The Hendrickson hatch is both the kickoff and the highlight of dry-fly season on the Battenkill, right down the road from Orvis HQ, and springtime emergences of Ephemerella subvaria are celebrated throughout the East and the Midwest. These bugs spend a lot of time sitting on the water after they emerge, and a low-profile pattern often works best to foo. . .
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Video: How to Tie the Light Cahill
Few topics can start an argument among fly tiers faster than a discussion of the proper proportions of a Catskill-style dry fly. Should there be three wraps at the head or just two? Should the wing be 1/3 of the way down the shank, or should it be 5/12ths? And on and on. One thing is for sure, though: Catskill dry flies should be sparse. Much of the style’s elegance comes from its slender profile and dainty. . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the American Pheasant Tail Nymph
The original Pheasant Tail Nymph was tied by Englishman Frank Sawyer, a riverkeeper on the River Avon for more than 50 years. His pattern was designed to imitate the nymphs of various mayflies, especially those of the Baetis genus, although according to Tom Rosenbauer, in The Orvis Guide to the Essential American Flies: . . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the American Pheasant Tail Nymph
The original Pheasant Tail Nymph was tied by Englishman Frank Sawyer, a riverkeeper on the River Avon for more than 50 years. His pattern was designed to imitate the nymphs of various mayflies, especially those of the Baetis genus, although according to Tom Rosenbauer, in The Orvis Guide to the Essential American Flies: . . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the Quill Gordon Emerger
The Quill Gordon is one of the classic Catskill dry flies, named for Theodore Gordon, of course, who did as much to develop an American style of dry fly as anybody. This version of a Parachute Quill Gordon Emerger, by Pennsylvania tier Allen Landheer is a great combination of the traditional and modern. His use of Zelon and several kinds of adhesives creates a pattern much more durable than an old-school emerger.
Although I’m sure not everyone has a UV torch, 14/0 thread, or access to out-of-stock glues, I’ll bet you can find workable substitutes. To see how. . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the CB Stocker Streamer
New Jersey fly tier Chally Bates was just fourteen years old when he first tied his signature CB Stocker streamer pattern to use while fishing with his dad:
Read More“My father was an avid trout angler, and he’d let me tag along when he and his buddies would go fishing,” said Bates, now in his mid 70s. “They were mostly bait fishermen, but they did, on occasion, use flies and lures. I wasn’t doing well. They all outfished me and I was getting a bit frustrated.”
Video: How to Tie the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear Nymph
The Hare’s Ear Nymph is certainly among the top 5 most common patterns for trout fishermen, as its buggy generalist look imitates all manner of aquatic insects. But the pattern tied in this video is not your father’s Hare’s Ear. Instead, this tricked-out version adds all kinds of fish-attracting bells and whistles, such as a. . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the Knucklehead Streamer
The Knucklehead Streamer from Richard Strolis on Vimeo.
[Editor’s Note: After watching Hank Patterson work the vise, it seemed appropriate to repost this excellent video on tying The Knucklehead.]
The spring season is almost here, and high water on the Battenkill will mean it’s streamer time. I’ve always liked articulated patterns, though I haven’t tied many because they seemed kind of complicated. But in this video, Connecticut-based guide Rich Strolis, demonstrates a straightforward method for tying wiggly, two-hook streamers using some innovative new products. You can tie the Knucklehead in lots of different colors to mimic your local forage fish. I plan on tying up some olive and copper ones for the ‘Kill.
Click “Read More” for the recipe.
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the Little Black Stonefly Nymph
One of the few real hatches many anglers see in late winter/early spring are the early black stoneflies. Because they can often be seen walking on the snow, these members of the of the family Capniidae are known as “snowflies” in some areas. However, timing these hatches can be an iffy proposition, so you’ll have much better luck fishing a nymph pattern, such as the. . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the Rainbow Warrior
Utah fly fisherman Lance Egan is one of the more decorated anglers in the U.S., having won everything from the ESPN Great Outdoor Games, to the National Fly Fishing Championships and the Utah Single Fly (Green River). He’s also been a member of Fly Fishing Team USA since 2003, competing around the world. Really, the list of his accomplishments on his Facebook page is frightening. So when he says a fly pattern works, you should . . .
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