Saturday, July 16, 2016

The Dog Days And Valsesiana Flies

The dog days of summer are upon us.....we have our grand-dog Parker with us for a few days and when he's with us all the world revolves around him. Every morning I ask him what he wants for breakfast and his choices keep me busy, he also gives me his dinner menu too. Fishing has been put on hold and walking in the woods is highlight of the day. While walking with Parker I have checked out a few small streams I fish. They are looking quite nice. The flows are OK and the temps cool, perhaps there is an outing on the horizon.

I have been tying a few flies, "North Country Flies" "Valsesiana" style flies that is. Theses soft-hackle flies date back to the 9th century. They are a pleasure to tie and a pleasure to fish.








These are obviously not 9th century patterns, but 21st century soft-hackle nymphs. Well I hope you are all dealing with summers heat and perhaps wetting a line to.







17 comments:

  1. Those backwards soft hackles are fascinating. Hope you can get out there soon, and I'm surprised your streams are holding up okay...most of the ones I'm familiar with are not. Rain would be nice.

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  2. RI brook trout
    Thanks
    Jon, they are a different look for sure. I have fished them but not often enough, but that will change.
    The streams surprised me. And all the rain we can get is welcomed.

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  3. Interesting looking soft hackles Brk Trt!! I am sure you will find some brookies willing to jump on!!!

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    1. TROUTI
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      Pete there were a few today that took one of them, but they were pretty selective overall.

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  4. Alan I can relate to watching grand dogs ,I have had to watch 3 grand dogs in the past week, I think sometimes they require more attention than my grand child who we watch often. Beautiful dog love labs , very intelligent animals. Thanks.

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    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Brad with 3 you pretty much had your hands full.
      They are indeed intelligent...he knows how to get what he wants. Love him....

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  5. That dog watching thing has me tied up, too, Alan. The wife and I are caring for two little ones while my daughter and family are on vacation..........

    Very interesting flies for sure. I have not tied that style, but, do tie beadhead soft hackles. Are the Valsesiana Flies a Tenkara tie from long ago?

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    1. Grandpa Mel
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      It's so nice, we can enjoy them for the time of vacation.
      As to who came first I don't know, but these have been here for a long time.

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  6. Alan
    Parker looks laid back, exactly the way we need to be during these hot summer months. Humidity is a killer during this time of the year. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill his middle name is "laid back"....heat is bad , but he loves to swim and that's very refreshing.

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  7. Great looking flies, Alan, and the dog looks like a gem to have around. Connecticut has been darned fortunate with the rain from the thunderstorms. We don't get anything out of them in the Springfield, MA area I live in. It is dry as a bone around here. Hopefully we get good rain soon.

    Regards, Sam

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    1. Parachute Adams
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      Sam he's a friend. We have not recieved rain state wide, but some of the t-storms have left their mark on a few streams. We could use several days and several inches regionally.

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  8. awww. my pups take priority over most things, too. :)

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    1. TexWisGirl
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      Theresa we enjoy spoiling him...

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  9. Parker looks like a great boy and those flies look awesome. I've never heard the term Valsesiana..thanks for enlightening me Brk Trt

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    1. penbayman
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      Mike he's a constant companion to us.
      The flies are a type of north country, tenkara, soft hackle.

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  10. very good about the dog Parker, I like that dog ...

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