Recent comments

Brian,

The yarn I

Brian,

The yarn I used (poly yarn and Antron) staid nicely rolled after I let go of it. It unraveled a bit, but not more than I could still keep it under control. You are aware of the fact that the yarn is rolled in full length and then doubled? If not it will definitely unroll. Try rolling doubling and immediately tying it down (with the closed end forming the body and the open end ultimately forming the wings). That should catch the twisted yarn and keep it from separating.

Hope this helps

Martin

Martin,
I love the

Martin,
I love the concept of the "Mundane" fly, but had trouble tying this one. The yarn just unrolls into two strnads as soon as I let it go after twisting it. Any suggestions?

Comment to #291 - Silver Smelt

Hi Glen, This looks like a great fly and one that would catch fish. I've had pretty good luck with smelt imitations. Have you caught fish with it?

Sorry for not replying earlier

Dan,

Sorry for not replying earlier.

I have no idea who has them in the northwest, and I know they are in heavy demand and often out of stock in shops and from Whiting, but some online shops seem have them (but not in the NW, admitted and some even outside the US):

Bears Den (MA)
Edge Angling (Also MA)
Lakeland Fly-tying (UK)

Martin

Blue Back Herring Impaired...

Florian, well said...
and...
Donald, I pheel your pain...
It's a shame that good vision is wasted on the young who take it for granted...
Wouldn't it be curious if we all started out visually challenged and slowly evolved with age to become more and more in phocus [and wise] ?!
'more phly porn pics from the visually impaired phly welder...
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/Phracas/IMG_1749.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/Phracas/IMG_1753.jpg

Comment to #289 - Curry's Red Streamer

Stunning

Comment to #289 - Curry's Red Streamer

I've always thought these streamers are works of art. This is a beauty among beauties.

Comment to #289 - Curry's Red Streamer

Great. I wish a was a fish :-)

Comment to #289 - Curry's Red Streamer

Amazing what kind of treasures mother nature can offer us!

Comment to #290 - Grizzly Orange

Wow Don, this one is a beauty! Love the colors....they work so well together. Black buck tail and everything...Great fly!

Comment to #290 - Grizzly Orange

Very nice fly Don,well thought out ...

Where can I buy flatwing hackle?

Where can I buy whiting flatwing hackle ?

A constant eye out

David,

I have a constant eye out for Weigall's "The River Behind the Hill: A Celebration of Australian Fly Fishing", but I haven't seen or heard about the other titles of his that you mention.

Neither have I heard of Greg French's "Frog Call", but it's now on its way to my mailbox. I found a used copy, not cheap but reasonable.

Thanks for the tips.

Martin

Well Pete,

Well Pete,
I have been tying flies for quite a wee while now, and I know well dressed flies when I see them. I can still dress them myself, but my eyes are not good enough now to drive a car, so my fishing opportunities are very limited.
Never mind I can still dress and appreciate flies. I have been using this site for quite a while, because it has great flies. 😄 😄

Congratulations on r

Congratulations on realizing a dream and almost singlehandedly putting Aitutaki flyfishing on the map.I've been to Christmas Island many times but went to Aitutaki last January for the first time for a week with my wife.I spent a day with Itu in the lagoon and caught some great Bonefish,including a twelve pounder.It was your efforts that enticed me to go there and we'll certainly be back.Itu is very professional and a quiet achiever.You should be very proud of your efforts in the Cook Islands.

Comment to #289 - Curry's Red Streamer

Nice looking lure! Bet it's hard for a fish to resist!

Comment to #289 - Curry's Red Streamer

Very nice work! The colors are outstanding. Great looking pattern, excellently tied.

Comment to #289 - Curry's Red Streamer

That lure is stunningly beautiful!

Comment to #289 - Curry's Red Streamer

Beautifully done.

Comment to #289 - Curry's Red Streamer

Breathtaking.

Stumbled onto your page

Wow. Stumbled onto your page through your review of Phil Weigall's book (btw as well as the other titles of his that you mentioned finding, there are others, too (eg "trout stories" and "call of the river")).

Your story makes me think that I need to take those opportunities to fish (and do whatever else) when they are there. Without trying to be too melancholy, it's only recently that I realised that I have gotten older than my dad did, and I'm (just) short of 50.

Speaking of Australian fly fishing books, have you read Greg French's "Frog Call"? One of the major people featured in the book does have MS, and it's discussed a little in terms of it's effect on his fishing. He calls it "the f*#kedness" It's also just a great book for other reasons, and even for those not interested in fishing...

Good luck.

Eric,

Just did a

Eric,

Just did a bit of research, and yes, you are right: some species are aquatic and lay their eggs in water where the larvae live. I never heard that before, and only knew crane flies as terrestrials until now. I stand corrected. Sorry for being so sure of myself!

Martin

Ah Hmm. Maybe you're

Ah Hmm. Maybe you're crane flies are different than ours because during the early spring in the mountain streams near my camp crane flies can be witnessed hatching on small rocks at waters edge. And a greyish grub like pattern subsurface is lethal in most cases.

Interesting.

Eric,

The crane f

Eric,

The crane flies (Tipulidae) are definitely terrestrials. The larvae typically grow up in grass (often lawns) feeding on the roots, and hatch with no contact with water. The adult females deposit their eggs by diving unpredictably to the ground and dropping the eggs. When crane flies come in contact with water, it's not a part of their life cycle, but a mistake, and often a fatal one.

Martin