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Add movement to mimic subsurface insects
Learn about the bugs we mimic when we fish, and work to match not only how they look, but how they move
By Jim Strogen We all know the value of matching the hatch, but often that thinking seems more focused on dry fly fishing. I prefer to fish under the surface. I know that the “bugs” are in front of the fish in their aquatic stages much longer, sometimes a year or more, than during their…
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Finesse Dubbing Part II
As we noted last week, applying dubbing can be a little tricky. But, as Tim Flagler showed us, there are ways to make it simpler. Below, in his second installment video on the topic, Tim shows us how to take the dubbing noodle we've created and carefully move it closer to the hook shank for…
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The Chubby Chernobyl
There are some flies that, upon first blush, make you wonder aloud as you pick through the offerings at the fly shop, "What was the guy who tied this thing smoking?" A couple of decades ago, this was certainly the reaction many traditional fly anglers had when foam became an accepted fly tying material, and…
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Finesse dubbing
Using dubbing to craft fly bodies and collars shouldn't be that difficult, regardless of the material you use in the process. But, for those new to the craft, dubbing can often give them fits at the vise. Below, Tim Flagler shows us how to craft the simple dubbing "noodle," or a length of dubbing that…
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The Green Drake
Here in the West, the Green Drake is the harbinger of summer. Dependably, our largest mayfly shows up within a few days of the summer solstice, give or take, and, if we happen to get some rain, this hatch can last for weeks. Patterns used for these plus-size mayflies vary, from simply Blue-winged Olive patterns…
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The Sulphur Klinkhammer
The legendary sulphur mayfly hatches on East Coast rivers have likely started for some attentive anglers, and the evening duns will continue to emerge for some time, with the famed bugs coming off wistful cream-colored clouds. But as any angler who has fished the sulphur hatch knows, getting the size and silhouette exactly right is…
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Brown and grizzly hackle mix
Sometimes, when I'm watching Tim Flagler tie flies, I get the feeling he's speaking directly to me. He knows where more casual tiers — like me — are going to be tempted to cut some corners in the tying process, and he's quick to point out that there's usually no substitute for doing things correctly.…
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