"One Fine Day"

A streamer tied in the New England style.

Worm Patterns

I have been tying various worm patterns for a few years now, ever since a friend gave me one and said try it. I did and on the second cast a nice brown took it and gave me a valient battle, which he one. But that day the little brown worm earned its keep in my fly box.

I tie them in a few colors but the brown and the pink work best for me. I know some will say its not a fly, which is probably true in the sense it has no feathers, or hair, but it is an imitation of an earthworm or aquatic worm.

Small Flies

These are Ausable Bombers tied on a 18 hook.



These are Ausable Bombers tied on size 20 hooks.


This is a Ausable Wulff tied on a size 20 hook.







I have been fishing small streams for some time. The wild trout that inhabit these streams are generally not selective in the flies that are offered for their consumption. The hatches that do happen on these streams are usually sparse and do not occur with the same regularity as other larger streams and rivers. There are a few flies that always come with me on my small stream ventures, a "core selection", I guess. The Ausable Bomber is probably my number one fly, as you can tell if you have seen my posts. I tie this fly in 14 and and have tied it on a number 12 too. This fly always brings the trout to the surface, being especially effective in the morning as well as evening.


Over the last few months I have been facinated by the small flies that some tyers have been posting. They are very realistic and well tied. Well I've sort of thrown my hat into the small fly ring, tying a few of my favorite patterns "MINI" style. These small flies seem to be ok, but the test will come when I cast them upon the waters of one of my little streams.

"Daisy"

"Daisy"




A few years ago while in Maine I stopped in a store looking for a map. While browsing I came upon a wood rack that held streamer flies. Looking at them, one in particular caught my eye. The fly was called a "Red Rocket" although it was tied somewhat diferent' this is similar. I call it "Daisy", named for the company that made the "Red Ryder" BB gun.


Click on photo to view larger image.

The Downwing Hornberg

This is a variation of The Hornberg, originated by Frank Hornberg of Wisconsin. Its a fly thats been in my fly box since I started fly fishing and is a very effective pattern. It is tied in many forms, including the original design of Frank Hornberg, which I'll do a report on later. This is a variation called a Downwing Hornberg, perhaps more of a wet fly, and is tied that way to represent a Golden Stonefly. I have fished these underwater and when pulled to the surface and "popped", and then skitted across the surface will bring a strike. This is a good fly for trout, especially brookies, and LL Salmon. I can't say for sure, but the great State of Maine probably has more anglers who fish the Hornberg more than any other state in the U.S.

Hook,Mustad 38941
Thread, Black
Body, Flat Silver Tinsel
Underwing, Yellow Hackle
Wing, Mallard Flank
Cheeks, Jungle Cock
Hackle, Grizzly


Click on photo for a larger image.

Fishing, Tying, Camping at Home

We are in the process of having our kitchen remodled and things are somewhat disruptive. But between the work I have been able to do some fishing and fly tying in between the work times for the hammer guys. We have been eating on paper plates, using plastic forks, knives, and I can't find the spoons. The food pretty much cold cuts, and Chinese take out, sort of like camping at home. Hopefully things will be back to normal in a few more days.

In between the acts, some fly tying

A battle scared little guy
Early AM Brown Trout

The Derby

Ethan accepting his prize, a new spinning combo.
A family feast, summer style. Candy, and Mel,and my Chex Mix topped hot dogs.
Ethan, Contimplating
A worthy adversary
Morgan and Hannah



Well the annual fishing derby was held yesterday. The rain held off and the fish were hungry. Lots of bluegills, yellow perch, and even a small striper were taken. The flies made a brief apperance, but garden hackle won out. Both Ethan and Morgan won prizes. There was a cookout with burgers, hot dogs and plenty of soft drinks. It was an enjoyable day for the kids and families.

The Derby

Tomorrow is the anual fishing derby at the marina where my grandson Ethan and grandaughter Morgan, mom and dad keep their boat. Nana and Papa, will be there as the first lines are cast into the waters with the hope of winning first prize. Garden hackle will be the first choice for the kids, Papa has tied up some streamers for the time when the garden hackle is no longer bringing them in. The quarry will be panfish, rock bass, and that awesome fighter the "pickerel" so the colors here are well represented to attract those fish. If the rain will hold off a great time will be had by all, and even if it doesn't, best fishing in the rain.

Cliff....."Days Worth"

I would like to pass along some info on the Cliff Days Worth fly box. Its a small but ample fly box with the capability of carring a days worth of flies on the stream. One side of the box has two strips that hold your dry flies securly and the other side has a magnetic base that holds nymphs, streamers, wets very tightly. Its made of a very heavy plastic that I believe will take some punishment. I know that the small stream guy would love this box, I know I do. The price is about 15.00, and is made in Wyoming.
Very practical and worht the price.

Carrie Stevens Challenge ll

"Carrie's Favorite"
August 15th will be the 40th anniversary of Carrie Stevens Day. She is responsible for creating the most recognized streamer fly ever. The "Gray Ghost" Carrie is also known to have tied many more streamers, to many to name here. She had no formal training in how to tie a fly, nor did she see any one tie a fly. She tied her flies without the use of a vise. To comemorate this event myself and 23 other fly tyers from around the world accepted a challenge to tie a streamer fly just as she did. The only tools we were allowed to use were, scissors, bobbin for thread, and a bodkin. The pattern that was selected was "Carrie's Favorite" The recipe for this streamer will be posted on the side, along with a photo sequence of how it was tied.

"Belle"

A Maine Wild Brook Trout Stream





In the course of a fly fishers life he will fish many waters, with most of them being very kind to him with rewards of special fish , beautiful suroundings, and fine company. This is a thought or two of one of mine. This stream has its headwaters in the Western Maine Mountains. Several ponds and deep springs keep its waters flowing cool until it reaches a large natural lake. Along its run to the lake it travels through one of the most beautiful areas of New England. Birch, Fir, and Maple trees line its boulder riddled banks. In Autumn, at which time I make my visit to this natural jewel, the woods are aflame with natures work. The red maples, golden birch and the deep green of the fir can almost make you stop thinking of fishing. The residents of this stream can rival the color of the countryside. It is home to the Wild Brook Trout. Most of these brookies are on the small side every now and then, especially in the fall when the larger lake dwelling brook trout ascend this small stream to spawn. It was in one year that the largest brook trout I've ever taken came from this stream. As we walk upstream into the Maine Wilderness, fishing as we hiked your eyes will see moose, black bear, and the ever startling partridge. I have over the years fished many flies in this stream, streamers, dries, and wets and the best producers have been wet flies. One outing that will always remain vivid was the time we came upon a pool that had many spawning brookies in it. I tossed an arsenal of flies into that pool, some would follow, some would strike and slash, but not one hookup. I opened the fly box and took hold of a wet fly I carry but did not often fish, a "Parmacheene Belle". That day I called it my "Billy Baroo". When I showed the fly to my wife she said tie it on, because I love the color. I tied on that fly and on the second cast a male brook trout slammed that fly. He was a beautiful fish of 15 inches. That pool produced four more brookies on that fly.
Until this day, when in brook trout waters the "BELLE" will be called to duty.
"Parmacheene Belle"
"Belle" and Friends
A Wild Maine Brook Trout

A Maine Wilderness Stream

Another Time

Fishing has been in my life for as long as I can recall. As a young boy my fishing was done with a bait casting rod and reel, some Pfluger tins of assorted hooks and sinkers, and worms. The fish we were seeking were anything that would bite. As I began to evolve, my fishing life discovered trout. The method pretty much stayed the same only a more advanced tool arsenal was used. A Mitchell 300 spinning reel and a two piece rod, a few Daredevle's and Abu Garcia spinners, number 8 Eagle Claw snelled hooks, and garden hackle. It was about 1974 or so that I began to read about fishing for trout with a fly. It really took hold when a read a book called "Trout Fishing" by Joe Brooks. It was full of great photos and stories about fly fishing. That book was what made me give this new type of fishing a try. I purchased a fly rod, a Cortland seven foot five weight glass rod, a Pfluger Medalist reel and a few flies, which I had no knowledge of and off I went. I fished the Farmington River in Unionville, and the first trout on a fly was taken. Since that time many years ago many trout have come to hand, in many streams both local and distant. So many rods and reels, flies and fly boxes, expensive and not so expensive have come and helped me to enjoy my days on the streams. But every now and then I drift back to "Another Time"