Monthly Archives: December 2013

December 18, 2013

Autumn Offender – Ted Kraimer

Autumn-Offender-Streamer-Pattern

While the name of this trout streamer pattern suggests it’s only effective in the fall, it catches fish all year -round and not just here in northern Michigan. While imitating nothing in particular, it suggests a number of common food sources including sculpins, creek chubs, and juvenile trout – staples to most trout’s diet.

This easy to tie fly incorporates colors and materials which often work when proven patterns in the fly box aren’t — making it a go-to pattern when fishing is tough. The long rabbit strip combined with the marabou and cone-head provides nice movement on the pause after a strip. With a bit of flash and a number of natural colors also incorporated, this pattern has just enough attention-getting characteristics and “bling” when the water is stained. But since the colors are relatively muted, it fishes well in clear water, too – which is often the water’s condition come fall.

Autumn Offender – Brown TroutFish the Autumn Offender on a sink-tip or floating line depending on the water and time of year, and strip it back with a rod twitch and a pause. This streamer pattern has also caught steelhead when swung with a two handed rod and heavy sink-tip.

Hook: Gamakatsu S11-4L2H #4
Thread: Uni 6/0 – Camel
Tail: Rabbit Strip – Black Barred Sand Variant or Brown Barred Tan
Weight: Large Cone – Copper
Body: Krystal Hackle – Olive Brown, Large & UV Polar Chenille Rusty Copper
Wing: Marabou Blood Quill – Golden Brown & Yellow
Over Wing: Flashabou – Kelly Green and Holographic Copper
Collar: Mallard Dyed Wood Duck Flank feather
Head: Ice Dub – Golden Brown

Head over to Ted’s guiding website Current Works to see the full step-by-step on how to tie this pattern.

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December 17, 2013

Steve Farrar SF Baitfish – InTheRiffle

InTheRiffle does a good job of explaining a good baitfish pattern. You can use these techniques and use other types of materials to get some other looks out of the flies you tie.

Steve Farrar SF Baitfish Recipe:

Hook: #4/0-#02 Tiemco 600SP
Thread: UNI Mono Thread
Body: White and Wild Olive Steve Farrar SF Blend
Underbody: Red or Hot Orange Schlappen
Eyes: 8MM-15MM Living Eyes or Clear Cure Goo Eyes
Glue For Body: Loon UV Fly Finish Thick or Clear Cure Goo
Curing Light: UV Laser or Loon Powerlight
Glue For Eyes: Brush On super glue/krazy glue

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Filed under Step by Step, Streamers

December 16, 2013

‘Bumbling’ Through Autumn… by Tom Deschaine

bee I’ve always had a fascination with bee patterns. To that end I created a couple of patterns in years past and fished them with a moderate degree of success. But they weren’t as productive as I thought they should be. I finally decided that I should make a science of it; systematically determining the best situations, river conditions and seasons to use bee patterns in. In other words; study the bee.

Bees are members of the insect order Hymenoptera which defined means; having membranous wings, undergo complete metamorphosis and live in social colonies. Females possess on ovipositor which typically have a stinger. This order of insects contains bees, wasps, hornets and other similar insects. For the purpose of this article I will confine my discussion to bees. To us, the laymen, they are a group of insects that we call ‘pollinators’. They survive in most all environments including urban, wooded and field settings. Most of our ‘bee’ encounters are with honeybees and bumblebees. Both of these insects are observed from early spring until late fall and both, present opportunities for fly pattern designers and fishermen.

Honeybees usually survive the winter living in their hives with the old workers dying out in the late fall of the year. Bumblebees all die out in the late fall with the exception of the fertilized queen which survives the winter in hibernation.

Over the last two years fishing Michigan waters I’ve determined the circumstances under which I feel bee patterns are best used. I’ve used multiple patterns, some of my own design, some commercially purchased and still other patterns designed by other tyers. I have found that it is necessary only to match the approximate size and colorations of those bees found in a specific area of the country. When I used patterns of bees not found locally my success rate fell dramatically (this should not surprise a fly fisherman).

I found bee patterns to be very successful with browns and rainbows during those ‘hot’ dog days of summer when the temperature was in the high 80s and 90s; especially when there was no wind or breeze. I’d cast a bee pattern to pocket waters or slow runs with a great deal of success. Casting the patterns to rapid waters rarely produced fish. If ‘hoppers’ were present … no contest … they would ignore the bee patterns. When fishing rivers where ‘hoppers’ were not present the bee patterns worked well.
I also discovered that ‘finicky’ trout would rise to a bee pattern when nothing else would elicit a strike, and I discovered that bee patterns were extremely deadly on brook trout in shallow, slow moving waters. Deeper waters inhabited by brook trout were not as productive.

I normally do not fish into the late fall. Once the first of the leaves fall, I hang up my rod. But I wanted to continue my experiment and test out a theory that bee patterns would once again become popular in late fall, when the bees were starting to die off and the trout were starting to bulk up for the winter. Starting about the middle of October most of the insect hatches in Michigan are done. As the cold weather settled in, the bees became more sluggish … flying lower and slower, they were more prone to being blown into the water by the fall breezes. Once again I found the bee patterns working, especially in the larger sizes. Again, I had to confine myself to pocket waters and slow runs. Once the fall frost came, the bees were gone and the patterns became ineffective.

After fishing with a couple of dozen assorted bee patterns I finally developed what I feel is a ‘super’ pattern for the bumble bees we see most often in Michigan. I caught more fish (per cast) with this pattern then any of the others I used.

‘Peacock Bumble’
Hook: Mustad #94840 Size: 8-12
Thread: Black, 6/0
Abdomen: Deer Hair, dyed black, spun and clipped, extended beyond the bend of the hook.
Thorax: Deer Hair, dyed yellow, spun and clipped to shape. Not to extend past the bend of the hook.
Head: Peacock Herl

Peacock Bumble

Late summer and fall provide excellent opportunities for ‘Bumbling’ in most every part of this beautiful country. Whether you pick up some local bee patterns or tie up your own; you’ll now have an excuse to fish a little longer before you hang up your rod for the season.

See you on the water…..

Tom Deschaine
~www.michigandryflies.net~

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Filed under Michigan, Trout flies

December 14, 2013

Beadhead Mini Woolly Bugger – Andy Satanek

AMS Beadhead Mini Woolly Worm Brown w Burnt Orange Butt 14

The Beadhead Mini Woolly Bugger. A host of advantages accrue to the angler targeting panfish (bluegills, pumpkinseeds, redears, crappies) who actively moves the Beadhead Mini Woolly Worm in low-light conditions. Stripping the fly creates a life-like movement and bulges for the panfish to home in on … along with telegraphing light strikes. One of my favorite and productive tactics is actively working the fly just below the surface film when fishing outside edges of submerged weedbeds and timbers draws the fish’s attention and prevent hang-ups. Don’t be surprise if you hook-up and battle a largemouth bass … I have caught a good number of largemouth bass with this tactic.

Beadhead Mini Woolly Worm, Brown (size 14 shown above)
Hook – TMC 100 (standard dry)
Sizes – 12 to 16
Beadhead – Gold
Thread – Dark Brown
Butt – Burnt orange Antron yarn
Rib – Gold extra-fine wire, countered wrapped
Body – Brown rabbit dubbing
Hackle – Grizzly saddle dyed brown, tie-in at the front and palmered back

Andy @ amflyfishing.com

Beadhead Mini Woolly Worm 14

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Filed under Largemouth, Panfish, Smallmouth, Trout flies

December 13, 2013

David Ruimveld

I have been creating art for 25 years professionally – meaning I make a meager living at this more than full time career. I am known for the River Map Series and I was painting Trout and Angling Art before it was cool. I have recently been working in clay, mixing it in with my paintings and castings. I also love to pursue Grouse & Woodcock with my bird dog, so.. I have a bit of Sporting art in my portfolio. I work with acrylic paints mostly in a water color style.

Visit David’s website: David Ruimveld Studio

Rivers Of Michigan

Au Sable River

Lower Malleo River

River Maps – I started out my career as an artist with the release of 2 River Maps – The ” Au Sable River ” & the ” Pere Marquette River “. These sold so well that I was able to paint full time for a living. That was 24 years ago. I just finished the ” Lower Malleo River ” – Patagonia – for a company called Andes Drifters. Working on several more for this spring release.

Mayfly Mayhem

Brookgreenbackground

Castings & Clay – the castings were mold made from an original clay sculpture on tile that I created. Each casting is hand painted and is an original work of art. With some of the larger pc’s I will use several castings and add original clay and then paint them with acrylics. I am working on several larger originals with clay mixed in with the painting.

Brothers

Commissions – Most of my commissions are of bird dogs, Rivers Maps, and some fly paintings. image – ” Brothers ” 3.5′ X 5.5′

Fifty Years

Conservation Efforts – I work with TU, DU , Ruffed Grouse Society, & the FF.

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Filed under fly art

December 12, 2013

Semi-Realistic Caddis dry fly – Timo Kontio

A fly tying video of a semi-realistic adult Caddis dry fly. Tied, shot and edited by Timo Kontio.

Hook: Short Shanked #14-16
Thread: Sheer 14/0 or similar
Extended Body: 2mm Brown Foam
Legs: Japanese Nymph Legs
Antennae: Nutria Guard Hairs
Body: SWISSCDC CDC Dubbing Dark Brown
Underwing: SWISSCDC Super Select CDC Khaki Campbell
Wing: Medallion Sheeting Mottled Brown

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Filed under Realistic, Step by Step

December 11, 2013

Great Lakes Council Fly Tying Expo – 2013 recap

I made the trek up north on Saturday to the 14th Annual Great Lakes Council Fly Tying Expo in Holt, Michigan on Saturday, Dec. 7th. There were about 80 fly tyers on hand, so I was definitely in my element. I have never been to this show before, but heard good things about it from many other tyers. Many types of flies were well represented from tiny midges to big musky streamers. Before I bore you too much, I’ll run down some of the highlights, as I made my way around from table to table.

My first stop was Jerry Regan. Jerry is a well known tyer of classic Michigan patterns with a wealth of knowledge on the history of Grayling fly fishermen and tyers. He is one of the first tyers that showed me some tips and techniques that really helped get me started tying Michigan classic fly patterns. While at his table, Jerry was talking about the importance of quality deer hair and began by tying his Brown Drake Nymph for a gentleman asking about the pattern. Jerry had an awesome shadow box with most of the flies he ties included. After catching up with Jerry, I was ready to see what else was happening.

Jerry Regan

Jerry Regan’s shadow box

I then stopped to see what Eli Berant was working on. If you missed it, I just posted several of Eli’s flies here on FrankenFly. Eli was tying a big streamer when I walked up using synthetic yak hair. He said it’s softer material than real yak and I agree, because I felt the material when he mentioned it. He said he really liked the way it moved in the water and he bought it at Nomad Anglers, who was also at the show. Eli mixed in some flash with the synthetic yak and it looked amazing! We also talked about him adding a foam popper to the body of his Foosa to try and give it a different action.

Foosa

Eli Berant

Mike Schmidt was next sitting next to Matt Zudweg of Boneyard Fly Gear and Ethan Winchester and Zach Ginop of Boyne Outfitters. Mike was setup to tie some meaty streamers and had some Junk Yard Dogs and Drunk n’ Disorderlies on display. He had his new hats and t-shirts for sale too, so I couldn’t pass up a radical new hat!

Mike Schmidt

Drunk n’ Disorderlies and Junk Yard Dogs

Angler Choice Flies hats

Angler Choice Flies t-shirts

Matt Zudweg had just finished a busy November guiding on the Muskegon River and showed me pics of some monster steelhead, and I mean MONSTER! I was wearing a Bone Yard Fly Gear hat and hoodie, so I was representing! I even had a few people ask if I worked for Matt, haha! He is just a talented artist and makes some cool gear. Check out his website to see what I mean.

Matt Zudweg

Ethan of Boyne Outfitters had some nice looking little streamers he was tying. He took a Mike Schmidt pattern and made a variation while reducing the size a bit. Zach was tying an order of hex flies. Find out more about Boyne Outfitters on their website.

Ethan Winchester and Zach Ginop

hex fly

Brian Kozminski of True North Trout couldn’t make it to the show, but mentioned I should stop and see Alex Cerveniak. Alex was tying mouse patterns trying to stock up for next season. He said 100 should do and that he had caught many trout on mice last season. Last month Alex along with Jason Tucker from Fontinalis Rising took one hell of a road trip fishing 5 rivers of 5 Great Lakes in 5 days. Read more about it on Jason’s blog.

Alex Cerveniak

Kevin Compton of Performance Flies was there from Ohio. I picked up some Icelandic Sheep mixture from him. Mike Schmidt tied up a sweet streamer using this same stuff (see below). I have been talking to Kevin for awhile about doing something for FrankenFly. He decided on the pattern I have in the photo below, but I will have more information about it in a future post.

Kevin Compton

Mike’s streamer using Performance Flies Flash Icelandic Sheep Hair

Becca Schlaff had her beautiful art on display. The word “beautiful” doesn’t even begin to do it justice. Markings of brook, rainbow, and brown trout headlined her stand. She also had a new abstract piece of a carp. If you are looking for something to hang in your tying room or anywhere in the house for that matter, look no further. Check Becca’s website at http://becca-schlaff.com.

Becca Schlaff painting of a carp

My buddy Todd Schotts was tying a couple of cool patterns. I love the names Todd gives his flies. He was tying the Madame X Double D and Wang Dang Doodle ephron. He also showed me his Bad Hair Day pattern with the plastic curly tail and rattle. Todd ties cool stuff, no doubt.

Todd Schotts

Madame X Double D

Wang Dang Doodle ephron

Bad Hair Day

Manager of the fly shop at Cabela’s in Grandville, MI, Steve DeQuoy grabbed my interest. He was tying some different bugs, like one that mimics an alvin fry. As I watched Steve tie, a friend of his stopped by and asked me if Steve showed me this killer pattern that he loves to fish. Steve kind of gave him a look, but he showed me the pattern. It was a slick looking fly when it was wet. I can see why it works. Check it out below. I’ll call it Steve’s Secret.

Steve Dequoy

Steve’s Alvin imitation

Steve’s Secret

Matt Erny and Matt Svoboda were sitting at adjacent tables tying away. Matt Erny was tying a cool streamer for smallmouths. Check out his website Streamers Fly Fishing for more. Matt Svoboda was tying a pink head leech pattern made popular by Kevin Feenstra. Look for both tyers in the future on FrankenFly.

Matt Erny

Matt Erny smallie pattern

Matt Svoboda

I had a great time at the Holt show and I would recommend going if you are interested in fly fishing or tying. I plan to attend next year as well. Here is their website: Great Lakes Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers.

Jim Weakland

Bear Andrews

Josh Greenberg of Gates Au Sable Lodge

big pike streamers by Schultz Outfitters

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Filed under Fly fishing show

December 10, 2013

Hammer Creek Super-Ball

This is a really cool nymph pattern from Hammer Creek Fly Fishing called the Hammer Creek Super-Ball. I love the look of this pattern, so it makes me want to ask for nymph skin for Christmas this year.

Hook: 8-14 GC2457 Scud
Body: Virtual Nymph – Nymph Skin
Rib: Small Pink Wire
Collar: STS Trilobal Dub Fl Pink
Thread: 6/0 Pink

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Filed under nymphs, Trout flies

December 9, 2013

The Holy Waters are threatened

The Au Sable River Holy Waters are being threatened by oil and gas. Watch the video below and then head over to The Fiberglass Manifesto to read Cameron’s post about this. It will explain what you can do to help. I have already sent my email. If you have ever went to Michigan and enjoyed the Au Sable or Manistee Rivers, please take a little time to send an email per the instructions. The final decision is December 12th, so please do it as soon as possible. Thank you!

The river corridor is once more being threatened by gas & oil. The Michigan DNR has leased 2800 acres of land for gas & oil exploration to a company called Encana. Unfortunately that land runs adjacent to the “Holy Waters” on the main stream of the Au Sable. Go to The Fiberglass Manifesto for more information.

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December 8, 2013

Shotglass – Shea Gunkel

I was reminded of this pattern this morning while browsing Facebook. Shea is one of my newest friends on Facebook and so this reminded me to get information posted about this pattern, because it’s a good one! Shea is a guide with SPlatte Guides in Colorado. He works with Hopper Juan Ramirez. Shea brought this pattern to light back in 2011. Also keep in mind this will give the fish something different to look at besides some of the mainstays out there. Give it a SHOT!

Shotglass watery olive

The ‘Shotglass’ is a spin off of the original Splatte series and is a great pattern to have in the box when you’re looking for something a bit different. The original thought behind this fly was incorporating a clear glass bead into the thorax, representing the gas bubble in an emerging nymph. As far as making for a great looking fly, this did the trick and put the smack down on fish in the process. Not pictured are the Red, Blue Dunn, and Dark Brown version of this fly. The Dark Brown and Dunn have taken the place of RS-2’s and pheasant tails in my box, with the added durability and fish appeal it’s really a no brainer. With the variety of colors tungsten offered from Montana Fly Company, it was an easy exercise to incorporate tungsten into the pattern by replacing the glass. Almost any fishy colored thread can have a Lucent tungsten bead to match. Two of my favorites include the coffee and burnt orange, but they all have a place in the box. Hook selection for this fly can range from straight to curved but the hook gap must be considered before expecting the fly to perform the way it should. I originally tied this on the TMC 2488, like I do everything else, but found that the hook gap could be overrun by the bead in smaller sizes. Field testing proved a ton of hook-ups, but I wasn’t pleased with the amount of fish being unbuttoned during the struggle. The clear choice from there was the TMC 2499SPBL. Despite the fact that this hook is technically barbless, the ‘shovel’ like barb has a holding property that allows fish and dropper rigs to remain on the hook. I’ve never had a problem with either coming undone. Other than being super sticky as well, this hook has enough gap to hold super huge fish and has become my first choice when reaching into the hook bins. The two downsides to this hook are the expense and the fact it’s only made down to a size 18, it seems you pay a premium for all those features. Special thanks to Hopper Juan for taking these pictures.