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Adams Hairwing Dun

August 29, 2018, 2:20 pm
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Add Extra Buoyancy to Your Adams Patterns


On a float trip in a galaxy far far away Curtis and I found ourselves with high expectations of a great caddis hatch that would surely lead to the kind of fishing where you cast as far as you can, give your fly a twitch, and just wait for the fish to propel out of the water to chase food like I do when there are unexpected free tacos in the break room at work.  It was going to be what we would describe to the shop guys the next week as certifiably "insane."  Well, the hatch was insane.  The feeding was insane.  The catching, however was neither certifiably insane, nor just normal insane.  We had a boat full of our beloved palomino caddis tied in larger cinnamon colors, but the fish had a laser focus on flies that were much smaller and darker.  I scoured through my 25,000 (plus or minus 3 or 4) flies, and the only fly that I had that somewhat fit the color and size profile of the caddis on the water was a size 16 Adams hairwing dun.  I figured that we could always trim the tail if they wanted it more like the natural caddis that were hatching.  Curtis got one tied on (with the assistance of readers because he's as old as a dat gum dinosaur) and caught a fish on the first cast.  It wasn't the perfect match for the hatch that was coming off, but like the Adams series of flies, it was "close enough," and unlike engineering work, in the fishing world, if it's "close enough" it really is.  We no doubt would have caught more fish that night if we would have had more natural looking caddis patterns, but the ol' hairwing did it's job that night by being "close enough."



Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                  
Hook: Daiichi 1180 - Standard Dry Fly Hook - 14
Tail: 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Camel
Tail: Nature's Spirit Moose Body Hair - Natural
Body: Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing - Adam's Gray
Hackle: Whiting Rooster Dry Fly Cape - Bronze - Grizzly
Hackle: Whiting Rooster Dry Fly Cape - Bronze - Coachman Brown
Wing: Nature's Spirit Select Cow Elk - Medium Dun


Other tools from the tutorial:
         
Renzetti Master Vise
Hard As Hull Head Cement
Dr. Slick Razor Scissors - 4"
Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner

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Top 5 Late Summer Flies

August 30, 2018, 1:32 pm
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Go-To Patterns for Late Summer

Summer Cutthroat
With summer heading out, we decided to review our fly boxes and select the top 5 patterns that we've been using this month and going into September as we target trout in both rivers and streams. Click each image or the fly name to see the video tutorial.

It comes as no surprise one of our best-producing later-summer patterns is from Lance Egan. But seriously the Bionic Ant is a pattern that should be in all summer fly boxes. We done well with it on lakes and rivers alike. Easy to tie.

                          
Hook: TMC 100 Dry Fly Hook - 12 - 25 Pack
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Black
Body: Foam Ant Bodies - Black - Large
Wing: Para Post Wing Material - Cinnamon Caddis
Legs: Daddy Long Legs - Black
Hackle: Whiting Saddle Hackles - Coachman Brown


Other tools from the tutorial:

Tiemco Hackle Pliers - Standard



Even as summer dies down, there are still lots of caddis. But this time of year, you may need to hone your imitation a bit more. The Palomino both floats well and acts as a great imitation -- even in slow water.

                               
Hook: Daiichi 1130 - Light Wire Scud Hook - 14
Thread: MFC Premium Fly Tying Thread - Rusty Brown - 6/0
Flash: Mirage Tinsel - Opal - Medium
Body: Ultra Chenille - Worm Brown
Underwing: Polish CDC - Gray
Wing: Nature's Spirit Select Cow Elk - Natural
Dubbing: Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing - Cinnamon Caddis




Big things come in small packages. We're (Cheech, Brandon and I) are finding that this simple little nymph is great for high pressured waters where you need to get down fast and still offer good imitation for the naturals.

                          
Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook - 16
Bead: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Olive
Bead: Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Gold - 3/32" (2.3mm)
Tail: Whiting Coq De Leon Tailing Packs - Medium Pardo
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire - Sculpin Olive - Brassie
Hot Spot: Ice Dub - UV Pink


Other tools from the tutorial:

Dr. Slick Tungsten Carbide All Purpose Scissors, 4"
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow
Loon UV Infiniti Light



As the summer goes on, damsels can become less of a fixture on lakes and reservoirs. Fish can also get a little picky in both imitation as well as presentation. This little damsel offers both. It's a good imitation that can be placed lightly in front of feeding trout, even in more shallow water.

                               

Hook: Fulling Mill 35025 Grab Gape Hook, Barbless - 12
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Olive
Tail: Grizzly Marabou - Olive
Body: Nature's Spirit Ringneck Pheasant Center Tails - Olive
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire - Gold - Small
Body: Pearl Tinsel - Medium
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire - Amber - Small
Thorax: Ice Dub - Pheasant Tail
Hot Spot: Ice Dub - UV Shrimp Pink
Wing Case: Thin Skin - Olive     
Legs: Nature's Spirit Premium Partridge - Olive
Wing Case Covering: Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish
Eyes: Melted 25 lb Monofilament

Other tools from the tutorial:

Stonfo Pinza Elite Hackle Pliers
Tiemco Dual Whip Finisher





Although mice patterns can be deadly most any time of year, as summer winds down and we move into fall, trout start to key on streamers and also mice. This is the mini version of its bigger brother and works a bit better on pressured waters or smaller waters where you need to raise a ruckus but want a smaller offering.

                                         
Hook: Fulling Mill 36040 Streamer Stripper - 4
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 210 Denier - Black
Body/Tail: Pine Squirrel Skin - Zonked - Natural
Tail Support: Maxima Leader Material - Clear - 20 lb
Back: Fly Tying Foam - 3mm - Black
Legs: Silicone Flutter Legs - Tan
Head: Double Barrel Popper Bodies - Black - Extra Small
Head Finish: Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Thick (1/2 oz)
Head Finish 2: Loon Soft Head - Clear


Other tools from the tutorial:

Loon Ergo Bobbin
Loon UV Infiniti Light
Loon Ergo Quick Cut Whip Finisher
Renzetti Short Serrated Scissors
Fly Tyer's Z-Ment

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Small Stream Cutthroats on Hoppers

September 2, 2018, 8:37 pm
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Small Stream Big Fish

Keoni captured this fine Cutty on a hopper pattern
We've had hopper fishing on the brain again, so we decided to head south and find some native cutthroat who have a penchant for eating hoppers or ants. Our buddy Keoni, who spent a good portion of the summer in Hawaii chasing salt water fish, stood in for Cheech and did a fine job.

And we also did a quick blurb on some wet wading options because we do a fair bit of wet wading and get questions on that every now and again.

The patterns we used consisted of mainly hoppers and ants with a few dropper fish to boot. Here's the ones we have online:

-- (coming soon) Tubular Hopper

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Fly Fish Food Shop Talk Ep. 3

September 7, 2018, 8:57 am
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Josh Graffam from Umpqua



We have Josh Graffam, from Umpqua Feather Merchants, in the shop to chat about new Umpqua
products, competition fly fishing stories and a little bit of horsing around.

See the episode below or listen on your favorite podcast platform



Check out this episode!
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Baby Complex Twist Bugger

September 23, 2018, 5:40 pm
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Down Size a Streamer Staple



The Complex Twist Bugger has been one of my go-to flies for a long time because it just plain catches fish, but it also has some of the qualities that I look for when I'm loading up a streamer box such as durability and simplicity in tying.  Several people have asked me why I don't tie it smaller than a size 2, and the answer is that it's hard to find good schlappen with smaller sized fibers.  Well, it turns out that feathers with smaller fibers had been hiding right under my nose for a long time - hen saddles.  They have the perfect size and taper to make smaller complex twist buggers, and are very affordable.

As you will see in this video, not only do I use two different hen saddles, but I use a product called "spey chickabou" which is one of the very best marabou type products for small flies that I have used because it's so buggy.  Let your imagination run wild with this one with variations and color combos.

~ Cheech

Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                           
Hook: Daiichi 2461 - Long Shank Streamer Hook - 6
Cone: UTC Ultrathread 140 Denier - Tan
Cone: Brass Cone Heads - Gold - Small (3/16")
Tail: Spey Chickabou Pelt - White Dyed Tan
Under Body: Flashabou - Original - 6905 - Pearl
Body 1: Hebert Miner Hen Saddle - Dun Grizzly
Body 2: Whiting Red Label Hen Saddle - Barred Dark Ginger
Body 3: Medium UV Polar Chenille - Gold
Head: Arizona Diamond Dub - Callibaetis


Other tools from the tutorial:
          
Renzetti Master Vise
Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner
C&F Design Bobbin
C&F Design Tying Comb
Stonfo Comb/Brush Tool
Dr. Slick Razor Scissors - 4"

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Bluegill Deer Hair Sneaky Pete

September 27, 2018, 2:03 pm
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Sneaky Pete style deer hair slider
We're really stoked that Jeff Creamer, an extremely good fly tyer out of Ohio, took us up on the chance to come to Utah and tie flies and fish. Here's the first in a series of some of his favorite patterns.

The first one is an awesome little Bluegill or panfish pattern that's a variation on a sneaky Pete style slider.

Per Jeff:

"When I first started tying with deer hair, I tied a lot of huge bass bugs…and never really fished them. I have no reservations about fishing hair bugs, but my local waters are loaded with smaller bass and the larger bugs felt a little big. I started tying smaller hair bugs for bass, then I started to wonder about truly tiny deer hair bugs for panfish. Is it possible? Can they handle the abuse? Both answers are yes, and the Deer Hair Pete (deer hair version of a Sneaky Pete slider) is by far my most fished deer hair topwater. I tie them on a size 12 Firehole 839 to actually aid in durability. Barbless hooks allow the fly to be removed with far less effort, helping to preserve the deer hair body. Tied dense enough, the little Deer Hair Pete can easily float a dropper fly and the panfish have a hard time destroying them. The rubber legs and flashy Ice Chenille collar help seal the deal for shallow panfish looking for an easy meal. There’s something really special about watching a big bluegill hover inches below this bug, knowing that they are going to slurp it down. And if you never thought you’d cast a deer hair bug on a 3wt or smaller rod, here’s your chance! I tie this bug in three colors, mainly. Yellow/black, chartreuse/black, and all black are my colors of choice. Cast it, twitch it, and when a fish comes up to investigate, do not move it.  The fish will take care of the rest!"

Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                    
Hook: Firehole Sticks 839 Streamer Hook - 12
Thread 2: 6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed - Chartreuse
Thread 2: Veevus GSP - White - 200 Denier
Tail 1: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Dirty Chartreuse
Legs: Grizzly Flutter Legs - Black Barred Fl. Fire Orange
Body: Ice Chenille - Black - Medium
Head: Nature's Spirit Deer Belly Hair - Fl. Chartreuse
Eyes: Fish Skull Living Eyes - Fire (Orange Red) - 4mm


Other tools from the tutorial:
   
SF Fugly Packer - Original
Double Edge Razor Blades
Fly Tyer's Z-Ment

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Baby Fat Minnow

September 30, 2018, 6:46 pm
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Small Size, Big Eats




Full disclosure...  We are on a baby fly kick lately.  Check out the Baby Complex Twist Bugger HERE.  Now... On to the Baby Fat Minnow.

Have you ever had one of those days where you know you are fishing in the right place, the fish are active, the weather is perfect, but the fish just don't seem to like your fly pattern?  If you have ever fished a lake where you can sight fish to cruisers you get to see the whole thing unfold.  Cast out, fish appears out of nowhere and follows your fly, then he turns away.  You strip your fly and he comes right back and follows even closer this time but still turns away...  Yeah.  Stillwater trout can be real jerks sometimes.  Because they basically just swim and eat, they can afford to be more selective than river fish - mostly because they aren't burning calories in currents just to survive.  I could go on and one about this, but long story short, I wanted to create a fly that they wouldn't be able to give the ol'"looky Lou" anymore.  The Low Fat Minnow was born, and has been a very successful fly for us over the last 4 years or so.  It has caught everything from Green Sunfish in Utah to Tarpon in Mexico.  After a recent trip to chase big cutthroat, I noticed lots of really small baitfish that would school up right over the weed beds near shore.  After that trip I began working on a much smaller and simpler Low Fat Minnow, and after a few revisions the Baby Fat Minnow was born.  Instead of explaining how they worked, I'll just let you watch a video of our second trip using them...



Because Bruiser Blend Jr. comes in a bunch of different colors, you can tie pretty much any color combinations you can dream of.  I have listed several color patterns on the bottom of this page, and the video is the chub flavor.

Here's the tutorial.  Happy tying!

~ Cheech

Chub Material List
Add to Cart  View in store
                                    
Hook: Fulling Mill Bonio Barbless Carp Hook - 8
Bead: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 70 Denier - White
Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Nickel - 7/64" (2.8mm)
Tail: Spey Chickabou Pelt - White
Collar: Ice Dub - Callibaetis
Head 1: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Gray Holo
Head 2: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Cream
Eyes: 3D Holographic Eyes - Super Pearl - 1/8"


Other tools from the tutorial:
   
Renzetti Master Vise
Loon UV Infiniti Light
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Thick (1/2 oz)
Chartpak Fly Tying Markers - Desert Tan (Dark Tan)

Baby Bass Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                    
Hook: Fulling Mill Bonio Barbless Carp Hook - 8
Bead: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 70 Denier - White
Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Nickel - 7/64" (2.8mm)
Tail: Spey Chickabou Pelt - White
Collar: Ice Dub - UV Pearl
Head 1: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Medium Olive
Head 2: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - White
Eyes: 3D Holographic Eyes - Super Pearl - 1/8"


Other tools from the tutorial:
   
Renzetti Master Vise
Loon UV Infiniti Light
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Thick (1/2 oz)
Chartpak Fly Tying Markers - Delta Brown (Dark Brown)

Shad Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                    
Hook: Fulling Mill Bonio Barbless Carp Hook - 8
Bead: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 70 Denier - White
Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Nickel - 7/64" (2.8mm)
Tail: Spey Chickabou Pelt - White
Collar: Ice Dub - UV Pearl
Head 1: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Gray Holo
Head 2: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - White
Eyes: 3D Holographic Eyes - Gold - 1/8"


Other tools from the tutorial:
   
Renzetti Master Vise
Loon UV Infiniti Light
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Thick (1/2 oz)
Chartpak Fly Tying Markers - Black

Bluegill Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                    
Hook: Fulling Mill Bonio Barbless Carp Hook - 8
Bead: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 70 Denier - White
Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Metallic Purple - 7/64" (2.8mm)
Tail: Spey Chickabou Pelt - White Dyed Tan
Collar: Ice Dub - Callibaetis
Head 1: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Brown Olive
Head 2: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Cream
Eyes: 3D Holographic Eyes - Super Pearl - 1/8"


Other tools from the tutorial:
     
Renzetti Master Vise
Loon UV Infiniti Light
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Thick (1/2 oz)
Chartpak Fly Tying Markers - Desert Tan (Dark Tan)
Chartpak Fly Tying Markers - Sand (Tan)

White Lightning Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                               
Hook: Fulling Mill Bonio Barbless Carp Hook - 8
Bead: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 70 Denier - White
Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Fl. White - 7/64" (2.8mm)
Tail: Spey Chickabou Pelt - White
Collar: Ice Dub - UV Pearl
Head 1: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - White
Eyes: 3D Holographic Eyes - Super Pearl - 1/8"


Other tools from the tutorial:
 
Renzetti Master Vise
Loon UV Infiniti Light
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Thick (1/2 oz)

Red Side Shiner Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                         
Hook: Fulling Mill Bonio Barbless Carp Hook - 8
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 70 Denier - White
Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Gold - 7/64" (2.8mm)
Tail: Spey Chickabou Pelt - White Dyed Tan
Collar: Ice Dub - UV Tan
Line: Ice Dub - Red
Head 1: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Alpha Wolf
Head 2: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Butter Belly
Eyes: 3D Holographic Eyes - Gold - 1/8"


Other tools from the tutorial:
      
Renzetti Master Vise
Loon UV Infiniti Light
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Thick (1/2 oz)
Chartpak Fly Tying Markers - Delta Brown (Dark Brown)
Chartpak Fly Tying Markers - Black

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Feathered Game Changer - Slider Version

October 3, 2018, 3:30 pm
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Maximum Movement Meets Slider Head


This fly really needs very little introduction, nor am I the creator of this concept.  Blane Chocklett is the godfather of jointed flies, and I first saw this demonstrated by Mike Schmidt, so kudos to them for sharing their ideas.  Those dudes know a thing or two about the big stuff.  What I decided to do is incorporate a very buggy color of hackle (Barred Dark Ginger) into a sculpin looking streamer that moves like crazy.  I also added a slider head because the deer hair really pushes water makes the fly wiggle and turn on the pause.  Keep in mind that you can tie these in about a billion color combos and sizes.  Tie them on your line with a loop knot, give it quick strips, and watch it dance in the water!

~ Cheech



NOTE: You can either use the Gamakatsu B10S or the Fulling MIll Streamer Stripper hook for this fly.  You can also use either the barbed or non-barbed Carp Bonio hook for this fly.  I also just use a lighter color of Bruiser Blend Jr. like Cream, White, Tan, Gray, or Unicorn Mane for the beard on this fly.

Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                                 
Hook: Fulling Mill 36040 Streamer Stripper - 2
Thread: Fulling Mill Bonio Barbless Carp Hook - 8
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 140 Denier - Tan
Thread: Veevus GSP - White - 200 Denier
Shank: Articulated Fish Spines - 15mm Shanks (24 pack)
Tail: Spey Chickabou Pelt - White Dyed Tan
Flash: Dyed Pearl Flashabou - 6966 - Purple
Body 1: Whiting Red Label Hen Saddle - Barred Dark Ginger
Fins: Hebert Miner Hen Saddle - Dun Grizzly
Head: Wapsi Premo Deer Hair Strips - Tan
Beard: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Unicorn Mane     
Eyes: BallZeyes - Anodized Red w/ White Eye - Large (3/16" / 5 mm)     


Other tools from the tutorial:
         
Renzetti Master Vise
Double Edge Razor Blades
Renzetti R-Evolution Hair Stacker - Magnum
C&F Design Tying Comb
Fly Tyer's Z-Ment

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Idaho Stank - Perdigon

October 7, 2018, 8:14 pm
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Get That Idaho Stank Off Your Fly!!



I have been floating our local river quite a bit with my good buddy Tim Meikle, and we have a great time taking turns on the sticks, casting various rods, hucking dries and streamers, but mostly just enjoying being out there among the masses catching fish.  We razz each other the whole trip down the river about life jackets, casting into trees, missing fish, and mostly - where we are from.  He's from Idaho and I'm from Utah, and every time he'd go a stretch without a fish (which usually isn't too long,) I'd tell him that the Utah fish didn't eat his fly because it had "Idaho stank" on it...  Believe me, there is such a thing as Utah Stank as well, and a video may be forthcoming for that as well, but on this post we shall stick to the stank that cometh forth from the boot shaped state north of Utah.

Tim had been fishing perdigons quite a bit, and I had just finished a euro box that had a whole bunch of them in it when we were both standing in the fly shop and we kind of verbally sketched out what we thought would be a killer perdigon pattern.  Pink body quill, and red highlights.  Long story short, on our next float we decided to fish it behind a big foam hopper and it was the king of the trip.  Most good holes would get a decent eat, and we caught some awesome fish that day.  We fished his iteration of the pattern (which this one represents) because, like a purist that I am, I didn't bring any nymphs that day.  The original Idaho Stanks that I tied had a gold bead and a very sparse dubbing collar of rainbow sow scud dub right behind the bead.  

Tie these up and fish them!  They will work even if you are from Idaho!

~ Cheech




Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                    
Hook: Firehole Sticks 516 Jig Hook - 16
Tail: Veevus Body Quill - Pale Pink
Tail: Whiting Coq De Leon Tailing Packs - Medium Pardo
Bead: Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Black - 7/64" (2.8mm)


Other tools from the tutorial:
      
Renzetti Master Vise
Loon UV Infiniti Light
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow

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Countach Nymph - Jig

October 10, 2018, 8:11 pm
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Join the Countach Club


I get it, not everybody can own a beautiful Lamborghini Countach with a V-12 engine... Not everyone can have Bum Equipment belly shirts, Reebok Pumps, and Girbeaud jeans.  What you can have, is the Countach Nymph.  This fly is kind of a joke between two of my buddies that I used to go to lunch with all the time until they very rudely quit their jobs and took their talents to south beach..  And by south beach, I mean Elko, NV...  Anyway, Scott and Clint, here is the fly that is named after our lunch buddy group called the Countach club. (If you want to join the Countach Club, email me for an application.)

Aside from razzing my buddies, this fly has lots of really fishy characteristics, and can be fished in lots of situations.  I'm pretty sure you could tie squirrel dubbing and rubber legs on anything and it would fish.  I have also tied this fly with Arizona synthetic dub, and dark rabbit dub.  Just vary the colors and match your local bugs!  

~ Cheech


Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                              
Hook: Firehole Sticks 516 Jig Hook - 10
Bead: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Fl. Orange
Bead: Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Gold - 5/32" (3.8mm)
Tails/Legs: Grizzly Micro Legs - Rootbeer
Body/Collar: Natural Furs Dubbing - Fox Squirrel
Ribbing: Midge Sparkle Braid - Rootbeer


Other tools from the tutorial:
        
Renzetti Master Vise
Loon UV Infiniti Light
Tiemco Tying Brush
Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner

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Whiting Farms Rendevous Part Deux

October 14, 2018, 2:52 pm
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Feathers and Fish


We took another trip to Delta Colorado to hang with the Whiting Farms Pro Staff and the fine folks at Whiting Farms. This time, Brandon and Lance tagged along and did a little fishing as they did a vlog takeover during our time in meetings with the Whiting Team.

Check it out...

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Deer Hair Frog Popper

October 16, 2018, 7:50 pm
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A Jeff Creamer Pattern


So this is the tutorial you want to watch if you're at all interested in learning how to master some killer deer hair skills. Jeff Creamer returns for what we consider a spectacular example of deer hair mastery. Not only is the hair work a work of art, Jeff takes care in all his patterns that the bugs will catch fish and not fall apart after a couple of nom-noms from a gnarly bass.

We recommend watching the techniques and getting the right tools (i.e. packer, thread, good hair, good razors etc) and you'll find, with practice, you'll be on your way to good deer hair flies.


Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                                 
Hook: Firehole Sticks 811 Streamer Hook - 6
Thread 2: 6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed - Green
Thread 2: Veevus GSP - White - 200 Denier
Hind Legs: Cohen's Frog Legs - Medium
Under Body: Nature's Spirit Deer Belly Hair - Fl. Chartreuse
Over Body: Nature's Spirit Deer Belly Hair - Olive
Stripes/Barring: Nature's Spirit Deer Belly Hair - Black
Popper Face: Nature's Spirit Deer Belly Hair - Orange
Body Legs: Grizzly Flutter Legs - Black Barred Fl. Fire Orange
Eyes: Fluorescent Fly Eyes - Fl. Orange - 1/4" (6.3mm)


Other tools from the tutorial:
       
SF Fugly Packer - Original
Double Edge Razor Blades
Fly Tyer's Z-Ment
Liquid Fusion Adhesive - 2 oz


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Pat's Purple & Black Rubber Legs

October 24, 2018, 7:52 pm
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Purple Gets it Done


Purple Pat's Rubber Legs
While Lance's original variation of Pat's Rubber Legs stonefly was definitely one of the best-received tutorials in the last year, there's always room for other variations in different circumstances.

One big change in this pattern vs the one we previously released is that the very-super-difficult-to-obtain Daiichi 1730 hooks have been subbed out for the newer U-Series hook from Umpqua that offers a similar bent shank.

This style hooks helps the fly to ride hook point up and lessen the likelihood of snagging bottom.

Anyway, if you haven't given this Pat's variation a try, this is a good one to start with. The purple and black has been a very good combo for us this year and believe it or not, when the big Pteronarcys Californica (salmon flies) show up, this color combo is one you don't want to miss. It's been a great one! Tie it and see...



Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                            
Hook: Umpqua U106 Bent Shank Nymph Hook - 50 pack - 12
Bead: UTC Ultrathread 140 Denier - Purple
Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Jet Black - 5/32" (3.8mm)
Weight: Lead Wire Spool - .020
Tails/Legs: Barred Sexi Floss - Purple - Small
Body: Stonefly Chenille - Purple/Black


Other tools from the tutorial:

Dr. Slick Tungsten Carbide All Purpose Scissors, 4"

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Iris Caddis Variation

November 4, 2018, 6:16 pm
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Fish the Film!



Many years ago when I decided to up my game from just staring at indicators all day, I was intrigued by the caddis hatch and the many differences that it brings from the lob and watch bobber techniques that I was used to.  I began to tie and research patterns to be able to target the hyper aggressive fish I'd see right at dusk on my local river, and one pattern seemed to come up more than others, and it was the Iris Caddis.  Developed by Blue Ribbon Flies, the original relies on z-lon fibers for the tail and wing, and a synthetic/natural blend for the body and thorax. Due to my recent addiction to squirrel for tying, I started to tie the iris caddis with dubbed squirrel for the body, and a squirrel hackle for the thorax.  Needless to say, this fly is very effective, and I found that in faster water I will fish it behind a more visible pattern like the Palomino Caddis.  

Happy Tying!

~Cheech



Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                         
Hook: Daiichi 1180 - Standard Dry Fly Hook - 14
Shuck: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Wood Duck
Shuck: Sparkle Emerger Yarn - Amber
Body/Head: Natural Furs Dubbing - Fox Squirrel
Wing : Sparkle Emerger Yarn - Cream


Other tools from the tutorial:
          
Renzetti Master Vise
Hard As Hull Head Cement
Dr. Slick Razor Scissors - 4"
Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner

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Funky Flex

November 7, 2018, 7:14 pm
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I love me some jig hooks. They have quickly become my go-to hook on any nymph pattern (and much more). When I'm showing off jig hooks to customers at the shop many people, in tailwater Utah, have a difficult time with the smallest options being a #16 in many models. While I'm of the opinion you don't really need to go smaller than that I've become a big fan of the Dohiku jig hooks in sizes 18 and 20. These hooks are the perfect platform for my Funky Flex pattern that is a super quick sinking nymph pattern suggesting a baetis nymph.  I've had a ton of luck on this pattern fishing European style methods as well as just a dropper below my favorite hopper patterns. I think you should tie some up and try them out! They are one of my confidence patterns and don't forget to try the purple version 😉

If you don't tie you can snag some on my website featherflinger.com

-Brandon aka Big B aka Feather Flinger

Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                   
Hook: Dohiku Hooks HDJ Jig - 18
Bead: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Brown Olive
Bead: Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Gold - 3/32" (2.3mm)
Tail: Whiting Coq De Leon Tailing Packs - Medium Pardo
Body: UNI Flexx - Dark Brown
Thorax: Ice Dub - Peacock Black
Soft Hackle: Nature's Spirit Starling Skin
Soft Hackle (option): Whiting 4B Hen Cape - Natural Dark Dun     


Other tools from the tutorial:
  
C&F Design Hackle Pliers

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Squirracell - Duracell Variation

November 11, 2018, 7:20 pm
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Spark Up Your Nymph Game




It's no secret that the Duracell nymph is one of the most effective patterns in our arsenal.  We have been fishing this pattern since we contracted with Fulling Mill a few years back, and it has been a big part of our nymph boxes.  I will say this...  The Duracell is a a great design that really needs no improvements at all, but since I started playing with really sparse collars of squirrel I had to see how it would look on a Duracell nymph.  The other thing that I really like about the squirrel collar is that you don't have to hunt for that perfect piece of CDC to either palmer it, or use the magic tool with it.  You can also use this collar technique with a wide range of other fly patterns.  I also decided to use Coq de Leon dyed red for the tail on this fly for no reason other than the fact that it looked really cool (And maybe that our top selling nymph pattern in the shop is a Red Dart.)

It's also a great time to introduce the Whiting Coq de Leon Versa Pack which contains 4 1/2 capes of the best colors for nymph tailing. Check them out HERE

~ Cheech





Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                   
Hook: Firehole Sticks 516 Jig Hook - 14
Bead: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Red
Bead: Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Silver - 7/64" (2.8mm)
Tail: Whiting Coq De Leon Rooster Cape - Badger Dyed Red
Body: Ice Dub - UV Brown
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire - Red - Small
Collar: Natural Furs Dubbing - Fox Squirrel


Other tools from the tutorial:
        
Renzetti Master Vise
Tiemco Tying Brush
Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner
Whiting Coq De Leon Intro Versa Pack 4 1/2 Capes


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Bow River Bugger

November 18, 2018, 6:48 pm
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Streamer Time!


Jeff Creamer steps up with another tutorial for us -- this time a great streamer pattern, the Bow River Bugger (or a variation of it, to be specific). With the hair collar, for a little buoyancy offset, it incorporates a lot of good streamerish materials for a fun tie.

Give it a try!!

Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                                 
Hook: Daiichi 2461 - Long Shank Streamer Hook - 1/0
Cone: 6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed - Rusty Brown
Cone: Pocket Eye Coneheads - Nickel - Medium
Eyes: Fish Skull Living Eyes - Wind (Golden) - 4mm
Weight: Lead Wire Spool - .030
Tail 1: Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou - Tobacco Brown
Tail 2: Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou - Medium Olive
Tail Flash: Holographic Flashabou - Copper - 6986
Body 1: Fish Hunter Select Schlappen - Sculpin Olive (UV)
Body 2: Fish Hunter Select Schlappen - Tobacco Brown
Body 3: UV Polar Chenille - Rusty Copper     
Legs: Silicone Flutter Legs - Fl. Orange     
Collar: Wapsi Premo Deer Hair Strips - Olive     
Thread (for hair): Veevus GSP - White - 150 Denier     


Other tools from the tutorial:
       
Double Edge Razor Blades
Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner
Loon Ergo Comb
Renzetti Magnum Hair Stacker

And the video....

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Murdich Jig Minnow

November 25, 2018, 4:31 pm
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Jig Minnow Power


The first time we saw Jeff Creamer's variation of a Murdich minnow, we knew it would be a winner. It falls in the category of super-sparkly streamer patterns like the Sparkle Minnow and others.

The nice thing is that this pattern doesn't have many materials. It's pretty straight-forward and easy to tie.

Fish it as a streamer or jigged along with a Euro nymph or regular nymph rig.



Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                       
Hook: TMC S506H Specialty Jig Hook - 4
Eyes: 6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed - White
Eyes: Double Pupil Lead Eyes - Small - Black w/ Yellow & Black
Tail: Large Northern Bucktail - White
Tail 2: Ripple Ice Fiber - Minnow Mix
Tail 3: Ripple Ice Fiber - Smolt Blue
Gills: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Neon Pink
Body (brush): Ice Dub - Minnow Belly


Other tools from the tutorial:
   
Loon Ergo Bodkin
Tiemco Tungsten Carbide Razor Scissor



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Bastian's Floating Caddis

November 28, 2018, 6:56 pm
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A Cure for Aggressive Caddis Eaters



I'll be honest, I didn't know about this fly until I saw it in the Fulling Mill catalog...  (Yes, Fulling Mill is the main supplier for Orvis.)  I think we have all been in that situation where the fish are aggressively rising during a caddis hatch, and your drag free drift is kind of not good enough anymore. I immediately was intrigued by the foam back and the soft hackle front because it was kind of the best of both worlds for these aggressive fish.  Lots of times I'm torn between fishing dries in the surface film or greasing up a soft hackle, but this fly kind of covers that for you. Fish this fly on the swing, dead drifted, or as a trailer behind a bigger, more visible dry fly.  Oh yeah...  And use bigger tippet so you don't break a bunch of them off due to aggressive strikes.

Instead of me butchering the history of this fly, HERE is a link to how this fly was developed told by Don Bastian himself.  All I'm going to say is that you NEED some of these in your box!

~ Cheech



Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                       
Hook: Daiichi 1180 - Standard Dry Fly Hook - 14
Shuck/Wing: 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Camel
Shuck/Wing: Sparkle Emerger Yarn - Cream
Body/Head: Nature's Spirit Snowshoe Rabbit Foot Dubbing - Brown
Ribbing: Mirage Tinsel - Opal - Small
Shell: Rainy's Evazote Foam - Black - 1/8"
Soft Hackle: Whiting 4B Hen Cape - Black
Soft Hackle Alternate: Nature's Spirit Starling Skin


Other tools from the tutorial:
           
Renzetti Master Vise
Hard As Hull Head Cement
Dr. Slick Razor Scissors - 4"
Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
C&F Design Hackle Pliers
Tiemco Tying Tweezers

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Creamer's HD Craw

December 2, 2018, 4:38 pm
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Killer Mud Bug


The HD Craw
Out of Jeff's videos he's done for us, this is one of my favorites because I like to fish crawdad patterns and because this is a fun one to tie. The cool thing about Craw patterns is that trout eat them, bass eat them and they're in a lot of both moving and still water fisheries. Worst case, it passes as a cool bugger. Best case, you'll fool some huge fish that like to eat juicy cray fish.

In Jeff's words....

"I won’t lie, for years I thought we as fly tyers really overthought most craw patterns. Then I began fishing more super clean water for bass, and was watching my more generic patterns get refused more than I’d like. I revisited the idea of a more detailed craw, and my initial test pattern caught fish but had an issue: weight distribution. I had used a Sculpin Helmet for weight, which got the fly down, but it dropped like a rock and fell through the water column vertically with all the weight at the head of the
fly. I then began playing with Fly Fish Food’s “belly scratcher” system of weighting, hanging a tungsten bead off some tippet or mono, and that’s when the HD Craw really clicked. Hot tipping the claws of the fly adds a little hotspot and an added level of realism to the fly. If you look closely at crayfish in the wild, you can often see some coloration of the claw tips. Deer body hair for the mouth helps to keep the claws splayed out and separated in the water, the Diamond Dub gives the body just enough sparkle, and the Shrimp and Cray Tail adds another little dimension of realism to the profile. Color coordinating the bead and Cray Tail with powder paint, while not critical, helps blend everything together. All of the parts of this fly work together as a great craw profile that sinks at a perfect rate and a more realistic angle in the water, and rides point-up on the bottom. I often fish the HD both casted and stripped, as well as drifting on a tight line through deeper water. It’s also a money pattern to sight fish to clear water bass. I fish the brown version a lot, but tied in black and blue the HD Craw is my #1 confidence pattern on stream bass." -- Jeff Creamer

Material List
Add to Cart  View in store

                                              
Hook: Daiichi 1730 - Bent Shank Nymph Hook - 6
Bead/Keel: 6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed - Rusty Brown
Bead/Keel: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Nickel - 5/32" (3.8mm)
Tail: Fish Skull Shrimp & Cray Tails - Gold - Medium
Under-body weight: Lead Free Round Wire - .020
Antenna: Senyo's Fusion Foil Legs - Barred Copper and Green Foil - Standard
Mouth: Wapsi Premo Deer Hair Strips - Dark Brown
Claws: Micro Rabbit Strips - Dark Brown
Claw Hot Spot: Rabbit Zonker Strips - Fl. Orange
Shell back: Montana Fly Company Skinny Skin - Mottled Brown
Body: Arizona Diamond Dub - Ice Blue Brown
Ribbing: RIO Fluoroflex Plus Tippet - 5X
Thread (for hair): Veevus GSP - White - 150 Denier


Other tools from the tutorial:

Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner
Stonfo Comb/Brush Tool
Renzetti Magnum Hair Stacker


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