Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Winter Angling, And North Country Spiders

Winter angling is at best a "maybe" and most times it's a "not going to happen".....the the "maybe" I'll take every time if given the choice but if the latter is dished out well I'll make the best of it. Such was the case of my last few outings. They were day's of extreme over night cold temps, like the teens. A day when the thaw had taken place and chunks of ice were floating downstream. The days when just reaching the stream was hazardous. But I'm not making excuses just telling how it was.

But even on those slow days I was able to capture several beautiful scenes that make small stream angling special at any time of year.


I love natural waterfalls....don't you?


This beautiful plunge spilling into the river. And just a few feet from that plunge was....


This remarkable scene. There were daffodils, or iris sprouting up.


I tied up a few size 18 spiders. I think they will be acceptable when those early stone flies are about. This one uses purple thread, peacock thorax, and starling hackle.


This one has an olive thread body, hares mask thorax, and bleached starling hackle.








27 comments:

  1. Alan, you have done it again, this is gonna cost me some hooks.

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    1. srtilis
      Thanks
      Hook cost in size or price. These are tied on Orvis Tactical, they are a bit pricey but they are super sharp, strong, and hold fish very well. I wish they would go on sale.

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  2. Gorgeous scenes Alan. Amazing to see the I had the same thought as srtilis... Those are sweet looking hooks - which look like they would work for a wide range, not just spiders... May have to hunt for some at the fly show Friday!

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    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will I also use them for dry flies. Allen had some very similar but the last time I got an order they were not the same. I'll be at the show Friday too.
      Hope to see you.

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  3. Beautiful country Alan. Question for you. Seems like all the tiers in your part of the country use Orvis Tactical hooks. Difference between that other others?

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    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard the Orvis hook has some great features. They are barbless, have a wide gap which helps hold fish, they're strong, light weight and they have a fine black finish. Allen did have a hook comparable but they decided to change mfg's and you know what happened.

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  4. Good morning Alan,
    Nice ties - beauty at it's simple best. The last fly is similar to an old pattern I used to use in England. Hackle was an under covert of a Woodcock (rather than starling) and the body was not quite as sparse as yours. They were very effective in the first month or so of our trout season over here for the Grannom Sedge / caddis hatches.
    Alistair

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    1. Anonymous
      Thanks
      Alistair I love the simplicity of these flies, and the fish also agree. I am going to look for some woodcock at the show coming up. The small streams here do have some mayfly hatches but caddis are more abundant.

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  5. Beautiful scenic photos of the stream. Captures natures beauty!!!

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    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete even if you don't hookup it's still a good day when your on the stream.

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  6. I speared (spring loaded trap) a couple of moles this past year which I promptly skinned and tanned the hide with borax and kosher salt. I think mole fur makes the very best thorax dubbing for "spiders". I use it on all my spiders that have a dubbed thorax. Many don't.

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    1. John Dornik
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      John I have mole on my list, along with some prime starling. Show time tomorrow.

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  7. Beautiful photos of the water falls and the stream in general. Interesting to see green shoots coming up already. I guess it doesn't take long for a mild stretch of weather to get them going. Great looking spider soft-hackles which I agree make for a good stone fly imitation. Those will surely produce. Regards, Sam

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    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam I was shocked when I observed those flowers popping through. That second spider worked very well today.

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    2. Haha! Glad to hear they drew some action. I surely knew they would! I haven't fished in a while, but am hoping to hit my unpopular section of the Swift River on Saturday.

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    3. Sam, what an awesome day. I hooked a dozen brookies on everything. Dries as well as soft-hackles.
      Good luck on the Swift.

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    4. Glad to hear you had good action! I won't rule out dry flies when I get out on Saturday.

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  8. Replies
    1. Armando Milosevic
      Thanks
      Armando Sam summed it pretty well.

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  9. Cold, clear water, Alan. A thing of beauty and a sound so mesmerizing! Like the Spider patterns. Have not seen the Orvis hooks so will have to do some exploring. Thanks...

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    1. Grandpa Mel
      Thanks
      Mel the hooks are great in all respects, only wish they were not so steep in price.

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  10. Winter fishing is exactly that. Just need to get out and make the best of it. Like you, I usually walk away with some great scenic pictures and no fish, and that's quite alright with me. Great looking flies per usual, Alan!

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    1. Justin Carf
      Thanks
      Justin winter has some opportunities and even if those don't turn into what we hope, it's still a good day.

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  11. Hi Alan, lovely pics as always and as they say here in Yorkshire, Nowt wrang wit em lad :)

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    1. George
      Thanks
      Now there's a saying I must remember.

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  12. Alan
    Both Spiders show nice work at the vice, beautiful images; I have to admit this type weather would be a little too cold for me. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill it can be bothersome for me also. But I'm always close to a hot cup of coffee.

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