THE FLY FISHING BLOG

Deceiver Fly

The Deceiver is a streamer type fly with several long hackle feather tied at the bend of the hook. These feathers are not splayed outward, but extend straight backwards approximately 1 to 2 hook lengths beyond the bend of the hook. Several strips of Mylar are added to each side of the fly and also the body is a Mylar body which goes from the bend of the hook to the behind the eye of the hook, leaving enough room to tie in the collar. The collar which is usually buck tail or calf tail is tied in a manner that it distributes around the hook and extends into the feather. The topping if used is then added.
The positioning of the feather at the end of the bend of the hook adds length to the fly and also minimizes the chance of it getting caught up while casting. Being tied side to side cause them to cling together and accounts for lack of air resistance during casting and the life like movement during the retrieve.
So what material and tools do I need?
•    Fly Vice
•    Bobbin Holder
•    Scissors
•    Head cement
•    Hooks -  Mustad S71S SS, Mustad 3407, Mustad 34007 SS between a size #2 and 3/0
•    Thread – Black, white, red or matching colour
•     Body – Mylar
•    Rear Wing – 4-10 saddle hackle and 3-6 strip of Mylar
•    Collar- Buck Tail
•    Topping – Six to ten strand of peacock herl
Some popular colours to tie this fly in are:
•    Red and White
•    Blue and White
•    Green and White
•    Red and Yellow
So how do I tie the fly?
1.    Secure the hook in vice, point down
2.    Lay a base of thread on the shank of the hook and wind the thread down to the bend of the hook
3.    Choose your hackle feathers. They should be uniform in colour, size, shape and texture. They should extend 1 to 2 hook length beyond the bend
4.    Secure the tail at the bend of the hook. Half on one side of the hook half on the other side
5.    Tie the Mylar strips in, these strips run parcel with the hackle
6.    Tie in the Mylar just behind the eye of the hook for the Mylar body. Wind the Mylar down to the tail and back again tying the Mylar off.
7.    Now for the collar. Choose buck tail which is long enough that it will extend beyond the Mylar strip which has already been tied in. Secure this bunch of hair to the bottom of the hook.
8.    Make a second bunch of hair and secure it to the top of the hook.
9.    Now if you want you can tie in the herl topping. I don’t use as I think it over dresses it for my fishing.
10.    Taper the head and tie off.

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Blonde Fly

The blonde fly is a streamer type or minnow like imitation. These flies have a silver body and 2 wings, the rear wing tied on at the bend of the hook and the forward wing is tied behind the eye of the hook and is cocked up a bit giving the fly depth and dimension. This wing when stripped through the water pulsates, creating an irresistible action that fish cannot resist.
This fly is one of the first flies many people therefore being fairly simple yet cover all of the basics of fly tying in it and is also a very productive fly. Don’t think simple and easy to tie means unproductive. On some say the most simple and bland flies work the best.
So what material and tools do I need?
•    Fly Vice
•    Bobbin Holder
•    Scissors
•    Head cement
•    Hooks -  Mustad S71S SS, Mustad 3407, Mustad 34007 SS between a size #2 and 3/0
•    Thread – Black
•    Body – Mylar
•    Rear Wing – Buck tail
•    Forward Wing Buck tail
Some of the common colour patterns are:
•    White and Blue
•    Orange and Red
•    White and Green
•    White and White
•    Yellow and Yellow
•    Pink and Pink
•    Black and Black
While these are common colour think of the baitfish that are in the general area and attempt the match the colour as this can be far more effective than just throwing a pink fly at a fish when the fish it’s eating or has been is a say black over blue.
So how do I tie the fly?
1.    Secure hook is vice
2.    Lay a base of thread on the shank of the hook and leave the thread at the bend of the hook
3.    Cut off a small bunch of buck tail. This should one and half to two length longer than the shank of the hook
4.    Secure the buck tail to the shank of the hook. The buck tail needs to run the whole length of the shank of the hook. The buck tail needs to be cut on an angle from the eye of the hook so the back tail taper off from the start of the hook.
5.    Tie the Mylar in just behind the tapered area
6.    Wind the Mylar from here to the bend of the hook and back again. Tie Mylar off
7.    Cut another small amount of buck tail off, the same diameter as the rear wing.
8.    Tie this in just behind the eye of the hook.
9.    Build a small head at the eye of the hook and tie off.
10.    Place a small amount of head cement

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Crazy Charlie

The Crazy Charlie is great fly and is perhaps
one of the best all round bonefish fly.
Tying the CrazyCharlie is very basic
and is a great place to begin fly tying.
The Crazy Charlie was the first fly I
tied and as basic and as simple as it
looks I stuffed it up. But never one
to quit easily I a few more shots and
now can tie Crazy Charlie’s easily.

What materials and tools do I need?

•    Fly Tying Vice
•    Bobbin Holder
•    Scissors
•    Head Cement
•    Calf Tail (colour – depending on what bait, shrimp or food that the fish are feeding you are trying to imitate but white, olive, tan, pink and chartreuse seem to be popular colours)
•    Saltwater Hook between a size 2 and 8 (I tend to tie them on a SS15 size 4 Gamakatsu or a C68S SS

size 4 Mustad but it depend on the size of the food source in the area)
•    Bead chain or eyes (weight depending on where you are fishing)
•    Twisted Braid in Sparkle Flash (you can use several strand of crystal flash twisted together
•    Kyrstal Flash

So how do I tie the fly?

1.    Place you hook in the vice, hook point facing down
2.    Lay a base of thread on the shank of the hook
3.    Tie in the twisted braid a 1/3 of the way in from the
eye of the hook
4.    Tie the twisted braid off at the beginning of the curve
of the hook.
5.    Take your thread back up to the eye of the hook.
6.    Now grabbing the twisted braid wrap it around the hook
tightly and do this until you reach where you tied the twisted braid in
7.    Now tie the twisted braid off and cut the twisted braid off
8.    Tie in a set of eye 1/3 of the way along the hook
9.    Place some head cement on the eyes and the twisted braid
10.    Flip the hook over
11.    Tie some calf tail between the eyes and the eye of the hook(making sure the calf tail is a long as, or a little longer than the hook)
12.    On top of the calf tail tie about 8 strands off kyrstal flash in
13.    Bring the thread to the eye of the hook
14.    Build up a head
15.    Tie the thread off using a whip finish
16.    Place a dob of head cement on where you tied off
17.    Let it dry on you have just finished tying your Crazy Charlie

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Fly Fishing Basics

Fly Fishing – Internet Radio
Join us on our next LIVE Broadcast! We’ve brought together The Experts on fly fishing to tell you in their own words the secrets to their success in both Freshwater and Saltwater. Covering fish from Trout to Tarpon, from tying flies to casting them you’ll find it all right here on Ask About Fly Fishing – Internet Radio.

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Fly Fishing Guides

Fly fishing has grown in popularity over the years to the point it is at now – an almost obsession for many avid outdoorsmen (and women!)  When looking for a guide to fly fishing, you need to find one that will cover both the basics along with the advanced techniques.  There is no one way to fly fish right or wrong.  It takes practice and persistence, but you will find an amazing recreational value when you take up this sport.

Fly fishing isn’t a complicated sport, but if you can find an expert to guide you along the way, you will become a better angler.  Looking for a fly fishing guide can be a huge undertaking as there are all kinds of informational books and websites on the market that can help you along the way.

A good guide to fly fishing is one that will tell you about the most basic casting maneuvers, how to pick out a fly rod, and where to look for the best fish.  A good guide will teach you rather than lead you.  When you learn how to do things, you will become a better sportsman (er, person).

In the sport of fly fishing, the word “guide” can have a double meaning.  You can look for a printed guide to teach you how to fly fish, or you can hire a guide, who is a person, to show you the best places to fish in.

When hiring a competent fly fishing guide, you need to consider his or her qualifications.  What type of experience do they have on those particular waters?  How familiar are they with the area?  Are they able to offer you tips and tricks on how to find the biggest fish?

Many lodges will offer up the services of their own fishing guides when you book a cabin or vacation with them.  These fly fishing guides are very valuable resources when you are on a fly fishing trip.  These guides are included in the price of your stay, and they often know certain nuances of the area that no one else can offer you.  You should definitely take advantage of any fly fishing guide that your lodge offers you.

A printed guide to fly fishing, as we’ve said, will offer you information about even the most basic of techniques.  They can also guide you towards the best fly fishing destinations to make any trip you take a success.

Whether you’re looking for a fly fishing guide who is a person or a printed fly fishing guide, you’ll need to consider your options before buying or booking.  Fly fishing guides can mean the difference between a good trip and a great trip!

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Fly Fishing Reels

Your fly fishing reel can be as important as your fly fishing rod.  At one time, many people thought of the fly fishing reel as just storage for your line, but it has evolved into so much more.  The reel can make a big difference in being able to drag in your fish or failing to do so.

Most fly fishing reels are made of aluminum.  When using, the fisherman strips line off the reel with one hand while casting with the other.  He (or she) then retrieves the slack line by winding it back up on the reel.  The type of reel you use depends on the fish you are trying to catch.  Some reels are better suited for larger fish as well as more demanding conditions while on the water.

Your fly fishing reel should have a solid handle that is easy to manipulate.  Some reels come with double handles – one on each end of the spinner – that makes it much easier to grab hold of and wind up.  Which one you choose is up to you!

The spool holds the fishing line.  Attached to the spool on the outside is a small weight called a counter balance.  This assures that the reel spins smooth and true without any interference from the rod or the angler.  Many spools have exposed rims.  This actually serves a very useful purpose when you are struggling with a fish.  You can cup your hand on the outside of the room so you can play with the fish and save your tackle if you are using light flies.

The drag on a fly fishing reel creates pressure and prevents the line from free spooling or back lashing.  You can have a click drag on your reel which are springs that put pressure against a gear stopping it from moving.  These reels are noisy, though, so keep that in mind.  Disc drags are either pads or gears that have calipers like brakes on a car.  As the pressure on the gear increases, the pad clamps down stopping the drag.

The reel clamps to your fly rod with a “seat” that clamps down on the handle with “feet”.  All reels are made to the same standard so the seats that are on fly fishing rods with handle all fly fishing reels.  So, basically, you can pick out your rod and then choose the reel you want and not have to worry if it will fit your rod.

Choosing your fly fishing reel depends a lot on what type of fishing you will be doing.  If fishing for large game fish, you will want one that can handle the pressure of the weight of the fish.  If you are just fishing for trout and bass, you will want a standard reel that will make bringing your fish in just a little bit easier.

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Fly Fishing Lures

Fly Fishing Lures

In the general sport of fishing, you use lures to catch your fish; however, when you are fly fishing, the word lure only marginally applies.  Sure, you are trying to lure the fish to your bait, but when you are fly fishing, you use flies to entice the fish.  So when we talk about lures in the sport of fly fishing, we are really speaking about flies.

You see, fish eat bugs.  They rely on flies, grasshoppers, and other insects for their food source.  When you are fly fishing, you attempt to mimic the look and movement of their food.  Therefore, the lure that you are providing them with are called flies.

There are all sorts of fly fishing lures, or flies, that you can use depending on the area you are fishing and the type of fish you want to catch.  Most of these lures are available at commercial retail outlets, but you can also make them yourself.  The key is to have several different lures available to you so you can adapt to the situation you are fishing in.

Take a few moments when getting on the river or stream to observe the types of insects that are around you.  Take a small net like they use for goldfish and skim the top of the water.  See what you collect inside and then use a lure that looks like the bugs in the net.

Whatever type of fly or insect that is predominantly in the area is what the fish are feeding on.  You’ll catch more fish when you lure them with what they already know are food sources.  While most fish will eat whatever they can find, if they are used to seeing may flies on top of the water, they will be more apt to bite than if you dangle a caddis fly over their heads.

Your fly fishing lures should be simple.  Regular fishing lures are often huge with all sorts of shiny danglers and bright colors.  They, too, are meant to mimic food sources, but the idea of fly fishing is to catch fish using the natural food that is always available.  That’s why flies are kept simple looking and small.

You can lure fish to your line using a variety of tools.  But when you are fly fishing, lures become one of the most important tools you can have in your arsenal.  Using the right lure, or fly, is so important.  It can make a big difference between catching a ton of fish or just a few.  Choose your lures carefully when fly fishing and reap the benefits!

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Fly Tying for Fly Fishing

One of the best parts of fly fishing is learning the art of fly tying. While you can buy pre-made flies, there’s nothing more satisfying than tying your own flies and being able to share with your friends the fact that you caught a 20 pound fish using a fly you made yourself. While it’s not complicated, fly tying for fly fishing can be a very delicate art.

The first piece of equipment you will need when undertaking fly tying is a fly vice. These hold your hook while you are tying it together. You’ll want a vice that can hold all sizes and shapes of hooks and that is easily adjustable.

Get a bobbin that will hold your thread. A bobbin will keep your thread tight and organized while you are tying your fly. Bobbins come in a variety of sizes, but they all basically do the same thing. Spend just a little bit more money on a bobbin and you won’t have to worry about cut threads before you are through.

You need to also splurge on a good pair of scissors. To start out with, one pair of scissors is enough, but as you get better at fly tying, you’ll want to have a variety of shapes and sizes to meet the needs of the flies you are tying. The loops should fit your fingers comfortably, and they should be kept sharp.

Hackle pliers are small pliers with enough constant tension designed to wrap hackle feathers around the hook. As with scissors, they come in all shapes and sizes, but they all do basically the same thing.

Find a good bodkin too. A bodkin is basically a needle in a handle. You can use a bodkin not only to tie the fly, but also for delicate work that requires a small, sharp point like separating out pieces of feather and fur.

Of course, you’ll also need a large selection of feathers and fur to match the different types of flies you want to match. Mink fur and pheasant feathers are good materials to work with as are peacock feathers.

There are several books and websites available that can teach you fly tying for fly fishing as it can’t really be explained in a few short paragraphs. The best way to learn how to tie your fly fishing ties is to experiment and keep doing it. You’ll eventually find techniques that work for you and be well on your way to becoming an expert on fly tying for your fly fishing needs!

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Fly Fishing Supplies

Besides the obvious supplies of rods and reels, there are really a lot of other supplies you should have in your fly fishing arsenal.  It can make the difference between a great fishing trip and a so-so fishing trip when you have a variety of products at your disposal.  So what types of supplies will you need to have on hand?

To begin with, you should have an ample supply of flies.  When you are out on a river or stream, you will want to match the food source that is readily available to the fish.  They are much more likely to bite when they recognize their normal food as opposed to anything else.  When you have several flies available, you can adapt depending on what types of insects you see on your particular stretch of water.

You will also want to have a supply of different lines that you can use.  Different lines are adaptable to different types of weather as well as different types of casting.  If you have some particularly windy weather, you will want to change your line to adapt to the conditions and make your casting more productive.

Apparel is part of the fly fishing experience, and you’ll want to get the right supplies that will best match your situation.  Vests, for example, are almost necessary for the avid fly fisherman.  Fly fishing vests come with lots of pockets for you to hold your supplies in and have easy access to them at the same time.

Where can you get your fly fishing supplies?  The outlets are everywhere.  You can start with your local sporting goods store to find different brands and suggestions for various supplies.  If you have a local specialty fishing store, these can be excellent places to get your fly fishing supplies.  The people in these stores are also very knowledgeable in the sport and they can make suggestions as to what you should be carrying with you.

The Internet is probably the widest and most diverse place to shop for your fly fishing supplies.  You have literally thousands of places that sell equipment for fly fishermen including fly tying supplies, various pre-made flies, lines, and apparel.  Just do a quick search on your favorite search engine for fly fishing supplies and be amazed at the amount of resources that are at your fingertips!

Be creative when looking for fly fishing supplies.  Ask other fly fishermen, talk online, and utilize the resources of fly fishing organizations.  Once you begin amassing your supplies, you’ll be surprised at how addictive it can be!

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Fly Fishing for Bass

When you mention fly fishing to people, many times they think you are fishing exclusively for trout.  However, there are some amazing spots you can fly fish for trophy sized bass as well.  Both largemouth and smallmouth bass abound in rivers and lakes, so why not try your hand fly fishing for bass?

Many experienced fly fishermen report that bass fly fishing can be extremely challenging as well as extremely satisfying.  Bass have larger mouths than trout, so your choice of lures is much more diverse.  They strike hard and fight strong, so when you are fly fishing for bass, expect to be exhilarated by the fight in these guys!

Experts suggest that you use a 6-7 weight rod, but if you are especially experienced, you can use a 4-5 weight rod.  If you choose the smaller rod, you may have trouble casting the larger flies, so be aware of that.  You can use a floating or a sinking line with a weight forward taper.  You should have a 7 ½ to 9 foot leader tapered down to a 10 pound test.

Most bass are opportunistic feeders and will bite at anything.  In general, however, flies for bass fishing are usually larger and influence a bigger bite.  Try big muddler minnows, clousy minnows, wooly buggers, poppers, leech patterns, and crayfish patterns.  Size 8 or 10 would be a little on the small side while size 2 or 1/0 would be a little too large, so opt for something in between.

Largemouth bass live in shallow water habitats among reeds, water lilies, and other vegetation naturally found in the water.  They are adapted to warm waters in the 80 degree range and are seldom found deeper than twenty feet down.  They prefer clear waters with little or no current.  They stay fairly active year-round, but tend to stay near the bottom in the winter months.

Great bass fly fishing can be found in various locations throughout the United States.  In the northeastern United States, try the rivers and streams in the Adirondack Mountains such as the Mohawk or Black Rivers.  There are also some prized bass in the Great Lakes region.  Southern Ontario in Canada can also provide some great opportunities to catch trophy sized bass.

Bass fly fishing can be a great experience for both the beginning fly fisherman as well as those with a little more experience.  Fly fishing for bass requires a little bit of finesse and some tenacity when they bite.  Stay with the fish and pull a whopper out of the water you can be proud of!

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