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Fly tying: Down to the wire
I started using wire in my fly tying about a decade ago, and today, I'm not sure what I'd do without it. It's a versatile tying material that do anything from add weight to simple sparkle, or to toughen up a fly to make it last longer. I've even started using really thin wire on…
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Trout Tips: Pace of play
The world-famous Ridge Pool on the River Moy in Ireland. Editor's note: The following tip is from TU's new book, "Trout Tips," available now for overnight delivery. If you are working from upsream to down, say, swinging streamders for steelhead or salmon, it's important to cast, sweep, take a few steps, and cast again. In…
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Fly tying: Composite Loop Zonker
I'm always amazed at the creativity of fly-tying experts who are constantly inventing new ways to tie flies that fish will eat. While I'm something of a "simpler is better" tier, I certainly do appreciate the time and effort that go into making flies that incorporate a number of tricks and odd tools to accomplish.…
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Fly tying: Different kinds of hackle
I've learned a lot about fly tying over the last few years, thanks to Tim Flagler's tying videos, and his "One-minute Fly Tying Tips and Techniques" videos he does through Orvis. The latter series is particularly helpful for beginning fly tiers who might need some help understanding certain aspects of the craft, like stacking hair,…
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Trout Tips: Small stream structure
I hear from a lot of anglers who prefer chasing big trout on big water that small-stream fly fishing is easy and that the fish aren't as sophisticated as big-water trout. This may be true, in some instances, but I'm here to tell you that you'll need more casts in your toolbox to effectively cast…
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Fly tying: The Stonefly Creeper
Who says fly fishers can't appreciate art just like anyone else? If you've ever watched a true fly-tying artist craft an Atlantic salmon fly at the vise, you know that really good tiers have a flare for the artistic. Tim Flagler is no different. Video of Stonefly CreeperAs you'll see above, the Stonefly Creeper is…
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Trout Tips: Small-stream fly patterns
I love small-stream trout fishing. High summer, when it finally arrives in the Rockies, is the perfect time to get into the backcountry and chase trout in smaller waters. In the video above, we cover some basic small-stream fly patterns that I like to use. I've always been a fan of using flies on small…
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