55 on the fly

A short while ago I was encouraged by fellow FAOL forum members to submit a step-by-step of my Korn's CDC Spent-wing Caddis and the Parachute variation that I tie.  So I gathered up my meager photographic equipment and took some photo's of the tying process and sent it in.  Today they have posted it as the Fly Of The Week... see it here:  http://www.flyanglersonline.com/fotw/2012/fotw20120130.php

Here's my version of an old fly that I still tie for Parks Fly Shop in Gardiner, MT located just outside the North entrance to the park.  It's a simple wet fly to tie.  Use it as a dropper or swing a pair of them through a nice run.  The brook trout in the park really like this fly, fished behind a Coachman Trude makes for a deadly combination. Hook: MFC 7076, size 14-16 Thread: red danville Tail: red yarn, needloft  Body: peacock Rib: gold wire Hackle: grizzly hen soft hackle Photographed and tied by Doug Korn

Leeches, really? Have you ever run out of ideas, flies, to throw at that stubborn trout?  He's not moving much, not actively feeding?  Here's the deal --- throw him a leech!    Last year out West Michelle and I both caught our biggest trout on tandem rigs featuring two leeches.  We were fly fishing in the Northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park where the Cutthroats get lots of attention.  Both trout were stubborn and didn't want to play, they had seen it all in this heavily fished stream.  Until we gave them a leech to look at, bam fish on!  We cast them quartering upstream, let them dead drift, then swing and then strip them in slowly with short strokes.  When all else fails, give 'em leeches. Photographed and tied by Doug Korn  I tie simple leeches.  All you need is; a bead, hook and a piece of yarn.  Use some strong thread to hold it all together... brush and tease it out and you have your ...

Yep, picked up a nice 1950's - 60's rebuilt fiberglass fly rod from Kevin Proctor, at Colorado Custom Fly Rods.  http://www.coloradocustomflyrods.com/index.html The original manufacturer of the rod is unknown, but I like the looks and feel of this rod.  Kevin stripped the blank and totally refurbished it with all new hardware, cork grip and nice maroon wraps.  I've been looking for a fiberglass 6 wt. in the 8-9 foot range and this one at 8' 6" should be fun to fish out West.  It's a no-nonsense fishing stick just the way us old guides like 'em.  I have two other old fiberglass fly rods that I fish occasionally, but they are collectors rods that are in such good original condition that I worry about using them.  This rod has been given new life by Kevin --- and will be fished hard by me! Here are Kevin's photo's of the rod...

Photographed and tied by Doug Korn Tied "in the round" this color combination is killer for fall browns.  The "double K" can also be scaled down and tied in smaller sizes and colors, like  Golden Stones, etc.   Hook:  MFC 7026 in #4-6  Beads: two copper brass beads (thorax bead one size smaller than bead head) Thread: Black Uni 6/0 Tail & legs: cream solid med-large. rubber legs Rib: optional, 28 gauge copper Abdomen: black yarn 2 ply Thorax: orange ice dub

Korn's CDC Spent-wing Parachute Caddis ~  tied and photographed by Doug Korn This parachute caddis fly is a variation of the Korn's CDC Spent-wing Caddis, seen here: http://55onthefly.blogspot.com/2012/01/korns-cdc-spent-wing-caddis.html It makes a nice lead fly for the above standard CDC Spent-wing as that fly is not easy to see on the water... With the parachute this fly is easy to see and floats like a dream. Hook: MFC 7000 #14 Thread: Uni-8/0 Camel Body: tan type #1* CDC feather wrapped forward. Wing: 2 hen pheasant feathers tied flat, with a small drop of head cement spread on top. Post: white CDC type #3* puff feather on top of shank, fold in half and post up. Hackle: one natural colored type #1 or  #4* CDC feather using the Marc Petitjean Magic Tool.  Complete fly by trimming the post and the underside of the fly flat. *as per CDC feather chart by Hans Weilenmann

Happy Birthday girl.....  see her video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkH5ruGhHSQ

tied and photographed by Doug Korn Materials List: Hook: MFC 7000 #14 Thread: Uni-8/0 Camel Body: tan CDC feather wrapped forward Wing: 2 hen pheasant feathers tied flat and notched at tip, with a drop of head cement spread on top Thorax: fox squirrel dubbing

Tied and photographed by Doug Korn Top view of split-tails Materials list: Hook: MFC 7000 Dry #14-18 Thread: 8/0 Uni - Rust Orange Tails: 4 CDL feather barbs, tied in as split-tails Body: PMD dubbing or to match the hatch Wings: 2 CDC feathers Thorax: fox squirrel dubbing

Eastern Spring Sulfurs ~ they will be here before you know it... Tied and photographed by Doug Korn Materials list: Hook: MFC 7000 Dry #14-18 Thread: 8/0 Uni - Rust Orange Tails: CDL split Body: wrapped 1mm foam Wings: 2 CDC feathers Thorax: DK #9 Sulfur dubbing or similar Legs: CDC wing butts folded back and trimmed Note: change colors for: BWO, Flav's, PMD's, etc...