Back to Fly Tying

Remember how I said fishing changes on November 1? Well, after a couple weeks reprieve we are definitely into November. 

The river is still beautiful, but much of the streamside foliage is gone. 

So back to fly tying. I’m beginning to stock the provider box by tying Sparkle Dun mayflies this week.

In fact, it even worked recently on this wiley rainbow.

I’ve tied over 30 dozen of these fish-catching bugs for my customers this year from size 8 – 22. Oh, I might have used a few as well. It’s been my favorite fly this year and by tying so many of them, I think I tie a mean bug!

SPARKLE DUN – PMD

If you need a Christmas gift for your fly fisher, leave a message in the Comment field below and I’ll be sure to get back to you for some Custom Flies. I really believe every fly fisher should have a couple Sparkle Duns in their fly box. Or check out the 2016 Christmas List for Fly Fishers and Fly Tyers for a few gift ideas.

I was able to make it to the Pacific NW Fly Tyer’s Rendezvous in Portland on November 12 and tied several fly patterns using CDC. I’ve been using CDC this Fall and thought I’d highlight the different types of CDC feathers I discussed in an earlier post – Using Fly Patterns with CDC Feathers. It’s been a very popular post and I encourage you to read it if you missed it the first time.

I plan to get back to tying a spey fly or two as well in the next week. I’m attempting to tie a Green Butt Skunk Spey for a Spey Plate to be auctioned off at the 2017 NW Fly Tying & Fishing Expo on March 10 – 11 in Albany, Oregon. But it’s been awhile since I’ve attempted these. If you’d like to catch up on my journey, be sure to read Tying Spey Flies – I’m Scared. You’ll get a laugh or two out of it!

Here were some of the questions that made me hesitant:

• What is the proper hackle length for the fly?
• How many wraps will I get with a specific feather?
• Where should I tie in the different tinsels…side, bottom, side? And in what order?
• What spacing should I use to get the standard 5 turns for each tinsel?

I’ve found some answers to these questions as a member of the Central Oregon Fly Tyer’s Guild since my first spey fly. Proportions too. I’ll be sure to write about my experience and share my fly with you as I continue to learn.

Well, back to fly tying. I’ve got a few more Sparkle Duns to complete.

Enjoy…go fish!