Land of Little Rivers

The Land of Little Rivers, by, Austin McK. Francis is one of the finest books I have ever read. It's detailed history and photographs of the Catskill region are spectacular.

It covers the rivers, the people, the beautiful dry flies and the tyers who created them. It has a section on the bamboo rods of the era, as well as their makers. If you have the opportunity to read this book please do so, you won't be disapointed.

Wild Trout on the Dry Fly

Saturday was one of those moderating days in December where the air temps reach 35 to 40, no wind and bright sunshine which make for a good feel to the body. I started fishing this Class 1 stream further down than I normally fish it, in fact parts I've never really fished. A BHPT was my first fly and after a few drifts there was that little bump that signals a hit. As I lifted up the 3wt Sage I felt the fish. As I retrieved it I could see it was a nice brown. When reaching for him he delivered the fly to me and off he went. I continued to fish the nymph with out much success. I changed flies and tied on a "Ausable Bomber", its so much easier to follow than the PT, and not as many bottom snags. After several drifts through the pool I had a fish rise. It was a very subtle move but a rise none the less. Another few drifts and I had my first hookup on the "Bomber" and the first fish to hand. It was a lovely brookie. I continued to have success on the dry with many rises and quite a few fish to hand.

This was a good day on the stream, and considering it was December 18th, maybe it was one of the best of the year.

  Wild brookie's on the "Bomber"



Reversed Tied Emergers

Roy's Flies


A few years ago while viewing a post on "smallstreams.com" I was taken by a series of emergers tied in reverse. They were beautiful looking flies and had the look of Fish Taker. These flies were tied by a inovative and very talented master fly tyer from England, his name is Roy Christie.

I communicated with Roy and purchased several of his patterns. Upon recieving them I did a through inspection of them, trying to figure out his way of tying them. It was not an easy time of it when I sat down at the bench and attempted to duplicate the flies. My copies were not close to his, but appeared OK to fish.

On numerous trips I fish the two, Roy's and mine. The results were about 50/50, the diference was I was able to fool a few wary browns on The Farmy using Roy's because of their smaller size.

I still tie these and fish them often,and perhaps I could someday see exactly how he ties them. They are a great pattern.

My rendition of Roy's reversed tied emergers

A few results.

You can view some of Roy's work here,http://reversedparachutes.blogspot.com/


Click on Image to Enlarge

A Year, Closing.....2