Green Ghost by Charley McCaughtry
Fly Tying - The Angler's Art
Fly tying is great way to learn some of the finer points of fly fishing; something to do off-season and keep focused on fishing; because you like being creative & working with your hands; and, you want to spend many hours alone or with friends doing a fun hobby. Also, there is great satisfaction catching a fish on your own fly. Another reason people tie is to save money. How many $2 plus flies have you lost in the trees or snagged on the bottom of a stream or the hundreds of flies in your many fly boxes? But the jury is still out on that.
But one sure way to save money for sure is to take a fly tying class. This way you can determine if this hobby is for you before you shell out to buy the necessary equipment and materials to get started. There is nothing better than learning by personal instruction. Learning from a book can be hard but not impossible. Nowadays, we would suggest using online videos might be a good alternative.
So, if you think you would like to give it a try. Enroll in our fly tying class which are normally run during JAN/FEB. TVTU also have fly tying demonstration at our regular chapter meetings and much more at our annual "Flies & Pies" event in FEB. It’s fun and you will meet some great people and future friends… and have something to give you pleasure for a lifetime!
For those who can't make our meetings and classes here is an online resource for learning how to tie flies: www.youtube.com/@scflytying/playlists - A Beginner Fly Tying Class by Scott Cesari which contains 12 videos to assist you learning how to tie flies. We use this resource to supplement our fly tying beginner's course... it is highly recommended.
But one sure way to save money for sure is to take a fly tying class. This way you can determine if this hobby is for you before you shell out to buy the necessary equipment and materials to get started. There is nothing better than learning by personal instruction. Learning from a book can be hard but not impossible. Nowadays, we would suggest using online videos might be a good alternative.
So, if you think you would like to give it a try. Enroll in our fly tying class which are normally run during JAN/FEB. TVTU also have fly tying demonstration at our regular chapter meetings and much more at our annual "Flies & Pies" event in FEB. It’s fun and you will meet some great people and future friends… and have something to give you pleasure for a lifetime!
For those who can't make our meetings and classes here is an online resource for learning how to tie flies: www.youtube.com/@scflytying/playlists - A Beginner Fly Tying Class by Scott Cesari which contains 12 videos to assist you learning how to tie flies. We use this resource to supplement our fly tying beginner's course... it is highly recommended.
FLY TYING TIPS, PATTERNS AND VIDEOS
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Two Generic Flymphs
Video and tying by Hans Weilenmann Here are two ways to tie a generic Flymph pattern. Flymph is a term coined by V.S. "Pete" Hidy in the updated and expanded version of "The Art of Tying the Wet Fly and Fishing the Flymph". The term "flymph" describes an impressionistic, transitional (the stage between a nymph to an adult fly), wingless wet fly pattern... or, in the current vernacular, an emerger. No matter what you call them they catch fish. I prefer the second version with the extra turns of hackle and without tails, especially, in caddis green for the Shetucket Green Caddis hatch. Also try them in tan, olive and gray. Fish them down & across and tightly hold on to your rod... Hook: Tiemco 102Y #15 Thread: Pearsall's Gossamer silk, black Hackle: Hen, badger Rib: (optional): Wire, gold Tail: (optional): Feather barbs Body: Argentinean hare, dyed olive - in split thread |
Last Chance Cripple by Eric Austin
Here is Rene Harrop's version of a PMD cripple tied by Eric Austin. The video has interesting information on biots and the use of Canada goose biots. These biots have very black markings for better segmentation. Nature’s Spirit sells Canada goose biots in a variety of useful dyed colors. You can match the hatch in other colors for Baetis, Green Drakes, Brown Drakes, etc. Cripples are very effective dry flies (trout love an easy meal)... give them a try! Also check out Eric Austin's very good website for other tying videos and tying information www.traditionalflies.com Hook: Regular dry fly hook, sizes 20 to 12. Thread: Yellow 8/0 (70 denier). Tail: Wood duck flank fibers. Shuck: Rusty brown dubbing. Abdomen: Rusty brown (Canada) goose biot. Thorax: Pale morning dun dry fly dubbing. Wings: Light-dun cul de canard. Hackle: Grizzly-dyed pale morning dun, or natural grizzly. |
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Mugly Caddis by Charlie Craven
The Mugly Caddis is an interesting caddis pattern developed after Charlie Craven’s first evening on the Henry's Fork. He had fished to sporadically rising fish all evening with little success. Meanwhile, another angler, just downstream seemed to be hooked up every time he looked his way. Craven cornered him near dark and asked what he was using and the guy showed it to Charlie. It was merely a no hackle elk hair caddis pattern tied with a poorly dubbed body. The dubbing was too long with strands hanging out all over the place and the wing was too sparse. He went back to my room and tied up a few variations of the guy’s fly and proceeded to use them for the rest of the week with great success. Once he got back to Colorado, he sat down and perfected the pattern. Craven believes this pattern imitates a stuck in the shuck caddis, trapped partially in the nymphal shuck. The long fibered dubbing imitates the struggling legs of the natural and traps air bubbles to closer mimic the emergent caddis. You can fish this fly both dry and wet. He will often let it swing under at the end of the drift and hang for a second or two before recasting. The Mugly can draw some incredibly aggressive strikes and it is important to remember to drop the rod tip to avoid breaking the fish off on the strike. Looks like a winner to me. You might want to try it in other colors (olive, tan, etc.) Hook: TMC 100SP-BL #12-20 Thread: 8/0 Camel Uni Abdomen: Whitlock SLF Dubbing Brown Stone Nymph Underwing: CDC or Snowshoe Rabbit Foot Hair Natural Cream/Tan Overwing: Comparadun Deer Hair Thorax: Whitlock SLF Dubbing Brown Stone Nymph |
Nick's Soft Hackle (Tying Soft Hackles with Larger Feathers)
Yet another soft hackle to add to your fly box. It is another version of Nick Nicklas soft hackle (See November 2016 newsletter foe the original version). What is interesting in this video by Walter Wiese is his demonstration of how to tie soft hackle collars using feathers with fibers that are too long (for another method see "Soft Hackle Tying Tip" below). Listen carefully to Walter because he gives some great (Yellowstone) fishing info too... that can applied right here in CT. This is a killer caddis emerger pattern!!! Hook: Kumoto K100L #14 or #16 or equavilent Thread: Danville's brown 6/0 Body: Tan acrylic dubbing (try other materials/colors) Underwing/Tail: Pearl Midge Krystal Flash Hackle: Speckled Brown or Gray Hen or Brown or gray partridge feather |
Hot Spot Soft Hackle
Here is a new pattern from Blue Ribbon Flies that combines some of the attributes of a soft hackle and Euro styles nymphs... into a flashy attractor pattern. According to them it has been very successful during the early season on the Firehole. I can't wait to try it there come June! If true, you should give them a try right here in CT too. Also can be tied in olive, bronze, & purple. Hook: Umpqua U105 #14 Bead: 3/32 copper brass bead Thread: Fl. Orange 8/0 Ultra Tail: Lt Speckled CDL Abdomen: Orange Pearl Flashabou Thorax: PMD Brown emergence dubbing (Natures Spirit) Hackle: Brown hen hackle |
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Mickey Finn
It's broodstock Atlantic Salmon time and here is a classic streamer fly that everyone should have in their flybox. It was one of first streamers I learned to tie when I had much more hair... Speaking of hair I prefer to use calf hair (kip tails) over bucktail but if you require a big fly bucktail might be better choice. When using calf hair tie it sparsely to get better movement /undulation. I perfer metal tinsel because it adds some weight to the fly but Mylar is fine and more readily available. BTW the Mickey Finn is good for trout and warmwater fish too! Hook: 4 XL streamer hook #4 to #10 Thread: Black 3/0 monocord or 8/0 or 6/0 thread Rib: Fine Silver Wire or Oval Tinsel Body: Mylar silver side out or flat metal tinsel Wing: Yellow and Red Calf tail or Bucktail tied in three separate segments. The red is sandwiched between the yellow segments. The second and third wing stacks are equal in volume to the first yellow segment. Video by: Terry Corneau |
BWO Barr Emerger (Wet)
John Barr, designed his Barr’s Emerger series in 1975, after spending a day fishing a Pale Morning Dun hatch on Nelson’s Spring Creek in Montana’s Paradise Valley. It is still effective today. Here is a BWO versions that will help you take trout this Fall. Hook: TMC 2487 or 2488 (H) #16-24 Thread: 8/0 Iron Dun Tail: Brown Spade Hackle Fibers Abdomen: Olive Brown SuperFine Dubbing Wingcase: Dark Dun Spade Hackle Fibers Thorax: Grey Muskrat or Beaver Dubbing Legs: Leftover tips of wingcase fibers |
Lefty's Deceiver
In honor of Abbie Schuster presentation on Striper Fishing Martha Vineyard I thought Lefty Kreh's Deceiver would be appropriate. It is probably one of the most popular saltwater flies used for stripers & saltwater and the chartreuse & white is a killer. Hook: Mustad 34007, sizes 2/0-6. Thread: Fluorescent yellow, 140 denier. Tail: White saddle hackles, 3X length of hook shank. Flash: Pearlescent Krystal Flash and medium Flashabou. Body: Silver or pearl braid. Wing: White bucktail. Overwing: Chartreuse bucktail. Gills: Red Krystal Flash. Head: Tying thread |
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Mop Fly
Here is a version of the infamous Mop Fly. Simple to tie and from what I hear its a very productive (catches fish) fly. It must be because you now can get mop "segments) from fly shops almost everywhere. It comes in many colors and even in sizes. Although in this video by Tim Flagler doesn't use a beadhead most mops I have seen use one... your choice. Hook:Scud/pupa hook (here a Dai-Riki #135), size 12 Thread:Dark gray, 6/0 or 140-denier Body:Mottled gray segment from a mop or auto wash mitt Head:Gray rabbit-fur dubbing - Beadhead (optional) |
Pheasant Tail Spider (Variation)
Here is a very interesting variation of a PT Spider (soft hackle). Normally one would use natural pheasant tail fibers and a soft hackle like a Mallard wing feather. This variation uses three different pheasant tail fiber colors and CDC for a hackle. You might want to tie some yellow, olive & natural with dun CDC too. It looks like a killer to me... I will let you know next Spring! Hook: Size 14 -18 dry or wet fly hook Thread: Red 8/0 Body: Red, Black and Natural pheasant tail fibers. Thorax: Peacock herl or dubbing (optional) Hackle: White or Dun CDC hackle.(2 - 3 turns). Video by Makflies |
Wood Duck & Orange Heron Fly
Our local streams now have some freshly stocked "Bows" and to quote Mike Carl's Facebook site here is a "nice pattern to use on eastern Connecticut streams to imitate fall baitfish or as an attractor pattern for soon to be stocked hatchery trout". Mike got this pattern from the HFFA site and Paul Dinice site. Paul will be our NOV Chapter meeting featured presenter. Also try it with mallard or teal flank feather and a dun collar with a silver tinsel body. Hook: 2X to 3X long Nymph/Streamer hook. (The size of your wood duck will dictate your hook size (about a #6 or 8) Tying thread: 6/0 or 8/0 thread. Color of choice. (UTC wood duck or fluorescent orange thread.) Wing: Natural Lemon Wood Duck or dyed imitation. Collar: Light Dun Hen neck or saddle hackle. (Or use color of choice.) |
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Craft Fur Hollow Fleye
The Albies are in and saltwater fall fishing is just starting to kick in. Here is a fly that produces for many fish: Stripers, Blues, Albies, etc. Here is a LINK for detailed information.
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Isonychia Emerger
Hook: 2X-short emerger hook (e.g. Dai-Riki #125), size 12. Thread: Olive, 6/0. Shuck: Brown Zelon Body: Isonychia-color dubbing. Wing: Dun Comparadun deer hair, cleaned and stacked. Head: Tying thread Here is very simple pattern for a ISO (one of my hatches). The experts say Isonychia crawl out of the water and hatch on rocks but I plan to give this emerger pattern a try anyway. During the Fall I have observed Isonychia floating on the surface for an extended time and the trout just gobble them up like candy without hesitation . The profile of this pattern looks like an Iso dead-ringer... |
Lil' Dorothy
Here's a simple and effective soft hackle pattern by Mark Libertone (Fly by Hans Weilenmann) for emerging Sulphurs & PMDs that you might want to try. Th e corded body is similar to the original Serendipity which used Zelon or Antron instead of embroidery yarn. Fly Tying Recipe: Hook: Kamasan B175 #14-18 or equivalent Thread: Benecchi 12/0, yellow Hackle: Hen, creamy ginger Abdomen: Embroidery yarn, single ply - light orange Thorax: Hare underfur, cream |
Same Thing Murray
I have it from THE "Shetucket Salmon Stalker" that dark salmon flies are doing well at the Shetucket River now. Same Thing Murray is predominantly dark-colored (peacock and black), but it has red, orange and fluorescent green “hotspots,” all great colors for salmon. Fly Tying Recipe: Hook: Mustad 36890 salmon hook, size 10. Thread: Black, 6/0 or 70 denier. Tip: Oval tinsel, small. Tail: Bright orange saddle hackle fibers. Tag: Fluorescent green Nylon-Stretch. Rib: Silver Ultra Wire, small. Body: Peacock herl. Wing: Black goat hair. Hackle: Black rooster neck. Collar: Black ostrich herl. Accent: Bright red 6/0 Danville thread. |
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Drowned Trico Spinner
Here is an interesting Trico pattern that you might want to try (I know I will the next time out) instead of the usual floating Trico spinner. From what I have researched the sunken Trico is very effective. Since it is a subsurface fly you will need to use it as a dropper with a fly you can see… like a Trico Dun or an Adams parachute for example. Thread: Black Hook: Tiemco #2488 (heavy wire) Tails: Three Micro-Fibets Body: Black wire Wing: White Antron (sparse) Thorax: Black Rabbit fur |
Dorsey's Top Secret Midge
A very simple and easy to tie midge pattern you should add to your collection & fly box. Hook: Scud/pupa hook (here a Tiemco 2488), sizes 20-26. Thread/Body: Dark brown Veevus 16/0 or 8/0. Rib: White thread, 8/0. Wing: White Sparkle Organza. Thorax: Rusty brown Superfine Dubbing. |
Get It Down Pat's (stone fly)
Here a really nice looking stone fly imitation that I got from the TU.org website (Link) that you may want to try and keep a few in your fly box when you want to "get down & jiggy with it" (pun intended). It has an interesting extended body made from the round rubber and chenille. Hook: Jig hook #8 Head: Slotted tungsten bead - blck Weight: .020 Lead free wire Thread: UTC 140 black Body: Variegated medium - chenille-coffee Legs: Small round rubber legs - black |
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Harrop Hairwing Dun
Although the Hair Wing Dun pattern by Rene Harrop has been around awhile, it is one I recently discovered. Using a hair wing and palmered hackle thorax, Harrop has managed to make a fly that is incredibly accurate as well as buoyant. The Pale Morning Dun version is shown here, but you can alter the colors for Blue Wing Olives, Green Drakes, etc. This is a worthy addition to your fly box. |
Green Highlander (Variation)
I hear from a very good source that this is a very effective salmon fly on Shetucket. Pay attention this is a quick tie!! 
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EZ Silverside Spearing
With low water and no significant rain in our future, trout fishing isn't looking good, so what to do? We are blessed with some great fall saltwater fishing in CT and it is Albie time! Here is a pattern that you can catch stripers, blues and false albacore (albies) with. |
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How to tie a Clinch Knot – the easy way
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Mole Fly
This is Charlie Craven’s “Mole Fly”. It’s super easy to tie, but does an incredible job of imitating small mayflies and midges struggling to free themselves from their nymphal shucks in the surface film. Think blue winged olives. When it lands on the water, the entire body of the fly sinks below the surface while the CDC prevents it from dropping further and resembles an emerging wing |
Soft Hackle Tying Tip
Small soft hackles are very limited and if you ever used packaged soft hackle you know what I mean. Here is valuable tip on how to use large soft hackle on smaller hook soft-hackled patterns. |
Dipping Sally (Yellow Sally)
Here is interesting pattern and method for tying a Yellow Sally. This small stonefly also hatches in a insect green color or better know as a Lime Sally. You might want to tie a few in a lime or insect green shade. Unlike most stoneflies I swear they hatch like a mayfly. I discovered this when the trout kept hitting my son's green leader connector. We switched to a small green caddis (the best match we had) and we killed them. This pattern should be even more deadly. |
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Fly Tying Recipe: Same Thing Murray
Hook: Mustad 36890 salmon hook, size 10. Thread: Black, 6/0 or 70 denier. Tip: Oval tinsel, small. Tail: Bright orange saddle hackle fibers. Tag: Fluorescent green Nylon-Stretch. Rib: Silver Ultra Wire, small. Body: Peacock herl. Wing: Black goat hair. Hackle: Black rooster neck. Collar: Black ostrich herl. Accent: Bright red 6/0 Danvile thread |
Tippet Rings
This video isn't really about fly tying but I thought if you haven't tried a tippet ring yet it would be something to consider the next time you tie a fly on or have to change your tippet and/or need to buy a new leader. Tippet rings could be just the thing to save some time or a few bucks! They can be purchased from a jewelry supply store quite cheaply. |
Zelon Foam Flying Ant:
When the flying ants start dropping on the stream you wish you had an imitation with you. Trout love them! |
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Baetis (BWO) Cripple Black Wing
Here is an interesting pattern to try during a heavy autumn BWO hatch. The black wing helps you see your fly amongst the many naturals floating by. Especially, during a cloudy day which is prime time for BWO's. As a cripple version (stuck in its shuck) it may entice your quarry as an "easy meal" to key on. Mathew's Zelon Midge
Hook: Emerger hook, sizes 18-24. Thread: Olive, 6/0 or 140-denier. Shuck: Midge Gray Straight Zelon. Wing: Midge Gray Straight Zelon. Thorax: Black Australian possum. Head: Tan tying thread, 12/0. Note: Try with different color thread to match the naturals in your waters. Black, white and olive most common. Great midge pattern! |
X2 Caddis
Craig Mathews credits Doug and Dan Daufel with developing some improvements to the original pattern. When tying the X2 under wing, it should not extent past the end of the abdomen. The over wing extends to the end of the hook. The tail represents a trailing shuck and should be ½ to 1 times the body length. Green/olive and tan are the most popular body colors but you can use any color to match your local hatches. Here is an Emerger pattern that may just save the day during BWO hatch this fall.
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Park's Fly Shop's Clacka Caddis
This pattern is a variation of the Iris Caddis (my favorite caddis pattern). The example tied here is similar to a Trude, floats low but visible and a bit more buoyant due to the synthetic wing, shuck and hackle. Try this #14-16 tan, #14 -16 olive, and a #20 black. Tie a few with a black zelon wing for the evening hatches. I wish I had some this summer at the Henry's Fork Olive Caddis evening hatch... I might have caught one of the submarine sized Rainbows at night. Unique take on the Little Black Stonefly that hatches this time of the year. Try it... once the flows come down.
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The more I use soft hackle flies the more I believe in them. First wets & nymphs... now Streamers!
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The Shop Vac is another good alternate pattern for a pheasant tail or caddis pupa. I used a #16 as a dropper with a soft hackle today (6/12) at the Salmon River and it took fish as if vacuuming 'em up with a Shop Vac. Don't go fishing without one in your fly box!
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Sparkle Dun is a very effective, easy to tie, adult/emerger pattern. Please pay attention to how Craig Mathews constructs the wing to make it stand up correctly. Change colors to match the hatch... a must for your fly box!
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