Here it is the first day of February. It's now 4:50 AM and I'm enjoying my first cup of Nantucket blend waiting for the black brew to do its magic and put some meaning to my thoughts.
These are a few streamers of mine, one a bucktail conversion of a featherwing. The Footer Special is a very successful featherwing streamer that has a good track record of taking brook trout and salmon. It actually represents the forage fish swimming upside down as if it were wounded.
A few words about the book in the first photo. Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing, by Joe Bates. This book is considered by streamer tyers as the bible of streamers. Bates did extensive research on hundreds of patterns. The accuracy of the streamers is true, as are the recipes. This is a great book for anyone not just those who tie streamers. Its a great streamer history book as well and a good read in general.
This is a featherwing pattern, "Northern Lights".
First cup of coffee..magical..like streamer patterns that seduce salmonids..of which you've had great success
ReplyDeleteNice streamers. If I were up at 4:50 AM and on the internet my wife would probably give me grief.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful streamers as always! I can second the recommendation of the Bates book. I borrowed a copy from the local libary through inter library loan and then bought one for myself (they are out of print but you can find them through amazon)
ReplyDelete"Northern Lights" is beautiful! Almost as beautiful as the real thing. I like your book shelf...It's contents look similar to mine.
ReplyDeleteHey Alan......I like that Northern Lights streamer. I will have to see if the instructor on the upcoming fly-tying class will let us tie one.
ReplyDeleteDo you think the fish are present at Red Brook this time of year? Thanks.
Beautiful streamers Alan!
ReplyDeleteMagic, I've always considered the northern lights. And now, your flies too.
ReplyDeleteBrk
ReplyDeleteAwesome color combo--not a complicated pattern here but very effective. Thanks for sharing
penbayman,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
The coffee usually lives up to its magic, the streamers at times do also.
RKM,
Thanks.
I would think that if you were up at 4:50 am, you would have thoughts of angling for brook trout and proceed out the door.
Mark,
Thanks.
Bates' book is a streamer tyers treasure chest. I glad you now have a copy.
Kiwi,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
After completing the streamer that's the name that came to mind. Even with so much info on the internet, I still like a good book.
Ed,
Thanks.
I'm sure they're in the stream, but I'll bet that Buttermilk Bay will give up a real nice salter now.
Darren MacEachern,
Thanks.
The Ghosts on streamers365.com today are special.
e.m.b.,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
That comparison is much appreciated.
Bill Trussell,
Thanks.
Not a lot of materials but they came together nicely.
Waiting for the first cup to work its magic...yep, sounds bout right.
ReplyDeletelove the "Northern Lights".
Thanks Alan. I am heading to the Cape on Friday for work. Would you use a Mickey Finn at the mouth of the river?
ReplyDeleteGreat looking streamers!
ReplyDeleteSanders,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Wonderful stuff that coffee.
Ed,
Thanks.
It would be a good choice. Good luck, let us know how it went.
G Lech,
Thanks
Beautiful. Thanks for these and the inspiration. You're keeping the bar high!
ReplyDeleteAs I work the cob webs from my head and sip my coffee, I must say very nice tie Alan. I always enjoy seeing feather wing conversions and buck tail conversions.
ReplyDeleteNever tried that kind of coffee but it seems that it does the trick. "Northern Lights" is really a work of art. Keep showing us those beautiful streamers of yours. It's always nice to see the harmony in well tied flies.
ReplyDeleteHave fun tying streamers and fishing them,
M.O.
The Red, one has realy caught my eye, beautifull tyings. There,s a real art form, in the tying of the streamers.
ReplyDeleteLike that Footer Conversion, gonna tie some up.
ReplyDeleteI'll be in touch, got some brooks to show you.
A.T.
I am going to make more of an effort to tie up some of these great streamers that you are always showing us. I really need to fish them when chasing those Brookies. Excellent ties. Thanks for sharing. Tight Lines.
ReplyDeleteJim Yaussy Albright,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Ive noticed from your tying your keeping pace.
Johnny Utah,
Thanks.
Sometimes they work out pretty well.
The Jassid Man,
Thanks.
Coffee what a web clearer. Northern Lights did seem to present itself rather nicely.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
They do have a appeal.
Apache Trout,
Thanks.
That Footer Special has been known to take a brookie or two. Oh yes, more streams.
Trout MaGee,
Thanks.
I would really enjoy seeing those streamers.