• Fly Casting to Windows

    Fly casting to windows? You probably think I’ve lost my mind. What am I talking about? Have you ever really looked and studied the water when you are waiting for fish to rise? Notice how the currents change? Perhaps you’ll see some riffle or nervous water, then all of a sudden the section you are looking at…

  • Adams

    TBT again! Here is one of my classic Adams flies I tied many years ago. My tribute to Len Halladay who originated the fly in the summer of 1922. In some of my research, I came across this Youtube video of the story of Len Halladay. Hope you enjoy it!

  • What Nymphs Should I Use?

    A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog entitled New to Fly Fishing? What Flies Should I Use? It was my way of suggesting a dozen dry flies to start filling your fly box. And for full disclosure, they were a list of DRY flies. Well, someone asked “what about NYMPHS”? Thanks for asking! So I…

  • Recent Changes

    OK, let’s see if I can get your attention… Metolius River Rainbow Nice rainbow, huh? We’ve been catching fish on $3 Dip, RiverKeeper Soft Hackle Cripple, Beetle Bailey, and an occasional Elk Hair Caddis. Now that you’re paying attention, here are some recent changes you may have missed. A few flies I’ve added to the Fly…

  • Zug Bug

    Zug Bug is the next fly for Thow Back Thursday. I tied it on an old Mustad 3906 hook. This fly was created by Cliff Zug in the 1930s. It was one of a handful of nymphs I started to tie and fish with.  For some reason, you won’t see it in my fly box…

  • Hopper Fly Patterns

    Yes, it’s that time of year. It’s time to pull out your hopper fly patterns and start fishing them. What are your favorite patterns?  My favorite hopper fly patterns have changed over the years as creative fly designers started using foam in their creations. I used to fish hoppers tied with deer hair and heavily…

  • Tied Down Caddis

    Here’s a little twist for Throw Back Thursday. I’m doing it with older flies. Why not? This fly is a Tied Down Caddis. It’s one of the first flies I used over 40 years ago.

  • My First Flies

    Do you remember the first flies you used when you began fly fishing? I remember some of my first flies. Oh my, that was years ago! Let’s see…there were the Woolly Worm, Zug Bug, and Hare’s Ear. Those are names I remember. How about the flies in this picture? That must be my early attempt at an…

  • Lake Flies

    One inch long and green. What? Yup, if there’s any question about what lake flies to use, a friend of mine always says “Try something one inch long and green.” Dennys Stillwater Nymph I like simple flies for a variety of reasons, but even that recommendation is a little too simple for me. It’s like saying…