55 on the fly

Hi folks, Today I was tying up some of my Korn's Spent-wing Caddis flies with Opal Tinsel bodies.  The tinsel was a real pain in the butt to handle as it was full of static.  It was so bad I almost couldn't put it down! Then I remembered an old trick.  I ran downstairs and grabbed a dryer sheet from the laundry area and put that on my tying bench and laid my tinsel on it, bingo!  The anti-static dryer sheet solved the problem and I could get back to knocking out 15 dozen of these killer flies... Here is a photo of the Opal Tinsel body, nice and slim. Anti-cling dryer sheet does the trick... finished fly - bottom Korn's Tinsel Caddis - top

Early last year Bruce Staples contacted me and asked if I would be willing to contribute some of my original fly patterns to his new book.  Needless to say I was flattered, and said yes.  I sent off to Bruce examples of eight flies, a materials list and a short description for each.  I just recently received my copy and I was very impressed with both the content and quality of this publication... My "Korn's Marabou Caddis" even made the cover! My flies included in this book are: Korn's; Spruce Moth, CDC Spent-wing Parachute Caddis, Green Lantern, Holiday Golden Stone, Marabou Caddis, TNT Golden Stone, TNT Green Drake and my Wrapped Foam Hopper. It is truly an honor to have my flies listed alongside some great fly tiers like: Bob Jacklin, Hans Weilenmann, Walter Wiese, Craig Mathews as-well-as many others... If you get a chance please give this book a look especially if you plan on fishing in Yellowstone Country!  Thanks Bruce...

Hi folks, I've been "tied up" with my knee surgery and some other health issues as-well-as the Holidays.   Needless to say I've fallen behind on my fly tying... But now I'm back up and at them. Today I'm tying up a bunch of my favorite fly - the "Korn's Spent-wing Caddis". You can check out my YouTube video titled; "Korn's Spruce Moth".  The Spent-wing is tied using the same methods with just slightly different materials.  See my list of materials and tying instructions below.  The thing to remember is, caddis flies have a narrow wing profile, where the spruce moth's wings are wider. Korn's Spent-wing Caddis, tan version.  Tied with narrow hen pheasant feathers producing the perfect profile in the water. Hook: MFCo. #7000 Dry 14-18 Thread: Serafil 200   Rib: tag end of thread  Abdomen: DK Tan dubbing Palmered hackle: ginger rooster neck. Wing: 2 hen pheasant wing or neck feathers Steps: 1. St...

Spoon #4 - I finished carving this ash serving spoon today.  No sanding, just a carved finish. Here are the other tools I used for this spoon.  The Keen Kutter 1 1/2 lb. axe head is one I recently bought off the bay for $20. I reground the edge bevel and made the handle and mask for it.  My spoon knife and Mora carving knife are also included in the photo. The knot hole worked out perfectly.  It popped out nicely with a little help while carving the bowl.  It will make a nice drain hole for serving cooked veggies... The spoon is 10 1/2 inches long.  I'm sorry that it's not fly fishing but thanks for checking it out...

Making dubbing from yarn is easy using a coffee grinder.  Buy one just for making dubbing, they are cheap, about $15.  Experiment with different yarns yourself to find the right color, texture and float-ability desired for your fly tying needs. Today's goal is to make an orange sulphur dubbing for dry flies. Materials needed.  All you really need is a coffee grinder and some yarn... I use a 12 inch board to measure my "parts".   I cut one part of orange yarn and ten parts yellow.  Then, cut the 11 pieces of yarn in 3/4 inch lengths or "bundles". Keep the 3/4 inch bundles nicely lined up so that they can be added to the coffee grinder in the proper 1 to 10 ratio.  You will end up with about 15-16 bundles. Add 3-4 bundles at one time to the grinder.  Turn it on and run it for about 20 seconds.  Grinding times will vary depending on your wool and the volume of yarn in the ...

My favorite.  Pan fried venison tenderloins, whole grain wheat toast and two eggs over easy, PRICELESS!

I am happy to have taken this nice little buck on "Opening Day" here in NY.  This year I only had a buck tag and I will not be able to hunt the rest of the deer season due to knee surgery. Some fine eating!