Troy Bishop

Hi Everyone! Sorry I've been a bit busy with personal things to post but I am excited to say that in a weeks time I will be travelling up to the Taylor River in Colorado. I was wondering if anyone had any last minute advice on the area. I will be fishing Lodgepole (about 1/2 mile south of the dam). I know its a little early with the heavy winter we had, there is still snow happening in some parts of the lower Rocky Mtns. I have been checking the temperature, water flow rate, and height on a daily basis. I think Im about as prepared as I could be but just want to double-check with anyone who may be more familiar with those waters.

Too bright to be wood duck unless it was taken from a juvenile.

Bumping this thread to get some newer (than say...2017) recommendations for online retailers. Below is my list and impressions. I live in New Mexico so I have a tendency to buy from online retailers that are close-ish. AvidMax - High Recommend - Fast shipping and their stock is (mostly) complete at all times. Trident - BEST PLACE FOR HOOKS! Dakota Angler & Outfitter - Good selection and fast shipping (at least to me) The Fly Shop - They are OK. Fast shipping though. Stock is somewhat sparse on hooks and feathers. Fly Fish Food - They are OK. J. Stockard - Good but not great. They always seem to be OOS on at least half of the things I need forcing me to use another retailer. Bill Marriot's - Not impressed so far. Misleading online inventory. So of course there isn't a one-stop online retailer that has everything available and always in stock. I also understand that the shipping from wholesalers has been a nightmare since the pandemic started so trying to maintain inventory has been a challenge to say the least.

This week (since I have finished my box for the Taylor River) I started on my box for the Pecos river here in N.M. There were also two things that happened outside the fly fishing world. It was Star Wars Day and Carrie Fisher got a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. So with that I present to you my take on the Master Jedi (Hopper Juan Ramirez), The Princess Leia Hook: Daiichi 1710 (#18 shown) Thread: Nanosilk 12/0 white Tail: White CDL or tailing fibers of your choice Body: Semperfli Micro Glint Tinsel, pearl Ribbing: Clear tubing Wing Case: Holo Tinsel, pink A thin application of photo-cure resin over the pink tinsel really seals the look for me. Hope the fish like it.

Hi All, My name is Troy Bishop. Im 48 and live in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. I was born in Southern Louisiana and cut my teeth fishing for reds until I moved to Miami in the mid 80s. Lived in Miami over 35 years catching almost every fish I could (a few got away). I got tuned in to fishing everywhere from Govt. Cut to Legoland to Bear Cut to Faka Union. Moved to New Mexico about 8 years ago and am now on the fly full time. I am looking at making "The Portal" (Gunnision/Taylor/Tomichi) my go to fishing area. I have a bit of experience tying flies and making rods. I love finding a new pattern or a not so familiar pattern and working out how to tie it. My favorite moment in the day is that 30 second window right as the sun is moving up on the horizon over a glass-calm body of water.

Thank you. I happen to be from NoLa as well. I was born there are lived in Algiers until I was about 14. Small world.

AK-47 Nymph Hook: Daiichi 1130 thread: Nano Silk - Brown Tail &Wing: Barred Mallard Flank - Wood Duck Body: Midge Tubing - Blood Red Rib: Copper Wire Collar: Trout Ice Dub - Chocolate Brown Head: Cyclops Bead - Copper

Black Stonefly Hook: #10 Daiichi 1710 Head: Fulling Mills Tungsten Bead - Black Thread: 140D Uni - Black Tail/Legs: Turkey Biot - Black Body: Black tubing over .030 lead wire Collar: Black Lazer Dub Wing Case: Pheasant Tail - Black I followed this video...mostly. Might add a few more legs on the next tie.

Ok. Here goes nothing. Here is my variant pattern: Quinn's Rainbow Warrior (named after my dog who passed last year. I name most of my variants after him.) Hook: Daiichi 1120 Head: WAPSI Tungsten Bead - Rainbow Thread: Semperfli Nanosilk 12/0 Red Tail: Pheasant Tail - Ginger Body/Rib: Saltwater Flashabou - Pearl Collar: Senyo's Fusion Dub - Rainbow I am about to go to the Taylor River and this pattern (original Rainbow Warrior) was suggested to me. I like to switch things up sometimes and like making variants that add to the original. Here is the pattern in 14, 16, and 18...and some close ups.

Im taking a bunch of these to Gunnison in about a month. I have a variant that I am working on tying as well. 18, 20, 22 is the hot numbers from what I've heard.