Tying season has arrived earlier than previous years. As I mentioned in last week’s post, the weather changed, and I’ve found myself at the vise tying Zelon Midges since I featured them in last week’s TBT post. In addition, I’m providing a glimpse of a few items in the Casting for Recovery (CfR) Annual November Online Auction beginning later this week. So this week’s post is about tying flies and Casting for Recovery.
I got a little carried away tying these Zelon Midges! There are a few pesky trout I’m trying to hook (without success) and thought I’d tie these in several colors and sizes. The front row are size 22 flies tied with olive dun and rusty dun thread for the body. The back row are size 20 flies in the same colors; the middle row are flies tied with black thread.
Here is a closer look. You’ll find another variation on the lower right, tied with pheasant tail Zelon, black body and dark dun wing. All flies utilize a black thorax.
Rusty Dun Body
Midge Black Body- PT Tail – Black Body – Dark Dun Wing
My next flies to tie are an order for Dolly Llama streamers. These were tied a couple of years ago for a customer.
They should be easier to see after tying flies down to size 22!
The rest of today’s post highlights several items you’ll find in the CfR National Annual November Online Auction beginning later this week. The online auction runs November 3 – 13. I’ll edit this post in a couple of days when the auction begins to link these items. (Link to AUCTION)
While I don’t know all the auction items, here are those specifically to benefit the Southern Oregon CfR retreat my wife runs. I wrote about this year’s retreat HERE.
7 Dozen RiverKeeper Flies (Item #266)
This year’s offering includes parachutes and a Wulff pattern, sure to work on any mountain stream. The variety of colors and sizes will get you through many river and light conditions.
One dozen each:
- Purple Haze #14
- Purple Haze #16
- Arrick’s Parachute Ant #14–Cinnamon
- Arrick’s Parachute Ant #16–Cinnamon
- Arrick’s Parachute Ant (variant) #14 – Black
- Arrick’s Parachute Ant (variant) #16 – Black
- Royal Coachman Poly Wing #12
- Purp
- Arrick’s Parachute Ant
- Royal Coachman Poly Wing
Sage Foundation 5 wt. Fly Outfit (Item #267)
A four piece, 9’ 5 wt, rod, reel, line, and case. The rod is made of stealth black graphite with black wraps. It is the perfect pack rod and makes a terrific gift!
A perfectly balanced outfit comprised of Sage’s most versatile trout rod weight and length, and SPECTRUM C 5/6 reel, our most popular trout reel and RIO Products’ go-to RIO Gold fly line. Packaged in a custom rod and reel case.
- $650 value
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in the US
- 9’ 5wt-4 piece
One-of-a-kind handmade landing net By ev_woodworks (Item #265)
This piece is a medium-length Guide Net design, suitable for anything from carrying solo to landing fish on a drift boat.
Its handle is made of local, Oregon elm burl casting in pearled pink epoxy. The hoop is a lamination of curly, Oregon maple and wenge. Finished with the CfR fly logo engraved and a fish-friendly, silicone bag.
- Total length: 42” (24” handle)
- Hoop size: 11.5” w x 18” l
- Value $500
Pendleton Chief Joseph Blanket (Item #264)
First woven in the 1920s, this USA-made wool blanket has been one of our most popular designs ever since. Chief Joseph led the Nez Perce tribe native to northeastern Oregon in the late 1800s. Widely admired for protecting his people and speaking the truth, he is honored with this design, symbolizing bravery. Bold arrowheads represent the chief’s courage, strength and integrity. Reverses for two different looks.
- Twin size 64″ x 80 (retail $279)
- Slate Color
Fly Fishing Print (Item #268)
Native Oregonian artist Jane Vanderzanden print “Dinner on the Fly”– #58/500. Jane specializes in nature and outdoor artwork, her fine details come from firsthand observations on horse pack trips and hiking.
This print has three hand tied flies embedded in the border in the matte.
- New, unframed
- 24’x18”
- #58/500
- Value $100
Proceeds from these items will help cover the costs for 14 women to attend a future Southern Oregon retreat.
Enjoy…go fish, stay safe!
