My name is Bob Reece. I am a 34 year old, full time Jr. High Science teacher in Cheyenne Wyoming. I work with the Cheyenne branch of Project Healing Waters and run a fly fishing club for 7th and 8th grade students at my school. I have been fly fishing and tying my own flies for twenty three years. I am a contract fly tyer for the Orvis Company. They’ll have five of my patterns out in their 2016 lineup. In addition to this I write articles for Fly Fusion Magazine. During my summers I guide for North Park Anglers in Walden, Colorado and for the Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming.
Follow Bob’s Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/ThinAirAngler
During certain times of the year terrestrial insects make up a significant portion of food resources for many fish species. Beetles make up a significant percentage of these terrestrials and are often over looked by many anglers in light of the plethora of grasshopper patterns that dominate the terrestrial market. I wanted to create a beetle pattern that accurately imitated the underside of the natural, the side that fish see. By using Wapsi Loco Beetle Green foam on the underbody I was able to accurately imitate the texture, segmentation and body structure of the natural. The white indicator foam is highly visible in most situations. For those bright sunny days where white can be harder to see, I carry an orange sharpie in my vest that I use to change the color of the indicator. It has become a highly effective pattern for my clients and for myself during our terrestrial season in Wyoming and Colorado.
The work you do for the fishing kids fishing club sounds really amazing. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Alex. It’s extremely rewarding and a tone of fun! Without youth on board our sport/passion has no future.