BISHOP, CA … with Ally, Hero and Nick…

Ally asked me to come with her, Hero and Nick, up to Bishop for a weekend of fishing Nov. 3-5…and, “Oh yeah Dad, bring some soft hackles and Seal Buggers !”… 🙂

Red Hill (cinder cone) at Little Lake, CA signaling the entry into the Owens Valley and Eastern Sierras on Hwy. 395…North

Mt. Whitney from the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine, CA

The center offers campfire permits, maps, information and some very interesting reading material. I have been coming here since the early 80’s when the building was to the right of this location and a lot smaller…

…more

and more…

So, when we arrived in Bishop, Nick and Ally went to pick out a primitive campsite for their stay. I went to the Vagabond Inn because they have nice soft beds, heat,  a shower and TV so I could watch the Miami / Va. Tech game on Saturday night…

After I checked in, we headed up to North Lake above Bishop to try out some soft hackles…it was cold and windy…Ally watches Nick fishing…

The leaves were almost gone from most of the trees in the area…

Nick caught a couple of small-ish Browns…

…on this soft hackle pattern which has been my top producer in the high elevation lakes in the Easter Sierras over the past three years…

With the wind starting to blow a lot harder, we decided to take a jaunt down the mountain and visit the Lower Owens River below 5 Bridges an area I haven’t been to in quite awhile because of the drought here in California…I knew the flows were too high for wading and fly fishing (541cfs. that day)…

This photo was taken in 2002…

This is the same spot in 2017…The spot was filled with brush and there had been a die-off of the trees on the opposite bank…

I used to drive my rig in here and park on the left next to the extended tree branch…There is now a deep gully between where I am standing, taking this photo and Ally and Hero near the bank of the Owens…

… in fact, just to the right of where Ally is standing , this large tree once stood. It is gone…

…Nick and I standing where brush did not exist a few years ago…

I used to park just under the branch that extends off the right of this tree in the past…

 

This is looking upstream from that spot…The entire area on the near side of the bank is completely overgrown…

This is another location, just upstream of where I used to park my vehicle…looking towards the White Mountains…

…and back towards the Sierras at sunset…

I have taken a lot of nice Trout out of the bend section just upriver…

This run is very deep at this spot…and shallows out to riffle water just below the trees in the distance…

I took this Brown out of there  when the flows were much lower awhile back…

I will return when the flows decrease…

Saturday morning, it was off to Schat’s Bakery before going up to Pleasant Valley Reservoir…

Trudging along the Owens River where it runs just above PVR…it is a great place to fly fish when the flows are lower…

This is the spot we chose to toss our flies…

Ally, Hero and Beer-O…

Looking South…Some folks next to us took a few small Rainbows on PB, Mice Tails and Inflatable Worms…for us – nada…

…so we trudged back to the vehicle…

…and decided to go back up the mountain and try Intake II on Bishop Creek…

…a small Brownie on a PP&P…and I am wearing gloves because it is cold and very windy…

…a view of a portion of Intake II…

…another Brown…we stayed for about two hours until our hands and fingers did not work anymore. Nick and Ally decided to also get a room at the Vagabond Inn because of the wind and cold…

Something unusual from the doorway of my motel room… at sunset…

This place had been closed for a number of years and had recently reopened…

…back in the day their food was probably among the best served in Bishop…they need to come up to that standard again…

Sunday morning at Jack’s Waffle Shop…

Ally…

back at Intake II…

I found a sweet spot in the center of the pond ,over a weed bed and caught about 25 small Browns and one Rainbow in two hours…using the PP&P…

Finny Rainbow…

Hero keeps an eye out for Nick’s catches…

…of which there were quite a few…

Around mid-day we packed up and headed back to LA…stopping at a few sand traps around Lone Pine to toss some flies…Here at Georges Creek…

and Lone Pine Creek…

Reverse side of Red Hill and out of the Owens Valley…

 

NEXT: Back to the Firehole and Madison Rivers in Yellowstone National Park

 

 

PT/TB 

 

 

 

 

 

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EAST N’ WEST…ATTRACTOR PATTERNS…FINISHED

So Michael was here over the Holidays, bugging me for more flies to use this year on the rivers he fishes outside of N.Y.C. These will be some fly patterns that BOTH of us can use this coming Spring. Looks like there might be a bunch of water in the Eastern Sierras this year and I would like to try these on the East Walker River and the Owens River as well. There will be eighteen patterns in all, several will be tied in two different sizes, to accommodate our needs…When Michael comes out in the next few weeks (April) he will be taking some of these to tryout on the rivers he fishes in NY, MA, and CT…

Michael & friend…

…on The  Housatonic River, yesterday (3.13.2016)…

EAST N’ WEST ATTRACTOR BOX…finished…

Brownie on the East Walker River…

BLUE RAM CADDIS – Ross A. Merigold/Variant…

HOOK:  TMC 113 BLH, #10-#14

THRAD: Tiemco 16/0, White – Under Abdomen

RIB: Sulky Holoshimmer Silver Metallic Opalescent #8040

ABDOMEN: Super Floss, Blue, Larva Lace…  (They have excellent stuff) – * Coat Abdomen with Hard As Hull

HACKLE: Hen Nec, White

HEAD: Gordon Griffith 14/0 Sheer, Red – two coats of Hard As Hull

I started using a R.A.M. Caddis  a very long time ago, in Olive and in Purple. It was designed by the same person who came up with the Serendipity pattern, on the Madison River – Ross A. Merigold. One of the largest Rainbow Trout I have ever caught in a river was on a #14 Purple RAM Caddis, on the East Walker River in 1980. I keep a bunch of them in one of my Caddis boxes…they are that good

Materials BLUE RAM CADDIS…

BLUE RAM CADDIS #12 & #14…

MOO… in attractor mode, at sunset, on the East Walker River…

S CADDIS PUPA (Brown)…

HOOK: Umpqua (Hanak) C300BL #10 – #14

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: Danville 6/0, #47 Tobacco Brown

RIB: Sulky Holoshimmer, #6055, Cranberry

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail Brown

WINGLETS: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Olive Brown

THORAX: Hare’s Ear Ice Dub, Brown

HACKLE: Hen Neck Furnace

BEAD: Tungsten, Copper, sized to hook

An attractor Caddis Pupa with a thinner body, in a large size, flash and movement built in…yep

Materials S CADDIS PUPA (Brown)…

S CADDIS PUPAe (Brown)…

A place where BLUE works…The East Walker River…

BLUE HERESY JIG…

HOOK: Umpqua (Hanak), C400BL, #12 – #16

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

TAIL: Black Pheasant Tail

ABDOMEN: Sulky Holoshimmer Metallic Royal Blue #8052  – * Coat with Hard As Hull

WINGCASE: 4-5 Strands Holographic Mylar Motion, 1/32″, Black

THORAX: Wapsi Rainbow Sow Scud Dubbing (the real deal)

BEAD: Slotted Tungsten, Silver, sized to hook

A parallel universe Rainbow Warrior with the wing case on top of the hook…which is heretical…

Yeah…right…

Materials BLUE HERESY JIG…

BLUE HERESY JIG(s)…

SPOOKY TOOTH …

HOOK: Umpqua (Hanak) C550BL, #10 – #14

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown

TAIL: Ancient Claret Hackle Fibers (like the name, from the 70’s)

RIB: UTC Wire Hot Yellow

ABDOMEN: Natural Pheasant Tail Fibers

THORAX: SLF Spikey Squirrel Dubbing, Dark Brown

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite Floss Fl. Red

BEAD: Tungsten, Copper, sized to hook

Another simple PT attractor with a Hot Spot and tail color that no one but me uses…on a PT nymph…

Materials SPOOKY TOOTH…

SPOOKY TOOTH(s)…

LASER WING SHIMMER NYMPH…

HOOK: TMC 113 BLH, #10 – #14

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: UTC Fl. White – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

RIB: Sulky Holoshimmer # 6045, Multi Dark

ABDOMEN: Sulky Holoshimmer #7043 (Rainbow Prism Purple)  – *Coat with Hard As Hull

WING: Sanyo’s Laser Dub White – tie in fibers lengthwise and cut at an angle

THORAX: Hare’s Ice Dub, Black

BEAD: Tungsten, Black, sized to hook

This is the kind of pattern I like to toss into fast water that drops into deep holes along the edges of the East Walker River. It’s the one some of the big guys have never seen before and there are times that it is exactly what they want…

Materials LASER WING SHIMMER NYMPH…

LASER WING SHIMMER NYMPH(s)…

BAT WING NYMPH- Peterson/Variant – Olive/ Fire Fly…

HOOK: TMC 100SPBL, #12 – #16

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub. – 6-8 wraps at thorax, tied down with thread and Zap-A-Gaped

THREAD: Veevus 8/0, Olive

TAIL: Olive Ozark Turkey Quill Fibers

RIB: #1 – UTC Chartreuse Wire, sm / #2 Sulky Holoshimmer #145, Opal/Pearlescent

ABDOMEN: Olive Ozark Turkey Quill Fibers

WING: Fluffy base Grizzly Hen Neck, tied in convex side up and pulled over thorax

WINGCASE: Pearl Fire Fly, 6-8 strands…UV resin, be careful not to get it in the wing

THORAX: SLF Spikey Squirrel Dubbing, Olive

A generic Olive May Fly nymph meant to be bounded along the bottom. If I were going to tie it as an Emerger, I would use a Daiichi 1130 hook, Olive pheasant tail – tail, Olive Biot body and a Diamond bead in front of the Thorax. The wing case would be omitted…

Materials  BAT WING NYMPH – Olive/ Fire Fly…

BAT WING NYMPH(s) – Olive/ Fire Fly…

RUSTY THE BUG …

HOOK: Partridge Czech Nymph Fine Hook, #10 – #14

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: Danville 6/0, #47, Rusty Brown

TAIL: Brown Partridge

RIBBING: #1 – Sulky Holoshimmer, #8014 Red Metallic / #2 Gutxrmann Red #247

ABDOMEN: Hare’s Ice Dubbing, Rusty Orange

WINGCASE: Razor Foam, Opaque Red, 1mm.

LEGS: Brown Partridge

THORAX: SLF Spikey Squirrel Dubbing, Rusty Brown

This is one of those patterns that my son Michael will look at and ask me, “What’s that?”…I will tell him to attach it to the end of his 4x tippet and he will proceed to catch the largest Trout of the day…always happens…

Materials RUSTY THE BUG…

RUSTY THE BUG(s)…

Upper Owens River…2.14.2016…

A cold campsite tonight, on Hot Creek (2.13.16)…

HERO at Culver’s Sporting Goods, in Bishop, CA this AM ( 2.13.16 ) – picking up some Seaguar 5x and 6X tippet material & some Twist-ons…

ICE WINGED OLIVE QUILL EMERGER – Stephenson/Variant…

HOOK: TMC 113 BLH, #16 – #18

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White – Under Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Olive – Thorax forward

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

RIB: Black Nylon or Ice Thread

ABDOMEN: 2 strands of Veevus Body Quill, Olive – * Coat with Hard As Hull

WING: Ice Dub, UV Gray – tie in the fibers lengthwise and cut at an angle

BEAD: Tungsten, Copper, one size under

I tie many patterns like this with a white dubbing wing. Other materials I use are Zelon, CDC, Antron, Organza and Fluro Fiber all in the color white, which I believe, is a most excellent trigger on these kinds of flies…

Materials ICE WINGED OLIVE QUILL EMERGER…

ICE WINGED OLIVE QUILL EMERGER(s)…

…a little over half-way there…

DNA BUBBLE SHEATH CADDIS PUPA (Tan) Hydropsyche…

HOOK:  TMC 226BL, #14 – #16

WEIGHT: 6-8 wraps of .010 Lead at the Thorax. Secure with thread and Zap-A-Gap

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Fl. White – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Dark Brown – Thorax forward

SHEATH: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Tan

ABDOMEN #1: DNA Holofusion, White – 8strands fiber, 1 strand flash

ABDOMEN #2: Tan Micro Tubing

THORAX: UV2 Peacock Eye, Brown

WINGLETS: Hungarian Partridge, Brown, V-notched

A simple bubble sheath Caddis Pupa for the Hydropsyche hatch tied on the new TMC 226 BL Hook. I like the translucent effect of the micro tubing over the white DNA Holofusion…

Materials DNA BUBBLE SHEATH CADDIS PUPA (Tan)…

DNA BUBBLE SHEATH CADDIS PUPAE (Tan)…

Hydropsyche water on the Farmington River…

UV2 BIOT BUFFALO JUMP – PlanetTrout/Variant…

HOOK:  TMC 113BLH, #8 – #12

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

TAIL: Lemon Wood Duck fibers

RIB: UTC Wire Copper Brown

ABDOMEN: UV2 Turkey Biot – * Coat thread with Zap-A-Gap before wrapping biot, for durability

THORAX: Orange Ice Dub 50%., Nat. Squirrel Belly 50%

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, Fl. Fire Orange

WING CASE: 6-8 strands Brown Krystal Flash, pulled over and divided

BEAD: Tungsten, Nickel, sized to hook

In have been using this pattern for about five years. It is particularly effective in the Eastern Sierras in the Spring. The original Buffalo Jump was ties on a TMC 100SPBL hook. This version uses a biot for the body and is tied on the new TMC 113 BLH Hook…

They might work…Jason Bordash Watercolor…

Materials UV2 BIOT BUFFALO JUMP…

UV2 BIOT BUFFALO JUMP(s)…

WINGED NYMPH (Black) Vasies/Variant…

HOOK:  Umpqua (Hanak) C400BL, #10 – #14

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Black

TAIL: CDC #.35 Wood Duck, Nature’s Spirit

ABDOMEN: Pheasant Tail, Black

RIB: Gutxrmann W251, Copper

WING: Marc Petitjean CDC Cream – 2 tips, opposed

THORAX: SLF Spikey Squirrel, Rusty Brown

BEAD: Faceted Slotted Tungsten Bead, Black, sized hook

Another Lucian Vasies inspired attractor jig. His site has a lot of interesting patterns, information and tying tips…

Materials WINGED NYMPH (Black)…

WINGED NYMPHs (Black)…

REUNION CADDIS PUPA (Attractor)…

HOOK:  Umpqua JB01, #10- #14

WEIGHT: >010 Lead or >015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Fl. White – Under Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0 CH Gray, – Thorax forward

SHUCK: Midge Flash, Silver

ABDOMEN: Dyed Pearl Purple Flashabou – * Coat with Dave’s Flexament

OVER ABDOMEN: Swiss Straw, Dun

RIB: Gutxrmann Metallic Effect Thread W331, Black – * Coat with Dave’s Flexament for durability

REAR THORAX: Ice Dub UV Lavender

HACKE: Marc Petitjean CDC, White

COLLAR: SLF Spikey Squirrel Dubbing, Gray

BEAD: Tungsten, Nickel, sized to hook

This attractor is tied on the  Barr’s Pupa Emerger Hook from Umpqua. It is meant to be a heavy anchor fly in a two fly rig…

Materials REUNION CADDIS PUPA…

REUNION CADDIS PUPAE (Attractors)…

SPARKLE QUILL MACHINE – Wilcox/LGM Variant…

HOOK:  TMC 113 BLH #10 – #14

WEIGHT: (Optional) .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White – Under Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

TAIL: Pheasant Tail, Olive

ABDOMEN: Veevus Body Quill, Olive

RIB: Sulky Holoshimmer, Metallic Lime Green #6032 – * Coat with Hard As Hull

WINGCASE: Krystal Flash, Black, 8-12 strands – * Coat with UV Resin

WINGLETS/GILLS: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, White

THORAX: Ice Dub, Peacock

BEAD: Plummeting Tungsten Bead, Metallic Olive, 1 size under

A variation on Vince Wilcox’s LGM. I have been using a bunch of Vince’s LGM’s, in the Eastern Sierras, for the past ten years. It is just a fish catching machine and I tie them in a bunch of different sizes and colors. The original is HERE…

Materials SPARKLE QUILL MACHINE…

SPARKLE QUILL MACHINE(s)….

Michael and I might be tossing some of the above in these two places…in the not too distant future…

East Walker River…

Willowemoc Creek…

So Ally says, after I treated her at the Deli, ” We need to go to Jo-ann’s Dad!” …And so, we did…

SULKY HOLOSHIMMER…

GÜTERMANN DEKOR THREAD…

DMC EMBROIDERY FLOSS…

Some materials that will be appearing in the patterns I am now working on…

ALLY’S PEARL YELLOW PERIL SH…

HOOK:  TMC 113BLH, #10 – #12

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax Forward

TAIL: Woodchuck Fibers

ABDOMEN: Cascade Crest Micro Floss, Yellow

OVER ABDOMEN #1: Dyed Pearl Flashabou #6971, Yellow – * Coat with Dave’s Flexament

OVER ABDOMEN #2: Swiss Straw, Amber

RIB: Sulky Holoshimmer Cranberry #6055 – * Coat with Dave’s Flexament a second time

REAR THORAX: SLF Spikey Squirrel, Rusty Brown or Dark Brown

HACKLE: Hen, Yellow

COLLAR: Ice Dub, Peacock

BEAD: Tungsten, Gold, sized to hook

Another attractor pattern that appears to be a long, involved process…see SWISS N’ FLASH JIG – below…

Materials ALLY’S PEARL YELLOW PERIL SH…

ALLY’S PEARL YELLOW PERIL(s) Soft Hackles…

MOTHER’S DAY MUNCH (Caddis Pupa, Brachycentrus)…

HOOK:  TMC 226 BL, #14 – #18

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Fl. White – Under Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

ABDOMEN: Datum Glo-Brite Floss Fl. Chartreuse

RIB: UTC Wire, Gunmetal Blue, x-sm

WING: Marc Petitjean CDC, #5 White – * Two tips tied in opposed

THORAX: UV2 Dyed Peacock Eye, Black

This is one of my favorite patterns for the Spring Mother’s Day hatch on the Lower Owens River. The hook is the new, heavier version of the TMC 206BL When using floss, I always tie a base of white three beneath the the material – an old tip from those guys who tie with a ton of it when I got started…

Materials MOTHER’S DAY MUNCH (Caddis Pupa, Brachycentrus)…

MOTHER’S DAY MUNCHies…

Where the Mother’s Day Caddis gets hot and heavy around mid-March, on the Lower Owens River…

SEALED DEAL CADDIS PUPA (Olive) …

HOOK: Umpqua JB01, #10 – #14

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: Veevus 8/0, Chartreuse – Under Abdomen / Veevus 16/0, Brown – Thorax forward

ABDOMEN: Jay Fair Seal Dubbing, Medium Olive – * In a loop, brushed back wit a bore brush and cut with curved scissors

RIBBING:  Veevus Iridescent Thread – Silver  / Sulky Holoshimmer Opalescent 8040

WINGLETS: Sili LegsNymph, Fl. Chartreuse Barred

THORAX: Hare’s Ice Dubbing, Brown

HACKLE: Marc Petitjean CDC, #14 Dirty Yellow

BEAD: Tungsten, Nickel, sized to hook

A fuzzy, hot spotted Caddis Pupa Attractor. Jay Fair Seal Sub. has a lot of other uses than just for Bugger patterns…play with it

Materials SEALED DEAL CADDIS PUPA…

SEALED DEAL CADDIS PUPAE…

SWISS N’ FLASH JIG, (Olive) …

HOOK: Hanak 403 BLJ, #10 – #14

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: Danville 6/0 Brown

TAIL: Lemon Wood Duck

ABDOMEN: 2 strands Olive Dyed Pearl Flashabou 6969 – * Coat with Dave’s Flexament

OVER ABDOMEN: Thin strip Olive Swiss Straw

RIBBING: 1 strand Sulky Holoshimmer, Black 8051 / UTC Wire Hot Orange, SM – * Coat Abdomen again with Dave’s Flexament

THORAX: Micro Polar Chenille, UV Olive Brown

BEAD: Faceted Slotted Tungsten Bead, sized to hook

Tying this pattern, using two coats of Dave’s Flexament, may seem like a laborious process. Trust me, it pays off when these are plunked in the water. The coatings secure the materials to the hook shank and provide a subtle effect to the material beneath the Swiss Straw. The second coat may also use a thin coat of UV resin.

Materials SWISS N’ FLASH JIG (Olive)…

SWISS N’ FLASH JIG(s) …

QUILLER NYMPH – Stephenson/Variant…

HOOK:  TMC 113 BLH, #12 – #16

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

THREAD: UTC Fl. White, 70 Denier – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

TAG: UTC Fl. Fire Orange, 70 Denier – * Coat with Hard As Hull

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ABDOMEN: Veevus Body Quill ( 2 strands) Lt. Olive * Coat with Hard As Hull for durability

REAR THORAX: UV Ice Dub, Hot Orange

FRONT THORAX: SLF Spikey Squirrel Dubbing, Brown

BEAD: Black Tungsten, sized to hook

This is a variation on a Hans Stephenson Jig pattern using the new TMC 113 BLH Hook. Slender and meant to drop like a rock. I prefer using white thread under the body quill to bring out the true color of the material. I will be using more of this product; coating, in some cases, with UV resin…

 

Materials QUILLER NYMPH…

QUILLER NYMPHS, #12 & #16…

 

Next: Some Caddis patterns by Gary La Fontaine that are updated…a bit

 

PT/TB

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FALL Owens Gourmet Gambit II…FINISHED for XMAS…

These will be the second batch of patterns for The Lower Owens River in the Eastern Sierras, from Fall through Winter and into early Spring.Most of these guys will work in other areas of the world…Never know where me n’ the tribe might wander. As usual, first the fly, then the recipes and additional information…

So…in the midst of tying these SCOTTY’s MIDGES, the tension screw on my older Renzetti Traveler vise went South. Well, after eleven years and thousands of flies, that happens …back to Renzetti for a new cam-lever set of jaws and an upgrade to the Renzetti 2000…a back-up now for me and something for Michael to get started tying on…Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the “Old Guy”…

“OLD GUY”…

 

Finished GOURMET GAMBIT BOX II…

OLIVE RAINBOW DIP (G-BCS-20)…

Hook: Daiichi 1130, #18 -#22

THREAD: Gudebrod 8/0, BCS 20 Light Olive Green – Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

RIB: Lagartun Copper wire, X-Fine – * Coat Abdomen with Hard As Hull

WING: Six strands Midge Rainbow Flash (Pearl or Silver) or Hareline Midge Flash (Pearl or Silver)

Slowly using up the last of the great Gudebrod thread left in my stash. If one is interested it still may be obtained through Performance Flies. Below is what was available when a wonderful store put out the best Fly Fishing catalog ever..

On the subject of threads, check out this “floating thread” that my friend Jacob just got in at Competitive Angler…

Materials OLIVE RAINBOW DIP…(there is the G-BCS-20)…

OLIVE RAINBOW DIP(s)…

UV/2 GLO-BRITE MIDGE (Purple)…

HOOK: Gamakatsu C-12B, #18 – #20

THREAD:  Tiemco 16/0, White – Under abdomen (not pictured) / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

SHUCK: Krystal Flash, UV Pearl

RIB: Purple Ribbing Wire, .005 Dia.

ABDOMEN: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, #14, Purple

THORAX: UV2 Peacock, Purple – Spirit River

BEAD: Black tungsten, sized to hook

Floss over white thread for translucency – always. Something in Purple, which will always work…

Materials UV/2 GLO-BRITE MIDGE (Purple)…

UV/2 GLO-BRITE MIDGE(s)…

Big MOO on the Lower Owens River in late December…maybe again this year ?

SOFT HACKLE PSEUDO PT JIG …

HOOK: Hanak 400BL, #16, Dohiku HDJ, #18

WEIGHT: .010 Lead

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Light Speckled

RIB: Lagartun Copper, X-Fine

ABDOMEN: Natural Pheasant Tail Fibers

THORAX: Pseudo Peacock Dubbing, Natural – Spirit River

BEAD: Slotted, Copper Tungsten, sized to hook

A simple, little, unobtrusive jig for those times the Trout are not wanting Bling…

 

Materials SOFT HACKLE PSEUDO PT JIG…

SOFT HACKLE PSEUDO PT JIG(s)…

DNA TAC-VAC (Black) – Nyman/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

RIB: UTC Silver wire, x-sm

ABDOMEN: Non-flash strands DNA Holo Fusion, Black – * Coat with Hard As Hull

WING: Z-lon. Kinky White

THORAX: UV2 Peacock, Black

BEAD: Tungsten, Black, sized to hook

 

Simple little Black Midge Pupa based on Rowan Nyman’s “Shop-Vac”…which has caught a ton of fish for me and my guys…If on wishes to get technical, use melanistic pheasant tail fibers for the abdomen…

Materials DNA TAC VAC (Black)…

DNA TAC VAC(s) …

X2-UV2 (BLACK PEACOCK) SPARKLE GNAT – Griffith’s Gnat-George Griffith/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 101, # 18- #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

SHUCK: Sparkle Yarn, Amber, cut short mixed with 3 strands of Midge Flash, Fl. Fire Orange, Pearl

ABDOMEN:UV2 Peacock, Black

HACKLE: Whiting, Grizzly

The Griffith’s Gnat imitates a cluster of Midges, this pattern (Sparkle Gnat), originated in the UK. I like using them on most High Sierra Lakes and in the swirling back eddys on the EWR and Owens River. Anywhere that midges collect in large numbers, on slow flat water etc…all of these are excellent locations for this pattern…

Materials X2-UV2 (BLACK PEACOCK) SPARKLE GNAT…

X2-UV2 SPARKLE GNAT(s)…

Half way there…

COMBO MID-BEAD BAETIS – Gunkel/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 2488, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Lemon Woodduck

ABDOMEN: Combo Thread, Olive/Yellow Cascade Crest – * Coat with Hard As Hull

LEGS: Fluoro Fibre, Brown, 10-12 Strands each side

WINGCASE: Holographic Mylar Motion, Black, 1/32′ – * Coat with UV Resin

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, Callibaetis

BEAD: Copper Tungsten, Sized to hook

A variation on Shea Gunkel’s “Shotglass Baetis”. I used combo thread, for segmentation and a black, holographic wing case because the wing cases on BWO’s/Baetis darken to almost black when the nymphs are most active, just prior to emergence…The copper tungsten bead is for weight – use a glass bead to fish it as an emerged/dropper…

Materials COMBO MID-BEAD BAETIS…

COMBO MID-BEAD BAETIS…

OLIVE THIN WINGED JIG – Vasies/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 4640 Jig Hook, #16, Dohiku HDJ Jig Hook, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

WEIGHT: .010 Lead

TAIL: Lemon Woodduck

ABDOMEN: UV2 Turkey Biot, fringed side up – * Coat thread with Hard As Hull before wrapping

WING: MP Select CDC, Blue Dun – two feather tips

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, BWO

BEAD: Slotted Tungsten, Black or Copper, sized to hook

This is a unique Lucian Vasies pattern he designed as a “winged wet for dynamic nymphing”. Check out his other patterns and visit his Troutline store for some really interesting fly tying materials…This is just a quick and simple variant with generic BWO colors…These Daichi jig hooks have much longer shank than the European Jig Hooks. Rumor has it that Daichi will be offering the in smaller sizes, at some point…

 

Materials OLIVE THIN WINGED JIG…

OLIVE THIN WINGED JIG(s)…

Somebody was fishing the “Housy” a few days ago…

…and caught this…

UV2 HOLO COPPER FIRE JIG – Oishi/Variant …

HOOK: Hanak C400BL, #16, Dohiku HDJ Jig Hook, #18

WEIGHT: .010 Lead

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

TAG & HOT SPOT: Veevus 14/0, Fl. Orange, * Coat with Hard As Hull

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ABDOMEN: Sulky Holoshimmer, Copper – * Coat with Hard As Hull

THORAX: 70% Firestar Copper Fire / 30% UV2 Dubbing Enhancer, Dark

This is a scaled down variant of Canadian tier, Todd Oishi’s ” Prospector “. With various colors of Sulky Holoshimmer, let thy imagination run…I like using these little guys as anchor flies, trailing a simple Midge pattern, like a Cream Miracle Midge, off the back on places like the East Walker River…

Materials UV2 HOLO COPPER FIRE JIG…

UV2 HOLO COPPER FIRE JIG(s)…

GAMERA MIDGE, Brown …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22

THREAD:Tiemco 16/0, White- Under abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Brown – Thorax forward

ABDOMEN: 8-10 strands, non-flash DNA Holo Fusion, Brown

RIB: UTC wire, Red, x-sm

THORAX: UV2 Peacock, Brown – Spirit River

BEAD: Black tungsten, sized to hook

It’s Gamera…what else do I need to say…

GAMERA…

Materials GAMERA MIDGE – (Fl. Fire Orange/Pearl Midge Flash shuck, not pictured)…

GAMERA MIDGES…

UV2 BLUE HOLO MIDGE …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – # 22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White – Under abdomen to and including thorax / Tiemco 16/0, Black, behind bead

SHUCK: Krystal Flash, UV Pearl

ABDOMEN: Blue Holographic Tinsel (here, from Rainbow Holo Flashabou) or from Veevus

RIB: UTC Silver wire, x-sm – * Coat abdomen with Hard As Hull

THORAX: UV2 Peacock, Black – Spirit River

BEAD: Silver Nickel Tungsten, sized to hook

Yep, I like BLUE. There have been quite a few occasions that this color has worked very successfully for me and the tribe. I like to keep more than a few in my Midge boxes…just never know…

Brown, taken by Michael on the East Walker River, on a BLUE Midge…

Materials Uv2 HOLO MIDGE…

UV2 BLUE HOLO MIDGES – (one Black for contrast)

The new vise…

SCOTTY’S MIDGE – Matthews / Variant …

HOOK: TMC 2488, #18 -#20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White – Underabdomen / Tiempo 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

SHUCK: Coachman Red Zelon

RIB: Brown Micro Tubing

ABDOMEN: Coachman Red Zelon

THORAX: UV2 Fine & Dry, Black

WING: Coastal Deer Hair – Nature’s Spirit

This is a pattern that has been around for awhile and mentioned frequently in the BRF Newsletter. Try and find a recipe for it ! Maybe Craig Matthews will do a video on this bug at some point in the future. And HERE it is (5.26 2016) In the meantime, I went with an approximation gathered from this location. Notice that the BRF version is tied on a TMC 2488 hook and the other on a TMC 206 BL hook…I like the former for this pattern…

Materials SCOTTY’S MIDGE…

SCOTTY’S MIDGE(s)…

MOTTLED MIDGE UV2…

HOOK: Gamakatsu C12-B, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

ABDOMEN: Lady AmherstPheasant Tail, Red/Black fibers – Spirit River

RIB: Sulky Holoshimmer, Black

THORAX: UV2 Peacock Herl, Natural

WINGS: 4-6 Strands, Nymph Shear, Pearlescent White – Cascade Crest

BEAD: Silver Nickel Tungsten, sized to hook

Just an offbeat Midge with some mottling and a flashy wing. I like these kinds of patterns that the Trout have not seen before…

 

Materials MOTTLED MIDGE UV2…

MOTTLED MIDGE(s) UV2…

 

 

PT/TB

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FALL Owens Gourmet Gambit…Ten Midges / Two BWO’s…

So…Fall, my favorite time of year. What follows with be a smattering of patterns, small and large (in the following post), for use in the Eastern Sierras and primarily – the Lower Owens River. These guys would work almost anywhere in the West and maybe some other places as well… Life intruded a bit on my completing all of the recipes and additional information – it does that, sometimes…

MIDGES & 2 BWO’s – Fall 2015…

PAL (Midge) – Keeler/Variant…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #18-#20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Olive

RIB: UTC wire, x-sm, Black

THORAX: Ice Dub, UV Tan

BEAD: Hi-Lite Glass Bead, Blue Peacock, x-sm

This pattern is an Adrian Keller design. I featured, but did not tie it, about six years ago. Finally…done…

Materials PAL (MIDGE)…

PAL (MIDGEs)…

Lower Owens River, Wild Trout section…Bishop, CA…with what is needed soon…

PARA-MIDGE EMERGER,Cream – Willmott-Sanchez/Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1167, #20 (and smaller when they make them)

THREAD: Under Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White / Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Black

ABDOMEN: Emergence Dubbing, #.11 Cream – Nature’s Spirit

RIB: Krystal Flash, Medium Brown

WING: Hi-Vis, White

HACKLE: Whiting Grizzly Midge

The PME was developed by long time guides Gary Willmott and Scott Sanchez on the upper Snake River.. It was originally tied on a TMC 101 hook. The abdomen on this pattern is meant to hang below the surface film so use floatant only on the hackle and wing. I tied this is cream because this Midge color is predominant on the Lower Owens and East Walker Rivers…

Materials PARA-MIDGE EMERGER -Cream …

PARA-MIDGE EMERGER(s) – Cream…

UV2 RC MIDGE – Gold, Freeman/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20

THREAD: UnderAbdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White / Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Black

OVER ABDOMEN: Micro Floss, Gold – Cascade Crest

RIB: Brown Micro Tubing

THORAX: UV2 Dyed Peacock Eye, Black

Another Paul Freeman variant of a pattern for the San Juan River ( link to Paul below). I always use white tread as a base under floss bodies. A little trick I learned a while back  – it adds to the translucency of a floss abdomen which is particularly important for Midge Larva or Pupa…

Materials UV2 RC MIDGE…

UV2 RC MIDGE(s)…

UV2 MIDGE EMERGER, Black – Iwamasa/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

SHUCK: Natural Mallard feather section, curved side up – (I spread a little thinned Dave’s Flexament on it)

WING: White Poly Yarn

ABDOMEN: UV2 Fine & Dry, Black

HACKLE: Whiting Grizzly Midge – 1 1/2 turns

This is an interesting Ken Iwamasa pattern that he uses on the Frying Pan River in the video linked to under his name. I have caught one or two Trout in that section over the years. His take on the shuck imitation is, well… provocative…

Materials UV2 MIDGE EMERGER, Black – Iwamasa/Variant…

UV2 MIDGE EMERGER(s), Black…

MIRACLE MIDGE, Brown …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22

THREAD: Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, Brown / Head – Tiemco 16/0, Black

RIB: Lagartun x-fine, Copper wire – * coat fly with Hard As Hull for durability

It does not get much simpler than this Midge Larva. I have taken some of my largest Trout on this type of pattern over the past several years and I keep a stock of them in different colors for me and my tribe to use…

Materials MIRACLE MIDGE, Brown …

MIRACLE MIDGE(s), Brown…#18 & #20…

CRUMPLED MIDGE time on the Lower Owens River, Bishop, CA…

CRUMPLED MIDGE, Cream – Engle/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1110, #18 – #22

THREAD: Under Abdomen – Tiemco 16/0, White /Thorax forward- Tiemco 16/0, Black

OVER ABDOMEN: Cream, Black, Olive, Brown, etc. Micro Tubing (it’s hollow, it floats)

WING: Medallion Sheeting, Dun

A variation on an older Ed Engle pattern that is meant for sippers in flat water on cold, overcast, snowy days. Here be a few of those on the Lower Owens River…checkout some of Ed’s other small patterns on the link above…

CRUMPLED MIDGE, Olive – Engle/Variant – Daiichi 1110, #18 – #22…

CRUMPLED MIDGE, Black – Engle/Variant – Daiichi 1110, #18 – #22…

Materials CRUMPLED MIDGE…

A flock of CRUMPLED MIDGES…

A good time and place to use the pattern below…Michael says so…

COQ’d OPAL MIDGE, Blue/Lavender…

HOOK: Umpqua JB01 Hook, #16

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

WEIGHT: .010 Lead Wire

RIB: UTC Gunmetal Blue wire, x-sm

OVER ABDOMEN: (of working black thread) 1/100″ Opal Micro Flashabou

WING: Coq De Leon, Barred Speckled Aconchado

THORAX: Ice Dub UV Lavender

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, #.15, Fl. Purple

BEAD: Black Tungsten, 2,4mm

Another attractor Midge type pattern in flashy colors. I like these on particularly cold days and fish them with the expectation that there will soon be a nice Trout attached to it…usually happens…

Materials COQ’d OPAL MIDGE…

The HOOK…

COQ’d OPAL MIDGE(s)…

UV2 OWENS BAETIS CRIPPLE – Matthews/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #18

THREAD: Abdomen, Lagartun 74 Denier, Olive / Thorax forward – Tiemco 16/0, Olive

SHUCK: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Olive Brown

ABDOMEN: Lagartun 74 Denier, Olive Thread

WING: EP – Trigger Point Int’l Fibers , BWO (Dun)

THORAX: UV2 Dyed Peacock Eye, Purple – Spirit River

HACKLE: Whiting Midge, Dun

A variation on THIS Craig Matthews pattern for the BWO/Baetis Fall hatch on the Lower Owens River…I like Enrico’s Trigger Point Int’l fibers of small patterns and it comes in an array of insect colors…

Materials UV2 OWENS BAETIS CRIPPLE…

UV2 OWENS BAETIS CRIPPLE(s)…#16 & #18…

UV2 PURPLE MYSTIC MIDGE PUPA …

HOOK: Gamakatsu C12-B, #18 – #20

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, White – Under abdomen / Tiemco16/0, Black – Thorax forward

SHUCK: 1 strand Opal Midge Flash

OVER ABDOMEN: Purple Micro Tubing

WINGLETS: 1 strand Krystal Flash UV Purple, doubled back, for one each side

THORAX: UV2 Dyed Peacock Eye, Black – Spirit River

BEAD: X-sm Diamond Bead – Killer Caddis

A Midge Pupa in Purple for AM or PM low light and overcast conditions…

Materials UV2 PURPLE MYSTIC MIDGE PUPA…

UV2 PURPLE MYSTIC MIDGE PUPAE…

COPPER HOLOSHIMMER N’ ICE MIDGE LARVAE – Freeman/Variant …

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #24

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0, Black

RIB: Black Ice Thread

ABDOMEN:  Lt. Copper Holoshimmer – Coat completed fly with Hard As Hull for  durability

This is a simple Midge Larva pattern that is a variation on a Paul Freeman pattern. Notice on the link to Sulky Holoshimmer, the amount of different available colors. Do not be adverse to trying ALL of them out…it makes a great ribbing material too for smaller patterns !

Materials COPPER HOLOSHIMMER N’ ICE MIDGE LARVAE…

COPPER HOLOSHIMMER N’ ICE MIDGE LARVAE…

Fall… on the Lower Owens River…

HS / UV2 BAETIS JIG – Gray/Olive…

HOOK: Umpqua (Hanak) C400BL #16, Dohiku HDJ Jig Hook, #18 – #20

THREAD:Tiemco 16/0, Olive

TAIL: Lemon Wood Duck fibers

ABDOMEN: Gray Micro Tubing over working thread

HACKLE: #3 Dun Hen neck feather

THORAX: 80% Micro Fine dub., BWO Gray Olive / 20% UV2 Dubbing Enhancer, Dark

HOT SPOT: Veevus 14/0, FL. Orange thread

BEAD: Copper Slotted Tungsten, size to hook

A bit of an attractor BWO nymph pattern that sinks like a rock. I fish these upstream then let them swing upwards through the drift…

Materials  HS / UV2 BAETIS JIG – Gray/Olive…

HS / UV2 BAETIS JIG(s) – Gray/Olive…

FLASH JUJU – Charlie Craven…

HOOK:  TMC 2488, #18 – #22

THREAD: Tiemco 16/0 , White – Under Abdomen / Tiemco 16/0, Black – Thorax forward

ABDOMEN: Two strands of Olive Superhair, 1 strand Black Superhair

THORAX: 1 strand 1/100″ Micro Opal Flashabou over Black thread

WING CASE/BUDS: Dun Fluoro Fiber

Charlie Craven new addition to the JuJu series. This one is not up on the Flybox site yet. Some of his other JuJu patterns may be found HERE. They have been very productive for me where large populations of Midges are found…

Materials FLASH JUJU…

FLASH JUJU(s)…

NEXT: More patterns for the Lower Owens River through Winter

PT/TB

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A FEW CONES…Mostly Allo and Moo tested and approved…

I am tying up a few more Conehead Bugger patterns before I switch to some additional Eastern Fly patterns for Michael and I to use. hopefully, in October, in rivers around Roscoe, NY. These are similar to the original Owens “Offender” which worked so successfully for Michael and I on our trip up to Bridgeport, CA. I would most certainly consider these for use in the Owens River…come Fall…Ally and her friend Nick came by and swiped some of these patterns while they were “in progress” and gave them a workout in North Lake, above Bishop, CA over the August 22nd weekend…

MOO and ALLO…North Lake regulars…even in the snow…

A Box of Cones…

Ally trying out the BBQ at The Copper Top, in Big Pine, CA…her report was that “it was some of the best”, she evah’ tasted…

…getting there...

North Lake, when fires are not burning in the Sierras… (Photo: Bishop Chamber of Commerce)

Same lake, with smoke from the “Rough Fire” drifting over the Sierras…

BLACKSTONE CONE…

HOOK: TMC 300, #8 – #10

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

WEIGHT: .015 Lead or Lead Sub.

TAIL: Black Marabou

TAIL FLASH: 2 strands, each side, Holographic Mylar Motion, 1/64″, Red / 2 strands, each side, Black Krystal Flash

RIB: UTC Wire, Red, Medium

BODY: Nature’s Spirit Emergence Dubbing, #.33, Stonefly Black

HACKLE: Whiting Bugger Pak, Black

CONE: Wapsi, Black, SM

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, # 3 Red

Another conehead bugger in Black with some additional accents. This guy wasn’t finished for the trip up so, I’ll just have to give them a whirl in the Fall…somewhere…

Slakin’ Cone Head testers ( ALLO & HERO ) at North Lake, Bishop, CA …

Materials BLACKSTONE CONE…

Some things I keep on hand for construction of all these cone head patterns…I cement my weight on with Zap-A-Gap after covering with thread, behind the cone. I pick out the dubbing with a dubbing needle and use the bore brushes and/or tooth type brushes to really spead it out and back. The dubbing always go into a waxed loop. For these types of buggers I prefer, in this order, these dubbings:

1. J, Fair Seal Sub Dubbing...soft, shiny and translucent when brushed and excellent to work with in a dubbing loop…this stuff is premo !
2. Wapsi Angora Goat Seal Sub, Dubbing…fibers are a bit longer and a bit crinkly
3. Seal X Dubbing...also rough and crinkly but it has been around and proven – forever

I am going to play around with this material for some other ( like the BLACKSTONE CONE) Bugger Patterns that I have in mind. It is 100% Trilobal and dubs extremely well in a loop and it also has mixed tones:

Nature’s Spirit Emergence Dubbing

BLACKSTONE CONEs…

Sierra Ridge Runners…

Fall on the Lower Owens River, Bishop, CA…

These are on my desk and in my kit for removing hook barbs – on and off the water…

OWENS “OFFENDER” 1 …

HOOK: Black/Medium Olive, Daiichi 2220, #6 – #10

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black or Olive

WEIGHT: .015 Lead or Lead Sub.

TAIL: Black Marabou

TAIL FLASH: 2 strands , each side, Flashabou , Dyed Pearl, Orange 6967 / 2 strands, each side, Black Krystal Flash

RIB: UTC Copper Wire, Medium

HACKLE: Ewing Bugger Pack, Brown Grizzly

BODY: J. Fair Seal Sub. Dubbing, Medium Olive

CONE: Wapsi, Black, SM

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, #3 Red …  (or, Copper Cone and #5, FL.Orange Datum Glo-Brite Floss)

Along with the Brown/Black version, this worked the best at North Lake…

Materials OWENS “OFFENDER” 1…

OWENS “OFFENDER” 1’s….

ALLO’S POLAR EXPRESS CH …

HOOK:  TMC 300, #6 – #10

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

WEIGHT: .015 Lead or Lead Sub.

TAIL: Black Marabou

TAIL FLASH: 2 strands, each side Flashabou Opal Mirage / 2 strands, each side, Black Krystal Flask

RIB: Micro UV Clear Polar Chenille

HACKLE: Whiting Bugger Pak, Grizzly

BODY: Wapsi Angora Goat, Seal Sub., Black

CONE: Wapsi, Black, SM

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, #3 Red

I wanted Ally to have some cone buggers in black, in case she fished early in the AM or late in the PM and if the sky was cloudy or if it rained. My experience with the color black, in buggers,  is that they are most effective during low light periods…well the guys mostly got up late and left early – for dinner. The sky was completely smoky while they were there…

Deer… against a Sierra smoky sky…

Materials ALLO’S POLAR EXPRESS CH…

ALLO’S POLAR EXPRESS….

BIG REEDY HUCKLEBERRY CONE BUGGER…

HOOK: Mustad R76-79580, Daiichi 2220 – #6 – #10

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Olive

WEIGHT: .015 Lead or Lead Sub.

TAIL: Brown Marabou

TAIL FLASH: 2 strands, each side – Flashabou Dyed Pearl,Olive, 6969  / 2 strands, each side, Black Krystal Flash

HACKLE: Whiting Bugger Pak, Black/Yellow Grizzly

BODY: J.Fair Seal Sub. Dubbing, Light Olive

CONE: Wapsi, Black, SM

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite, #3 Red

Nick and something attracted to the HUCKLEBERRY…

Materials BIG REEDY HUCKLEBERRY CONE BUGGER…

BIG REEDY HUCKLEBERRIES…

…”STOP! I see a chipmunk!”…

OWENS “OFFENDER” II, Brown / Black …

HOOK: TMC 5263 #4- #6, Daiichi 2220 #6 – #10

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Brown or Olive

WEIGHT: .015 Lead or Lead Sub.

TAIL: Black Marabou

TAIL FLASH: 2 strands each side, Flashabou Dyed Pearl, orange, 6967 / 2 strands each side, Black Krystal Flash

RIB: UTC Copper Wire, Med

HACKLE: Ewing Bugger Hackle, Brown Grizzly

BODY: J. Fair Seal Sub Dubbing, Dark Brown

CONE: Wapsi, Copper, SM

HOT SPOT: Datum Glo-Brite Floss, #5, Fl. Orange

Michael caught the two Trout, pictured below, on the original OWENS “OFFENDER”. Over the past two years, this pattern has produced a lot of Trout for me…

…yes..

…they work…

Materials OWENS “OFFENDER” II, Brown / Black…

Nick, using the Brown/Black version on North Lake…

OWENS “OFFENDERs” II, Brown / Black…

Nick, looking over a smoked out Owens Valley…

PT/TB

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New HOOKS, New BEADS, NEW BUGS…(COMPLETED)

I will be tying up a series of Jig Patterns and some other patterns on the hooks that were sent to me by my fly tying friend, Jacob Adamerovich. They are available at his shop, the Competitive Angler in Latrobe,PA. Some of these will be used in the Eastern Sierras and a few will travel back to NYC for Michael to use this Summer…

The Bug Line…done…

Some of the above would work well in here…now where would that be ?

BRUSHED LASER & D-RIB CADDIS …

HOOK: Hanak 390 BL, #12 – #16

WEIGHT: .010 lead 0r .015 Lead Sub. – 4-6turns

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Olive

TAG: 2 strands flash, 8-10 strands fiber – DNA Holo Fusion, White – cut short

RIB: Chartreuse D-Rib, Small, 6-7 wraps

ABDOMEN: (In a dubbing Loop) Senyo’s Lase Dub, Light Olive – wrap between ribbing and brush rearward with velcro on a popsicle stick or a bore brush…trim excess with curved scissors

WINGLETS: Flex Floss, Brown

THORAX: 2 Iridescent Peacock Herl Fibers (Spirit River), twisted into a rope, then 3-4 turns

HACKLE: Partridge Feather, Olive

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

BEAD: Black Tungsten, sized to hook

This is just a simple soft hackle Caddis pattern with a subdued rib and shaggy appearance. The DNA tag adds a bit of flash and the hot spot provides a trigger. Fish this pattern directly above your position then let it swing in the current below. Michael nails a lot of nice Browns (below) using this technique…

Michael likes my Caddis patterns…

 

Materials BRUSHED LASER & D-RIB CADDIS…

BRUSHED LASER & D-RIB CADDIS…

DUN MINK & UV2 – Williams/Variant …

HOOK: Hanak 450 BL, #12 – #16

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Gray/Brown

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Medium Speckled

RIB: Sulky Opalescent Thread

ABDOMEN: Dun Mink underfur, Nature’s Spirit, use a dubbing rake

THORAX: 70/30 Mix SLF Spikey Squirrel, Gray – UV2 Dark Enhancer

BEAD: Silver Tungsten slotted, sized to hook or oversize x1

This is a variation of Loren William’s LW’s Stud. I like tying with mink fur because this material has the unique ability to trap air bubbles. It comes in a wide range of dyed colors…I also use the longer fibers, cut off the skin, for tailing and hackle…

Materials DUN MINK & UV2

DUN MINK & UV2 JIGS…

Shades of MINK work well here…on the East Walker River…

SULPHUR EMERGER – Grobert/Variant…

HOOK: Hanak 390 BL Hook, #14 – #16

THREAD: Abdomen – UTC 70 Denier, Yellow / Thorax forward, Veevus 16/0, Olive

SHUCK: Brown Z-Lon fibers

ABDOMEN: Yellow tying thread

RIB: “Touch dubbed” to Danville 6/0, #47 Tobacco Brown thread, #37, Seal Brown Hareline Fur Dubbin

WING: Snowshoe Hare, Tan

THORAX: Micro Fine Dry Fly Dub, Sulphur Yellow

Another pattern that will be going back East to Michael for his use. I used some other materials than the way Matt Robert ties it HERE….later…

Materials SULPHUR EMERGER… SULPHUR EMERGER(s)… RYCHO Z-WING (Olive) – Mercer/Variant …

HOOK: Hanak 390 BL Hook, #12 – #16

THREAD: Veevus 16/0, Olive

ABDOMEN: 70/30 Mix, Antron Dubbing, Olive – UV2 Caddis Nymph, Olive

RIB: Sulky Holoshimmer, Black

CARAPACE/BACK: Mottled Olive Thin Skin

WINGS: Ginger Z-Lon – split from 1 strand

THORAX: Iridescent Peacock, Black (Spirit River) – 2 fibers, twisted into a rope – 3-4 turns

A variation on Mike Mercer’s Z Wing Caddis for the Rhyacophila hatch that occurs in the Eastern Sierras March – August. It may also be tied in Tan.That would be the Emerging Pupal stage of this guy…

Free living Caddis…East Walker River, Bridgeport, CA…

Materials RYCHO Z-WING CADDIS… RYCHO Z-WING CADDIS…

The Hooks and Beads…

F.Y.I. – The Daiichi 1167, #14 & Hanak H 390 BL – side by side…Hans explains the real KLINKHAMER…HERE…

B. CADDIS (JIG) – Bloom/Variant …

HOOK: Hanak 450 BL Hook, #10 – #16

THREAD: Under Abdomen, Tiemco 16/0, Black

ABDOMEN: Ultra Wire, Fl. Chartreuse, Brassie or Small – depending on hook size –  * Coat with UV Resin

HACKLE: MP Select CDC feather fibers in a dubbing loop

HOT SPOT: Veevus 8/0, Fl. Chartreuse

BEAD: Slotted Faceted Tungsten Bead, Black, sized to hook or over sized x1

A number of years ago, I walked into this fly shop at Four Corner’s, outside of Bozeman, MT and found this simple little Caddis attractor that used chartreuse wire, CDC and a tungsten bead. That shop is now history but it had more flies in any one place than I have ever seen – before or since. So… I picked up a couple of those little guys that were designed by Dave Bloom. One of the results may be seen below…they may also be tied with copper wire, tan CDC and a copper bead…

The original worked like a charm…in here…Madison River, MT…

Materials B. CADDIS… B. CADDIS(s)… HURRICANE BUG (JIG…

HOOK: Hanak 450 BL Hook, #10 – #16

THREAD: Lagartun 74 Denier, Rust – Abdomen / Tiemco 10/0, Dk. Brown, to secure thorax

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .)15 Lead Sub.

TAIL: Coq De Leon, Dark Speckled

ABDOMEN: Lagartun Thread

RIB: Sulky Opalescent Thread – * coat with UV Resin

THORAX: Micro UV Chenille, Hot Orange

BEAD: Slotted Tungsten Copper – sized to hook or oversized x1

A flashy, easy to tie attractor that drops like a rock. I’ll do an Olive version later…that guy below liked Flashy Orange…

One of my test subjects on the East Walker River…

Materials HURRICANE BUG… HURRICANE BUG(s)…

Next: Wobble Bugs

PT/TB

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STREAMERS…FALL Y’all…READY for the WET…

These will be some patterns that I have had in mind for a while…Several are older, but not forgotten, NW fly patterns that have stood the test of time and have produced Trout both in lakes and moving water. A couple of the others will be variations on old themes that also are patterns I turn to in the Fall in the Eastern Sierras…Just below, are a couple of links on Streamer techniques and rigging…Some of this information has greatly enhanced my experiences with using patterns like the ones below…

RALPH CUTTER Streamer Strategies…

HATCHES – 5 Tips for Better Streamer Fishing…

MIDCURRENT How to tie a non-slip loop knot..

RIFFLE HITCH-NetKnots.com…

FALL 2014 STREAMER BOX… done…

ALLY’S Piñata STREAMER …

HOOK: TMC 5263, #4 – #6

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or Lead Sub.

TAIL: Marabou Blood Quill, Black

ABDOMEN: Wooly Bugger Chenille, Black, so

BODY HACKLE: Jay Fair Schlappen, Burnt Orange – * three turns at the front

RIB: UTC Wire, Hot Orange, sm

WING: UV2 Rabbit Strip – Jailbird – straight

HACKLE: Zonker Strip, Crawdad Orange Variant – Cross Cut

1. Make dubbing loop

2. Insert short strip of fur

3. Cut from skin

4. Twist

5. Stroke fur rearward while wrapping

A larger attractor pattern which imitates something LARGE…for use in dark, turbulent or off color water – like when the DWP is messing with the flows on the Lower Owens River…

Materials ALLY’S Piñata STREAMER…

ALLY’S Piñata STREAMER…ready for busting…

Ally…looking for her Piñata…

STREAMER water…

HONEY BUN…

HOOK: Daiichi 2220, #2 – #6

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

TAIL FLASH: 2 strands each side, Medium Brown Krystal Flash – lay one batch of Marabou, then flash, then another batch of Marabou

ABDOMEN REAR: Petite Estaz, Pearl Olive

ABDOMEN/THORAX: Petite Estaz, Black

HACKLE: Zonker Strip – Olive Variant – Straight …yes straight works too done this way…

1. Make dubbing loop

2. Insert short strip of fur

3. Cut from skin

4. Twist

5. Stroke fur rearward while wrapping

Materials HONEY BUN…

HONEY BUN STREAMERS…

YIP DOG …

HOOK: Daiichi 2220, #6 – #10

THREAD: Danville 6/0, White -Under abdomen – Danville 6/0 Red, thorax forward

TAG: Angel Hair, Shrimp Pink fibers

RIB: Veevus Holographic Tinsel, small, Brown

ABDOMEN: Uni Floss, Orange – white thread should be used under ANY floss for translucence

UNDER WING: Four strands UV Pearl Krystal Flash

WING:  Coyote, Natural (hence the Yip Dog)

OVER WING: Two Strands of Peacock Herl

HACKLE: Zonker Strip, Gold Variant – Cross Cut

1. Make dubbing loop

2. Insert short strip of fur

3. Cut from skin

4. Twist

5. Stroke fur rearward while wrapping

This is totally an attractor, something to dabble with when I just don’t want to do anything except test an outrageous fly pattern…everyone should have a few on hand for those occasions … expect to be surprised!!!

Materials YIP DOG…

YIP DOG(s)…

Big MOO…pumping a Seal Bugger on the Lower Owens River at 6AM…

PW PUNK PERCH – Loe/Variant …

HOOK: TMC 5263, #6 – #10

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Red

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015. Lead Sub.

TAIL: Marabou, Dark Brown

ABDOMEN: 80% Ice Dub UV Lt. Olive / 10% Ice Dun UV Brown / 10% Hares Ice Dub, Olive Brown

RIB: UTC Wire, Hot Orange, sm

HACKLE: Silver Badger Saddle, tied dry style…PW stands for “pushing water”

*Tease out the dubbing after ribbing, wit a bore brush or Velcro strip so that the maters “pulsates” when stripped, twitched or pumped. This is a proven perch imitation from Guide Tom Loe mainly for use in Crowley Lake. I have found Perch Fry in other locations, in the Eastern Sierras, thanks to the “bucket brigade”…and they work…try some

Materials PW PUNK PERCH – (*Red 6/0 Danville Thread not pictured)

PW PUNK PERCH Bunch…

PUMPKIN BUNNY …

HOOK: TMC 5262 or 5263, #6 – #10

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAIL: Marabou Blood Quill, Black

RIB: UTC Wire, Silver, sm – ( * not pictured in materials photo)

ABDOMEN: Black Sparkle or Plain Chenille – (* not pictured in materials photo)

WING: Zonker Strip, Black, Straight

HACKLE: Zonker Strip, Fl. Orange, Cross Cut

1. Make dubbing loop

2. Insert short strip of fur

3. Cut from skin

4. Twist

5. Stroke fur rearward while wrapping

Just another Black Fly pattern with a giant hot spot…for exploring deeper, dark water at dawn and dusk…

Materials PUMPKIN BUNNY – ( *abdomen not pictured – more later)

PUMPKIN BUNNIES…

Michael and Aimee in Maine a couple of weekends ago…a good place to tow a streamer behind a kayak…

DESERT DACE …

HOOK: TMC 300, #8 – #10

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Olive

TAG: Angel Hair fibers, Rusty

ABDOMEN: DNA Holo Fusion, Olive – *coat with Hard As Hull or SHAN

WINGS: Stacked 2 Peacock Hers over, Brown Marabou, Lt. Olive Marabou

UNDER ABDOMEN: White Marabou

GILLS: Danville 6/0 Red

Another old but favorite design…Marabou just comes alive in water and I tie a lot of streamer patterns that utilize this material…Oh yeah… and about some of the FINNY RESIDENTS of the Owens Valley…

Materials DESERT DACE…

DESERT DACE(s)…

DESERT DACE place….

MUTHA OF PEARL

HOOK: TMC 5263, #4 – #8

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Red (* not pictured with materials)

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

TAIL: Marabou Blood Quill, Black

ABDOMEN: Sparkle Braid, Pearl

WING: Black Barred Rabbit Strip, White – Straight

LATERAL LINE FLASH: One strand, Grizzly Krystal Flash, Black/Red – on each side

HACKLE: Zonker Strip – Cross Cut – Black

1. Make dubbing loop

2.  Insert short strip of fur

3. Cut from skin

4. Twist

5. Stroke fur rearward while wrapping

I like these bunny strippers. One does not have to add a lot of weight to these patterns. Using a short leader with a sink tip or full sink line will generally get them into the zone and the action of the fur, when wet, is quite enticing… Variations of Black and White have always performed well for me on Easter Sierra waters…THIS is an old stand-by for me on the Lower”O” and East Walker River…

–  

Materials MUTAH OF PEARL…

MUTAH(s) OF PEARL…

CAREY SPECIAL – Col. Thomas Carey …

HOOK: TMC 5262, #6 – #12

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

TAIL: Ringneck Pheasant Rump fibers, Natural

ABDOMEN: 4-6 Peacock Herl Ffibers, natural

RIB: UTC Gold Wire, sm

WING: Ringneck Pheasant Rump, feather, Natural

A Northwest pattern that has been around since 1925 that is one any fly fisherman should have in the streamer box. Here is what my buddy, Dean Endress has to say about this pattern…

“I have used this pattern for 30 plus years, and it is still very effective on Trout, I often fish it in lakes , usually on a type 2 or 3 Uniform sink line. use a 4 ft. leader of 10 to 6lb. test . in rivers swim it deep like a nymph or swing it like a wetfly/streamer.. however you choose to fish it, always remember to animate the hackle fibers, they twitch and wiggle very well..

Thought not exactly tyed to imitate one food type, the Carey Special suggests : Dragonfly Nymphs, Chubs, Water beetles, leeches, Crayfish, maybe even baby trout – plenty of food items..

I have used the Carey Special in numerous Sierra Nevada lakes. effective indeed and a great change up from Midge indicator fishing.
It also works great for Smallmouth and Largemouth bass, plus Bluegill and other Sunfish species.. while i have not tried it yet, i am fairly certain it will work well for Carp.”

The pattern is also mentioned in HERE:

…amen…

Materials CAREY SPECIAL…

CAREY SPECIAL(s)…

MOO’S SIERRA STEER (Unroyal) Olive/Chartreuse …

HOOK: TMC 5262, #6-#10, 5263, #6- #10

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

TAIL: Speckled Hen Saddle Fibers, Black

UNDER ABDOMEN: Medium Holographic Tinsel, Chartreuse – (* Not pictured with materials)

OVER ABDOMEN: Olive Micro Tubing

WING: UV2 Calftail, White

PEACOCK POINTS: Iridescent Peacock, Black – Spirit River

BEARD: Speckled Hen Saddle Fibers, Black

If this looks familiar, it is because it is similar to THIS… the wing may be clipped if desired. In it’s original form, Frank Arcularius used a clipped version on the Upper Owens River on the family ranch..it is mentioned in Ray Bergman’s “Trout” and is still a very effective streamer pattern when fished beneath overhanging banks and willow sweeps…this is an attractor, streamer pattern…

…other SIERRA STEERS, near the Upper Owens River…

.

Materials MOO’S SIERRA STEER…

MOO’S SIERRA STEER’s…

Fall…around Bridgeport, CA…

SIX PACK – Haufner/Caryl (Brown Rump PT)…Rusty Brown/Variant

HOOK: TMC 5262, #6 – #12

THREAD: Danville 6/0, Black

WEIGHT: .010 Lead or .015 Lead Sub.

TAIL: Ringneck Pheasant Tail Rump Patch fibers, Brown

ABDOMEN: Ringneck Pheasant Tail Rump Patch fibers, Brown

HACKLE: Ringneck Pheasant Tail Rump Patch, feather

The SIX PACK was developed by Carl Haufner with help from angler Everett Carl. It is a Pacific Northwest pattern that was originally tied with yellow-dyed pheasant rump ( thanks Preston Singletary ). Along with the Carey Special, it is a tried and true fly that dates from 1963. It has caught a load of fish…

Materials SIX PACK…

SIX PACKS…

Older stuff…

STREAMERS I

STREAMERS II

Next: SMALL FACES…Diptera

PT/TB

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