Here it is March second, "wow"...the month of spring is upon us. I was kicking around the idea of going fishing today until I looked outside. The sun is so bright and inviting but the 30 mph winds are not. The weather guys are saying some of the wind gusts will reach to 50. Those winds will not help me cast a fly, not to mention all the widow makers falling from above. So I'm going to tie a few flies and then make a pot of clam chowder.
This is a fly I saw on Ralph Long's blog. Not tied exactly as he tied it but close.
Olive colored thread, fine copper rib, squirrel dubbed thorax and woodcock hackle.
This soft-hackle is olive thread body with a black rib, squirrel dubbed thorax, and woodcock under covert hackle.
This soft-hackle uses Pearsall's silk thread for the body, black squirrel for a thorax and woodcock hackle.
Here is a little sweetheart. Body, Pearsall's silk, hears mask dubbed thorax, and white hen back hackle. Drift off to a late evening in summer, the sulphurs hatching, and you are working this fly just under the surface...oh man hold on.
Now I believe I'll have some of this cast iron skillet corn bread. I'll grill it in butter, add a hot cup of Nantucket coffee and think about ...........
BrkTrt -
ReplyDeleteMan, that yellow softhackle is awesome. They all are... But like you alluded, the first thing I thought of was standing knee deep, and dangling that on a nice June evening as the sun fell behind the hills. Not, a, bad, thing!
Enjoy the delicious food!
Will
Hibernation
DeleteThanks
Will that is a great thought to have come forward this 2nd day of March. Keep your eyes sharp for there are rising fish.
Alan
ReplyDeleteYou sure know how to put a surge in one's appetite--get ready for a lot of wind during March; we had wind gust here yesterday reaching 50mph-be glad when April arrives. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
DeleteThanks
Bill as kids we were told March is the best month to fly kites. Yes my friend April will indeed be welcomed.
I'm chomping at the bit to get those flies you sent me in the water. With 12' of snow in Carson Pass, I think it'll be a while before the creek is slow enough to fish. Corn bread and clam chowder, yummmm.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
DeleteThanks
Mark 12" is a lot of snow, I don't think those soft-hackles will be of value for some time. Those are some fine winter foods.
It's March the month of spring over there..? What quicly..but very nice the pattern soft hackles...and very nice corn bread too....
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
DeleteThanks
Armando it is the month of spring, actually some where around the 29th. But winter will continue to bite for awhile. Corn bread, grilled and drizzled with maple syrup....so good.
Alan, you already had my attention with the soft hackles.....then you have to throw skillet cornbread at me too? NOT RIGHT! LOL
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
DeleteThanks
Ralph the soft-hackles raised the curtain, and the corn bread was the feature.
Soft Hackles & Corn Bread - All I need is a cup of hot coffee and I could get into that for awhile.................
ReplyDeleteMel-Fly Tyin Times
DeleteThanks
Mel just sit by the desk and savor it all.
Life is good.
Very nice softies ... and there's nothing better than some cast iron corn bread....
ReplyDeleteDoug Korn Fly Tyer
DeleteThanks
Doug corn bread is a favorite of mine. Love it grilled with butter and maple syrup.
Some nice looking flies there. Cornbread doesn't look to shabby, either. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteJay Guarneri
DeleteThanks
Jay a good start to ones day for sure, and not a bad way to close out that day.
Here in Michigan it is snowing again, and in the low 20s, last week really got the juices going but its still March. Love skillet made cornbread! Michigan trout streams don't open till the last Saturday in april expect for some of the more popular streams with gear restrictions. Which really here it is needed. But your blog makes getting through the long winter a little easier. Thanks, Mike.
ReplyDeletemike rogers
DeleteThanks
Mike most of our streams are closed now, the exception is the WTMA streams an the TMA's. I'm happy to put some bend in the rod even if it's a 1000 miles away.
It seems the options for soft hackles are endless, thank you for sharing these patterns. I've got a box of different patterns I can't wait to try this season. Here in Maine we're making progress, we were in the 50's the past two days, but hack in the 20's this weekend. We'll get there. The cornbread looks amazing, hard to beat with a cup of chowder on a cold day. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMaineFly207
Anonymous
DeleteThanks
Chris I hope that's your name. Soft-hackles can be as simple as a spider and as complex as a Hidy flymph. It's up to you. These swings in temps are tough to deal with, but it's all going to get better.
Beautiful flies, Alan. That sulphur one really catches my eye being a customer of mine will be taking me to the Yellow Breeches in May where I'm told there are great hatches of them. I will definitely tie some of those up.
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
DeleteThanks
Sam that sulphur should work for you. I hope you have a great time fishing that fabled stream.
Really digging your spiders, Alan. The woodcock is beautiful stuff ... underappreciated sometimes I think. Sort of a cross between red grouse and plover in color and markings, and much easier to come by.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
DeleteThanks
Bill I'm in agreement with your thoughts on woodcock. The feathers are also a joy to work with and the variation of color make it a great choice for these flies. Price and sourcing is also a good point.
Your soft hackles Alan, as I like to say "Neat but not gaudy". I've pretty much standardized my soft hackle tying now: size 12 hook, Piersall's thread body (various colors favoring orange),hackle hun partridge or grouse or snipe, collar dubbed natural mole when used. Your corn bread would go well with my favorite fried scrapple and maple syrup. I alone in my family would eat scrapple (love it).
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
DeleteThanks
John you like the #12, and for me it's the #14. Pearsall's is a fabulous body material, but I will also lightly dub it.
Scrapple is something I could never really bite into. The first time I had it was back in the early 70's and the last time was in 2003 and just could not finish the portion.
Simple, elegant soft hackles Alan!! Stay warm this weekend, winter is making a brief comeback!
ReplyDeleteTROUT1
DeleteThanks
Pete I hear the temps will dip into the single numbers. That will slow the action down.
some lovely tied spiders there Alan, well done buddy :)
ReplyDeleteGeorge
DeleteThanks
I hope the fish like them mate.
I'm really excited to try a few of these here out west.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
DeleteThanks
Howard a little advice....cast them out and allow them to swing freely in the current....most important hold on.
And what wonderful morning thoughts you have Alan! The flies are exquisite and the cornbread looks (and smells) awesome! This gives me an idea for supper tomorrow night!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan for your superb lifestyle and the generosity to share it will all of us!
Doug
Dougsden
DeleteThanks
Doug next I'm going to try jalapeno peppers in the corn bread. I see you use the word supper for the evening meal. That word needs to make a comeback.