flyDology

I put all wild harvested skins and pelts into the freezer for about two weeks, after I have dried the hide with borax of course. Bubonic plague is a real concern in some areas of the country.

partridge and peacock soft hackle.

I use plain stainless steel pots as the acidity of my dye might be too reactive for other metals.

I never knew Bob but I am always deeply moved when a fly fishing/tying luminary passes. It is my hope that his torch and legacy has been passed on to the younger generations and that his spirit lives on through his influences upon us. My condolences to all that knew and loved Bob.

I can tell you that I DON'T use the cap lock key.

ohhh, I like it! Put some eyes on those barbells and its super sweet.

commercially prepared materials have already been washed, sanitized or de-bugged. Otherwise, wild materials such as roadkill, hunting or from friends gets a short zap in the microwave and a two week residency in a freezer to kill the critters that could eat thousands of dollars in materials. When I dye materials, they get a washing in Synthropol, a commercial detergent and degreaser. Anything dyed will be very clean. You may end up with stained fingers, thats how it goes sometimes...

Its a Blue Charm kind of day.

a few from the vice this week. Some classics steelhead wet flies. Admiral Al's Special Del Cooper Fall Favorite Freight Train Green Butt Spratley

It depends on the porosity of the substrate you are intending to mark as well as any kind of barrier that may prevent the marker from deposit pigment onto. Many synthetics and naturally oily materials will not readily absorb pigment. I have to experiment with various materials to find what works or look for methods of preparing the material that will change the surface quality, allowing pigment transfer and adhesion. I also use various brands of markers, many of which are not available on the US market. I order many markers from Germany that seem to work better than Letraset markers but the color selection is not as diverse. Copic brand markers seem to have some desirable qualities and are emerging onto the fly tying scene with an airbrush system.

#16 PT Nymph #14 Peacock and partridge soft hackle. Thats all, nothing else. I could survive on these two flies alone.

Somehow I don't see myself showing up at the tying shows and pulling out this and sitting in on my table. However, If I find this in black, it would be a good solution for a traveling tyer. Otherwise, I store my hooks in plastic shoe boxes divided by size and use. I buy them by the thousands and need mass storage.

Time for some surface action for Summer Steelhead. McMillans Steelhead Caddis Air B.C. Howells Stone Skater Hazels Purple Muddler

Pteronarcys californica - the Giant Salmonfly. Finding it in California makes perfect sense.

I have done many whole skins by using the above suggestions. Ziplock borax and freezer to kill parasites. Leave bones in tails and wings. yes, put borax on cut and and in the ziplock bag. after its dry a few days, then put it in freezer.

I just realized my mistake this morning. Thanks.

one word...celire

I use my site as a web coding sandbox and a place to dump my photos and flies. I put academic papers (environment and fisheries related) on there as well and the odd recipe. I dont take it too seriously but its an outlet. flyfishnw.com

Thanks, I believe the color is called goldenrod. Cheers.

Classic Steelhead wet fly's have been under production this week. Umpqua Special General Practitioner Polar Shrimp

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Its sea run cutthroat season A small collection for chasing bluebacks in Oregon. Blue Zulu Dabbler Bordens Special Alaxandra Tillamook Cheddar Cutthroat Caddis Kundsens cutthroat Fall Caddis Variation I've been busy. Time to go fishing...

#3 on my list of the twelve most important classics. Umpqua Special - Two examples Category: Steelhead Hook: Salar Salmon #3 Thread: Red Tag: Medium silver flat french tinsel Tail: White hackle fibers Tag: Medium silver flat french tinsel Rib: Silver twist Body: Rear 1/3 yellow wool yarn front 2/3 red seal Hackle: Brown with a gadwall flank collar Cheeks: Jungle Cock Wing/Wingcase: Polar bear

you could, but I like the bucktail or polar bear and still successfully fish with that material. I am not trying to be modern with this collection, on the contrary, I am trying to get closer to originals with my personal tying style thrown on top of it. In fact, if I wanted to update these, I would tie these with arctic fox or finn coon. Also to consider the water I fish in. I need materials that stand up to heavy currents on a wet fly swing - often with a sinktip. I don't want materials to collapse under this stress. The Bucktail option allows me the right amount of stiffness. you'd be surprised at how supple it can actually be.

Keeping a shrimpy theme and working through the spectrum. #2 on my list of the essential classics is the Polar Shrimp. I caught my first wild Winter steelhead buck with a version of this pattern on Oregon's Sandy River. Category: Steelhead Thread: Fl. Orange Tail: Red hackle fibers Rib: Medium Silver Oval Tinsel Body: Hot orange angora Hackle: Hot orange saddle with orange Guinae collar Wing/Wingcase: White bucktail See pattern details here