Fly Fish Food

Body Glass Chironomid

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 03:40:00 +0000

Dive DEEEP for the Donks

There are many ways to fish chironomids, but in our opinion, there isn't any better way to fish them than on a midge tip fly line with a long leader system. Similar to Euro nymphing, it's critical to adjust your "team" of flies based on the amount of weight you have on each fly. This chironomid is tied with a slotted bead because the slotted bead has less metal removed than a normal countersunk bead, therefore helping the fly sink without having to add too big of a bead. Other than the bead, Check out the video to see a trick in applying the body material, and how to make a subtle hot spot!

Material List

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Hook: Fulling Mill 5115 Heavyweight Grub Hook Barbless, Black Nickel - 14
Thread: SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0 - Brown
Bead: Firehole Stones Plated Slotted Tungsten Beads - Sterling Silver - 3.0mm (1/8")
Bead (option): Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads - Silver - 2.8 mm
Gills: Glo-Brite Floss - Fl. White #16
Body: Hends Body Glass - Half Round Micro 9mm - Gray
Thorax: Ice Dub - UV Shrimp Pink

Roundhouse Jig Streamer

noreply@blogger.com (Curtis Fry) — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 03:54:00 +0000

The past couple of years, we've been fishing a lot of jig-style streamer patterns on rivers with a Euro setup (10ft 3 or 4 weight rods). In addition to the style Lance ties up, we've also done well on the minnow or baitfish style imitation of the Jiggy Fat Minnow. These patterns are usually designed to sink pretty quickly on moving water but for stillwater applications, they needed a slower sink rate in order to maintain a more horizontal retrieve. Plus, given that I tend to multi-task patterns, I wanted something that could do both.

So taking a page from the Trout Slider and the jig style streamer, I've been tying and fishing this Roundhouse Jig Streamer quite a bit. It's been great on both rivers and lakes as you can vary the bead size as well as the amount of hair used to slow the descent of the fly. You can see it in action in this video here.

The bonus is that the hair style on this one is dead simple, so it's not a bad pattern to learn to spin up some deer hair.

Material List

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White Version: Hook: Fulling Mill 5130 Jig Force Long Barbless Hook - 08
Thread: 6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed - White
Bead: Firehole Stones Plated Slotted Tungsten Beads - Sterling Silver - 4.5mm (3/16")
Tail: Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou - Fl. White (UV)
Body: Ripple Ice Dub - Mother of Pearl
Collar: Nature's Spirit Deer Belly Hair - White
Gold Version: Thread: 6/0 UNI-Thread Waxed - Camel
Bead: Firehole Stones Plated Slotted Tungsten Beads - Gold - 4.5mm (3/16")
Tail: Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou - Burnished Golden Tan
Body: Ripple Ice Dub - Gold
Collar: Nature's Spirit Deer Belly Hair - Tan
Bead Options: Firehole Stones Matte Slotted Tungsten Beads - White - 4.5mm (3/16")
Bead Options: Firehole Stones Matte Slotted Tungsten Beads - Mounds - 4.5mm (3/16")

Other tools from the tutorial:

Stonfo Comb/Brush Tool
Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner

The Picric Frenchie

noreply@blogger.com (Curtis Fry) — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 02:38:00 +0000

I've been tying a lot with pheasant tails this year -- especially lighter dyed colors -- both with Chironomids as well as frenchie style and other styles of nymphs. And with Lance coming back from the Worlds last year having seen a lot of success with lighter metallic pink beads, I started tossing these beads onto some patterns as well.

So the Picric Frenchie is a variation of Lance's Frenchie nymph with the lighter body and a killer little Brahma soft hackle. On the thorax, because I couldn't get the color with one specific dubbing, I ended up making a mixture (shown below). Anyway, this pattern has fished well this year especially as an attractor pattern but also during some drake hatches. It's a fun little nymph to tie to give it a try!

Material List

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Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook - 16
Bead: Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Metallic Light Pink - 7/64" (2.8mm)
Bead (option): Hanak Metallic+ Slotted Tungsten Beads - Light Pink - 3.0mm
Bead (option): Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads - Metallic Light Pink - 2.8 mm
Thread: 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Olive
Tail: Spanish Coq De Leon
Body: Semperfli Picric Acid Dyed Pheasant Tail
Rib: UTC Ultra Wire - Copper - Small
Collar: Whiting Brahma Hen Cape for Soft Hackles - Badger Dyed Golden Straw
Thorax 1: Hare'e Ice Dub - Peacock
Thorax 2: Ice Dub - Peacock

Other tools from the tutorial:

Stonfo Comb/Brush Tool
Loon Low Tack Swax

Jig Tailwater Sow Bug

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 20:22:00 +0000

Sow + Jig = Fish

If you are familiar with Lance's Tailwater Sow Bug, you already know that it is a staple across the western US, and has caught fish in many places. This is essentially the same pattern, but designed to accommodate a jig hook and a large bead for Euro nymphing. Watch the video as Lance shows us how to tie this simple bug.

Material List

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Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook - 16
Bead: Hanak Round+ Slotted Tungsten Beads - Silver - 3.0mm
Bead #2: Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads - Silver - 2.8 mm
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Red
Thread (option): 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Red
Body: Wapsi Sow Scud Dubbing - Rainbow
Rib: UTC Ultra Wire - Silver - Small
Back: Chartpak Fly Tying Markers - Sepia (Med. Brown)

Turdigon - Super Simple Nymph Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 22:49:00 +0000

Not a Crappy Fly

Sometimes when you hit the vise you crank out killer bug after killer bug. Other times, you just crank our turds. Fortunately the fish eat turds too. Really though, this pattern is easily modified into a midge pupa or caddis pupa and the subtle flash makes it a great target for trout. This can be tied with 210 denier thread, or any other fiber that is somewhat thick and "twistable" like Uni Stretch. Other hot colors and olive, brown, and black.

Material List

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Hook: Fasna F-444 Down-Eye Jig Hook - 18
Thread: Uni Nylon Stretch - Soft Pink
Bead Option #1: Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads - Metallic Light Pink - 2.8 mm
Bead Option #2: Hanak Metallic+ Slotted Tungsten Beads - Light Pink - 3.0mm
Flash: Sulky Metallic Tinsel - Opalescent (8040)
Resin: Solarez UV Cure Resin - Bone Dry .5 Oz

Creamsicle Jig - Killer Streamer Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 22:25:00 +0000

Feed the fish a nice frozen treat

As you probably have figured out by now, we really like to fish goldish streamers. This pattern incorporates a very straightforward approach until you reach the head. It's a complex twist head to increase durability, and it's tied on a very special hook (TMC 708) that really performs well when tied jig style. This fly works really well either stripped on a normal streamer rod or tight line drifted on a euro stick!

Material List

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Hook: TMC 708 Keel Streamer Hook - 6
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 140 Denier - Wood Duck
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 140 Denier - Dark Brown
Bead: Firehole Stones Matte Slotted Tungsten Beads - Fl. Creampuff - 4.5mm (3/16")
Lead: Lead Wire Spool - .020
Tail 1: Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou - Burnished Golden Tan
Tail 2: Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou - Fl. Creamsicle Orange (UV)
Body: Solid and Krystal Tinsel Chenille - Gold
Collar 1: Medium UV Polar Chenille - Gold
Collar 2: Whiting 4B Hen Saddle - Medium Ginger

Other tools from the tutorial:

Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner

Tasmanian Devil

noreply@blogger.com (Curtis Fry) — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 21:23:00 +0000

A Euro-Nymph Must-Have

I was introduced to the Tassie Devil pattern while preparing for the World Fly Fishing Championships last fall in Tasmania, Australia. Team USA had the luxury of learning from our skilled guide, Maxim Vereshaka. Max recommended we have the pattern tied and ready to fish since it has proven to be effective in their waters and as such is a staple for many Australian competitors. Wanting to hit the ground running, I tied a few dozen in various hook and bead sizes so I could gain confidence in the pattern while pre-fishing for the championship. The devil delivered as promised. It was my best nymph on the rivers of Tasmania.

Once home, I had several Tasmanian Devils taking up space in one of my nymph boxes and I tried them on my local picky tailwater fish. To my surprise (and delight) the fish loved the pattern. It seemed especially effective when the water was very cold. I had a few fishing days and one guide day where they liked the pattern so much I ended up fishing two devils at a time since the fish seemed to prefer it to most other patterns.

As you can see, the Tasmanian Devil is another example of a pure attractor. No, it doesn’t imitate anything. It doesn’t need to, fish love it.

Add a few to your nymph box and I think you’ll soon gain confidence in this pattern too. It has worked well for me nymphing, or as a dropper below a dry. Vary the bead size (weight) to suit your preferred setup or water conditions and have at it!

-- Lance Egan

Material List

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Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook - 16
Bead: Hanak Metallic+ Slotted Tungsten Beads - Light Pink - 3.0mm
Bead (option #2): Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads - Metallic Light Pink - 2.8 mm
Bead (option #2): Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Metallic Light Pink - 7/64" (2.8mm)
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Olive
Tag: Glo-Brite Floss - Fl. Fire Orange #5
Body: Hareline Dubbin - Hare's Ear
Rib: UTC Ultra Wire - Copper - Small
Collar: Nature's Spirit CDC - Medium Slate Dun
Thorax: SLF Prism Dubbing - Peacock
Thorax (option #1): Ice Dub - Peacock
Alternate CDC: Nature's Spirit CDC - Medium Dun
Alternate CDC: Nature's Spirit CDC - Light Gray Dun

Other tools from the tutorial:

Dubbing Wax
Stonfo Comb/Brush Tool
Loon Low Tack Swax

How to Fish a Parabolic Line

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 01:10:00 +0000

Sweep for Success

Life in lake fishing goes beyond just fishing a floating or sinking line, so we decided to highlight one of our favorite lines that we have been fishing for the past few years. It's a Parabolic or "Sweep" line that we'll highlight in the video.

To get a parabolic line here are a few links:

Scientific Anglers Parabolic Line

Airflo Sweep Line

Stubby Stimi

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 02:01:00 +0000

The Anti Stimulator

This fly is designed to be a longer, curved imitation that will float really high and skate along the surface when you mend or strip. When used with a floatant like Flyagra or Loon Fly Dip, this fly is a very high floater. Change up colors to match the caddis and stimulators in your area!

Material List

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Hook: Ahrex 531 Sedge Dry Fly Hook - 10
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 140 Denier - Wood Duck
Tail: Antron Yarn - Carded - Rusty Orange
Body: TroutHunter Dry Fly Dubbing - Light Honey
Wing 1: EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers - Cinnamon Caddis
Wing 2: Swiss CDC Ultra Select XL Grade - Safron Yellow
Head: TroutHunter Dry Fly Dubbing - Dark Honey

Other tools from the tutorial:

Fiskars 5" Micro-Tip Scissors

Syl's Midge: Purple Variant

noreply@blogger.com (Curtis Fry) — Sun, 31 May 2020 20:41:00 +0000

Must-Have Soft Hackle

The Syl's Midge, from Sylvester Nemes, has been one of my favorite midge soft hackle patterns over the

Purple Syl's Midge

years. It's a stellar pattern fished on the swing, the rise or just tossing into a pod of midge-eating trout. I've had times where, after throwing lots of my standards, a soft hackle like the Syl's Midge saves the day. Strikes can be subtle but it can also be the mini-equivalent of streamer fishing to aggressive fish. And if you want a different take on it, throw the Purple or Red versions on high mountain lakes during midge (chironomid) hatches when they refuse your surface patterns. Killer stuff!

The purple version here (and a couple of color variants whose materials are shown below) are great additions to any midge or nymph box. With the material list being so simple, it's easy to mix up the colors and show the fish something different. If you go with the colored variations, make sure to go with the Nature's Spirit bleached and dyed peacock since it holds the colors a lot better than just dying standard peacock first.

And the icing on the cake on this is the purple Hen Cape from Whiting Farms. We got our hands on a number of these and they work great on this pattern. See the materials here:

Material List

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Hook: Hanak H 200 BL Stillwater & Nymph Hook - 16
Thread: 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Purple
Thread (Std Version): 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Black
Thread (Red Version): 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Red
Body: Nature's Spirit Bleached Dyed Peacock Sticks - Purple
Body (Std Version): Peacock Eye Sticks
Body (Red Version): Nature's Spirit Bleached Dyed Peacock Sticks - Red
Soft Hackle: Whiting Red Label Hen Cape - Purple
Hackle (Std Version): Whiting Brahma Wing Soft Hackle Pair
Hackle (Red Version): Whiting Red Label Hen Cape - White Dyed Fiery Brown

Other tools from the tutorial:

C&F Design Dubbing Twister Plus
C&F Design Hackle Pliers

Synthetic Yak Streamer

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Mon, 18 May 2020 03:56:00 +0000

Big Taper, Little Bulk

I'll be honest, I got all fired up to tie some big meat when Lance brought in some of his for lake trout. I had been messing with a lot of synthetic fibers, but synthetic yak is one of my favorites due to how it flows in the water, and how it keeps bulk. This fly really isn't super hard to tie, it just takes a little bit of time. Feel free to mess with colors, and even change the hook and eye if you want. This type of fly also works really well when tied on a tube!

Material List

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Hook: Ahrex 270 Saltwater Bluewater Hook - 5/0
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 140 Denier - White
Tail: Polar Flash - 2033 - Mirage Opal
Under Body: Nature's Spirit Synthetic Yak Hair - White
Over Body: Nature's Spirit Synthetic Yak Hair - Brown
Body Filler: Ripple Ice Dub - Mother of Pearl
Collar 1: Ripple Ice Fiber - Shrimp Pink
Collar 2: Ripple Ice Fiber - UV Pearl
Collar 3: American Opossum Hair Patch - Large
Eyes: Hemingway's Jungle Cock Substitute - Red
Eyes (option): UV-3D Imitation Jungle Cock - Orange

Other tools from the tutorial:

Loon D-Loop Tweezer
Stonfo Elite Stainless Steel Bodkin
Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner
Raidzap UV Resin Medium

Tale of Two Baetis Patterns

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Wed, 13 May 2020 18:32:00 +0000

Simple vs Complicated

If you have ever worked in a fly shop you have been asked "which flies are working" a LOT... It's all good because it's a valid question that can give you the confidence you need to catch fish. Confidence in your fly can be the difference between a decent day of fishing and a really great day of fishing, and confidence many times is more important than having the best fly pattern. The two patterns pictured above are good examples of: 1- a fly that is super simple to tie, and 2- a fly that is a little bit more complicated with more moving parts. It's interesting that they both will fish exceptionally well in the same circumstances if you fish them with confidence... Fish. With. Confidence.

Now for the videos:

Standard Baetis Material List

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Hook: TMC 200R Hook - 20 - 25 Pack
Thread: SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0 - Olive
Bead: Killer Caddis Glass Beads - Midge - CC-Tan
Tail / Legs: Whiting Brahma Wing Soft Hackle Pair
Body: Life-Flex Spandex Material - Olive
Thorax: SLF Prism Bug Dub - Gray
Wingcase: UTC Flashback Tinsel - Black - Medium
Alternate Dubbing : Wapsi Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing - Adam's Gray

Dubbing Emerger Material List

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Hook: TMC 2488 Nymph Hook - 20 - 25 Pack
Thread: SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0 - Olive
Bead: Killer Caddis Glass Beads - Midge - CC-Diamond
Body: Wee Wool Yarn - Olive Dun
Thorax: Wee Wool Yarn - Adam's Gray

Falso Conejo Chironomid

noreply@blogger.com (Curtis Fry) — Mon, 11 May 2020 01:23:00 +0000

Tasty, Shiny and Not a Rabbit

It's always good to have a chironomid pattern that doesn't take a long time to tie but can catch fish all the same. A few years back when I saw these Hemingway synthetic quills, I gave them a try and found out they are pretty durable and also realistic. I've ended up using them in a lot of my midge and chironomid patterns. This fly has been probably my most productive chironomid pattern over the last two seasons. I've fished it deep with bigger beads and it does well closer to the surface due to it's shiny appearance in the water. The holographic quills here provide a great effect on the fly.

I've been using two hooks on this pattern. The Hanak 230 in #14 and #12 as well as the Fulling Mill Heavyweight Champ in #12 and #10's. You can fish these under an indicator, on an intermediate line or (our choice) a midge tip line. Anyway, these are easy to tie and they catch fish like crazy. Give it a try!

Material List

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Hook: Hanak H 230 BL Standard Nymph Hook - 12
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Red
Breathers: Glo-Brite Floss - Fl. White #16
Breathers (Option #1): Sparkle Emerger Yarn - Clear White
Bead (Reg): Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Nickel - 7/64" (2.8mm)
Bead (Heavy): Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Nickel - 1/8" (3.3mm)
Body: Hemingway Synthetic Tapered Peacock Quill - Holo Natural
Thorax: Ice Dub - UV Hot Orange
Thorax (Option #1): Ice Dub - UV Shrimp Pink
Quill Coating: Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish
Alt Hook: Fulling Mill 35005 Heavyweight Champ, Barbless - 12
Alt Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Black

Other tools from the tutorial:

C&F Design Hackle Pliers
Loon UV Infiniti Light
Loon Ergo Bodkin

Purple Rainbow Warrior

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Wed, 06 May 2020 19:34:00 +0000

Another One of Lance's Weapons

The Rainbow Warrior really needs no introduction, and is the first commercially available fly that Lance had available in the Umpqua catalog. Not only is the Purple Rainbow Warrior now available to purchase, Lance did a video tutorial on the proper way to tie it! Click HERE to buy them, or scroll below to see the video and material list.

Material List

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Hook: TMC 2457 Caddis Pupa, Nymph Hook - 18
Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Nickel - 3/32" (2.3mm)
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Red
Tail: Nature's Spirit Ringneck Pheasant Center Tails - Natural
Body: Veevus Holographic Tinsel - Purple - Large
Thorax: Wapsi Sow Scud Dubbing - Rainbow
Wing Case: Pearl Tinsel - Large
Alternate Hook: Daiichi 1120 - Heavy Wire Scud Hook - 18

Banda Lechuga - Jig Streamer Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 21:01:00 +0000

BANDA LECHUGAAAAAAAA

In Northern Patagonia runs a river named the Collon Cura that has a healthy population of rainbow trout, perca, and some monster brown trout. These trout have learned that insects are a decent snack, but the true protein comes from the minnows that start to run up the river in early fall. Beardy McBeardleton AKA Clint and I floated it with our guide Nico, and he assured us that we only needed to string up one type of rod - the streamer rod. I rigged with an 8' leader with a dropper tag tied about 4 feet down so I could fish two flies at the same time, and my weapons of choice that day were the Drunk Drea and some compound loop jig abomination without a name, but it didn't take long to know that those streamers would be a good choice. Clint and I both hooked up before ol' Nico could even pull the anchor! Throughout the day there was a bit of algae in the water which would cause you to stop and clean off the "lettuce" every 10 or so casts, so we were joking a lot about "lechuga" (lettuce in Spanish), which led to the guides start to make up Cumbia songs about lechuga and sing them back and forth on the radios. (I'll interrupt here to give the guides at Andes Drifters a strong plug! They were an absolute RIOT to fish with.) Nico started calling our group the "Banda Lechuga" (Lettuce Band) that day, so this fly was aptly named during a float that resulted in about 75 fish to the net.

A quick tidbit about this fly... The TMC 708 that it is tied on is one of the best streamer hooks I have used in a long time. It has a little bit longer needle point and was easily sharpened after pinging it off of jagged patagonian rocks (they are no joke.) Also feel free to sub the tail out for tan or cream colored marabou of your choice.

As an added bonus!!! listen to Brigham get stoked in our intro...

Material List

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Hook: TMC 708 Keel Streamer Hook - 6
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 140 Denier - Red
Bead: Firehole Stones Plated Slotted Tungsten Beads - Copper - 4.5mm (3/16")
Lead: Lead Wire Spool - .020
Tail: Fox Hair Patch - Red - Small
Body/Collar: Ripple Ice Dub - Gold
Collar 1: Ripple Ice Dub - Mother of Pearl
Collar 2: Ostrich Marabou - Ginger
Alternate Ostrich: Ostrich Marabou - Tan
Alternate Fox: Fox Hair Patch - Red - Large
Alternate Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Gold - 3/16" (4.6mm)

Other tools from the tutorial:

Loon D-Loop Tweezer
Stonfo Elite Stainless Steel Bodkin
Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner

Slush Mop and Slush Egg

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 02:11:00 +0000

Simplify Your Filth Flies

Warning! If you are a purist who doesn't like fishing worms, eggs, mops, and other flies that represent protein packed trout meals, this post is going raise your hackles. Jokes aside, this slush jelly is a GREAT material not only for blobs in stillwater, but for eggs and mops. These flies really don't need much explanation, so skip on over to the video to see how to put these together (It's pretty complicated.)

Slush Mop Material List

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Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook - 10
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 140 Denier - Fl. Fire Orange
Bead: Hanak Fluo+ Slotted Tungsten Beads - Fl. Orange - 4.0mm
Body: FNF Slush Jelly Fritz - Apricot
Head: Ice Dub - UV Shrimp Pink

Other tools from the tutorial:

FNF Slush Jelly Fritz - Blue Cheese

Slush Egg Material List

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Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook - 10
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 140 Denier - Fl. Fire Orange
Bead: Hanak Fluo+ Slotted Tungsten Beads - Fl. Orange - 4.0mm
Body: FNF Slush Jelly Fritz - Apricot

Coq N' Coyote - SIMPLE soft hackle pattern

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:20:00 +0000

Fur, Feather, Rib

Soft hackles are not only fun to tie, but they are a great way to catch fish! Soft hackles have been around for a long, long time, but they are often overlooked as fly tying materials continue to evolve. Guess what, lots of the patterns that used to work for ol Gran Pappy will still work today. Tie this one up with some natural fur and a buggy feather and go swing up some trout!

Material List

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Hook: Fulling Mill 35005 Heavyweight Champ, Barbless - 12
Thread: 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Camel
Rib: Hend's Pearl Round Ribbing 233 - Dark Brown Pearl
Hackle: Whiting Brahma Hen Saddle - Mottled Gray (Wildtype)
Body: Natural Furs Dubbing - Coyote Mask

Fly Box Organization

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 03:49:00 +0000

There is no "RIGHT" way

With all of the fly box options out there, we get asked what's the "best" way to organize your boxes. The short answer is that there is no real "right" way to organize it, so we made a video that shows how Lance, Curtis, and Cheech all organize their boxes.

Here are some links to the boxes we use:

-- C&F Boxes
-- Fulling Mill Boxes
-- Umpqua Bug Lockers
-- Fishpond Tacky

Wooly Baetis

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 21:03:00 +0000

Nymph, Emerger, Fish Catcher

Don't show your friends this fly... I'ts super secret, and it's designed to increase your catch rate by 29%. Jokes aside, this is pretty much an RS2 variation that has a dubbed and cased thorax. The Wee Wool for the body also adds a slim, yet buggy profile, so tie some up and make sure to vary the colors to match your local bugs!

Material List

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Hook: TMC 200R Hook - 20 - 25 Pack
Thread: SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0 - Olive
Bead: Killer Caddis Glass Beads - Midge - CC-Tan
Tail: Mayfly Tails - Medium Dun
Body: Wee Wool Yarn - Olive Dun
Wing Case: UTC Flashback Tinsel - Black - Medium
Thorax: SLF Prism Bug Dub - Gray
Alternate Dubbing: Wapsi Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing - Adam's Gray
Alternate Dubbing: TroutHunter Dry Fly Dubbing - Adam's Gray
Alternate Dubbing: TroutHunter Professional Dubbing for Emergers & Nymphs - Gray Olive

Ribby Pellet - Perdigon Fly

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 22:16:00 +0000

Feed 'Em The Pellet

Perdigon = Pellet. There is your Spanish lesson for the day. Really though, this is just a ribbed version of a perdigon that uses only thread to achieve a super buggy look. You all already know how effective the Perdigon is, so twist up a bunch of these in different colors and catch fish!!

Material List

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Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook - 14
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 140 Denier - Olive
Bead: Hanak Round+ Slotted Tungsten Beads - Gold - 3.5mm
Tail: Whiting Coq De Leon Tailing Packs - Dark Pardo
Hot Spot: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Fl. Orange
Resin: Solarez UV Cure Resin - Bone Dry .5 Oz
Alternate Hook: Fulling Mill 35045 Jig Hook - 14
Alternate Hook: Firehole Sticks 516 Jig Hook - 14
Alternate Bead: Firehole Stones Plated Slotted Tungsten Beads - Gold - 3.5mm (9/64")

Other tools from the tutorial:

Loon UV Infiniti Light

Killer Midge - Da Midge

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 21:48:00 +0000

One of the flies that started the channel

Throwing it back to 2010, this is one of the patterns that kind of helped kick off our youtube channel! We thought we'd do it proper justice and add a recipe and a post for it. Enjoy watching "young" Curtis crank this bug out.

Material List

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Hook: TMC 2488 Nymph Hook - 18 - 25 Pack
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Black
Bead: Firehole Stones Plated Slotted Tungsten Beads - Black Nickel - 2.0mm (5/64")
Body: Nature's Spirit Turkey Biot Quills - Pale Olive
Flash: Krystal Flash - Fl. Orange
Thorax: Nature's Spirit X-Tremely Fine Natural Dubbing - Trico

Bead Head Barr Emerger

noreply@blogger.com (Curtis Fry) — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 02:19:00 +0000

Baetis Box Bonanza

Bead Head Barr Emergers

When I was in college doing a lot of fishing on the Green River in Utah, I was introduced to the Barr Emerger series of mayfly patterns. It became, and still is, one of my favorite Baetis and PMD emerger and nymph patterns. Between the Provo and Green rivers, this was easily one of the most effective patterns really year-round. And while I ended up going with a simplified "guide version" of the Barr Emerger, the OG version is still my favorite.

You can use this as a dropper from a bigger mayfly pattern or just nymph it up on any sort of nymphing rig you prefer.

Material List

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Hook: TMC 2487 Emerger Hook - 16 - 25 Pack
Thread: 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Iron Gray
Bead (optional): Cyclops Brass Beads - Brass - 3/32" (2.3mm)
Tail: Strung Chinese Saddle Hackle - Fiery Brown
Abdomen Mix: Wapsi Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing - Brown Olive
Wing Case/Legs: Strung Chinese Saddle Hackle - Gray
Thorax: Wapsi Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing - Adam's Gray
Wing Case Coating: Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish
Light: Loon UV Bench Light

Other tools from the tutorial:

Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
Tiemco Razor Scissors

Nano Puff Baetis

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 23:10:00 +0000

No, This Fly Won't Keep You Warm

The coolest part of this fly is the technique used to get a really dense puff-looking wing out of a normal piece of CDC. This is a great fly for that part of the hatch where the fish really haven't decided whether they want to eat on top, or just keep slurping from the surface film. Enjoy!

Material List

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Hook: TMC 2488 Nymph Hook - 18 - 25 Pack
Thread: SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0 - Olive
Shuck: Antron Yarn - Light Brown
Thorax: SLF Prism Bug Dub - Gray
Wing: TroutHunter Premium CDC - Medium Dun

Fancy Pants Streamer

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 17:02:00 +0000

The Coffee Fairy of Flies

The Drunk Drea has been absolutely solid in it's short existence on this earth, so it got a cousin that has a bit more unique movement in the tail. This could be fished as a craw pattern, or just as a normal streamer that has different movement than just a marabou tail. The compound loop has been a pretty fun technique to play with, so give it a shot and try throwing in a variety of materials into it to see how it fishes.

Material List

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Hook: TMC 5263 Nymph & Streamer Hook - 4 - 25 Pack
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 140 Denier - Hopper Yellow
Cone: Brass Cone Heads - Gold - Large (1/4")
Underbody Weight: Lead Wire Spool - .025
Tail Dubbing Ball: Ice Dub - UV Pink
Tail: Rabbit Zonker Strips - Gold Variant
Tail (option): Bling Rabbit Strips - Gold Variant with Holo Gold Accent
Body: Medium UV Polar Chenille - Gold
Collar 1: Ripple Ice Fiber - Shrimp Pink
Collar 2: Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou - Brown (UV)
Collar 3: Senyo's Barred Predator Wrap - Barred UV
Collar 4: Fox Hair Patch - Red - Small
Alternate Hook: TMC 5262 Nymph & Streamer Hook - 4
Alternate Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 140 Denier - Tan
Alternate Fox: Fox Hair Patch - Red - Large

Other tools from the tutorial:

Loon D-Loop Tweezer
Stonfo Comb/Brush Tool
C&F Design Tying Comb
Stonfo Elite Stainless Steel Bodkin
Loon Ergo Bodkin
Fiskars 5" Micro-Tip Scissors
Magnetic Fly Tying Pad - Fly Tying with Uncle Cheech Logo

HBD KVZ!!

Flexo Midge

noreply@blogger.com (cheech) — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 22:29:00 +0000

Your Buddy's Secret Midge

I like simple and effective midge patterns, in fact, if a midge takes you more than 5 minutes to tie, you should maybe rethink the pattern to make it more simple. Here is a super simple bug that can be tied in a wide variety of colors and sizes. To keep this post simple, I'm going to stop typing so you can watch the video.

Material List

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Hook: TMC 200R Hook - 20 - 25 Pack
Thread: SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0 - Olive
Bead: Killer Caddis Glass Beads - Midge - CC-Peacock Emerger
Body: Life-Flex Spandex Material - Olive
Thorax: SLF Prism Bug Dub - Gray