Thinking of some trout fishing next summer. Two little Elk Hair Caddis. One is a #18 and the smaller is a tiny #22 hook.
I can see a rainbow rising to take one of these at either end of a nice quiet pool on a NE Iowa spring creek. The guys with the worms, while perhaps taking home more fish, will never understand the beauty of it all. It's not really about bigger fish or more fish than the other guy. It's about seeing the details and being in the moment, the experience of God if you will.
My fishing lessons this year were to patiently study the water, sling my line less often, use more stealth.
Happy New year everyone.
Here is a picture of the flies in my drying cup this morning. Nine Black Woolly Buggers in three sizes, a Fire Orange Ant, and a new Black Buggley.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Let's all be thankful children and name those blessings in our hearts.
Bluegills were biting on a gold ribbed hares ear this morning.
(Yes, He went back in the pond to grow some more.)
Fishing just East of West Union, Iowa last Monday with Rev. Crow and his buddy Nile. Great day on the stream. Here is a small rainbow that went back into the creek to grow. The fly in its mouth is one of the pheasant tail nymphs you saw pictured on my drying cup a week earlier.
These fish are so beautiful.
The Classic Brassie
Originator was Gene Lynch
I needed to keep my mind busy this morning. Missing my brother on second anniversary of his death. Then the whole mess with the shootings in Des Moines.
Small work means I must concentrate and let some feelings go.
Brassies in assorted colors. Size 18 & 22. Black 8/0 Thread, Assorted Wire Colors, Black & Red Bloody Black Ice Dubbing.
Thanks everyone. Keep the prayers going for the grieving process for these families. DA
Little Buddy
#22 Mustad Hook
Black Uni #140 Thread
Black and White CDC Feather
Thread base on empty hook
Strip clean one half of feather
Attatch end of feather above hook point to form tail
Palmer the feather forward to hook eye
Fix feather, trim excess and form thread head behind eye
Whip finish and varnish head
Trim feather to size and to add buggynes
Big fish also eat small stuff. This is as small as I tie. Can't see any smaller. Ha.
Looking forward to throwing this bug.
I expect Little Buddy will ride in the surface film. Would expect to throw on calm water in pools or into riffels on the drift into pools. I would like to try an Orange or Scarlett thread to give the head a pop of color.
Chicken Dinner
#12 Streamer Hook
Black Uni Thread 140
Silver Wire Rib
Black & White Speckled.Hen Feathers
I just got creative and threw this together for fun. It looks very buggy and I think it may work as an attractor pattern for still water fishing.
Next time I will put a silver bead head on this guy. Feathers are from Wayne county chickens. They are washed and clean; this is very soft.
Purple Damsel Fly
#1 Stinger to #14 1x streamer hooks
Purple Marabu Feathers
Black #140 Ultra Thread
Gold Wire Rib
Cone and bead heads
Pretty much any fish in Iowa will go for these. Easy to tie and I look forward to throwing these. Great in black, white, and purple.
Hey Jay, these are first cousins to "Bugley."
Rabbit Zonker Streamer
#4 Mustad 79580 Streamer Fly Hook
Orvis Golden Brown Ice Dubbing
Ultra #140 Tan Thread
Hand Tied Goose Barb Legs
Wapsi Rabbit Zonker, Natural Brown
Spent Mayfly Dun
#12 Hook, Detached Yellow Foam Body, Elk Hair Wings, Olive Uni Thread. Pheasant Barb Tail. Yellow Dubbing.
Bluegill, Crappie, and Bass are hitting on these in green and yellow while floating free just under the surface on a 4x tippet. I have to think the Brown's and Brooks would also be interested, I just have not been trout fishing...yet.
Bull Nose Bass Streamer
#1 Stinger Hook
Ultra - Olive 210 Thread
Black, White, & Brown Rooster Saddle Patch Feathers.
Pink Party Feathers
Spun and Stacked Wayne County Deer Hair Nose
1/8" Silver Lure Eyes
WD 40 Burnt Orange
12 &18 Hooks
Wood Duck Tail (wd)
Dk Brown UNI 6/0 Thread
Burnt Orange Ice Dubbing
