Good morning. Wow what a nice breakfast, french toast and maple syrup. Maple syrup is one of our many comforts. It's many uses of which toppings are probably the best known. I like to add it to stews, and a blend of it along with cayenne pepper makes a great glaze for chicken.
I read somewhere that 40% of the maple syrup harvested in the U.S. comes from New England, and the state that produces the most is Vermont. It is also said that Maine has the sweetest maple syrup. Which leads to a sweet simple fly....Maple Syrup.
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| "Maple Syrup" |
This simple fly has but 2 materials, tan chenille and yellow bucktail. I'm not certain of what it represents, probably a nymph I guess. It works when used, and I should use it more often...perhaps I should add it to my 2019 resolutions.
Here are a couple of "small stream" spey flies....
This one features a Jungle Cock eye.
Wow Alan! Not only sweets for the tongue but for the eyes as well! I am liking that small stream spey fly with jungle cock eyes! I can see a beautiful smallmouth attached to this one! Where's my salmon fly hooks?
ReplyDeleteDougsden
Dougsden
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Doug those spey flies are tied on a #12 Mustad 94842 hook.
What salmon fly hooks?
Oh yes....now I see! How could I miss that most wonderful and popular hook for flymphs? Shame on me! But, if I angled for smallies, a salmon fly hook may be just the ticket! If I scale these down to trout/bluegill size, the 94942 is spot on! Thanks Alan!
DeleteDoug yes the heavier hook will do nicely for small mouth.
DeleteThat 94842 hook was popular with Pete Hidy so I have heard.
I believe that Hidy took to using the 94842 when his supply of Veniard Long Shank Mayfly hooks got scarce.
DeleteWilliam Shuck
DeleteThank you my friend. I like the hook but they are hard to get.
Yum! Maple syrup is also excellent in coffee. The fly is neat, so simple. I love the spey flies as well!
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will coffee and maple syrup is great.
Our Maple Syrup comes from King Arthur Flour in Vermont. The best.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark a fine company. Paid a visit there last spring.
Jack Gartside would love those flies, Alan. Consider this a shameless plug for Maine maple syrup and Alvin Theriault of Theriault's Flies in Staceyville, Maine. He created the maple syrup fly as a still water pattern for a hex nymph, but it works equally well fished on a swing in quick water.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike Jack loved that soft marabou from many birds. Theriault also sell some fine tying material. I also think he raised domestic Jungle fowl. I have to fish that fly more often.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI wish the wife and I could have made the trip up the east coast this past year. Vermont was going to be one our stops to sample and purchase some of the maple syrup. Our move again derailed that trip. Thanks for the comment
Bill Trussell
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Bill all of New England features quality maple syrup, and support for local makers is a help.
Had my wife's french toast casserole for breakfast this morning. Topped with red raspberries, blueberries and maple syrup. Yum!
ReplyDeleteI've got to try your speys this year Alan.
bill piatek
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Bill that sounds like a wonderful breakfast. These flies were tied on a #12 hook.
That top fly reminds me of Sossin's Blossom series.
ReplyDeleteI'll look that one up.
DeleteMaple syrup, a real indulgence. I love on bacon, ham roast, pancakes, ice cream. I simply love it. Best wishes, John
ReplyDeleteJohn Richardson
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John there are many uses for this amber gold. Snow cones...
I pour Steeves Canadian maple syrup on the Jim Dandy Quick Grits along with a moat of milk and have that for breakfast. Good tucker and it sticks to my ribs until lunch time. I alternate this with porridge.
ReplyDeleteKindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve Hynes
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Steve Ontario Canada is the larges producer in the world...sweet trees galore. Oatmeal takes kindly to maple syrup.
Alan, that local maple syrup warms the soul. We enjoyed same on Christmas morning on waffles. What a treat.
ReplyDeleteTired of fighting the high Swift River flow I hit the local Scantic River which is really a small stream in Hampden, Mass. No takers today, but what a beautiful piece of water with many holding areas for trout. Thought sure I would connect with one, but not the case.
I give you a lot of credit for fishing these small streams and connecting the way you do. I found it to be very tough fishing with the close confines of brush, and feeling I was spooking trout at every good zone. What you do on these small streams is remarkable.
Best, Sam
Parachute Adams
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Sam as we have talked about a few times, those heavy flows are not fun to fish in. Line control is a disaster and wading very dangerous. Stick with the Scantic. I believe that the Scantic flows into CT. Must fish it one day.
Spooking trout on small streams is something I do with regularity, it can't be avoided. A short rod can help to.
Oh I do miss that local maple syrup...
ReplyDeleteKlags
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A big treat here in New England....where are you now?