leftyangler

Neither fabric dyes nor feather/hair dyes seem to work.............

Does anyone know how to dye synthetic fibers such as EP Fiber and Zelon?

I want to identify mayfly in my area. Having problems to ID and that affects my confidence during the already technical fall baetis hatch at local spring creeks. I'm sure attached are within "Baetidae". But as you can see, these are not typical "dark olive", which we usually fish for at this time of year. What we typically call BWO around here are, regardless of technical latin or classification, dark-olive and sizes 20 & 22. But these are gray, light gray, or even light olive body. One even has somewhat reddish/pinkish abdomen! And majority of these are size 24. Another problem is that I can't find aquatic entomologists around here (quite a shame as our area is one of top fly-fishing destinations in Montana, if not entire US.....). What should I do? I know Troutnut and Westfly websites. Is there anybody I can send my pics and viral samples?

I'm in the same spot with the same questions as Papa VV. Discussion here is very helpful.

Thanks again members! I'll be looking around!

Thanks members. I'm looking for dyed olive aftershaft to play with Green Drake nymph and emerger patterns. So probably partridge skin dyed olive would be the most reasonable product? I have Whiting's American hen saddle grizzly dyed olive and I can find aftershaft here and there but not as many as with ringneck or hun......

Which bird(s) or skin product(s) contain most number of aftershaft plumes? Or more than the other, comparison sort......

A couple of brandnew midge patterns from my bench. These have become killers to target super selective midge-sipping trout, including some big ones, at Livingston's spring creeks! http://leftytyer.blogspot.com/search/label/midge Midge APE (Adult, Pupa, Emerger) Pupaerger (Pupa + Emerger) Last but not least, here's my proudest catch........

In addition to original BWO version, I have added more variation of my Winged Victory Nymph! Two versions of PMD and one for Sulphur. Get ready for summer hatches at spring creeks! http://leftytyer.blogspot.com/2013/05/winged-victory-nymph-more-variations.html This is the original BWO version. Tying video is somewhere on YouTube. Actually .

Thanks! I try to post my original patterns as many as I can!

Compara/Sparkle Duns are good. No offense on me or patterns but I'd rather call them "basic" than "staples". Instead of deer hair wing, I use CDC. Those are my staples!

Great patterns, but what about any spinners? I'm working on spinners (mostly rusty) for all mayfly species of spring creeks. Tying in different sizes and shades.

I have just updated pictures of my Sulphur patterns. Do you think I'm missing any? Is there any more suggestions? http://leftytyer.blogspot.com/2013/04/spring-creek-sulphur-selection.html

I was fishing for the BEST hatches of midges and BWO at DePuy's Spring Creek (www.depuyspringcreek.com) this afternoon. But the weather was far from best (check up my blog). Anyway, one of stomach samples show a large mayfly along with midge and BWO. I just thought interesting. I guess that's PMD? Species of mayflies we find at spring creeks are limited, you know....But it's March and under this super inclement weather...... I hope some of you find this interesting too.

Thanks anglers. I myself "googled" and found this article of my tying hero Jack Gartside. http://www.jackgartside.com/step_filter_fly.htm As EricF mentions, Eric Leiser is quoted here too. It's stating just about the same (I believe). It's quite educational to me, starting from just a bug. I should tie some "albino flies" for several species and experiment!

My bug collection goes on. It's been fun. Today I found this unique color Stonefly nymph. As in my last topic, there are abundunt of Golden Stone nymphs in Livingston's spring creeks. Whole appearance was on Golden (size & shape). But is this albino? or a new species? I just thought interesting anyway...... For updates, check up here. http://leftyangler.blogspot.com/p/sp.html

I'm just curious what anglers in other States would think of spring creeks in Livingston if they would ever plan fishing trips to Montana (southwest Montana plus Yellowstone Park area). Here's a link to one of tabs in my blog, spring creek in a nutshell (so to speak). http://leftyangler.blogspot.com/p/guide-fish-on-livingstons-spring-creeks.html If you are somewhat interested, I'm working on pictures of trout food sources one by one too. http://leftyangler.blogspot.com/p/sp.html I just want to say fishing at these creeks are wonderful! Even in the middle of Montana winter! BTW, head picture of my blog (if you ever click links above) is THE HOG caught this January (18 days ago) from DePuy's.

I wasn't doubting your answer that the dead one is sculpin. But today, I collected a live sculpin with my kick-seine and agreed to your judgement. I took good pictures and uploaded on my list in my blog. Actually live sculpin look really tasty. I was about to......

I would imagine he means that most throw relatively diminutive flies when fishing spring creeks. A golden stonefly nymph is definitely not the go to nymph for many anglers on Depuy's spring creek. Being brave in these terms could be considered not worrying about success and instead fishing outside the box just to see what happens. Sorry anglers, I was a bit busy to check and respond. Thanks Prosopium for speaking my mind. Of course I want to "feel" fish on my line but my big purpose at DePuy's is to experiment new flies and new tactics at every spot imaginable. And to collect more bug samples, ideally from stomach-pumping with trout that I catch with my new flies and tactics.......... BTW, my tie of Golden Stone Nymph is proving itself as a big fish magnet!! I tied dozens for Buzz's nice little shop. One can buy from there when visiting DePuy's or Armstrong's.

Working on "bug pics" one by one from Livingston's spring creeks. Hope some of you might find interesting, especially if you plan to fish there in near future. http://leftyangler.blogspot.com/p/sp.html For example, how many angler have noticed stonefly nymphs in spring creeks? (in this case Golden). Or even so, how many of them are brave enough to fish with it? I have developed fly-patterns that exactly match these and been catching trout. Then I always improve and design more. Fishing and fly-designing at spring creeks never end even in the middle of Montana winter!

For some of you who are just curious how my antler caddies look like on the bench and for someone who want to make one on their own, this video will give you some visual experiences. Check up my YouTube video. Thanks for watching! Especially if someone really does it, let me know what you feel and show me yours!

I wrote a 4-part article for Fly Anglers OnLine (www.flyanglersonline.com). It's about a very special & complicated match-the-hatch experience during last year's Fall BWO. Part 4 = climax & how I solved the curse = has just been posted. And I'm the "Cover Boy"!! Check this sophisticated (?) drawing of mine!

To be honest, I didn't expect this post would be rated "HOT" so I'd better respond......... It is true that I am trying to sell these and make money. I'm a busy guide during summer months but during winter, I gotta do whatever to get by or not to spend my summer earnings too much. This project is one of those. I first and foremost value and appreciate that there are more positive responses than ones that try to label me spam or pathetic. I'm selling these under a registered business and even pay tax for sales (along with my custom tie flies) so these are not spam or pathetic. I understand when someone starts new projects and wants to make money, there are always others who criticize. I get used to that. Responding to comments about prices, I know deer antlers are not expensive and even free for those who hunt and walk mountains. Prices reflect the amount of time and effort that I put with my soul. I design position of each hole with practicality in mind. For example, I measured the distance between each bobbin-hole so they don't butt each other when they are equipped with spools. Also other tools such as whip-finisher, hackle-pliers, etc have different diameters. I concern all of those and I align holes in line......that requires some sense of art and practicality at tying bench. Then painting for best results will take several days for one, really. All of these are learned after lots of trials and errors. I never mean to challenge you but if you do at least one yourself, you will understand it's not just "drilling holes". Let me give you a serious advise here. DO NOT suck smell and dust while drilling antlers!! That may cause cancer in your lungs if you do certain amounts!! Then you have to paint and dry with chemical smells....... I have a little shed to work but during winter months, I can't leave my products there over night in the middle of painting. That's because I concern there would be some frost or moisture could be around that could be problems on paints and that would delay my jobs for next day. I have to calculate timing to bring them inside so they don't suffocate me while sleeping. Over all, I am really happy to hear lots of readers responded "good idea" (regardless of sales). It's like showing his/her own brandnew fly patterns. I have my own blog, fly sales catalog, and YouTube channel, so I might not spend too much time to post my patterns here. But even one or two readers would actually try to work on antlers for his/her own sakes, I will be delighted!! Just let me know your experience and send me pictures of your antler projects!! I don't know sizes/capacities at each of your tying bench, but the one antler I made for my own just sits well for me without taking spaces. It's indeed the pair that matches on the other side of "THE FORK". I'm not using too big antlers........again for practical purposes.......... There will be more coming over this winter. Some could be with wooden bases and others could be for wall mounting..........

Thank you all for kind words and suggestions. Wall-hanger and wooden-base are in my ideas too (depending on funding.....). Wall-hanger will be for fly display. Wooden base attached one will be a deluxe tool caddie with engravings on the base......... I'll keep posted. - Lefty Angler & Tyer

This is my winter project besides fly-tying. Is there anyone interested? http://leftytyer.blogspot.com/p/deer-antler-tool-caddies.html More coming! and custom-orders available! like my flies!!