55 on the fly

Continuing with my winter fly pattern series I offer up the Griffith's Gnat as my go-to dry fly. Many people overlook the old Griffith's Gnat and think of it as a pattern of days gone by.  But for me, it's a great searching pattern.  An effective fly throughout the year that excels in winter when the midges are about.  When there's a break in the winter weather and the midges are on the water I fish the G-Gnat.  It's an easy pattern to tie and it only requires a couple of materials.  It makes an excellent indicator fly as well, team it up with a Wire Head Pheasant Tail and have at it. my #1 winter dry fly the Griffith's Gnat materials list: Hook: dry #14-18 Thread: Danville 70 denier in red Body: peacock herl Hackle: grizzly

Here's another good winter fly. I like it as a trailer. Tied here as a "Wire Head" with an orange "Hot Spot".  It can also be tied with pink, red and chartreuse thread.  It doesn't get much simpler than that, but don't let that fool you, this fly takes fish in all seasons but really shines in the winter. Materials list: Hook: wet size #16-18 Thread and Hot Spot: Flo. Orange 6/0 Wire Head: gold 28 ga. craft wire or gold bead Tail and Body: Pheasant Tail Note: I like to add a dab of super glue to the wire head and the hot spot.

Fire Fly variations... Just playing around while watching the football games getting my winter fly boxes filled.

Since my knee surgery I've been slowly striving to get back in shape. For six months, prior to my surgery, I was sitting around with a very sore knee.  My knee hurt 24-7 and the sitting around put on some 22 pounds.  Having had the surgery at the end of October I have put on a few more pounds sitting around healing up and doing my PT but not much more. Well I set a goal to be back on my feet in time for the start of the NY deer season that started Saturday the 17th.  I walked into my tree stand (about 500 yards, the farthest I have walked so far) on "Opening Day" and managed to climb up into it without any problems.  I enjoyed watching the sun rise and at 7:20 I had a nice buck come by that I put a good shot on and that was that.  A very nice 9 point buck to fill the freezer and provide lean red meat for the winter.  I was sore all day Sunday.  After hunting all day plus the long drive home and getting the deer hung I was done-for.  ...

I enjoyed a relaxed fishing trip yesterday... It was warm with temp's in the 60's, perfect for the first outing of my new bamboo fly rod.  The fishing was slow, but the rod performed like a champ... I got in a lot of casting practice with it; drys, nymphs and even some some small streamers. The rod did everything I asked and looked good doing it.  It's going to get a lot of use in the coming year both here in NY and MT.  My thanks Winston for making such a wonderful fly rod... W. Binney Para 15 --- 8' 5wt., 2/2 (2 piece with 2 tips) My W. Binney fitted with a vintage Hardy Featherweight took it's first fish, a 12 inch brown trout... But my fumbling didn't allow for a photo.

An Apple Caddis Emerger for the Delaware in early spring fished as a dropper... Materials List: Hook: #16-18 Wire Head: Gold 28 ga. wire two layers 3 over 4. wire run on top of back to bend. Body: 1/3rd DK#3 apple green, 1/3rd olive GSS, 1/3rd fox squirrel dubbing Teardrop Wing: light tan hen feather, cut out tip tied tips down then folded back, trim butt. Collar: fox squirrel dubbing. A step by step: make thread base for wire head tie in wire add drop of super glue then wrap head 3 over 4 turns 2 layers run wire down top of hook shank to bend, cover with thread wraps dub 1/3 of shank with apple green dubbing add GSS olive dubbing to 1/3rd of hook add fox squirrel dubbing to 1/3rd of hook prep light tan  or ginger hen feather as shown tie in feather "V" notch down behind wire head fold feather back to form the "Teardrop Wing" add more fox squirrel dubbing in front of wing turns of dubbi...

I'm sitting at my fly tying desk this morning with my leg up.  Today is the first day I have moved around a bit after my knee surgery and I'm starting to feel better.  My knee is healing up nicely, Michelle had the bandage off yesterday and it looks good.  She put fresh bandages on and I'm good for another couple of days. Anyway, I had to get off the couch and tie a few flies today.  So, I'm tying up some GSS Emergers. How about you?  Tying anything lately? Simple and fun to tie the GSS Emerger, tied and photographed by Doug Korn... ready to fish... Gold Wire Head GSS Emerger