It is on evenings such as this. Dark and chilly. Supper has been eaten, a fine stew it was. Kenny G is playing and a hot coffee is beside me as I type. On the bench is some "Secret Stuff" nearby several piles of colored marabou and a fellow who has a vivid imagination. As fly tyers we have been conditioned to tie the flies of proven patterns. There are those who choose to do this and a variation from written recipe is looked upon as, well I'll not say. I have never really held or towed the line that many tyers do. I have always loved to be creative in my tying. To take what may be in your mind and pick up some feathers, hooks, and thread and create what may be the fly that will take the most beautiful fish you have ever caught. I enjoy fly tying as a form of personal expression, much like art.
A short shank hook, some secret stuff, a plume of yellow marabou and a few turns of mallard. This fly will catch bass, trout, steelhead and catfish.
White marabou, followed by red marabou, with Jungle Cock. Again creativeness that will catch a multitude of fish.
The fly when wet takes on the likeness of a bait fish. The shape along with the subtle flash of the secret stuff along with the seductive movement of the marabou make these flies irresistible.
"Halloween"....have a safe and fun trick or treat day.
Innovation is the heart and soul of tying, nicely done. I love all three of those patterns, especially the last. It strikes me as more brookie than halloween. Wood duck collars are a pain but they look sooo good.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike playing with feathers, just like playing with blocks as kids. We learned a lot from them just like we learn from tying what our imaginations will allow. So much fun.
Agreed on the trouble with winding duck hackles.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteHow did you know that the marabou and diamond braid and long shanks are on my desk and that I am currently (albeit slowly) tying streamers?
Your bait fish patterns above are super! I like when you show them damp! It brings out their true character! Marabou is magical in its ability to flow and pulse and flex in the currents imitating many of the fry and minnows that fish feed upon! Thank you for your "variations" that I find simply wonderful!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug I'm in tune. I have a few of your marabou streamers and creative they are. When wet marabou presents itself in true baitfish style. A big purple marabou streamer fished in some heavy current in the Farmington river brought an unbelievable brown trout up from the bottom to take a whack. Unfortunately I panicked and pulled it form its jaws.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteYour ties are beautiful!
I'm a big fan of many of Jack Gartside's flies for fresh and salt water - soft hackle streamers, Pheasant tail hoppers, the Gurgler, and the Sparrow. Watching him tie at fly fishing shows I always learned a lot. He's been gone several years now, but he is still missed.
Best wishes,
John
John Strucker
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John I first met Jack at the Fly Fishing show they held just outside Boston. It was held in March and it was an awesome show. In other years I would talk with him in Marlboro. He could teach you so much in 10-15 minutes. A master indeed.
One word come to mind Alan, fluffy. I like "Secret Stuff". Always an adventure.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark you need "secret stuff", so magical.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThe pulsating affect of all these flies is what them so irresistible to fish. I like fishing flies with full body hackle. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill these marabou flies do all of the work. Just get them in the water and let it happen.
Alan, this is a topic I feel we are alike. I have some favorite classic patterns I fish on occasion, but most of my fishing consists of "testing" my own original flys. The satisfaction gained from catching fish this way is huge for me. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteMatt Harding
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Matt when you put together a fly using materials you think will fool a fish, and then you fish it. That first fish that takes it is such a rewarding experience. It's hard to put into words.
I like your chances with those streamers, Alan. Rare for me, last Friday out for a few hours I fished the same wooly bugger the whole time. They are pretty bushy anyway, but I wrapped a pheasant feather with a lot of marabou on it to the head and thought it looked pretty good. I got a few tugs that didn't connect, then connected with a hefty rainbow dead drifting it. Getting dark I threw it right next to the opposite bank at the end of a brush pile and got a hit from a nice brown that was on briefly but was released after a few violent head shakes. I would've liked to seen that one in my net.
ReplyDeleteBest, Sam
Sam
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You see Sam by wrapping the pheasant feather at the head of a bugger you made a productive variant. And with this fly you hooked up with a nice brown. It pays to try new stuff sometimes. Days are getting short, I'm not liking this early darkness.
Thanks, Alan. I was pretty happy to get action on the variant fly. Days are indeed getting short and the clock turns back Saturday night. A tough time of year for me to get through, but luckily I still have vacation days that I can utilize on good November and December days.
ReplyDeleteSam there can be some beautiful day in November and early December. Saving those vacation days was a wise decision.
DeleteInteresting that Gartside and Betters have both come up in recent conversations and both passed away late 2009.
ReplyDeleteI think you should name one of those flies "Ten Years After"
Rick A
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Rick both of them are true fly tying and fishing legends. Their patterns have taken a great deal of trout for me and countless others.
I like that name.