BETWEEN THE LAKES and $3.00 BRIDGE…

Bright and clear morning at the Raynolds Pass, Madison Angler’s House. Time to get out on the water with the entire family. On the morning schedule Nick and Ally  went down to the Madison at $3.00 Bridge to get a head start on the rest of us. Later, a visit to the area known as “Between the Lakes” when those guys returned …That would be between Earthquake Lake and Hebgen Lake on the Madison river…

Heading out from the Madison Angler’s House to HWY 187…

Wait. there’s a crowd down there…

A gathering of Pelicans above $3.00 Bridge…

Nick giving my Scott A2, 10′, 6wt. fly rod a workout…

There’s a bend in that rod !!!

Nick’s first Madison Rainbow on a fly pattern…

This Blue Perdigon of mine was the ticket…

Putting on the waders and gearing up at the house…

On the road…

Just passed Kelly’s Slide INN…the Madison on the right…

Earthquake Lake is on the right…

Turn off to Campfire Lodge…

Mountain Goats on the far side of the Madison River…Part of a group that frequents the Quake Lake area…

The “Old Guy” getting wet in his new Simms G4 Waders and Patagonia Boots…

Michael rigging up while Aimee works the water…

Cairo spreading good Trout fishing JuJu…

Michael gets a small Rainbow in a side channel…

This is the Perdigon that all the guys wanted to use…

Ally tries her hand with PT’s Winston Super 10, 5wt.

Michael crossing the river…

Ally in a side channel …nymphing…

Whoa !!! She caught a monster !!!

Ally was using this Midge pattern…Tobacco Midge…

Some pretty flower along the bank…

A few more in blue…

My Thomas and Thomas Paradigm, 9′,5wt. wit a Tibor reel…a favorite dry fly set-up…

This pattern produced…Cupcake Midge…

.and so did this…Skinny Midge…

The guys went back down to $3.00 Bridge for the afternoon while Cairo and I stayed at the house…

…another view upstream…all lined up…

The Bridge at sunset…

Cairo sketching…

Moonrise from the deck…

 

Next: West Fork and Boating

 

 

PT/TB

 

 

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Midges…Spring 2023

I had intended to have these Midge patterns up in the Fall of 2022. I  wasn’t able to get my ducks in a row to make it happen. So here they are because in most  tail waters, midges are always present. I would suggest to those who want to up their midge game to follow this link to Pat Dorsey’s Colorado Guide Flies, scroll down and read. This book contains a ton of midge patterns that will work almost anywhere. Several inspired the patterns I am posting…

Completed Midge Box….

MAMBA MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16-#20

THREAD: UTC Black, 70 Denier

RIB: Lagartun, Fine, Silver

WING: Krystal Flash, Pearl…coat fly with Hard As Hull or UV Resin of choice

Materials, Mamba Midge…

Midges are an important food source on the Lower Owens River in the Eastern Sierra…

SKINNY MIDGE… Wells / Variant

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #20

THREAD: Body – Uni, Olive Dun –  * coat with Hard As Hull or UV Resin… Thorax Forward – Veevus 16/0, Black

RIB: Ultra Brite Floss, White

THORAX: UV2 Peacock, Natural

BEAD: Tungsten, Nickel, sized to hook

Materials, Skinny Midge…

White thread makes a excellent ribbing material for midge patterns. It remains white and lasts a lot longer from Trout teeth if coated with glue or resin…

BLACK RUBBER MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1120, #18 – #20

THREAD: Abdomen – UNI , Lt. Cahill…Head, Veevus 16/0, Black

BACK: Rainy’s Round Rubber Leg – Fine

WING: Zelon, White

Materials, Black Rubber Midge…

The above, $3.00 Bridge on the Madison River, MT, would be a perfect spot to use this pattern. Using rubber or silicone for the back, opens up almost endless possibilities for different colored variants of this pattern…I’ll be trying it out there with Michael, Miles and Cairo this coming September…

S.O.P MIDGE ( Silver, Olive, Peacock)…

HOOK: Gamakatsu C12-B, #18 – #20

THREAD: Danville #61, 6/0 Light Olive – Abdomen / TMC 16/0, Black Thorax Forward

RIB: Sybai Silver flat wire, Fine…

BEAD: Firehole Stone, Sterling Silver, sized to hook

HARD AS HULL: …or UV Resin to coat the abdomen for durability
Materials, S.O.P Midge…

After tying up a bunch of Perdigons, I found that many of the materials for abdomens and ribbing lend themselves to Midge Patterns. I will be incorporating more of these materials into standard nymph flies as I continue to experiment…

FIVE BRIDGES MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #18

THREAD: Danville 6/0, #47 Tobacco Brown

RIB: UTC Silver, x-sm

WING: Mirage Opal Accent, 3 strands

BEAD: Hi-Lite Glass, Brown Metallic, small

Materials, Five Bridges Midge…

Wild Trout Section …

Below Five Bridges…

Five Bridges is located on the Lower Owens River, near Bishop, CA in the Eastern Sierra. It marks the end of the Wild Trout section of the Lower Owens River, where special regulations are in effect. No kill and barbless hooks – the game warden will run a cotton ball over where the barb was removed ( if the hook is not barbless ) and any residue left on the hook now costs $500.00 or more depending on attitude…The regulations do not apply below Five Bridges and the Trout are a lot larger…I have found the color Danville #47, Tobacco Brown to be effective almost everywhere in the West…I fish glass beads patterns as trailers, off a dry to imitate an emerging fly but most frequently about “3-6” off the bottom of the water column…

KRYSTAL MIDGE…Hyatt / Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1120, #18 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Black

RIB: Lagartun, Fine Gold Wire

WING: Krystal Flash, Pearl, 3 strands

THORAX: BRF Zelon Dubbing, Midge Black

BEAD: Killer Caddis Diamond Glass Bead, small

*Coat abdomen with Hard As Hull or UV Resin for durability

Materials, Krystal Midge…

An alternative to the ubiquitous Zebra Midge. Fish as trailer or just off the bottom…

TWO TONE MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, # 18 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Olive – Abdomen /  Head, Veevus 16/0 Black

OVER ABDOMEN: In spaced turns, Micro Tubing clear

• Swipe a black Sharpie over the tops of the spaced Micro Tubing

Materials, Two Tone Midge…

…another pattern that may be used in numerous colors. Use a seine net to kick up the bottom and observe the Midge Larva captured…

GREEN HORNET MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20

THREAD: Gudebrod, 8/0 Chartreuse

RIB: UTC x-sm Black Wire

BEAD: Killer Caddis Chartreuse, x-sm

Materials, Green Hornet Midge…

An attractor Midge, using up a bit of the 8/0 Gudebrod Chartreuse thread that I still use for midge patterns. There are plenty of places, particularly tail waters, where these will take good Trout…like here…

Between the Lakes, Madison River, MT…

BLACK AND BLUE MIDGE…

HOOK: Firehole 633 #18 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Black

RIB: UTC Gun Metal Blue wire, x-sm

WING: DNA Holofusion, White

BEAD: Firehole Sterling Silver, sized to hook

Materials, Black and Blue Midge…

One more midge in black that I would use on almost any tail water instead of a Black Zebra Midge…this pace comes to mind…East Walker River, Eastern Sierra…Midge patterns work all season long…

CREAM MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18-#22

THREAD: UTC White, for Abdomen / Veevus 16/0 Black Head

RIB: Lagartun Fine Copper wire

• Coat with Hard As Hull or UV Resin

Materials, Cream Midge…

I tie a lot of Cream Miles for use in the Eastern Sierra and some other place we frequent. One of the largest Brown Trout I have caught in the last fifteen years took a #20 Cream Midge on the East Walker River. Someone who is knowledgeable told me that there are as many as 8000 Cream Midge larva per. cubic square foot present, in that water, in the Spring…

TOBACCO MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #18-#20

THREAD: Giorgio Benecchi 12/0 Tobacco thread 

RIB: Lagartun Fine Gold Wire

THORAX: Ice Dub UV Gray

BEAD: Killer Caddis Diamond bead small

• Coat abdomen with Hard as Hull or UV Resin

Materials, Tobacco Midge…

I usually fish glass bead heads ,without a wing, deep in the water column… about 3″-6″ off the bottom…

BIG MAC MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 200R, #18 – #20

THREAD: Abdomen, Danville 6/0, #60 Olive / Thorax Forward – Veevus 16/0 Black

RIB: Spaced between Midge Tubing – Datam Glo-Brite Floss #3 Red

OVER ABDOMEN: Midge Tubing, Olive

THORAX: BRF  Zelon Midge Dubbing, Black

Materials, Big Mac Midge…

Right in here , with Michael and the boys, this September…yes, it can snow there at that time of the year above $3.00 Bridge, Madison River, MT…

RORO’S AMBER SIERRA KRYSTAL BH DIP…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18-#20

THREAD: Lagartun 74 Denier, 8/0 Amber 

RIB: UTC Amber wire, SM

WING: Pearl Krystal Flash, 3 strands, long-ish

BEAD: Firehole Stone, flat Black

Materials RoRo’s Amber Sierra Krystal BH Dip…

RoRo…the Sierra Angler

CUPCAKE MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #20

THREAD: TMC 16/0, Brown

RIB: Sybai, fine flat wire, Bright Pink

THORAX: Ice Dub, UV Pink

BEAD: KIller Caddis Glass Diamond Bead, small

• Coat abdomen with Hard As Hull or UV Resin for durability

Materials, CupCake Midge

…another black alternative to the common Zebra Midge…

PRIMROSE AND PEARL MIDGE…

HOOK: Firehole 633, #18-#20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Yellow

ABDOMEN: KrystalFlash, Hot Yellow over working thread

RIB: UTC Fl. Yellow wire, sm

THORAX: Ice Dub Hot Yellow

BEAD: Copper Tungsten, sized to hook

Materials, Primrose and Pearl Midge…

Something snazzy to break up the doldrums here…Lower Owens River on a crisp Fall day in November…

PERIWINKLE MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Olive , Abdomen / TMC 16/0 Black, Thorax Forward

RIB: UTC Wire, Black, x-sm

THORAX: Ice Dub, UV Lt. Olive

BEAD: Ruby Glass Bead x-sm

Materials, Periwinkle Midge…

Right in here…This Spring…when it’s running about 700cfs….work the edges…

MAMBA MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Black -Abdomen / Head- Veevus 16/0, Black

RIB: UTC Gold wire Sm or x-sm

WING: Flashabou, Pearl – 3-4 strands – long-ish

Materials, Mamba Midge…

A flashy, black midge emerger to brighten things up when the water is a bit off color…

GREY REEFER MIDGE…

HOOK: Firehole 633, #16 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Dark Gray, Abdomen / THC 16/0 Black – Thorax Forward

RIB: UTC Hot Orange, SM

WING: Mini Flat Fly Braid, Pearl – picked out

THORAX: BRF Zelon dubbing, Midge Black

BEAD: Killer Caddis Purple Glass, SM

Materials, Grey Reefer Midge…

A variant on a North Platte Midge pattern that would work in most tail waters when grey toned emerges are about…

 

NEXT: Veteran’s Day Weekend, November 2022, with these guys…

 

 

PT/TB

 

 

 

 

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UP TO THE SIERRA WITH NADIA and MILES…

I have been somewhat remiss in putting up posts. Life has a way of taking over. I completed a miniPCNL surgery in June, 2022 to remove all remaining kidney stones and fragments. The Doctors tell me it was successful and now it’s question of preventing the formation of new stones – given that my Ostomy is a creator of the same. Got slammed by COVID  early in January, spending four days in the hospital and a visit with Ally to the emergency room a week later for COVID / COPD related breathing problems…Got all my vaccinations and  boosters so I am still above ground and sucking in air… it would not have been so pleasant had I not done that. The anti-vax crowd can take Elmo’s rocket to Mars or just drop dead…Three members of my Senior Georgia Military Academy class are gone due to COVID. One was a best, lifelong friend who refused to get vaccinated and had become a devoted cult member … SMDH

So I have all these pictures to put up and I will start HERE:

Departing Los Angeles for Bridgeport, CA with my oldest daughter Nadia and my Grandson Miles…

The remains of the Homestead, where Hwy. 14 turns into Hwy. 395…burned to the ground in April 2022…a lot of great meals were served there to my family from the 60’s on…

The remains…

Approaching Red Hill above Little Lake…Owens Valley ahead…

…another casualty …the Ranch House in Olancha, CA…

Owens Lake in need of water…

…somewhere down there, on the road to Owens Lake, out in the sand and sagebrush, lies a wedding ring that my Mother tossed after an argument with my Father around 1953…

The Winnedumah Hotel in Independence, CA…a bit of roadside history…

…walked a lot of miles in the sand and alkali dust over there on the right with my Dad, Twin Brother and kids…

Ally likes this BBQ joint in Big Pine, CA…

A family favorite in Bishop, CA...Schat’s Bakery…

Crowley Lake…Mammoth Lakes ahead…

Gotta’ stop here for a few essentials...Troutfitter

Mono Lake, CA where the seagulls breed and brine shrimp live…

Coming down the grade towards Bridgeport, CA…

Virginia Creek Settlement source of most excellent pizza and other good eats…

I have not been here since October 2017 so it’s treat time for the guys… Bridgeport Inn

The only place I will order meat loaf with mashed potatoes…Yummy

The Usual Virgin Bloody Mary…

Miles is so easy to feed …chicken nuggets and fries…

The Old Guy is pleased…

…an early evening trip down to the East Walker River…

..warm, dirty water with lots of algae and biting bugs…

Miles at the pipe…on the East Walker River…

Very little water in Bridgeport Reservoir…

Just a pretty sunset looking up towards Twin Lakes…

Early morning sunrise from the Walker River Lodge…

Heading up to Little Virginia lake for some coffee and bacon with Carolyn Webb…

That guy can’t wait to wet a line…

The catch board…

Time to rent the boat…

…so I let Miles row…

Not bad Miles !!!…First time Miles has fished since 2017…

OK…the Old Guy…

We quit around noon and decided to head up tp Green Creek. I haven’t been up there in quite a few years…

Nice pull in spot…there’s water…a biting bugs …

The fenced meadow…

Wet wader, scaring the Brookies…

We decided to have dinner at the Virginia Creek Settlement… no pizza this time…

I haven’t had this since I was about seven years old…

Taking a look at the menu…

Went with the fettuccine alfredo with chicken…

Burger Boy…

Salad Mom…

So…they raise Trout at the settlement that are planted in Green Creek. Miles go a bag of pellets to feed the guys…

He really enjoyed this…

…a quick run up to Twin Lakes to see what was going on….

...the dude ranch where Miles wants to stay on his next visit…

Last day of fishing…back up to Little Virginia Lake…

Miles can’t wait, so while we eat, he does the fly and bubble from shore…

There he goes…rigging up…

He caught one while waiting for us to finish eating…

…was a bit slower than the previous day…

There…pure joy !!!

All the Trout we caught were released to make someone else have a good day…

WE again quit around noon and drove to Leavitt Meadows for Miles’ and Nadias’ trail ride…

…geared up…

Trail riders…

While those guys went off into the hinterlands, I went down to the West Walker River to peek at the flows…

Very low and warm…

Miles the dog whisperer…

…next on the agenda was a soaking at Travertine Hot Springs…

Miles is an alien…

One more go-round at The Bridgeport Inn…

Garden salad…

Prime rib, Mashed potatoes and real horseradish…

Back to LA…

…but not before a stop at Schat’s in Bishop…

…YIKES !!!

Guys got the goods and some lunch stuff…

Wanted to give Miles one last chance at a Trout, so we stopped at the George’s Creek Sand Trap above Lone Pine…no moving water, algae and muck…

Really disappointing…

When one knows they have left the Owens Valley…Red Hill headed South…

 

These are the soft hackle patterns that I tied for this trip and for Cairo’s trip up to the Sierra…

 

NEXT: Cairo in the Eastern Sierra…

 

PT/TB

 

 

 

 

 

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What’s Coming for Fall 2022

In the next several weeks I will add some of the activities I engaged in after my last post. Some new Midge Patterns, trips up to the Eastern Sierra this past Summer and HERO & Ally stuff…

Here’s a taste:

216 flies when completed…

Cairo & Michael up in the mountains…

Miles and a Rainbow at LVL…

Cairo’s first Brookie…

…to be continued…

 

 

PT/TB

 

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A Perdigon Box…

These are the first flies that I have tied in quite awhile. Some of them were tied with the assistance of my Grandson Miles, who really seems to enjoy tying and has some nimble moves. Hopefully, I will be able to use  these patterns with Michael and Miles later this Summer when I recover from my last kidney stone surgery…

That’s HERO, in my header above, on his great canoe adventure at Dworshak Reservoir, Idaho…5.21.2022

Blue on Blue Perdigon…

HOOK: Hanak 403 BLG, #10-#16

THREAD: UTC Fl. White, 70 Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Ginger Speckled

ABDOMEN: Glimmer Thread, Blue – ( Cascade Crest Tool Co. )

RIB: Flat Tinsel, fine, Blue Pearl or Silver ( Hends )

HOT SPOT: UTC Fl. Fire Orange, 70 Denier

WING CASE: Wet n Wild Fast Dry – Black, 2 coats

 BEAD: Slotted Tungsten, Black – sized to hook

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, fine

Materials

This is a large heavy pattern in a color that has proven to be effective almost all seasons in the Eastern Sierra…These, like most Perdigons , are simple and easy to tie…

WET N WILD …Black Nail Polish

COPPER / SILVER PERDIGON…

HOOK: Tiemco 113 BLH, #12 – #16

THREAD: UTC Fl. White, 70 Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ABDOMEN: Hemingway Micro Glint, Copper

HOT SPOT: UTC Fl. Fire Orange, 70 Denier

BEAD: Tungsten Nickel, sized or oversized to hook

WING CASE: Wet n Wild Nail Polish, Black

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, fine

MATERIALS

Copper is an interesting color to use. I tie several midge patterns using copper Holoshimmer and they are very effective in the East Walker and Lower Owens River…

MOO’S GREEN GOBLIN PERDIGON…

HOOK: Firehole 551 Jig Hook, #10- #16

THREAD: UTC Fl. White, 70 Denier – Under Abdomen

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ABDOMEN #1 : Hemingway Mico Glint – Peridot

ABDOMEN #2 : Micro Tubing , Peacock

HOT SPOT: Veevus, 8/0, Chartreuse

BEAD: Hanak Tungsten slotted, Metallic Chartreuse sized or oversized to hook

WING CASE: Wet N Wild Nail Polish

UV RESIN: Deer Creek – Fine

Materials

This is a good place to try out that Green Goblin, with my Winston Super 10, 5WT…on the East Walker River just below the dam…

LITTLE OLIVE QUILL…

HOOK: Hanak 280 BL, #12 – #16

THREAD: TMC 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Coq De Leon Barred Speckled Aconchado

ABDOMEN: Veevus Body Quill, Olive

RIB: UTC x-sm Copper Wire

HOT SPOT: UTC Fl. Fire Orange, 70 Denier

BEAD: Tungsten Copper, sized to Hook or oversized

WING CASE: Wet N Wild, Black Nail Polish

UV RESIN: Deer Creek – Fine

MATERIALS

 LIL’ MOO’S RED PEARL PEPPER PERDIGON JIG…

HOOK: FIrehole 551, #14-#18

THREAD: UTC Fl. White, 70 Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Ginger ( *not pictured in materials )

ABDOMEN: Hends Red Pearl 1/69 spooled tinsel

RIB: Hends Bright Brown, flat fine wire

HOT SPOT: UTC Fl. Fire Orange, 70 Denier

BEAD: Firehole stone Sterling Silver – sized to hook or oversized

WING CASE: Wet n Wild, Black nail polish

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, Fine

MATERIALS

COPPER AND PEARL PERDIGON…

HOOK: Tiemco 403BLJ, #10-#16

THREAD: UTC Fl. White, 70 Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ADOMEN: Pearl Glimmer Thread ( Cascade Crest Tool Co. )

RIB: Hends, flat fine, Bright Brown

HOT SPOT: Danville, 6/0, 505 Fluorescent Fire Orange

BEAD: Faceted Slotted Tungsten, sized or oversized to hook

WING CASE: Wet Wild black Nail Polish

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, fine

MATERIALS

Below, just above $3.00 Bridge, on the Madison River, would be a good location for using the Copper and Pearl Perdigon…

PERDIGON #47…

HOOK: Hanak 470BL Jig, #10-#16

THREAD: Danville #47, Tobacco Brown 6/0

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ABDOMEN: Danville #47, 6/0

RIB: Hends Fine Flat Wire – Gold

HOT SPOT: Danville 503, Fl. Orange, 6/0

BEAD: Hanak Tungsten, Metallic Orange – sized to hook or oversized

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, fine

Materials…

The Perdigon #47 would be a perfect bright, heavy pattern to use in this section of the East Walker River in the Eastern Sierra. Some very large Brown Trout hang out here…

CREAM MONTANA BULLET…

HOOK: TMC 2499SP-BL, #14- #18

THREAD: UTC Cream, 70 Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon- Light Speckled Pardo

ABDOMEN: Working Thread

RIB: UTC Copper wire sized to hook

BEAD: Copper Tungsten, sized to hook

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, fine

 

MATERIALS…

This is a Blue Ribbon Flies pattern  . It was designed for the moving waters around West Yellowstone. I also believe that it would be successful in other Western waters, including many in the Eastern Sierra…

BROWN AND BLUE PERDIGON…

HOOK: Orvis Tactical Barbless, #12-#16

THREAD: UTC Cream, 70Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Light Pardo

ABDOMEN: Hends Brown Tinsel

RIB: Hends fine, flat Blue Wire

HOT SPOT: UTC Fl. Fire Orange, 70 Denier

BEAD: Tungsten Silver or Nickel, sized to hook or oversized

UV Resin: Deer Creek, Fine

MATERIALS…

EWR BLACK BULLET…

HOOK: TMC 2488H

THREAD: UTC Black, 70 Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Light Speckled Pardo

RIB: Hends, Fine, Flat Silver

BEAD: Silver or Nickel Tungsten, sized or oversized to hook

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, Fine

MATERIALS…

This pattern is a natural for the East Walker River… 

ORANGE AND OLIVE PERDIGON…

HOOK: TMC 113BLH,  #10-#16

THREAD: UTC Light Olive, 70 Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Medium Speckled

ABDOMEN: Working thread

RIB: Hends Fine, Flat Brown wire

Hot Spot: UTC Fl.Fire Orange, 70 Denier

BEAD: Gold Tungsten sized to hook or oversized

WING CASE: Wet n Wild, Black Nail Polish

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, fine

MATERIALS…

Orange is a good attractor color. I would not hesitate to use it anywhere…

PURPLE AND CHARTREUSE PERDIGON…

HOOK: Firehole 609, #14 – #18

THREAD: Veevus, Chartreuse, 8/0

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Light Speckled Pardo

RIB: UTC sm Purple Holo Tinsel

HOT SPOT: UTC Fl. Pink, 70 Denier

BEAD: Firehole Stone, Silver sized to hook or oversized

WING CASE: Wet n Wild, Black Nail Polish

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, Fine

MATERIALS…

BLACK AND SILVER PERDIGON…

HOOK: Hanak 450BL, #14- #16

THREAD: UTC Black,70 Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Ginger Speckled

ABDOMEN: Hends Black Tinsel over working thread

RIB: (* NOT PICTURED) Hends fine flat silver wire

HOT SPOT: UTC Fl. Fire Orange, 70 Denier

WING CASE: Wet n Wild, Black Nail Polish

BEAD: Slotted Silver Tungsten sized to hook or oversized

MATERIALS…

Small and simple similar to the ubiquitous  Zebra Midge that may be fished anywhere there is moving water…

…like here, above $3.00 Bridge on the Madison River…

RAINBOW WARRIOR OPAL PERDIGON…

RAINBOW WARRIOR BLACK HOLOGRAPHIC PERDIGON…

HOOK: Dohiku J, #16-#20

THREAD: UTC Red, 70 Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Light Speckled Pardo

ABDOMEN: Working thread covered with Opal or Black Holographic Tinsel

BEAD: Silver Firehole slotted Stone…sized to hook or oversized

Hot Spot: UTC Red, 70 Denier

WING CASE: Wet n Wild, Black Nail Polish

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, Fine

MATERIALS FOR BOTH RAINBOWS…

Flashy little Perdigons that would suffice in almost any moving water…

PURPLE AND PINK PERDIGON…

HOOK: Firehole 551, #12-#18

THREAD: UTC Purple, 70 Denier

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Light Speckled Pardo

ABDOMEN: Working thread

RIB: Pink Holographic Flash. flat and thin, Cascade Crest Tool Co. sample pack

BEAD: Pink Slotted Tungsten…sized to hook or oversized

HOT SPOT: UTC Fl. Fire Orange, 70 Denier

WING CASE: Wet n Wild, Black Nail Polish

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, Fine

MATERIALS…

Purple…because it works…

COMBO THREAD PERDIGON…

HOOK: Dohiku HDJ, #18-#20

THREAD: Combo 6/0 thread (Yellow / Brown ) Cascade Crest Tool Co.

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Light Speckled Pardo

ABDOMEN: Working thread

HOT SPOT: Veevus, Fl. Orange, 8/0

BEAD: Firehole slotted Sterling Silver Stone

WING CASE: Wet n Wild, Black Nail Polish

UV RESIN: Deer Creek, fine

MATERIALS…

A good spot for all of these Perdigons…Lower Owens River, Eastern Sierra…

Completed Perdigon Box with magnetized bottom…

Cairo…at the George Creek sand trap,Owens Valley, near Lone Pine, CA…4th. generation fishing at that spot and a first for the little guy…5.28.2022

 

…a shout out to the two guys that inspire me to keep tying, because they will lose a lot of flies…

Next: A box of small for late Summer 2022

 

PT/TB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Starting again someplace…

I last tied flies in October of 2018. After all of the medical experiences I have gone through since May of 2019, there just has not been a lot of motivation to begin again…well, that’s over…

Back at the vise…

A few items I picked up at Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Store on 4.16.2021. Most of what I had on my list was not in stock. I suspect it’s sitting in cargo containers somewhere off-shore West of Long Beach, CA… if at all…😓

 

…setting up today to fill a box with some patterns Michael and I will use when both of us have received our Covid 19 vaccinations. I am getting mine in February and Michael has to wait awhile longer…

HOT VACS – the thread version a BRF pattern…

HOT VAC – TMC 2488H, #16…

MONTANA BULLET – TMC 2499SP-BL, #16…

UV OLIVE / PEACOCK – Dohiku HDJ, #18…

B-UV PEACOCK ZEBRA PUPA – TMC 2499SP -BL, #16 – #18…

PEARL / INSECT GREEN FLOSS MIDGE – Firehole 637, # 18- #20…

WHITE HEADED MIDGE (Gray) – Freeman/Variant, Daiichi 1130,#18-#22…

So this is a beginning. I will do a dozen of each pattern with individual, group and materials used – as I have always done…

PT/TB

 

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Big MOO Day on The East Branch of The Croton River…

I was under the impression that Michael would be traveling to upstate New York to spend a day on the East Branch of the Delaware but he fooled me and decided to fish closer to home outside of New York City. He had a good day…

 

East Branch of the Croton on one of Michael’s previous visits…

Sunday, November 3, 2019…

Nice Brown to hand…

Blowdown on the East Branch of the Croton River…

A Rainbow…

Another Brown…

Flat section of the East Branch of the Croton River…

Last Brown…All were caught on the two fly patterns below. A Black Serendipity designed by Kelly Galloup and my Buffalo Jump…

Brown, Winston BIIX, 9′, 5WT., Tibor Reel & Hat of MOO…

 

Next: A visit to Los Angeles by Michael, Aimee and “Baby Bean”.

 

PT/TB

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MOO’S outing on ESOPUS CREEK…

So yesterday, 5.11.2019 Michael and Aimee ventured up to Esopus Creek to wet a line. He caught several nice Browns and got to spend a beautiful day on the water…

Esopus Creek, New York…

He worked a streamer…

…through the above run and let this guy go…

He tried this Iced Apple Caddis pattern that I tied up for him in 2015…

…and got this Brown…

Two others as well !!!

 

…way to go son … 😉🍏

 

 

NEXT: Some ties for Kelly Creek, the Locsha and Selway Rivers in Idaho…

 

 

PT/TB

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Getting started…PNW Chrome patterns …Finally COMPLETED…

These will be the first steelhead fly patterns that I have tied since 1975, when I traveled up to Vancouver Island to fly fish for these sought after seagoing Trout.I will begin by tying four of each pattern – maybe more if I decide to vary sizes . A lot has changed since then and the runs have been drastically reduced and these fish along with many of the great Salmon runs are in peril. The causes are many and will not be documented here…This particular post has taken way too long to finish… I have a series of mostly photographic posts coming up shortly…

Completed box of traditional Steelhead Fly Patterns…

Home base… while Ally goes here to get her degree in Veterinary Medicine…

Traveling down to Lewiston, Idaho and the Clearwater River…

Coming down the grade ( Lewiston Hill )…

Traveling East along the Clearwater River towards Orofino, ID…

A right turn towards Peck, ID…

…and The Red Shed Fly Shop…I have never seen so much great stuff squished into such a small space…

So I was advised to purchase this book about the wonderful rivers in the area – The Clearwater, Grande Ronde, Salmon and Snake rivers and their tributaries. Inside one finds history, the names and bios of folks who pioneered steelhead fishing in these locations, their stories and tips, fly patterns that they used and the evolution of rods and equipment. This book is just a great read !!! Many of the first patterns I am tying will come from it, with a few variants of my own…

A pull-off, along the road, next to the Clearwater River…

GREEN SKUNK BUTT VARIANT…

HOOK: Daiichi 2441, #6

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAIL: Fl. Orange Hackle

DUBBING BALL BUTT: Chartreuse Ice Dub

ABDOMEN: Medium Black Chenille

RIB: Silver Tinsel

WING: Fl. White Buck Tail

HACKLE: Schlappen feather, Black

Materials – GREEN SKUNK BUTT VARIANT…

GREEN SKUNK BUTTs…

One of the most popular steelhead patterns ever developed. Designed by Dan Callaghan, the green butt was added sometime after 1950. I would venture a guess that one still finds these in a majority of PNW steelhead fly shops…

The Clearwater River at a boat ramp…

GREEN ANT (Two Variants) Black Hackle / Grizzly Hackle – Alec Jackson Steelhead Irons #7 … 

Materials – GREEN ANT…* The Chartreuse Ice Dub isn’t supposed to be there…

GREEN ANTs…

The Green Ant is a variant:

HOOK: Alec Jackson Steelhead Irons, #7

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAIL: GoldenPheasant Tippet

BUTT: UV2 Peacock herls (3) – Natural

UNDER ABDOMEN: UTC 70 Denier Fl. White Thread

ABDOMEN: Datum Glo Brite Floss, Chartreuse

WING: Natural Squirrel Tail

HACKLE: WEbby Grizzly Hackle

The Clearwater River towards Lewiston, ID from Peck, ID…

SEAL-X ICE (Nightmare Red) & CDL …

HOOK: Alec Jackson Steelhead Irons #7

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG: Silver Tinsel

UNDER ABDOMEN: UTC 70 Denier Fl. White thread

OVER ABDOMEN: Seal-X Ice, Nightmare Red

AT THORAX:  * -tie in UTC 70 Denier Fl. Orange thread to complete fly

HACKLE: Coq De Leon (Whiting) a bit heavy

Materials SEAL-X ICE (Nightmare Red) & CDL…

SEAL-X ICE (Nightmare Red) & CDLs…

Simple, with a hackling I have not used before…

Closer to Lewiston…

MELLOW YELLOW …

 HOOK: Daiichi 2441, #6

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG: Silver Tinsel

UNDER ABDOMEN: UTC 70 Denier Fl. White Floss

BUTT: Yellow Floss

TAIL: Yellow Mallard Flank *– not pictured in materials

REAR COLLAR:  UV2 Peacock Herl, dyed Black – 2 herls

ABDOMEN: Yellow Floss

RIB: Silver Tinsel

THORAX: Firestar Dubbing, Caddis Green

WING: Yellow BuckTail

Hackle: Strung Chinese Saddle Hackle, Yellow

Materials MELLOW YELLOW…

MELLOW YELLOWs…

Something for stained and off color water…

Long shot of the Clearwater River…

The North 40 Store in Lewiston in which a Fly Shop is located…about 1/6th. the size of Bob Marriott’s in L.A. …

A box in progress…

ORANGE & BLACK…

HOOK: Alec Jackson Steelhead Irons, #7

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG: Silver Tinsel

ABDOMEN: Uni Floss, Black

RIB: Silver Tinsel

WING: Batch of strung Marabou, Fl. Orange, cut short

HACKLE: Fl. Orange Saddle Hackle…the package in the photo is from 1974

Materials ORANGE & BLACK…

ORANGE & BLACKs…

This pattern was favored by Jake Gulke who frequented the Grande Ronde …in the days when there were monumental runs of fish…

UV2 SEAL-X PURPLE PERIL …

HOOK: Daiichi 2421, #6

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG: Silver Tinsel

TAIL: Purple Saddle Hackle

ABDOMEN: UV2 Purple Seal-X

RIB: Silver Tinsel

WING: Buck Tail dyed Fl. White

Hackle: Purple Saddle Hackles

Materials UV2 SEAL-X PURPLE PERIL…

UV2 SEAL-X PURPLE PERILs…

The Purple Peril was developed by George McLeod from the Seattle area before World War II. It is considered one of the classic PNW steelhead fly patterns

“BEATS ME” …

HOOK: Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, #5

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Red

TAG: Silver Tinsel

TAIL: Golden Pheasant Crest

UNDER ABDOMEN: UTC 70 Denier  Fl. White thread

OVER ABDOMEN: UTC 70 Denier Fl. Cerise thread

RIB: Silver Tinsel

THORAX:  Medium Black Chenille

UNDER WING: 6-8 strands UV Pearl Krystal Flash

OVER WING: Fox SquirrelTail

HACKLE: Webby Grizzly

Materials “BEATS ME”…

“BEATS MEs”…

Bill Alspach, who resided in Pullman, WA until his death in 1997, designed and used this fly pattern. He was asked by a fellow steelheader about the fly he was using and that’s how the name came about. I would have loved to have fished with this guy…

ALLY’S MOSCOW MULE …

HOOK: Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, #7

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG:  Oval Copper Tinsel

TAIL: Golden Pheasant Crest

UNDER ABDOMEN: Base of UTC 70 Denier  Fl. White thread

OVER ABDOMEN: Copper Brown Floss… that came on a wooden spool that I purchased somewhere in the mid 70’s… 🙂

RIB: Oval Copper Tinsel

UNDER WING: 6-8 strands of UV Pearl Krystal Flash

OVER WING: Squirrel Tail, Natural

Hackle: Yellow Strung Chinese Saddle Hackle

Materials ALLY’S MOSCOW MULE…

ALLY’S MOSCOW MULEs…

I love this color…named after my daughter Ally and the famous drink which originated at the Cock N’ Bull restaurant on Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood before I was born…

HARBINGER …

HOOK: Daiichi 2050, #7

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG: Silver Tinsel

TAIL: Golden Pheasant Crest

UNDER ABDOMEN: UTC 70 Denier Fl. White Floss

OVER ABDOMEN: Uni Chartreuse Floss

RIB: Silver Tinsel

THORAX: UV2 Peacock – Natural – 3 herls

WING: Chartreuse Buck Tail

HACKLE: Chartreuse Strung Chinese Saddle Hackle

Materials HARBINGER…

HARBINGERs…

I like CHARTREUSE…

UV2 PURPLE AND BLUE COPPER DOC …

HOOK: Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, #5

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Red

TAG: Embossed Copper Tinsel – Veevus

TAIL: Dyed Purple Golden Pheasant Crest

ABDOMEN: Uni Doctor Blue Floss over a base of UTC 70Denier Fl. White thread

RIB: Copper Embossed Tinsel – Veevus

THORAX: UV2 Dyed Purple Peacock – 3 strands of herl

UNDER WING: UV pearl Krystal Flash – 6-8 strands

OVER WING: Black Buck Tail

HACKLE: Purple Wooly Bugger Saddle Hackle

Materials UV2 PURPLE AND BLUE COPPER DOC…

UV2 PURPLE AND BLUE COPPER DOCs…

My favorite colors …

BOX – DOUBLED UP…

BRIGHT UNNAMED FLY…

HOOK: Rick Miller/Variant – Daiichi 2050, #5

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG: Silver Tinsel

TAIL: Yellow Hackle topped with Mallard Flank dyed Woodduck

ABDOMEN: Fine Lt. Orange Chenille

RIB: Silver Tinsel

WING: Yellow Bucktail

CHEEKS: Golden Pheasant Tippet

HACKLE: Yellow Strung Chinese Saddle Hackle

Materials BRIGHT UNNAMED FLY…

BRIGHT UNNAMED FLYs…

Rick Miller was one of the first steelhead fly fisherman who started fishing the Grande Ronde in 1948. It’s fair to say that he was one of the first fly fisherman to catch a steelhead on a fly in that river…If he were alive today, he would be 99 years old…

PRINCETON TIGER VARIANT …

HOOK: Daiichi 2421, #2

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG: Silver Tinsel

TAIL: Hot Orange Saddle Hackle

ABDOMEN: UV2 Seal-X, Black

RIB: Silver Tinsel

UNDER WING: 8 strands UV Pearl Krystal Flash

OVER WING: Yellow Bucktail

HACKLE: Schlappen Feather, Black

Materials PRINCETON TIGER VARIANT…

PRINCETON TIGER VARIANTs…

” This fly was introduced and popularized by Eddie Ward as he fished the Clearwater River back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. He was a graduate of Princeton so he used the college colors, orange and black and the athletic teams’, Tigers, to name the fly. It proved to be a very successful fly to lure big steelhead on the Clearwater.”...HERE

FALL FAVORITE  – Silvius/Variant …

HOOK:  Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, #3

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Red

TAG: Silver Tinsel

TAIL: Red Hackle Fibers

ABDOMEN: Medium Silver Tinsel

RIB: Oval Silver Tinsel * – Coat with Zap-a-Gap to lock in place

UNDER WING: Mix 4 strands each – Grizzly Krystal Flash (Black/Red) – Crystal Mirror Flash – Cascade Crest Tool Co.

OVER WING: Red Bucktail

Materials FALL FAVORITE…

FALL FAVORITEs…

This pattern is a steelhead classic pattern. More on it’s history may be found HERE- FALL FAVORITE.

COPPER COLONEL / Variant …

HOOK:Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, #5

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG: Embossed Copper Tinsel – Veevus

ABDOMEN: Medium Copper Brown/Pearl tinsel Chenille

UNDER WING: 6-8 strands Crystal Mirror Flash – Cascade Crest Tool Co.

OVER WING: Sparse Black Bucktail

HACKLE: Black Schlappen feather

Materials COPPER COLONEL / Variant..

COPPER COLONEL / Variants…

A Duke Parkening pattern that was brought from California to catch Steelhead on the Clearwater River in the 60’s…

SILVER,GOLD N’ SQUIRREL…

HOOK:  Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, #3

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG: Flat Gold Tinsel

TAIL: Golden Pheasant Crest

ABDOMEN: Flat Silver Tinsel

RIB: Veevus French Tinsel. Gold *– coat with Zap-a-Gap to lock the rib in place

HACKLE: * – not shown – Webby Grizzly Hackle

WING: Fox Squirrel Tail

Materials SILVER,GOLD N’ SQUIRREL…

SILVER,GOLD N’ SQUIRRELs…

Going all out on bright and flashy…

UV2 PINK BUTT AND PURPLE…

HOOK: Daiichi 2441, 1/0

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Fl. White – Under Abdomen  /  Danville 6/0, Black – Thorax forward

TAG: Flat Silver Tinsel

TAIL: Dyed Golden Pheasant Tippet, Red

BUTT: Dyed UV2 Peacock Herl, Pink, 3 strands

ABDOMEN: Purple Uni Floss

RIB: Flat Silver Tinsel

HACKLE: Strung Chinese Saddle Hackle, Bright Purple

WING: Large Northern Bucktail, Purple

Materials UV2 PINK BUTT AND PURPLE…

UV2 PINK BUTT AND PURPLEs…

Purple is a color that is considered  de rigueur for steelhead patterns. The last color to disappear at depth. So this is one of those in a classic style…

CHARTREUSE D- PURPLE …

HOOK:Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, #5

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Fl. White – Under Abdomen / Danville 6/0, Black – Thorax forward

TAG: Flat Silver Tinsel

ABDOMEN: Chartreuse Spooled Antron

RIB: Purple Medium D-Rib

WING: Back Deer Belly

HACKLE: Black Schlappen Feather

Materials CHARTREUSE D- PURPLE…

CHARTREUSE D- PURPLEs…

So…I wanted something different, in chartreuse which is one of my favorite attractor colors…this was it…

COPPER KING …

HOOK:  Daiichi 2051, # 5

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Fl. White – Under Abdomen / Danville 6/0, Black – Thorax forward

TAG: Flat Copper Tinsel

TAIL: Golden Pheasant Crest

ABDOMEN: Spooled Gold Antron

RIB: Embossed Copper Veevus Tinsel

HACKLE: Black Schlappen Feather

WING: Grey Squirrel Tail (Natural)

Materials COPPER KING…

COPPER KINGs…

A bright, shimmering pattern for off colored water…

GREEN LANTERN …

HOOK: Daiichi 2051 or Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, #5

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAG: Veevus Flat Silver Tinsel

TAIL: Natural Black Squirrel

UNDER ABDOMEN: Veevus Flat Silver Tinsel

OVER ABDOMEN: Thin strip of Edgebrite Fl. Green

HACKLE: Black Schlappen feather

UNDER WING: 2 Midge Mirage Opal, 2 Midge Flash Chartreuse strips

WING: Black Deer Belly

Materials GREEN LANTERN

GREEN LANTERNs…

This pattern was a favorite of Craig Lannigan, from Lewiston, Idaho who was one of the finest steelhead fly fishermen in the area, on the Clearwater River …

Almost completed box…

LEPRECHAUN …

HOOK: Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron, #5

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black – Thorax forward / UTC 70 Denier Fl. White –  Under Abdomen

TAG: Gold Tinsel

TAIL: Chartreuse hackle

RIB: Veevus French tinsel, Gold

ABDOMEN: Dark Green spooled Antron *- over UTC 70 Denier Fl. White thread

HACKLE: Chartreuse Strung Chinese Saddle Hackle

WING: Grey Squirrel Tail (Natural)

Materials LEPRECHAUN…

LEPRECHAUNs…

Something in dark green …

 

 

Next: A day on the Grande Ronde…

 

PT/TB

 

 

 

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BIG MOO…back in MONTANA…

Michael and his wife Aimee traveled to Montana in late July to attend a wedding for Aimee’s BFF at a cabin over by Henry’s Lake in Idaho. What follows are some photos that he sent to me highlighting their trip… 🙂

Arriving at West Fork Cabin Camp…

Getting ready…

Walking the bridge…

Maybe down here first…

Heading up to $3.00 Bridge the next morning…

A nice AM Rainbow…

Standing on my rocks…

Another Rainbow to hand…

Aimee, working the drift late in the day…

Michael, just doing what he does…

Then Aimee blows him away…

A different kind of Rainbow…

MOO’S Sunset Rainbow…

Sunset 1, Madison River above $3.00 Bridge…

Some flies that worked for Michael & Aimee…

Sunset 2, Madison River, MT…

Sunset 3, same place… 😜

A visit between the lakes before heading to the Park…

Working a streamer…

In Yellowstone National Park…

Those guys again…

That’s close enough…

Long shot…

The Yellowstone River looking upstream…

Another perspective…

A Westslope Cutthroat…

…on one of ALLO’S POLAR EXPRESS HS CH BUGGERS…

Further downstream on the Yellowstone River…

 

Boulders in the Yellowstone…

Hot pool…for some reason, Michael takes a photo of everyone of these that he has ever encountered…

 

NEXT: Hangin’ at Palouse Falls, Ally & Hero exploring local waters then…Patterns for Chrome…not necessarily in that order…

 

 

PT/TB  

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