Fly tying | Page 22

I love parachute dry flies—patterns that feature a horizontally tied hackle around a "post." The parachute hackle helps the fly's body sink a bit deeper into the surface film, and it gives the fly a bit more surface area, allowing it to float a bit better and represent more than just a single life stage…

It's full-on stonefly nymph season on a lot of American rivers, and that means it's time to get creative at the vise and tie some patterns that do more than just imitate in-the-water bugs. I've become a big fan of rubber legs—I think for a lot of stonefly patterns, these little squiggly bands of rubber…

I'm in saltwater mode, prepping for a trip to flats next week, and I've been exploring some patterns not only for bonefish and permit, but also for tarpon, jacks, barracuda and even small sharks. You never know, you know? Video of Tarpon ToadI've been following some the Loon Live demonstrations that Matt Callies gives the…

For the longest time, pheasant tail legs on my nymphs were a mystery to me. I couldn't, for the life of me, see how on earth tiers made them work. I always ended up with a clogged hook eye or something that was completely off kilter. Video of Pheasant Tail LegsThen a few years ago…

As Tim Flagler notes in the video below, for many anglers, the early black stonefly represents the beginning of the spring bug season. Midges are still prominent in most American trout streams, and should still be in every fly box, but the bigger stones are starting to show up, and the trout are taking note.…

Here's some good advice from professional fly tier Tim Flagler: Wash your hands before you tie. Not only can dirt and grime get into the prints of your fingers, but they can discolor bright materials and reduce sensitivity.Video of Prepping Your Hands for TyingAlso, and I think this is just as important, Flagler recommends taking…

Loon's Matt Callies ties some great flies, and he's really good at making it look easy. I've got a saltwater trip coming up, so I've been watching the Loon fly-tying series for some baitfish pattern ideas, and I haven't been disappointed. Video of Basic DeceiverAbove, Matt ties the Basic Deceiver, a super-simple pattern that predatory…