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  • Showing posts with label flies. Show all posts
    Showing posts with label flies. Show all posts

    Sunday, October 18, 2020

    Timely

    MAK FLIES SCORES

    From Afar

    tie it large

    ..

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    .. We're sure that a size 14 hook will work in June, July, August and September. Right now a size 6 or size 8 would be more appropriate for runners in the Madison River above Hebgen Reservoir.

    .. The tonal combination is strikingly similar to yesterday's fly.  Go figure. The neighbors are out right now with a handful of them. Film at 11:00.

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    WALLPAPER:  MR. GERMAN'S CHOCOLATE CAKE


     

    Saturday, February 22, 2020

    Spring Foolers

    A PAIR TO DRAW TO
    The Neighbors Know
    simple basics
    THE BIRD'S NEST MIDGE OR, THE FUZZY JOHN
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    .. With the warming daytime temperatures, (40°F upcoming soon,) the neighbors have added two simple flies to their arsenal for stabbing trout.
    MADISON CLARET
    .. These patterns take advantage of the increasing vittles available to our finny friends. On bright quiet days in early afternoon the midges come out to play. Their  larva float at the surface for a little while. This makes them easy pickings for trout; especially in still water.
    .. Of course fishers with surface inclinations just drop the 'Bird's Nest Midge', (Fuzzy John,) in amongst them and haul away.
    .. For those fishers with a more questionable continuance the 'Madison Claret' is the pattern of choice. 
    .. The deep red of the dry-tied fly changes both it's hue and chroma when wet. This pattern is fished slowly in the shoreline seams near bottom. Consensus is that it imitates freshly dropped eggs. Just could be!
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    .. We confess to being out in the tame areas on only a couple of times in the last few weeks. Old legs and frozen guides are an obstacle that is a new bit of frustration for us.
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    WALLPAPER:  COOKED AND ICED AND READY TO DIP

    Thursday, February 20, 2020

    More Fly Fun

    SPIFFY DIFFY
    A Suite Of Plastic
    makflies at it again
    THREADLESS  ??
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    .. The neighbor kids have embarked on a quest for the perfect modern fly. Of course they have become great fans of makflies [LINK.]
    .. We've not delved into this morass of synthetic magic yet. Hell, we've got trunks full of bird feathers and critter fur dating from the Herter's era. Maybe some day?
    .. Here's a couple of the neighborhood favorites:
    ..
    ..
    _______ 
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    WALLPAPER:  HOMEMADE VEGETABLE SOUP

    Thursday, January 30, 2020

    Just One More

    ANOTHER MAK FLY
    Cute Little Thing
    neighbors using it now

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     MORE ENTERTAINMENT
    .. The neighbor kids down the block are on a YouTube tear. They keep us entertained with contemporary insight and gifts of fluff. Thanks folks.
    .. This midge pattern grabbed them in the soft parts and they are fishing it right now down Between The Lakes.
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    .. Another day of melt down: 35°F is not our typical late January number. Should have a couple more days of tropical heat before the February freeze hits. We'll see what goes down.
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    .
    WALLPAPER:  MEATBALL BREAKFAST

    Wednesday, January 08, 2020

    Chastised

    NEIGHBORS WRATH
    Apology Tendered
    here's two more winners

    WALLPAPER:  PRICKLY CARROT
    WALLPAPER:  SPIDER MIDGE
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    .. At the warm corner of a less visited watering hole we gathered  to warm ourselves. In addition to mundane topics we elicited some stories and insight into the success of the hardy folk who had just returned from the frozen nooks and crannies of the South Fork Estuary.
    .. In the most collegial fashion they gave up their prized knowledge. They shared places, techniques and, fly choices. They are pleased to invite other folks to enjoy the wonders of easy catching during this brief early winter window of opportunity.
    .. We agreed to share the patterns of the successful fly selections (LINK.) Of course our age degraded neurons omitted a couple of fly selections used in their catching frenzy. We were reminded of this lapse and, did then  - and - do now, apologize. The flies above accounted for their fair share of the snakes returning from sexual shenanigans to Hebgen Reservoir.
    .. Some Baetis nymphs are a reddish orange color. We suppose that the Prickly Carrot could be taken for one of those. That was the rational for the pattern offered by it's originator: sizes 14 - 10.
    .. The Spider Midge  is a multi purpose pattern. In the summer it works as an ant or spider imitation, In the winter it works as a midge and a snow fly: sizes 18 - 12.
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    .. As our weather teeter totters between snow and fog we continue to hold out some hope for more snow and less cold or warm. Right now the fog is thick as the air continues to warm to temperatures above freezing.
    .. The oh-so-wise and, learned weather mavens have promised more snow. We'll see.
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    WALLPAPER:  MAYONNAISE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

    Wednesday, February 28, 2018

    Apropos Of Nothing

    KINDER, GENTLER ?
    Sexist Appeal ?
    a robyn roy for you ?

    -------  
    .. Diageo just announced that some bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch will now carry a woman on the label.
    .. The new moniker will appear in limited numbers in the U.S.A. and should be available tomorrow or, as soon as your local spirits merchant figures it out (LINK-1, LINK-2.)
    .. This push by Diageo, the worlds number two producer of spirits, is designed to make sure that women know that it's O.K. to drink Scotch Whiskey. [[ The largest distiller in the world is Kweichow Moutai in China.]]
    OUR PERSONAL PREFERENCE
    .. The fly fishing world has also jumped on the "market to women" bandwagon over  the last few years.
    .. We're alert to these trends and wonder if women feel that they need to be told that it's O.K. to fish with a fly or to drink scotch whiskey.
    .. We'd like to make it clear that both are just fine - thank you. Here in America it's also fine if women enjoy any freedoms that men - or other sexed beings enjoy.
    .. The neighbors are currently discussing names for future forays into fly tying and naming: starting with the "Royal Coachwoman," and extending to the "Boudoir Vac."
    .. We intend to monitor this trend and will provide alerts when fly rods come in shades of pink with petticoats and skirts.
    -----  
    .. Well, the dumping of white stuff has paused for a day or so. Clean up is proceeding apace with the city crews working double shifts to get the streets back in shape.
    LADY JANE COACHMAN
    .. Old-timers can be heard remarking that it looks just like the olden days. We haven't had a three foot dump in recent memory but, 31 inches over the last three days is nice to see.
    .. We're in the midst of another mid-life morning and the whiskey news guarantees that we'll probably put on the coffee and rustle up some grub to tame the growl in the pit.
    .. Nap time should come about daylight.
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    WALLPAPER:  DUMPING DEEPER

    Sunday, February 25, 2018

    Deviant Behavior

    SILLY NEIGHBORS
    Unscripted Behavior
    assaulting pea brains
    ONLY LEGAL FISHER IN YELLOWSTONE
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    .. Just some Coachman Fly iterations. One from the dictionary and three from the fertile imagination of neighbor Jimmy. Never would make it as counter help. Too inventive!
    .. It shouldn't be too difficult to figure out the recipes. These are all trout sized, ( 4 to 18,) depending on the pattern.
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    .. You can match the image to the name. It shouldn't be too hard:
    1) Coachman Bomber,
    2) Royal Coachman Bomber,
    3) Royal Coachman Nymph,
    4) Royal Coachman Shamrock Bomber.




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    .. And now for our combined strength and aerobic stint with the snow shovel. This will give us the incentive to tackle some breakfast.
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    WALLPAPER:   FAJITA FIXIN'S

    Wednesday, February 21, 2018

    Once Upon A Time

    WHAT'S IN A NAME ?
    What Is Royal ?
    how many variations ?
    FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
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    ..Once upon a time it seemed possible to catalog all the known flies for fishing.
    .. In 1984 "Perrault's Standard Dictionary Of Fishing Flies" was self published. It listed over 16,000 patterns and was mostly alphabetized.
    .. There are copies available all over the place. Google it and buy one if you choose. It is a minor bit of fly fishing history.
    COACHMAN
    .. Once upon a time fishing with a fly was still a new and novel pastime that was outside the mainstream of culture in England, Scotland and the United States.
    .. Once upon a time individual fly patterns became famous and dominated fly fishers' boxes in all waters, (even the salt and elsewhere.)
    .. Once upon a time names were as magic as the flies that they referred to.
    .. Such is the name "COACHMAN." Since it's first mention between 1800 and 1815, and it's original variation the Lead Wing Coachman in 1830, (or so,) the moniker has attached itself to a myriad of variations on the theme.
    LEADWING COACHMAN
    .. The theme is simple enough: a bit of brown and/or black hackle wrapped in front of a peacock hurl body. These elements plus idiosyncratic additions will produce millions of references and patterns when searched on the web.
    .. By 1984 the Coachman variations in Perrault's tome numbered nearly 200. Today there are probably twice that number floating around the fly world; given the ego maniacal bent of each generation of fly tiers.
    STANDARD DICTIONARY
    ..  Once upon a time, (not too many years ago,) the neighbors decided to try to replicate all the flies detailed in the 1984 dictionary.
    .. The recipes are detailed in the most spartan manner but, are adequate for a more than reasonable facsimile.
    .. The neighborhood project has reached the nearly the half way point. There are now 96 specimens. 
    .. It took no great pressure for the assembled hoard to convince us to undertake a series of posts that highlight these flies.
    .. Periodically, as time and images allow, the flies and their names, (as recorded by Perrault,) will be posted here.
    .. Since the project is ongoing, and since the flies exist in various locations, this will of necessity be a herky-jerky process.
    .. Of course these names and recipes will not match your idealized names or recipes. Such it is in the world of "ONCE UPON A TIME."
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    Fan Wing Royal Wulff
    Hook:  # 6-20.
    Thread: Black.
    Wing: White Calf Body Hair; divided.
    Tail: Dark Moose Hair.
    Rib: Fine Copper Wire.
    Body: Peacock Herl and Red Floss.
    Hackle: Brown Rooster Hackle.
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    Fan Wing Royal Coachman
    Hook:  # 6-20  
    Thread: Black. 
    Tail: Golden Pheasant Tippets. 
    Wings: White Duck Flats. 
    Body: Peacock Herl/Red Floss/Peacock Herl. 
    Hackle: Coachman Brown (dark brown)
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    LadyCoachman
    Hook:  # 6-20  
    Thread: Black. 
    Tail: Golden Pheasant Tippets. 
    Wings: Mallard Wing Segments. 
    Body: Peacock Herl/Yellow Floss/Peacock Herl. 
    Hackle: Yellow Starling Fibers Beard.
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    RED TAIL COACHMAN
    .. Three down, ninety three to go. It's warming up and lunch is done. 16°F might just be today's high.

    .. No nap time. More reels and lines to fiddle with.
    .. Only six inches of dry fluff last night and another two or three feet due for the next week or so. Good for the fish.
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    WALLPAPER:  SOURDOUGH BOULE

    Wednesday, October 11, 2017

    Game On ???

    SOME SUCCESS
    Some Failure
    try other places
    A CHANCE ENCOUNTER
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    .. One interesting aspect of our tourist town is the diversity of visitors encountered and, the trinkets on display in the shops.
    .. Rubber tomahawks and other such have mostly vanished through the years. There are still, however, a few "Davy Crockett" hats for sale and a few stores still stock feathered headdresses.
    .. In a sunny break from fly flinging, with a couple of neighbors, we took a stroll 'downtown.' There, in a small jewelry store, we encountered a three-legged male wolf pelt. Pelts for sale in our village are rather rare. This one was from Canada. It had it's own license plate.
    WOLF:  COARSE BACK FUR
    .. We marveled at it's density of fur and the quality of the tanning. We also recoiled at the price = $1,100 dollars, (US cash money.) Long, long story short: bits were acquired by the richest of our neighbors.
    .. There is, an old, traditional fly pattern that specifies bits of fur only obtainable from a pelt of this sort. One of the neighbors has a scrap of paper torn from an ancient sporting magazine with a genuine 'killer recipe' for Steelhead and spawn-run trout.
    WOLF:  URINE STAINED FUR
    .. The fly is often tied with substitute materials and does, in fact, take fish with excellent regularity.
    .. The neighbor in question immediately abandoned our stroll to retreat to the tying bench in the alcove of his cave.
    .. We present here the fly and its recipe. It is a simple pattern and, of the three flies tied, two have taken respectable fish from the Madison River in the environs near the Barns Holes.
    THE ROZEE WOLFEE FLY
    ..Tied on a standard heavy salmon hook, (any appropriate hook will do nicely,) the fly reveals its heritage from the turn of the last century.
    .. The tail is grouse tail feather tip that is doubled. The tag is orange floss. The body is royal purple floss. The first rib is embossed gold tinsel. The second rib is medium silver twist. The hackle is yellow hen. The under wing is urine stained wolf. The over wing is wolf back hair. The name is also indicative of the time in which it was originated: ROZEE WOLFEE.
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    .. The annual surge of fish, (from Hebgen Reservoir,) and fishers, (from all corners of the world,) is in full swing - with mixed results being reported in the pubs and dusty aisles of the feather merchants.
    DARK SPRUCE VARIANT
    .. Most of the traditional river runs for the Fall-run spawning trout are seemingly less productive than collective memory recalls. Places that are otherwise less storied are producing surprising amounts of fish.
    .. A couple of these places are easily accessible with a gentle walk from the parking area at Barns #1. Upstream hides are near and, in the big bend of the Madison River. There are also mid stream holes near the gauging station just a bit further upstream, The trail is easily visible.
    OLIVE OR GREEN WOOLLY BUGGER
    .. There are new, recently and deeply, undercut banks with rapid currents. These require some bit of soft walking and short casting. The fish are parked there but not sleeping.
    .. These hides are good places to use a long two handed rod for dapping an appropriate streamer, (LINK TO SECRET PLACES.) Just a short cast and a short downstream drift with a gentle tug or two at the end will gather the fish.
    .. In addition to the Rozee Wolfee fly the neighbors have used Modified Dark Spruce flies and light green Woolly Buggers. Daylight and shadows play a role in fly selection - duh!
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    .. The sun is out. Snow and sun is predicted for the next few days. Temperatures should fluctuate widely over the next week. The fish know the weather. Fishers need to move around and explore the dark water where rods are few and fish are plentiful.
    .. It may be time for a scintillating lunch and a brief nap before the clouds arrive and the evening sun is in the right spot.
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    WALLPAPER: 'LITTLE MEATS,' CARNITAS & BEANS & RICE


    Thursday, March 02, 2017

    Recycled

    SPOILS OF WAR
    Poor Dead Thing
    waste not, want not
    DID NOT DIE IN VAIN
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    .. The kids down the block just returned from a safari to that lowland mecca  --  Bozeman.
    .. They raided Sacks, Goodwill, and Salvation Army [#1, #2.]
    .. A real prize was scarfed up and returned to the tying benches of the neighborhood. A mid (last,) century, stole of lovely red and orange fur was glommed onto for the outrageous price of $7.00.
    URINE STAINED VIXEN STREAMER
    .. If you are of the correct age and maturity you will remember those exotic old fly recipes that call for urine stained vixen fur. Well, we got some.
    .. There is even a very effective fly that can be quickly and easily tied with the smelly stuff.
    .. Just use a thin sliver of the hide, (cut it on the back with a very sharp razor and metal straight edge,) plus some thread and voila, a killer streamer is fabricated.
    .. No need for instructions, Make it thin. Tie it tight and separated like a Matuka. Presto, chango, magic fox fly.
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    .. It's getting light earlier nowadays. Time for a breakfast that will last until the afternoon. It's clear already and the second pot of coffee smells good.
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    WALLPAPER:  CHEDDAR CHEESE & POTATO LOGS