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Fly tying: Tying in a deer- or elk-hair wing
Tying deer- and elk-hair wings to my flies might be the weakest skill I have at the vise. I'm not a master tier, but I know my way around the fly shop when it comes to materials, hooks, threads, and the like. But this one skill has eluded me. Thankfully, Tim Flagler is out there…
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Fly tying: Perdigon-style Zebra Midge
The first time I ever used a Zebra Midge, I was bundled up in Neoprene waders and walking my float tube down the S-curves of Idaho's Silver Creek. Full disclosure: I'm not an enthusiastic nympher, and floating a sunken midge nymph under an indicator is probably my least-favorite brand of fly angling. But when I…
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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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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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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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Fly tying: The Chernobyl Ant
It's the best time of year for dry-fly fishers. It's "terrestrial season." Hoppers, beetles and ants are the flavor of the day, and high-floating foam imitations are among the best flies out there to chase top-water trout that are looking for big meals during this rare time of plenty. Video of Chernobyl AntHere, Tim Flagler…
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