• Borden Special

    This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is the Borden Special. This sea-run cutthroat fly was created by Bob Borden in the 1960’s for the Alsea River, OR. Bob started Hareline Dubbing in Monroe, Oregon. Hareline is a wholesale provider of fly tying materials. You’ve probably used some of their fly tying materials. I tied and…

  • Returning to the Fly Tying Bench

    As I mentioned in last week’s Normal Fishing Season Ends post, someone flipped the switch on November 2 and the weather has dramatically changed. In fact, we’ve had a little snow recently. That tells me it’s COLD outside. In fact, it’s 26 degrees this morning as I finish this week’s post. So I’m returning to the…

  • Dotterel

    This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is the Dotterel. It was interesting to me as I read about Thaddeus Norris (1811 – 1878). He authored The American Angler’s Book (1864) and American Fish Culture (1868) and had a significant impact of fly fishing in America. Norris recognized the difference between British and American stream, rivers, and lakes as well…

  • Royal Wulff TBT

    This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is the Royal Wulff TBT. This is another fly I found while reading Mike Valla’s terrific book entitled The Founding Flies – 43 American Masters, Their Patterns and Influences. Lee Wulff (1905 – 1991) created the Royal Wulff in 1930 along with the Gray Wulff and White Wulff. The Gray Wulff…

  • Mamba Black Rufus TBT

    This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is a Mamba Black Rufus TBT. The Mamba Black Rufus TBT is a local fly pattern developed by Bob Gaviglio of Sunriver Fly Shop in Sunriver, OR. There is a series of Rufus flies, including the CJ Rufus, Brown Leech Rufus, Mamba Burnt Orange Rufus, and a Brookie Rufus…

  • CDC & Elk TBT

    This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is the CDC & Elk TBT. The CDC & Elk is a fly Hans Weilenmann created in 1992. It combines the proven properties of an Elk Hair Caddis developed by Al Troth with CDC feathers for the body and “hackle”. I tied my first CDC & Elk flies after completing…

  • Fall and a Dry Fly

    Last week I talked about how much I enjoy fall fly fishing. It’s been great this year! What I wanted to share this week is how effective one fly has been for me…a Green Drake Sparkle Dun. Yes, Fall and a dry fly just go together. Even the smaller fish eat this bug! It amazes…

  • Lunn’s Particular

    This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is Lunn’s Particular. William J. Lunn was the river keeper for the Houghton Club’s fifteen mile stretch of the river Test in England from 1887 through 1931, a total of 45 years.  Lunn is credited with the first representation of the Rusty Spinner. The fly design incorporates a key component…

  • October Fly Fishing

    October fly fishing is a special time of year. It’s the last hurrah for both fly fishers AND fish. I’ve said before that fishing tapers off dramatically around November 1, so that means I have less than one month to get my fix for awhile. So I need to make sure I have the right…