Rich Strolis is a commercial fly tyer specializing in custom flies for the rivers of the northeastern U.S. and abroad. He was most notably known for his 10 years as an independent guide on the Farmington River, and has been fishing for over 30 years, with 25 years of tying experience. Rich believes that a great deal of his experience and success is a direct bi-product from his time spent on the water on various rivers and streams across the lower 48 and Alaska.
Prior to kids and family he spent 200 plus days a year on the water before and after work, yes that is correct, he has a full time career on top of all this too,(can you say a Type A to the core? No doubt, and a character to boot). Rich is a subsurface fanatic who loves to chase trophy trout with larger streamers and nymphs of all sizes and if you check out his website you will see this clearly. Rich recently gave guiding a backseat to spend more time with his two little girls Tessa and Nora, and very understanding and supportive wife Megan. Very open and approachable, Rich loves sharing his efforts with anyone, and he enjoys tying flies almost as much as fishing them.
Some of his creations have appeared in the pages of Flyfisherman magazine, Eastern Fly Fishing magazine, Flyfishing and Tying Journal, Orvis Flyfishing Blog, Global Flyfisher, Hatches Online, and books by noted aquatic insect photographer, Thomas Ames. Rich currently runs a website devoted to his fly business and passion for fly-tying where he does frequent fly-tying tutorials that demonstrate step by step construction of some of his own flies and other time tested patterns. Below you will find some of his best creations. For more about Rich, visit his website at www.catching-shadows.com.
Articulated Ice Pick
Rear section
Hook: Gamakatsu B10s. size 2 or 4.
Thread: UTC 140 color to match
Foul Guard: 50 pound mono loop
Tail: Marabou
Wing: Bar Dyed Rabbit Strip
Body: EP Sparkle brush
Collar: Senyo Laser Dub color to match (light dressing)
Front section
Hook: Gamakatsu B10s. Size 1 or 2. (1size larger than rear)
Thread: UTC color to match
Connection: 19 strand beadalon and 2 3D proeyes or glass beads size E(large)
Rear Collar: marabou or schlappen fluff palmered.
Wing: Bar Dyed Rabbit Strip
Body: EP Sparkle brush
Collar: Senyo Laser Dub color to match (heavy Dressing)
Throat (optional): red Senyo Laser Dub
Head: Fish Skull color to match. Size 1 sm/med. size 2 small
Shimmer Stone
Hook: TMC 2302
Thread: UTC 140
Underbody: Uni Stretch over Lead Free Wire
Tails/Antenae: Life Flex or spanflex
Back/wingcase: Flashback
Overbody: Medium D Rib Light Golden stone
Legs: Brahma hen
Gills/dub: Haretron
Head: Non tungsten bead
Hog Snare Streamer
Rear Section
Hook: Gamakatsu SP11-3L3H size 2
Thread: UTC 140 color to match
Tail: Holographic Flashabou under schlappen fluff under Marabou
Body: medium cactus chenile
Hackle: Schlappen Palmered
Mottling: Bar Dyed crazy legs
Wing: Reverse tied arctic fox tail.
Middle Section
Medium Fish Skull Articulated shank wrapped with .020 Lead Free wire
Thread: UTC 140 color to match
Rear Collar: Holographic Flashabou under schlappen fluff
Body: medium cactus chenile
Hackle: Schlappen Palmered
Mottling: Bar Dyed crazy legs
Wing: Reverse tied arctic fox tail.
Connection: 19 Strand Beadalon Stringing wire (.018 dia) with 2 Janns Netcraft 3d pro eye beads
Front Section
Hook: Gamakatsu B10s size 1
Thread: UTC 140 color to match
Rear Collar: Holographic Flashabou under schlappen fluff
Body: medium cactus chenile
Hackle: Schlappen Palmered
Mottling: Bar Dyed crazy legs
Wing: Reverse tied arctic fox tail.
Collar: Senyo Laser Dub
Head: Senyo Laser Dub Spun and brushed out
Eyes: Chartreuse Lead Dumbell Eyes Or Pseudo Eyes
Headbanger Sculpin
Rear Section
Hook: Gamakatsu SP11-3L3H size 2
Thread: UTC 140 color to match
Tail: Holographic Flashabou under two palmered marabou plumes
Body: medium cactus chenile
Hackle: Schlappen Palmered
Mottling: Bar Dyed crazy legs
Wing: Reverse tied arctic fox tail (inverted)
Connection: 19 Strand Beadalon Stringing wire (.018 dia) with 2 Janns Netcraft 3d pro eye beads
Front Section
Hook: Gamakatsu B10s size 1
Thread: UTC 140 color to match
Rear Collar: Holographic Flashabou under two palmered marabou plumes
Body: medium cactus chenile
Hackle: Schlappen Palmered
Mottling: Bar Dyed crazy legs
Wing: Reverse tied arctic fox tail. (inverted)
Collar: Senyo Laser Dub
Head: Fish Skull large sculpin Helmet
I started using Rich’s flies about a year ago. They’re very well tied, and very effective. That’s really not surprising since Rich stream tests and refines all of his creations before going public with them. And there’s not many tiers out there who specialize in Big Meat as Rich does.
Thank you Jim, I appreciate the comment and I’m sure Rich does too.
Rich is an amazing tier right there with kelly galloup in my opinion. I keep ordering from him and the quality is amazing. I am out here in southern california and his patterns kill it. Very talented and shares a passion for what he does. I just wish I could get out there for his streamer class.
I would love to be able to make it to his streamer class myself Jeff! No doubt!