love affair with this brand of footwear since I first put them on my peds about nine years ago. I have worn them in lieu of wading boots in and around the Owens River, throughout Montana and in the foothills of the Sierras while hiking and looking for arrowheads. I have, through the course of many years, tried many brands of boot. These, for me, are the best!!!

.

PT in DPM, on the Owens with Lowas...Fish were caught on a fly and bubble and the kids ate ‘um…

The first boot pictured is the Baffin Pro. The second is the Mega Camp. I had a Team Sergeant in the 10th. Special Forces Group (ABN) who told me that if I took care of my feet, they would take care of me. He was one of only two Americans who had ever graduated from this place, at that time : (ALPINI Mtn. Climbing School)…He was spot on…

PT in the White Mountains near North Conway, NH in the Fall of 1969 wearing Chippewa Mountain Boots…

“Although members of 10th SFG(A) stationed in Bad Toelz, Germany privately purchased mountain boots from local cobblers in the 50s and 60s, the issue Mountain Boot remained relatively unchanged. The infamous “Chips” or Chippewa Mountain Boots were a Special forces staple up until the late 80s. They were also issued to the 10th Mountain Division during their initial stand up. Featuring bright steel speed lace hooks, thick felt insoles that never dried out, and a sole with a tongue and groove to fit the old issue “suicide stick” skis, the design had barely changed from WWII. Wearing them was like walking around with bricks strapped to your feet but no self-respecting member of 10th Group would be caught without them. ” – From Boots, Soldier Systems

PT on Mt. Washington, NH just before he was screamed at by our Group Sgt. Major for wearing a Navy Pea Jacket…

These get me to where I want to go…

LOWA BOOTS

PT/TB