I’ve been in Maui the last couple of weeks and will return home later this week and get back to filling several fly orders. But I brought some fly tying materials and made time to tie a few BWO Improved Sparkle Duns for the provider box. That’s what my wife calls the storage boxes I fill with all the flies I tie.
Tying flies in Hawaii isn’t uncommon for me at all. I usually pack a vise, tools, and materials in the off chance the weather is wet for several days. (Be sure to check out my Tying Flies in Paradise post.)
So I decided to be a minimalist fly tyer this year and take only a few materials with me – Zelon, thread, dubbing, and deer hair. Yes, you guessed it. These are the ingredients for Sparkle Duns.
I fish Sparkle Duns to imitate Blue Wing Olives, Pale Morning Duns, March Browns, Green Drakes, Callibaetis…in other words, any mayfly I find on a river or lake.
So I tied a few dozen size 16 BWO Improved Sparkle Duns during my time on Maui.
Early morning before the wind started to blow was the best time to tie on the lanai. I would enjoy the sunrise, make a cup of coffee, catch up on a few emails, and then tie a few flies. Not a bad routine, is it?
The last thing I wanted to mention is a soft hackle feather source.
I’ve been trying to get feathers off one of these birds for several years as I watch them walk along the beach. The bird really reminds me of the Golden Plover skin I have at home. I’m only kidding. Well, I would pick up a feather if I saw one …
Until next time…aloha!
John,
I sure hope you weren’t anywhere near Hawaii during this last storm (hurricane)! I always learn (and relearn) so much from your posts. Please don’t ever stop! Just haven’t had much time to tie or even fish this last year.
A separate thought just came. I’ve been doing some rodent control lately. Do you have any tutorials on using chipmunk tails?
Hi Jim…thanks for leaving a comment. No, I’ve never heard of a fly utilizing chipmunk tails.
Hi John,
I checked out your post “Tying Flies in Paradise” and, after reading your “typical day” activities, thought I should mention the Maui Brewing Company in Kihei as a go-to destination to check off item 7 “beer” from your list. Hopefully, you’ve already been there, done that. There’s also a nice little pub in Kihei called What Ales You. My wife and I enjoy them both when we visit Maui.
Cheers, for all you do and share on fly tying and fly fishing.
Jack
Jack
Thanks for the comment. We stay up in the Kahana area and don’t get down to Kihei. Lazy I guess! Happy to hear you enjoyed the blog.
John
Hi John,
My wife and I always find our coffee tastes better on Maui. Same stuff we brew at home. Maybe it’s the water, maybe it’s our state of mind. I pack a travel rod and do some shore casting on the beach in the dark when I wake up at 5am west coast time the first couple of days. Warm water lapping at my knees, light creeping into the eastern sky, never know what might give a tug.
Doug B
Doug
Thanks for leaving a Comment. Looks like I dredged up some good memories!
John
Hi John,
Darn, life sure looks tough there in paradise. Good for you. Hope you both are enjoying your stay in the sun and out of the snow. Take care & …
Tight Lines – Al Beatty