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Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph
The venerable Pheasant Tail nymph is a fly box staple, and there's a reason for that. It works. And it's not the most onerous fly to tie, either, as demonstrated below by Matt Callies of Loon Outdoors, who cranks one out in just a few minutes. https://youtu.be/YgyPaFIEw8s Matt Callies ties the Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph.…
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Three little nymphs
I love the way Matt Callies from Loon ties flies. Check that. I love the way he converses when he ties flies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPalbzdbgu0 You can tell Callies is a fly fishing guide and not just a vise junkie. He fishes what he ties, and he's pretty pragmatic about what comes from his vise when all…
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Selecting CDC, Part 2
Last week, Tightline Productions' Tim Flagler taught us the CDC (cul-de-canard) basics—we know that the feathers come ducks or geese, near their preening glands. These feathers have lots of surface area, which helps them trap air and keeps the afloat quite well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmKTqiQS7Ls Above, Tim shows us how various CDC feathers are used in common…
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Seine the water
My best tip to finding the right fly, especially if you are nymphing, is to seine the water before you start fishing. Spend $3.97 for a two-pack of five-gallon paint strainers at Home Depot, which will fit right over a net. Get a buddy to stir up rocks and river bottom a few feet upstream…
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Five flies for April
The guys at Trouts Fly Shop in Denver hit the Colorado River recently, and they did some serious damage to the river's lively browns and rainbows using baetis imitations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWumZ51uwOo Five Flies for April Baetis, often imitated in the dun form by the venerable Blue-winged Olive, are great springtime flies, and among the first mayflies…
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The Western Coachman
I love old-school flies. I think it comes from my involvement, many years ago, with the Trout Unlimited chapter in Salida, Colo., when I was the news editor of the local paper there. After penetrating the initial crustiness of the "old timers" at the chapter meetings, I made some great friends there, and these guys…
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High-sticking with an indicator
Indicator nymphing has long been an accepted method for reaching trout that are feeding throughout the water column. But not everybody employs the high-stick method when using an indicator, and they should. It really improves your chances. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQYqExJ--cc Orvis' Pete Kutzer on high-sticking with an indicator. Above, Orvis' Pete Kutzer demonstrates how to incorporate a…
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