Recent comments

Appreciation

Katrine, Eric and Noe,

Thank you all for your kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed my little piece. I hope my writing will enable you as well as others to look at fishing in a perspective, which isn't just trophy hunting and pursuing the next and bigger fish or longer cast, but also remember to stop and enjoy life, nature, company, sights and smells. I have certainly learned to do so - the hard way, but still.

And Noe, regarding a cure for my disease, I surely live in the hope, but have long ago learned not to live my life expecting to be cured. It might happen, but then again it might not. I prepare for the worst and hope for the best - but remember to live while doing it.

Martin

With hope

Dear Martin:

I am a new fly fisherman (if I can say that, as I am by no means good at it...). After my wife's Dad died several years ago, I inherited some conventional fishing gear and my wife (who fished with her Dad as a little girl) started teaching me what she had learnt. Two years ago I took a fly casting lesson and was hooked. Now I fly fish exclusively (and just recently started tying my own flies) and have found the poetic allure of the art of fly fishing.

I am also a Lab Animal Medicine Veterinarian specialized in research animal health and welfare and every day I read about exciting research looking into the disease mechanisms of many ailments that affect people (and pets). Obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer...and I am hopeful that some day patients around the world will have a cure for so many devastating diseases including MS.

I sympathize with you and hope that these cures will be available to all sooner rather than later so everyone can fish, run, play their favorite instrument, see their daughters get married...

With admiration and much hope for you and all those who step up to the challenges that life brings and live to the fullest extent.

Noe

Inspired ....

Martin - I have been lurking on this site for quite a while and it is my first post. I want to thank you for this beautiful odd to "being out there". I see way too many fishermen complaining about the quality of the fishing or the size of the prize. I just came back from 2 weeks in the northwest US and been catching an releasing 6 to 10" rainbows as the steelheads were not really cooperating due to low water levels and extreme heat. I am a saltwater fly fisher on the Texas and Louisiana coast used to larger fish. What an exhilarating experience just to be on the water and enjoying the moment. I can not recall a better fishing trip with family around ... thanks to reminding us that it is not all about fishing but "connecting" with everything and everyone around us. As Katrine said, touched .....

Furled leader

I also make them with 6/0 tying thread for dry fly fishing. I use a micro ring at the end and an integrated loop at the butt. Mostly olive, sometimes with brown for more "camo",haha. With a long tippet the trout don't seem to mind. These leaders turn over beautifully and float all day when treated with Mucillin. And zero memory.

Touched

Martin,
I was very touched by this blog post. I know that you inspire thousands and thousands of people with your site and your knowledgable, but also personal writings on all things fly fishing. I so admire the way you accept your physical limitations but still make the most of what is possible. And don't we all have days where something we actually love to do is just too much effort? I know I do. I love reading your thoughts, so thank you for sharing.

I don't know

Lee,

Unfortunately I have no idea. Most of those who deliver tying thread are for some reason very keen on keeping these facts to themselves. The few manufacturers who make thread are equally silent - probably under contract.

So no, I don't know...

Martin

Orvis Fly Tying Threads

Do you know who makes Orvis' tying thread?

Self control!

Peter,

While it might feel like a reflex, it's just something you have learned and which - to to quote Yoda - unlearn you must.

In stead of the knee jerk (or rather elbow jerk) reaction, start thinking when a fish strikes and control the immediate reaction, saying to yourself: take it easy, wait for it... wait for it... now!

And let the strike be more subtle. My best strikes are - as I write - almost no-strikes, where I let the fish do most of the hooking, just making sure that I have good contact with the fly, and don't lift the rod before the fish is actually hooked.

Martin

How did you learn to pause slightly

Striking feels more like a instinctive reaction than something you can delay.
I wonder how you did learn to pause slightly?

trout in colors video

Just found your site and watched your "Trout in Colors" video and I must say, it was beautiful! I just wish it could have been longer. I could have watched that for an hour! It shows what non fisherman don't understand about fly fishing, it's really not about just catching fish. It's the swishing of the line in the air, the gulping rises of the fish, the wonderful sounds of nature and of course, the spectacular colors! The one image that stands out was the absolutely perfect mirror image of the trees on the far side of the lake. SPECTACULAR!
Thank you for sharing that.

This video

Very good video? It gives great info on the "Y" side of things. Looking forward for more and visiting his web site.

Proper dressing for flyfishing

In the putting on of the waders - I didn’t see where you mentioned putting on the all important wading belt.

How's it going Pete. You and

How's it going Pete. You and the pups are well.

Art

Both work with PayPal

John,

Both Ko-fi an Patreon accept payments with PayPal, so the options can both be used in the US as well as in Europe and the rest of the world.

Martin

Financial help

Any american way to donate bucks? PayPal? Band Check?

Rattlesnake Articulated Streamer

Great Pattern....Can't wait to try it!

No step-by-step exists

James,

The shrimp fly was submitted for an article many, many years ago, and there was only this one finished fly and no other information: no materials, no description, no step-by-step.

The only way to get it tied is probably to arm yourself with some LCR (Lagathu very likely used epoxy), some mono eyes, a bit of hair and dubbing, rib etc. and start experimenting.

Martin

does a pattern list exist ?

i was just wondering if there are any videos or step by step instructions on how to tie the Lagathu's shrimp fly ? I found lots of pics on the global fly fisher site just cant seem to find a how to make section any help on this would be very helpful thank you

Congratulations Tom, when I

Congratulations Tom, when I saw the drawings, the metal and wood parts and the design I thought of a project in style Leonardo da Vinci, magnificent.

Classic Atlantic Salmon Flies

Michael D. Randencich's Classic Salmon Fly Patterns is a compendium of individual fly patterns from old world masters that transports our minds to a different time and place in history. Using this book as a guide allows classic tiers to see how feather-wing salmon flies were made in the 19th century.

Thanks, Martin

Thanks, Martin
I’ll keep trying. Really nice looking fly.
Joe

Furling

Joe,

In order for things to furl, they really need to be twisted a lot.

In technique shown, you need some long fibered dubbing and you need to twist it into a dense yarn before it furls. Grab each end of a bit of the dubbing and pull it out to about a couple of centimeters or shy of 1 inch in length.

Twist one end between thumb and index finger while holding it tight in the other end. Counting turns isn't easy, but 10-20 turns is probably a good goal. This should result in an almost smooth, spiraled yarn, that furls willingly around itself when you double it. It's important not to let go of either end at any time during and after the process. It will be locked when you tie it in.

Maybe practice with a little piece of real yarn to master the technique - or simply use yarn and brush it a bit afterwards.

Martin

Furling the dubbing

I cannot spin the dubbing enough to get it to furl on itself. It looks like a loop off the back of the hook. Do you have any tricks or suggestions to spin it more?
Thanks. Really like the look of the Twisto Caddis.....or at least YOUR Twisto Caddis!
Joe

amazing title

do me a favor, keep writing wonderfully!
Jose Elias