Volume 14 • Issue 3 • March 2007

A Modest Proposal

For a number of years, the months that we fish for those beautiful trout from Missouri have been an annual period of exhilaration. It is a time when many of us form close friendships on the stream or river that would not otherwise have occurred. Whether alone or with friends, we have close to four months of special fishing enjoyment.

One annual aspect of our successful trout stocking program, however, undeniably leaves a somewhat haunting displeasure. It occurs sometime around the end of April or the first weeks of May. The water temperature reaches above seventy degrees and our splendid fishing combatants often on the other end of the fly our lines first weaken and then die. We know that their ending is inevitable when we release them into our inviting Hill Country water–certainly an improvement over concrete troughs–nevertheless, too many of these beautiful creatures live only to exit by way of an ignoble passing. Thus arises the question: Isn't there some practical way of harvesting these worthy rainbows? Surely we can find a better conclusion than currently exists. The simplest solution may well be the best: start keeping our catches earlier than in the past, maybe even as early as March. The rewards are worth considering. If we instigate a more practical plan for keeping our catch, we are then able to put our nice trout away quickly in a merciful manner; we are also able to enjoy a delectable meal not only for ourselves but, perhaps, for a few good friends and neighbors. If we still have many fish left to die from the temperature ceiling, we could adjust the date for keeping our catches to even an earlier time. This is one modest proposal for a proper and sporting ending each year of our club's trout fishing season.

Another related situation comes to mind regarding our local trout fishing experience. It is the poacher problem. It would seem better for our lease paying members to be keeping fish sooner on a limited basis, even throughout the season, rather than having strangers popping in and hauling them out at will using any type of bait or lure that catches the most fish. There have been reports from various club members of poaching at all our leases. It might be reasonable to assume that Crabapple Creek is the least susceptible since the Rabkes are especially caring about who is on their property and would use good judgment in granting any special privileges. The Double B is a different type of operation with all sorts of other activities occurring on their property; thus, accordingly, they might be less aware of poaching and less capable of enforcing our lease agreement. La Junta would seem to be the most susceptible to outsiders since the Guadalupe flows through the property and it is more exposed to persons near the highway and to those on the river below the dam. Even if we stopped our own fishing to report the poachers we encounter, we would still be highly susceptible at this location to quite a persons fishing from the dam or on the property by way of canoe or simply coming on the property while the landowners and staff are busy with other chores.

Other than informing poachers who they are trespassing if we happen to be close enough to approach them while they are fishing, we would be spending a lot of time doing law enforcement rather than fishing. In some cases it might be worth all the effort, but who wants to spend good fishing time playing the role of enforcer?

With all of the above circumstances, harvesting the fish with realistic limits either earlier or during the whole season might prove to be a realistic solution to several nagging problems that seem to become greater concerns with each passing season.

–M.A.

Under the Spell of Fly Tying

Steve Flanagan's enthusiastic dedication to the art of fly tying became apparent from the very beginning of his presentation at our February meeting. His zeal was contagious as he told of how, beginning in 1986, he was first attracted to the pastime that would lead to his mastery and pleasure that not only he could enjoy but one that he could pass along to his young son, who is now in the "apprentice" stage according to Steve.

Our speaker's own skill seemed to begin with an attraction to both the challenge of imitating established fly patterns and using his ingenuity in modifying them or using them as springboards toward new creations. The very materials used in tying flies, seemingly unlimited, also fueled hours of pleasure and relaxation for Flanagan as he expanded both his time and space to accommodate his passion by devoting a whole room at his residence to fly tying exclusively. A special time also emerged, late at night in the quiet hours, when he was able to focus without interruption on his absorbing avocation. The room is full of a collection of materials that Steve continuously expands. He revealed that he can't go to a fly shop without coming out with some new supplies. That's one reason he believes that tying one's own flies is not necessarily less expensive than buying the ones sold commercially.

Enticing shots of various flies that Steve has tied, photographed, and put on slides, along with an explanation of the special characteristics of each provided an opportunity for our club members to experiment with some not tried before. Most of the flies were associated with specific types of fishing situations described in detail as they were classified into groups based on the types of fish encountered. Examples included: trout flies–the Halfback, Picket Pin, and Double Bunny; bass flies –the Double Bunny, Clouser Minnow, Bloody Muddler; panfish–various poppers and pencil poppers; saltwater–the Buck Tail Jiggy, Lefty's Deceiver, Bent Clouser, and Surf Candy.

A long list of expert fly tyers–fifteen to twenty–revealed those from whom Flanagan attributed to having enhanced his knowledge and ability on fly tying. Page through the fly-fishing magazines and you will eventually run across many of these names. The bottom line is that whenever Steve has had an opportunity to learn from the masters, he has taken advantage of gaining a priceless background in the various fly tying concepts and skills. Attending many fly tying events and watching the various tyers at work and talking to them, then combining bits and pieces of knowledge that he has discerned has allowed Steve to create many of his own originals.

Steve Flanagan is one of our neighbors–a member of San Antonio's Alamo Fly Fishers. He is young, enthusiastic, and dedicated. Look for him to emerge as one of the sport's best tying practitioners as time passes. Who knows? His young son, the "apprentice," may soon follow in his father's footsteps. It seems to be in the genes.

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"As I look at my flies, one after the other, I see clearly that structure, design, pattern, shape, color, and a certain fishiness are all elements of the art of the trout fly. Like art, the genre has its schools–realism, impressionism, expressionism–as well as types that defy category. Over the years, I've found that realism has its limitations, for reality is not frozen in life, in art, or in trout streams. The best fly is often the one whose feathers–bruited by wind and moving water–look most alive. The best fly for a tumbling Catskill freestone river may be hopeless on a Western spring creek. A fly that looks brilliant to the human eye–a Tiepolo of bright invectiveness–may to a trout look like moldy stew, or, worse, a bright concoction of alien furs and feathers."

– Nick Lyons from A Flyfisher's World. (New York: The Atlantic Monthly Press, 1996.)

A Yeoman Among Flies

For whatever reason, through the years an impression seems to have evolved that fly-fishing is a form of angling appealing especially to the elite. Certainly, nowadays our sport has gained popularity among fishing enthusiasts from all walks of life both young and old and created a different cast toward our manner of fishing as becoming a pastime appropriate for virtually anyone.

If someone were to go through a list names that have been attached to the flies we fish, he or she might think that we might be down right grungy when we handle such creatures a Marabou Bastard, Rat-Faced MacDougal, Calf's Tail Emerger, or Bitch Creek Bead Head. On the other hand, on a higher level we have the Royal Wulff, Prince Nymph, Queen of the Waters, Priest, and Professor.

One of the most popular and effective among the society of flies deserves some special recognition. Not rarely among fly-fishing circles, one might overhear words to the effect that, "If I had one fly to fish in almost any circumstance, it would be the Woolly Bugger." The moniker is, without doubt, somewhat distasteful, but in the minds of many, this fly is the dependable, hard-working, steady lure that is worth trying on any fishing outing. By one definition, a yeoman is "an officer or attendant in a noble or royal household."[Webster's II New Riverside Dictionary, New York, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1996]. In the household of fly-fishing, the trusty Woolly Bugger might well fit the definition of "yeoman."

Various sources on the Internet reveal the same information on the Woolly Bugger's history. It is thought to have evolved from an Old English fly, still around, the Woolly Worm. According to an article by Pat Dorsey in his "Fly of the Month," [pat@bluequillangler.com], The fly's current pattern was, by all accounts, created by a Pennsylvanian:

"Raymond Blessing invented the Woolly Bugger back in 1967. Blessing, a resident of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, originally tied the Woolly Bugger with a black tail, black hackle, and olive body for his 'home' river, the Little Lehigh. The fly was designed to specifically imitate hellgrammites and was inspired by another 'eastern' pattern called the Blossom Fly. Blessing's daughter, Judy, named the fly and as they say, the rest is history."

In another article on the Internet, Cameron Larson [ info@bigflyco.com ] made the following comment:

"What fish think they are hitting when they hit a Bugger is somewhat a mystery. To human's eyes it could be a bait fish, a leech, a grub, a cricket, a stonefly, a dragonfly nymph, a damselfly nymph, the list is endless. And perhaps that is what makes it such a great all-purpose pattern. It is a nymph, a streamer, and an attractor all in one. We'll let the fish classify it."

The following book review from FFF ClubWire will furnish an interesting conclusion to the story our "Yeoman" fly. . .

Woolly Wisdom by Gary Soucie
Frank Amato Publications, Inc., Portland, OR, 2006
232 pages, softbound, illustrated, Color and B&W, suggested price $35.00

If you thought there was a Woolly Worm and a Woolly Bugger and other than the difference in the tail that was it, you are in for a surprise. This book presents 400 Woolly patterns covering numerous variations. There are standard Woolly Worms and Woolly Buggers, Buggers without hackle, Buggers without tails, Buggers with bodies of yarn, fur, hackle, ersatz, as well as the traditional chenille. There are Buggers that sink, and those that float. There are Buggers with foam heads, foam bodies, bead heads, cone heads, dumbbell eyes, foam eyes, as well as Buggers with short tails, not tails, extra long tails made of just about any material that can be used as a tail material. If it can be tied Bugger-like and used to fish for any fish that swims in cold, warm, or salt water, there is most likely a pattern covering it here. So this is a pattern book of woolly creatures of a vast variety. But it is also a book of inspiration for tiers to create even more, and hopefully better, Woolly Buggers to meet even more fishing situations. At once, both a history of what is, and a springboard for what can be, in the world of Woolly flies. Besides being a pattern book, it also teaches a whole quiver full of methods and tips that will allow you to tie better Woolly Buggers. Flies that swim better, have more movement in the water, and stand up to more fish before having to be retired. Also included are fishing tips by the creators of many of the patterns and explanations of how the particular pattern was developed.

The book is beautifully illustrated and written. In fact, it is a very easy and pleasant read. The stories, tips, and notes by the pattern creators is well worth the read and the modest price.

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Traditional Pattern for the Woolly Bugger

Hook: Standard or long shank 8-12
Thread: To match the body color
Tail: Large tuft of marabou. A few fibers of Crystal Flash can be optionally added.
Body: Colored chenille over an optional underbody of lead wire
Hackle: Cock palmered down the body