Volume 13 • Issue 2 • February 2008

Fly-Fishing's Subtle Companion

The creation may be stunningly beautiful, or it may be somewhat repulsively ugly. It may even reflect both qualities at the same time. It finds itself most often at the end of an angler's leader or tippet. We call it a fly, though it may represent a crayfish, a cricket, a salmon egg, or some other creature that hangs out in or near the water. Ofttimes it doesn't represent any true-to-life creature, but rather an invention conceived within its creator's imagination. Without it, fly-fishing could not exist.

Any angler may purchase a fly for about a buck and a half to five dollars. A fine bargain would be a well-tied fly for sixty-five cents to five bucks–not all that bad for the excitement something tied to a hook brings. Nevertheless, there would be something missing. It would be the joy and satisfaction of having tied the fly, to have taken the patience to develop the art of tying feathers, fur, or artificial materials upon a hook in a fashion sufficient to entice a subtle take or a horrendous hit at the end of the line. Wow! Neat-O!

Have you ever wondered what percentage of fly-fishers tie their own flies? We might be surprised at how many have passed up this most useful and gratifying extension of our sport. Of course, the skill attracts a broad span of talents, yet even fifth grader is perfectly capable of tying a number of effective flies. A good example would be a Woolly Bugger, perhaps the most versatile fly one might choose to catch a fish. Flies may be tied at a fraction of the cost an angler would pay at the fly shop; moreover, once a supply of materials accumulate as time passes, a tyer usually has all that is needed to tie all the flies he or she most commonly uses.

A tyer may replenish a supply of favorites at home without ordering from a catalog or having to find a fly shop, so that when an opportunity to fish with a friend who says the fish are gulping in Pheasant Tail Nymphs crops up, but only three or four are left in the fly box, the problem is solved by whipping out a dozen or so right away, and he's soon hauling in some frisky fish. On the other hand, during those times of day when restlessness or boredom creep in, tying a fly is a satisfying way to become productive and creative.. Time flies when one is absorbed in turning out small faux creatures that lure a fish. After awhile, a tyer becomes curious as to whether some combination not yet created except in his own mind might turn out to be a winner. Inventing one's own fly is absorbing, and the suspense as to whether it will be successful or not tantalizes the imagination.

Tying flies also helps an angler become more familiar with classic flies that have been proven successful through the years. Almost any fly-fishing publication will reveal the flies that work best in certain areas and clue the reader in as to the season of year when a suggested fly works best under the conditions that exist along the creek, river, lake, or coast. A fly tyer will be more familiar with the suggested flies and their characteristics than a non-tyer. Often, such published articles are accompanied with recipes that the tyer may use in preparation for fishing the area.

Fly recipes list the basic materials needed to tie the fly. Most fly recipes list the materials as they are tied in at the bend of the hook, then forward toward the eye of the hook. For example, on the Woolly Bugger, here is a typical recipe taken from Collins Illustrated Dictionary of Trout Flies by John Roberts, Edison, New Jersey: Castle Books, 1998:

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.

How would one go about getting started in taking up the craft of fly tying? It's rather simple and not very expensive. Here are some suggestions:

Look over some of the literature available on fly tying. The next time you're at the Hastings or Barnes & Nobles to rent a movie, drop by the book section under the title of "Sports," where you'll find "Fly-Fishing" arranged alphabetically among other sports. Peruse through some of the fly tying books. Examine some of the photographs, drawings, and recipes of various flies and the basics on how to tie them. Don't expect to understand everything at once. Just enjoy the beauty of the book and get a sampling of some of the basics. You may even find yourself so inquisitive that you're willing to pick a selection that looks most enticing and be so bold as to make a purchase. If that's too big a step, go to the fishing magazines and page through several while taking special note of flies and fly recipes that you find along the way. You just might get "hooked" again into purchasing one of these enticing publications .

Attend one of our club's Tweedle Dee fly tying sessions that are offered each month. There's plenty of interesting chatter going on, and you have a chance to observe and even practice some of the beginning steps in fly tying. Watch for the date of the meeting at the Riverside Nature Center on our website at www.hcff.com. Any of the veteran tyers will be willing to help you get started.

The tools you need for tying consist basically of the vise, a bobbin, scissors, hackle pliers, bobbin threader, plus a few other tools not necessarily essential. A beginners tool kit containing all that you need and quite serviceable may be found for as little as$ 25. More refined tools are like other equipment in our sport –the sky is the limit. A beginner shouldn't need the higher priced outfits.

You might want to take a bigger leap an purchase a fly tying kit. They are available containing everything a tyer needs–all of the tools plus materials for tying, including fur, feathers, synthetic material, hooks, and an instruction book. Some of these kits are quite nice; others don't contain as many materials and the instruction booklets are not always up to expectations.

If at all possible, the best approach would be to get a veteran fly tyer to take a trip with you to a fly shop and have him help you select the tools and materials to get a good start with enough supplies to tie the most popular flies for a beginner. You and your fly tying friend might want to follow through with the friend guiding you through the basic steps in tying your first flies.

One of the neatest things about adding fly tying to your angling skills is that youngsters are fascinated by the process. Fly tying offers an excellent opportunity for fathers and/or grandfathers to spend time together with the youngsters of which they are most proud to develop a memorable relationship, a bond that may last for years.

Maybe this article is just enough to whet the appetite of those who love fly-fishing but have yet to add this valuable dimension to their enjoyment of our sport. Go for it!

–M.A.

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From Council to Council

Several years ago, a movement emerged from within the Southern Council FFF to either establish a branch more closely related than the chapters existing in the mid-southern region. Located in Mountain Home, Arkansas, which, though located in a beautiful region of the country with excellent angling opportunities, the Southern Council's headquarters was quite inconvenient for many FFF members to reach for conclaves and other Southern Council activities. Playing perhaps an even more significant concern was the lack of much attention regarding salt water fishing within the council. Eventually, these concerns were recognized, and a sub council was formed to allow for alleviating some of the shortcomings.

Operating under the Southern Council's wing, the sub council existed for several years, but it there developed a strong movement toward separation into a new independent conference that seemed to satisfy the wishes of clubs located closer to the Gulf of Mexico, where two main advantages madegood sense to many of the members within the sub council's area of influence. More specifically, any one of a number of locations would be much easier to reach than Mountain Home, Arkansas. Several interstate highways along with other roads less challenging than the mountain roads of northern Arkansas would allow for closer personal contacts of a new council's members and their headquarter's operations. Moreover, high interest in coastal fishing would add a much needed dimension to the desires of many regional FFF members.

There was some dissension and hesitancy within the area chapters who were involved in the choice of staying within the Southern Council or becoming a member of the new council. It might be fair to sense that an air of awkwardness under the sub council has existed over the past few years on several levels. The Southern Council leadership and certain member clubs, with good reason, would not like the idea of their council losing a sizeable chink of its territory. The national headquarters was probably concerned as to the effect the change would have on setting tricky precedents as the new council emerged. Furthermore, within the new council's territory, there would be member clubs probably wishing to remain loyal to the Southern Council.

Our own Hill Country Fly Fishers experienced some of the uneasiness brought about by having to make a choice. To complicate our own struggle, our club had received strong support along with monetary assistance from the Southern Council in our efforts to preserve our native fish, the Guadalupe bass. There were, and may still be, some questions about whether the new council would be as supportive. As of this writing, the current status is that the grant made by the Southern Council will be taken over by the national federation. That is your editor's understanding. Other questions such as this one will probably arise as the new Gulf Coast Council develops its structure and priorities.

Our Hill Country Fly Fishers chapter has been experiencing a period during which it has held joint membership in both councils until certain transitions have taken place. During the past year, we have had members attend the Gulf Coast Council's first conclave in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the transition to the new council has apparently been pursued enthusiastically. It seems that our path has been set.

HCFF members will be interested in investigating this new Gulf Coast Council. The best introduction as to what's going on in our new council may be found in its new quarterly newsletter, Sea to Stream. It is chock-ful of information about the council and its activities. In addition, it contains articles, stories, instruction, and numerous fly recipes, with abundant colorful photographs placed skillfully throughout nineteen pages if you run copies of on your printer. Really, this is a fascinating newsletter. Take a look at http://www.gulfcoastfff.org and click on newsletter from the menu.

–M.A.

 

From FFF ClubWire. . .

Fishy Places
By Steve Gibson–Taken from the North Florida Fly Fishers Newsletter

When I realized (long ago) that I've only touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fishing, I began to improve as an angler. I continue to learn every day. With an open mind, my skills have sharpened immensely over the years and my success rate has improved proportionately.

Although I have done quite well fly fishing in salt water through the years, it's the lakes and streams that continue to beckon back like a pleasant distant memory. There's just something very alluring about a calm, warm morning on an uncrowded lake, river or creek.

Perhaps it goes back to my early angling days when I targeted bluegill. There's some truth to the belief that all (at least most) anglers cut their fishing teeth on these diminutive panfish.

I remember standing on a creek bank in West Virginia with my grandfather, my eyes glued to the red-and-white bobber dancing on the surface. And though I've taken tarpon, snook, redfish, spotted sea trout, jack crevalle, dolphin, amberjack, kingfish, false albacore, barramundi, butterfly peacock bass, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye, coho salmon, steelhead, guadpole, bonefish, permit and others on flies, it's bluegill and other panfish that interest me most.

If I've got a red-hot snook bite going on along the beach, I'll gladly share that information with most anyone. If tailing redfish are hitting shrimp or crab imitations, I might even invite you along. But I'm very selective when it comes to sharing my bluegill spots with anyone. Why?

I enjoy the solitude. Nothing soothes the nerves better than casting for panfish on a local lake. With saltwater species abundant and heavily targeted, our freshwater species virtually go ignored. So, catches of 100 or more fish per outing are fairly common.

It wasn't always that way, though. There were years when I'd head out on the water with a light fly rod and nothing but a box of popping bugs. Everything was fine as long at the top water action was strong, but when it slowed, I was out of luck.

I keep my eyes and ears open and my mouth shut when I'm around other anglers. Oh, I'll contribute when I think I can add to the conversation, but I'm eager to pick up any tidbit of information that I think might help out my next outing.

That's why fishing with Joe Bursel of Sarasota and Ron Whiteley of Rotonda has been so beneficial. Between the two, they have more than 100 years of experience–and most of it via the fly rod. So, when I found out both are fascinated by and often use micro-jugs on panfish, I took note. I ordered several packages of 1/129-ounce jugs and began tying various patterns. Taking this to its natural progression, I began experimenting with tiny trout patterns on local lakes. I've found that bluegill, shellcracker, channel catfish and largemouth bass could care less that the micro jugs and tiny flies were designed for trout.

I still love to cast #12 poppers early in the day. It's tough to beat a bluegill rising to slurp in one of your surface creations. And I'll continue to cast poppers as long as the fish are willing to play. However, when that bite slows, I have a whole new arsenal on hand. And my new toys have resulted in steady action long after the fish begin ignoring popping bugs.

My favorite fly right now is a gold bead ribbed Hare's Ear on #10--14 hooks. I fish them about five feet below a strike indicator. A strike indicator is similar to a bobber. It's a tad small and used to detect minute bites. I learned while fishing northeast Georgia trout streams that you need to set the hook whenever yu even think the strike indicator does something out of the ordinary. On some occasions, the indicator might dip below the surface like a bobber. On other occasions, it might twitch. It might dart a fraction of an inch. It might not move at all. When you're slowly working the fly and the indicator doesn't move, set the hook!

Your retrieve can vary. Most of the time, I like to make my cast, allow the fly to sink for few seconds, then begin retrieving in erratic, slow short strips. Two tugs and a pause have worked well for me. And it's usually on the pause that the fish hit.

Recently, club members Tony Saviano of Bradenton, Bob Parker of Sarasota and Kevin Cooke of Venice joined me on different outings, and each time the fish were hungry and cooperative. All did well on bluegill and other panfish, but Cooke hooked a nice channel catfish on a # 10 Woolly Bugger. Channel cats, revered by freshwater aficionados, not only will take flies, but sometimes will do so quite often.

Most of the time, I'm using a 2-weight fly rod, floating line, and a 7 1/2-foot knotless leader with 5X tippet. You'd think that a sink tip line would be great for this type of fishing, and maybe it is for some, but for me, a strike indicator is paramount to my success. So, it's floating line for now. Rest assured that if some savvy angler comes along and spouts tales of impressive catches on 300-grain lines and hot pink worms, I'll give it a try. After all, why discount anyone's experience on the water? Just doesn't make sense.