The featherwing streamer fly may have not originated in New England but it is New England where it was nurtured and and refined. One area of New England, the State of Maine and the town of Rangeley have become one in the same when it comes to the streamer fly. Many patterns that were so beautifully crafted back in early 1900's are still being tied and fished today. There's a dedicated following and a group of tyers that keep these flies in the eyes of newly fly tyers, anglers, and historians.
I'm sure that every state that comprises the New England region has contributed to the history of the Rangeley-New England streamer.
 |
| "Orange" |
"Orange" a simplistic feather wing streamer tied in the Rangeley style.
 |
| "Platte River Special" |
"Platte River Special"...a fly tied in the Rangeley style....a western pattern that I converted at the request of a Colorado angler.
Another well known New Englander....clam chowder, this is Rhode Island style, my favorite.
Brk Trt, nice streamers as always. Clam chowd'a one of my favorites as well. But RI style, I'm not a huge fan of the clear broth, but the traditional NE cream base chowd'a, yes I'll have seconds....Phil
ReplyDeleteDRYFLYGUY
DeleteThanks
Phil I like the creamy version to, but the thin stuff is a fave.
Now when I make salmon chowder I like it thick and creamy.
Food. Flies. Fish. Fun. Not a bad gig if one can get it.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to wash lnes this weekend. My ice will be breaking here sometime I hope. We've been iced over since Christmas week. Cant last much longer.
I'm thinking a nce chicken pot pie this weekend. I need to practice some five ingredient date bars for spring season, too. Mch better than candy bars.
We shold be publishing the recipies ... fly and food both.
Very elegant patterns, Alan. I tie most of my streamers with hair wings. Easier tie and less prone to tangling. I tied up some "Spanish Needle" softies last night. I'm getting down to the end of my quahogs I raked last Fall and froze. Delicious NE style chowder. They toughen up a bit when frozen so I pulverize them thru a food processer first, which also intensifies the flavor of the soup.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dornik
DeleteThanks
John hair wings have a place in my box as well. The Mickey Finn and Edson Tiger are front and center.
I went to buy a few quahogs yesterday morning but they had none so it was cherrystones, which were not as tough. Your food processor trick sounds like the perfect solution when making stuffed clams.
Alan
ReplyDeleteOnce again works of art.Beauties they are.
TROUT1
DeleteThanks
Pete I appreciate it.
Guess what it's snowing....16 more days 'til groundhog day.
Awesome ties as usual!
ReplyDeleteChris "Kiwi" Kuhlow
DeleteThanks
Chris I appreciate your comment.
Alan
ReplyDeleteResearching ageless streamers while enjoying a bowl of homemade clam chowder---a great way to spend time while waiting on the weather to break----thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
DeleteThanks
Bill I have several books on classic streamers, but I also love to just "wing it" free style.
They are so enjoyable to tie.
Chowder looks good, but I prefer the more "creamy" New England style. Have you seen Dave Bargeron's Jazz Flies? I waited a long time for this book to come out, but $70 is too steep for me.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
DeleteThanks
It looks like the creamy chowder is a favorite with a few of you.
I've never heard of that book, but will look into it.
There was a tyer, who has passed that tied "jazz flies", his name was Mark Romero. They were some wild creations.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteNicely done. Those flies are some really nice eye candy. Are you able to share a reputable source for jungle cock feathers?
Thanks
John V.
John V.
DeleteThanks
John I have a couple of capes that I purchased several years ago. One I purchased on ebay. Ebay is a good source just make sure you look real good at the photos and ask the seller questions if you have them. Most sellers offer buy back if not satisfied.
Fly fishing shows are also a decent source for JC.
iPad hates blogspot comments, apparently. Eats my comment.
ReplyDeleteLoved these streamers. Nice ties. I need to tie some Rangeley-style using some jailbird barred UV I have. I need some small streamers that are easy to throw in early season.
I'm tying from Spade flies this weekend -- the opposite of "easy to throw" but I am a soft-hackle addict in all aspects and it's something new for me in that direction.
Lovely flies. Great chowder.
spike,
DeleteThanks
iPad pc's tech, it's all outer space to me.
But streamers well that's home. The featherwing streamer can be tied and fished effectively on small hooks. I like the Mustad 3665A and the TMC 300 in size 10 for small streams.
I started fooling with some soft-hackle salmon flies also, they are fun to tie, and I may fish a few in larger local rivers.
Alan, I love the looks of those flies, but I'm just an innocent bystander trying not to start a new craze in Colorado.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
DeleteThanks
Howard do you remember the "Midge Man"...The Platte River Special was was his. He mentioned it to me and research showed it was a hairwing dtreamer that I converted to a featherwing.
Alan, as you know I've always admired your streamers. It always amazes me all the different patterns. Do you have a source for all theses wonderful creations? Or are these mostly your ideas, either way they are great. I never get tired of seeing what you will tie next. Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
DeleteThanks
Brad a great deal of my flies are of my own creation. Most of these flies were fished and had success. I just love getting creative with a bunch of feathers.
Hi Alan,very nice andan known patterns rangeley styles but it's better taste a rich clam chowder in this cold winter season.. right?
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
DeleteThanks
Armando I hope you had a good holiday season.
Clam chowder when served hot is like a furnace running inside your stomach.
That chowda looks great. They over thicken it with flour down in NJ. Properly made, it should thicken naturally from the starch from the potatoes. Flour is only used in an emergency or you need the batch fast.
DeleteMrKevinkins
DeleteThanks
Kevin I do not like that heavy stuff. Some places feature clam chowder which should be call clams and gravy.
Drooling not only at my favourite chowder but the flies too, very nice Alan.
ReplyDeleteGeorge
DeleteThanks
Your a fancier of the bounty of the sea. I have such a passion for clams and scallops, it's almost an addiction.